Sustainable Caribbean Bungalows Nestled in a Tropical Jungle

Samasati Nature Retreat's developers belong to the anti-development school of thought. Instead of clearing the jungles with heavy machinery to build a glitzy resort, they sought to leave behind the smallest possible environmental footprint. Teams of oxen delivered sustainable building materials such as wood from trees that had fallen naturally. Nine bungalows and two lodges were constructed in a style that maximized 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 an environmentally savvy master plan, Samasati Nature Retreat's 250 acres of rainforest continue to sustain 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 impossibly blue waters of the Caribbean. Fresh jungle air and the tweets of passing toucans and bloggers stream 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. Yoga classes are available twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, with a resident instructor adaptable to all skill levels.

A flat plain of green grass pokes out of the center of the resort, buttoned down by a bubbling hot tub that overlooks the lush Costa Rican countryside. Guests siphon off stress here in the frothing pool, and down the hillside, they can extend their bliss with a massage at the spa.

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

Sheet-white beaches fringed by coconuts 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.

The town of Puerto Viejo is just a few miles from the resort and plays host to a smorgasbord of Afro-Caribbean flavors. Dotted along its roads are quaint shops and watering holes as well as restaurants that serve authentic Costa Rican dishes, including casado, a medley of rice, beans, plantains, and succulent meat. Calypso and reggae sounds thump in the humid air, and brightly colored houses add vibrancy to the dusty street corners.