Chip Hartranft and Pura Vida invite you to set out with them next February on our 9th annual retreat, The Yoga Of Awakening. The retreat is a week-long voyage of inner and outward discovery, in which old and confining habits of body & mind will be shaken off through the energizing practices of enlightened yoga, the sublime clarity and tranquility of Buddhist meditation, and transformative bodywork offered optionally that includes shiatsu, watsu, deep tissue massage, and ayurveda. If you've never done yoga before, or only practiced asanas, you're in for a profound and liberating experience!

Pura Vida means 'pure life'. The Pura Vida Spa, nestled high in the mountains but just 20 minutes above San José, Costa Rica, is a jewel adorning one of the Western Hemisphere's most magical settings. It is a place of healing and rejuvenation, dedicated to nourishing its guests and guiding them as they return to their original nature. Pura Vida is ideally suited to the practice of yoga, meditation, and awakening, not only because it boasts four spacious, well-equipped yoga halls with magnificent views, but also because yoga & meditation are what Pura Vida is about. It is also surrounded by a tropical paradise abounding with adventures: rainforests, waterfalls, active volcanoes, white-water rivers, mountain cloud forests, and exotic wildlife and birds - but virtually no annoying insects - are all nearby. At this time of year, every day is sunny and pleasantly breezy on the mountain, with temperatures in the mid-70s, followed by a cool starry evening.

Each day, in addition to rejuvenating yoga & meditation before breakfast and dinner, you can join an eco-tour - to El Poás volcano, or sailing from rainforest treetop to treetop in a canopy adventure, or strolling among hundreds of blue Morphos at a butterfly habitat, or white-water rafting on the Pacuaré, or horseback riding at the Pacific coast, or just strolling through the neighboring coffee fields. You'll also enjoy incredibly luscious, wholesome food, with marvelous tropical fruit juices, local coffees, and indigenous delicacies lovingly prepared and served by the delightful staff in an indoor/outdoor elevated dining room with a wraparound veranda and breathtaking 360˚ views of the valley, mountains, and coffee fields.

Pura Vida is also a spa, offering healing arts and treatments including deep tissue, shiatsu, ayurvedic and hot stone massage, as well as watsu, or floating shiatsu, all skillfully performed by cutting edge practitioners from around the world. You can also enjoy reflexology, Body Talk, aromatherapy, facials, manicures, pedicures, steam treatments or a tropical body polish.

Pura Vida is a relaxed and extraordinarily easy place to make new friends. When we're there, two or three other teachers will also be visiting with their students and sharing the wonders of this magical place, including joyous activities like salsa dancing, drumming, music and kirtan. Of course, if you prefer, you can just sit back and enjoy the solitude, tranquility, and stunning vistas from a hammock, the mountainside hot tub, or a chaise longue by the pool.

Come to Pura Vida - join Chip and friends as we embark together on this sublime journey of transformation and delight!

Chip Hartranft’s work bridges the traditions of yoga and Buddhism. He is the founding director of The Arlington Center, dedicated to the integration of yoga and dharma practice, and has integrated yoga movement & mindfulness meditation in the Boston area since 1978. He teaches the Yoga-Sutra at teacher trainings across the country, including the Mindful Yoga Program at Spirit Rock. Chip is the author of The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali: a new translation with commentary (Shambhala) and the forthcoming How The Buddha Taught Meditation.

Pura Vida Accommodations

 Pura Vida Retreat Center offers over 50 different accommodation options including vistas, suites, A-frame chalets, tri-levels, kivas, and charming luxury tents lying amidst enchanted gardens with fountains, flowers, fruit and ornamental trees, colorful birds, and gentle butterflies. Live in luxury in your own private "pagoda"...book cozy chalets...or stay in the most "not-like-a-tent I've ever seen!" tent. They're spacious, fully furnished, and wonderfully comfortable. The whole estate commands fantastic views of the surrounding volcanoes Irazú, Barva, and Poás as well as of the central valley with the capital city, San José.  All accommodations have open floor plans.

 A Tentalow is a comfortable bungalow tent located in the garden with carpeting, electricity, and either two twin beds or one king bed.  The tentalows share two bathhouses approximately 78-158 feet away, depending on your tent’s location.  These are unisex facilities with two toilets and two showers each.  (14 tents) 12’ x 12’

 A Standard Room offers dormitory style housing with a tile floor, electricity, coffee maker, and either two twin beds or one king bed.  The standard rooms are in one building with separate external entrances.  These rooms have shared bathroom facilities, 2 toilets and 2 showers, approximately 20 paces from the rooms. (4 rooms) 15’ x 7’ 

A Deluxe Room has a private bathroom with shower, coffee maker, and a balcony.

• The A-Frames are individual “A” shaped units with vaulted ceilings.  These are the smaller of the deluxe rooms, perfect for reservations requesting one king bed. (7 rooms) 332 sq. ft.
• The Vistas are larger deluxe rooms offering a duplex or apartment style design well suited for reservations requesting 2 twin beds.  Vistas 35-41 have approximately 15 stairs leading down to the rooms. (11 rooms)

A Super Deluxe Room is approximately 30-40% larger than a deluxe room and has a private bathroom with shower, living/sitting area, coffee maker, and balcony or patio.

• The Villa is ideal for families, offering one queen bed, two twin beds, and a balcony with view. (1 room)
• The Tri-level has steps inside the accommodation connecting the three living spaces; entry level with bathroom, middle level with bed(s), and lower sitting area.  Each has a balcony and the option of two twin beds or one king.  By request only, this room can hold 3-4 guests. (6 rooms) 45 sq. mtrs.
• The Lower Kiva is on the bottom floor of the Kiva building, has a patio, and either two twin beds or one king bed.  It is the smallest Kiva and has approximately 25 stairs leading down to the room. (2 rooms)
• The Middle Kiva is on the middle floor of the Kiva building, has a balcony, and is larger than the lower Kiva.  One can have either two twin beds or one king bed, the other has two double beds.    There are approximately 12 stairs leading down to the rooms. (2 rooms)
• The Upper Kiva is located on the top floor with the entry door at the sidewalk level.  It has a balcony with view, either two twin beds or one king bed, and is the largest of the Kivas. By request only, this room can hold 3-4 guests. (2 rooms)

A Suite is a larger version of our super deluxe room with an incredible view, a large balcony or patio, private bathroom, sitting area, and coffee maker.  These rooms are very spacious and have one king bed only.

• The Zendo resembles a smaller version of our Pagoda.  It is a private dwelling with wooden plank panel walls, a vaulted ceiling with fan, wrap-around balcony, and an out-door shower; no bathtub. (1 room)
• The Lila is nestled in the lush foliage surrounding the neighboring Yoga Hall of the same name.  It has a large deck/patio with view, a wall of windows for natural light, a window seat inside the room, and large marble counters in the dressing area of the bathroom.  This room is located near the main house. (1 room)
• The Master has a large wall of windows facing the valley, a sitting area with amazing view, a walk-in closet, Jacuzzi bathtub, shower, double sinks, and is located in the main house. (1 room)

 The Pagoda is a private residence with a king size bed, sunken living room, vaulted ceiling with fan, Jacuzzi bathtub, fireplace, large outdoor deck, mini refrigerator, and private enclosed outdoor shower. (1 room)