SHAMAN

Registration Form (English PDF file)
Registration Form (French PDF file)

Themes
Indigenous culture, shamanic teachings, herbal medicines, native plants, sustainable living.

Background
Costa Rica is a country of great diversity. Microclimates caused by moisture and altitude have created niches for millions of the planet’s plant and animal species. Costa Rica does not have a large number of indigenous people and many are no longer connected to the traditional ways, but there are still those who hang on tenaciously and fight to preserve what is left of the ancient languages and knowledge. It is these people that we will have the opportunity to meet and learn from while on this very special journey.

Trip details
10 nights
Date: June 13–24/2002
Cost: $1595CAD (approx $992US) land costs
double occupancy ($295CAD single supp)
Medium fitness required


This journey is:

  • An immersion into the life and secrets of the Bri Bri and Cabecar people of southern Costa Rica.

  • An opportunity to learn about the power of plants in the company of people who have preserved thousands of years of the accumulated wisdom of their ancestors.

  • A chance to enjoy the hospitality and achievement of a unique intentional community based on strong principles of environmental and sustainable living.

  • A time for peace, tranquility and reflection at a wonderful Pacific coast environmental retreat that exemplifies our belief that beauty and elegance can exist side-by-side with environmental and sustainable practices.

Itinerary

Day one
Our guide will meet us at the airport and after a short taxi ride we’ll arrive at our hotel in San Jose. There we’ll have a chance to get acclimatized to the country and each other, learn a little more about where we’ll be going, share a wonderful meal together and prepare ourselves for the adventure ahead.

Day two
After a hearty breakfast we’ll travel south to the small town of Buenos Aires. We’ll settle into our hotels, have lunch and head out to the Salitre Indigenous reserve for our first experience with a native Shaman.

Days three to six
An immersion into the life and wisdom of the shamans and people of five different indigenous communities. The shamans will walk with us and share their knowledge about the healling properties of plants. Local people will introduce us to traditional weaving craft and plant dye techniques. A highlight will be a ceremonial dance in the village of Boruca.

Accommodations will be in two simple but comfortable hotels close to the communities that we are visiting. The food will be hearty, home-cooked and traditional.

On the afternoon of day six, we’ll board four-wheel drive taxis for a spectacular drive into the Talamanca Mountains to a very special community. We’ll meet the community members, share a wonderful organic vegetarian meal together and settle into our cabins.

Days seven to eight
An immersion into the life and work of the dedicated people who live in this self-sustaining eco-community situated high in the cloud forest of the Talamanca Mountains. The community grows organic vegetables, raises goats for cheese and yogurt and utilizes solar panels and a small hydrogenerator for electricity.

A cultural and learning experience, living and working with people who share a strong environmental ethic. The community has created a foundation dedicated to acquiring and protecting a huge expanse of land that will act as a wildlife corridor. Much of what our participants pay goes toward the purchase of this land.

We’ll spend time in the community observing how it works, trekking in its forests and enjoying the cooler breezes and breathtaking scenery. One of the highlights will be a plant walk with one of Costa Rica’s most knowledgeable experts.

Days nine to ten
We’ll travel to an exquisite nature retreat perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This site has a strong environmental focus. It’s situated on the edge of Ballena National Park, the only marine park in the country and the breeding ground for Humpback whales.

The owner, who was largely responsible for the park designation, has created a stunning property. The buildings are handcrafted from materials on-site and solar panels and a small hydro unit provide electricity. Much of the food is organically grown on the property.

There is a crescent-shaped private beach surrounded by primary coastal rainforest where we’ll be able to do some supervised surfing and boogie boarding. This beach is one of the safest in the area due to its shape and the protective coral reef offshore.

The rainforest here is a coastal rainforest and we’ll see both white-faced and howler monkeys as well as many different species of birds, reptiles and amphibians. This is a wonderful place to relax and reflect on the experiences we’ve had in Costa Rica and share our thoughts and feellings.

Day eleven
travel by coach to San Jose and depart for home.

Registration Form (English PDF file)
Registration Form (French PDF file)