Samasati Nature Retreat is situated on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, 4 miles away from Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, 130 miles from the capital. Depending on your arrival time in Costa Rica, there are different options to travel onwards to Samasati Nature Retreat. The airport where you will fly into is: San Jose International Airport (SJO).

How to Get to Samasati from the airport

From San Jose’ international airport to Samasati is a 4 hours scenic drive.  To rent a car we suggest www.poasrentacar.com  This company gives you the option of renting a car at the airport and dropping it off in Puerto Viejo. At Samasati we offer a daily shuttle to the beach and all excursions include transportation, so a car is not necessary during your stay at Samasati. Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for driving directions. We strongly suggest that you arrive at Samasati by 5 PM, as the roads can be not so easy to drive after dark. Samasati's entrance gate will be closed after 9:00 PM

Direct public buses run daily from San Jose’ city to Puerto Viejo. We can arrange for you to be picked up at the airport by a taxi and taken to the public bus station. The total cost is approximately $ 40.00. 

If your flight lands after 1:00 pm, we suggest you to spend the night in San Jose’ and catch the following morning a semi-private minivan (Interbus)  which leaves the city at 8:00 am. The cost is $ 40.00.

Staying overnight in San Jose

Don  Carlos Hotel    - Our recommendation

1492 Hotel -  Pretty and affordable

Hampton Inn Airport - Just across the street from the airport

Weather and temperature

The local temperature is 80- 85 degrees (28 C) year around. The climate has often been called a "micro-climate", implying that the variable factors affecting this region are independent from the rest of the neighboring areas. This region shares very little in common with the rest of the country's weather cycles and prognostication, as the rainy season is often blessed with several weeks of dry, hot and sunny days, while tropical showers can be experienced during the summer season.

Rooms

Check-In time: 3:00 PM.   Check -Out Time: 12:00 PM.

Electricity voltage and plugs are the same as in the US 110 volts
Each room has a safe deposit box, fan, emergency light as well as other amenities. Samasati offers laundry services.
For Yoga lovers, we have Yoga mats and props.

Items to bring

Tennis or hiking shoes, long light pants for jungle walks, warmer but light clothing for the evening. Sunblock, beach towel, flashlight, a light raincoat or umbrella. Biodegradable shampoo and personal care products, which can also be purchased at Samasati.

Internet and Telephones

There are no public phones at Samasati. Regular calls are to be made in the nearby village of Puerto Viejo. Cellular phones have good reception in our area.We have a public computer connected to Wi–Fi that can be used at the reception.
There are emergency phones at Samasati, so that your loved ones can contact you in case of emergency. You will receive the emergency numbers upon reservation.

Vaccinations and medical facilities

No vaccinations are required.
A fully equipped emergency facility and clinic is located 1 mile from Samasati.

Currency

If you are planning to pay your balance at Samasati with a credit card, please inform your bank that you will be traveling and using your credit card outside the US. Often banks will shut down credit card payments outside the US if not informed.

We suggest you bring U.S.$ cash in small bills (20s, 10s, 5s) which can be used in Costa Rica to pay anything instead of national currency. In the nearby village of Puerto Viejo there is a bank and ATM machine.
Most tour operators will only accept cash.
Tipping in Costa Rica is not required, but always greatly appreciated.

Children

Samasati and in general the South Caribbean area and culture is a great place for children, because of the many activities available and the educational value of being in close contact with nature. Two Waldorf schools, one in Cahuita and one in Punta Cocles, are just a few miles away from Samasati.