Gentle Earth Retreats has two wonderful locations! Cabuya, Costa Rica and Ithaca, New York
Gentle Earth Retreats, Cabuya, Costa Rica
Our Gentle Earth Retreat center located in Costa Rica (also called "Mundo Tranquillo Retreats") is set in the tranquil and beautiful oceanside village of Cabuya. The village rests at the entrance of the Cabo Blanco national park, rainforest reserve, which offers a wide array of wildlife, nature, hiking and beaches and is a popular destination for travelors worldwide. The retreat center is set back away from the main road, surrounded by banana and mango groves. The grounds sport a variety of tropical plants, flowers and fruit trees. The main building with the "juicing/cooking" kitchen offers a large indoor/outdoor gathering area for seminars or just socializing. Two guest rooms/private baths, are in the main building, the others are in our nearby"guest cottage", which has three private rooms with private baths, a sitting area, an outdoor covered terrace and kitchenette with water and tea/bar. An exercise pavillion offers a great place for yoga/pilates classes or private stretching and exercise. our sauna rests amoungst the tropical foliage.
The weather is generally very beautiful. It ranges on average in the 80's and from Nov-May, there is little to no rain (surprisingly low humidity), only blue skys. It is always comfortable in the shade. The nights tend to be even cooler most of the time.
The ocean at Cabuya is a blend of rocks and sand, which has protected it from the ravages of over development, leaving the shores natural and peaceful. As a result, swimming in Cabuya is best at high tide when the water reaches the shore, or at low tide with watershoes on. Right off the shore is a small island which is accessible at high tide (the path becomes walkable) and offers good snorkeling, fishing and low tide swimming (you can jump off the rocks into the deep water). The water is warm and very nice. Just down the road are several wonderful sand beaches (Las Manchas or Playa Sedro). They are very bike-able or if you have a car, they are a five minute drive. A small bus also goes back and forth between Cabuya and Montezuma (a popular tourist town, four miles down the road) many times during the day (about every two hours), which can also bring you to the other beaches. Depending on the season, Playa Sedro can be very good for surfing.
Cabuya offers many surprising conveniences for a rural oceanside village. Within a very short walking distance of the retreat center are two markets with fresh produce, groceries and other items (soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.). There are also several local fishermen who sell fresh fish right off of the shore. It is a short walk to the ocean and to snorkeling (bring snorkeling gear). The water is generally warm and very nice.Cabuya sports a few good little restaurants, an internet cafe, a bakery/coffee shop, a local bar/saloon that sometimes has music and other entertainment, a little shop with fishing supplies and a little bookstore/library/newstand. You can visit the Rainsong Wildlife reserve and see their plants and animals. They also conduct horseback riding tours. You can rent ATV’s and ocean kayaks Hotel in Cabuya and there are several fishermen that are happy to take you out fishing or just touring the sea for a range of prices.
If you are looking for a more lively nightlife, Montezuma is only a few miles down the road. A small, but busy little Oceanside town, Montezuma has many restaurants, clubs and cafes. Street vendors make the street look lively and colorful with their jewelry, pottery, hammocks and more. The long stretch of beautiful sand beaches in Montezuma are lovely. It attracts many visitors from Europe, the USA and more. From Montezuma, you can access horseback riding, zip lining, snorkeling tours, ATV rentals and more.
If you enjoy surfing, you can do it all around the area, but Mal Paiz, about four miles away, is one of the favorite surfing destinations in Costa Rica. The beaches there are also lovely. It is not a central a town as Montezuma, as all of its amenities are spread out along a road that runs down the beach (it has a sort of “California surf town vibe”). Very inspired walkers/hiker like to hike the road from Cabuya to Mal Paiz. It is a challenging and amazing hike and takes a little under two hours.
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Gentle Earth Retreats, Ithaca, New York location:
Our retreats are held at a quaint 1890’s bed and breakfast style farmhouse. There are six rooms that accommodate six to eleven people, so the participants are sure to enjoy a very peaceful and private stay. The grounds are completely surrounded by tall pines and are nestled in the quiet farmland area in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. There is a fitness room with cardiovascular and resistance equipment, a hot tub, a large pool, an infrared sauna, mountain bikes, a large movie and fiction library and a lovely country pond with a paddle boat. A bright yoga room accommodates daily yoga or Pilates classes and is available anytime for stretching or meditating. Large grassy grounds with walking trails surround the center for strolling or relaxing on one of the benches.
For those who choose to wander, the surrounding area has much to offer. We often take organized trips to enjoy the many things the fingerlakes region has to offer. There are several waterfalls, majestic gorges, and the beautiful Cayuga Lake within 15 minutes. The City of Ithaca is nearby, a stop that many enjoy for its unique artisans, shopping, natural products, museums, science center and the beautiful Ivy League campus of Cornell University. The Cayuga Lake Wine country sports charming vineyards, antique and craft shops, and lovely views!
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