Sustainable Caribbean Bungalows Nestled in a Tropical Jungle

The developers of Samasati Nature Retreat in Costa Rica decided that instead of clearing the jungles with heavy machinery to build a glitzy resort, they should leave behind the smallest possible environmental footprint. Teams of oxen delivered sustainable building materials, such as wood from trees that had fallen naturally. Bungalows and lodges were constructed to maximize ventilation and natural cooling so fewer electrical appliances would be needed. The showers are even fed by rainwater collected in a rooftop reservoir. Thanks to this environmentally savvy master plan, Samasati Nature Retreat's 250 acres of rainforest sustains abundant plant and animal life.

Each private Caribbean bungalow room comes dressed in polished chocolate wood and overlooks the mountains, the dense jungle, and the Caribbean’s blue waters. Fresh jungle air and the tweets of toucans pass through the always-open windows. High in the leafy canopy, chefs at Samasati's restaurant prepare colorful vegetarian meals concocted from fruit and vegetables grown in the resort's personal garden and neighboring plots. This deal gets you a spot in a yoga class, which are available twice daily with a resident instructor and are adaptable to all skill levels.

A flat plain of green grass pokes out of the center of the resort, where a hot tub overlooks the lush Costa Rican countryside. Guests relax here in the pool or down the hillside, where they can receive a massage at the spa.

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: Home to Pristine Beaches and Colorful Creatures

Sheet-white beaches with coconut trees lie 4 miles from the wilderness that surrounds the resort. The rich ecological atmosphere plays host to butterflies, swinging monkeys, marsupials, and more than 500 bird species, and the underwater landscape swims with tucuxi dolphins and sea turtles. Samasati Nature Retreat sets up guests with a variety of eco tours to explore Costa Rica's immaculate environs, including trips involving surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, waterfall treks, hiking, and horseback snorkeling.

You’ll find several Afro-Caribbean flavors in the town of Puerto Viejo, located just a few miles from the resort. Here there are quaint shops and watering holes as well as restaurants serving authentic Costa Rican dishes, including casado, a medley of rice, beans, plantains, and succulent meat. Listen for calypso and reggae music while you’re walking past the town’s brightly colored houses.