Rio Shanti Spa

Sometimes when you go on vacation, it can feel like it takes you days before you really begin to relax! The stress and strain of life can be hard to get rid of. Even though you are miles away, you still worry about how they will cope without you at work, if you remembered to pay your internet bill, and how much more money you can put on your credit card. Nagging worries like this can bother you your entire trip! The fact that traveling by airplane is not exactly the most stress-free thing in the world does not help. So when you finally find yourself in your hotel next to the beach, you almost don’t know what to do with yourself!

I have found that one of the best things to do when I go on vacation is to go to the spa as soon as I arrive at my destination. There is really no better way to unwind than to lay down and have nice smelling oils rubbed on your tired muscles while you listen to the sounds of the jungle outside. If you are headed to Monteverde or Santa Elena, the best place to go to to help get out all of that pent up stress is the Rio Shanti Spa.

What to Expect

Rio Shanti means peaceful river, and this small little spa is family owned and really hip. Go in for a short hour massage, or for longer treatments. If you are looking for great accomodations in Monteverde, the husband and wife team who own the spa also own a cute little house you can rent called the Casa de Amor.

You will be surprised when you walk into the Rio Shanti Spa. First of all, the spa is located in a really pretty part of Monteverde. And when you go into the spa, it is really peaceful and incredibly well decorated. It looks more like something you would find in a much more posh area of town, and yet the prices are very affordable.

You lay down on a heated table, and a professional and knowledgeable masseur gives you a deep tissue massage using fragrant oil blends. It is amazing how much a simple hour long massage at Rio Shanti can help you relax, so that you start enjoying the rest of your vacation!

The Rio Shanti Spa also offers yoga classes in a newly built modern studio that overlooks the Monteverde River. You can purchase a pass in which sessions get cheaper and cheaper the more often you come. So if you have been doing yoga at home and don’t want to get out of the habit, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to attend classes at Rio Shanti. Finally, there is also a boutique in the spa offering hand made jewelry, clothing, tea, and organic soaps and cleaning products.

Tips for Visiting

If you are planning a trip to the Rio Shanti Spa, you should know that you will probably need to book your spa session in advance. Costa Rica has a really relaxed atmosphere, and businesses do not have the extended hours that you find in the United States. But that is the whole point! “Pura vida!,” meaning pure life, is the famous expression referring to the country’s attitude about how to enjoy life. Contact owners Janet and Michael in advance about the hours yoga classes are held, as well as when you can book a massage.
The Rio Shanti Spa does not offer the huge variety of treatments that you may be accustomed to getting at spas in the States. The Spa is really nice and your massage will be both relaxing and professionally done, but don’t expect to be able to get weird mud treatments or facial wraps at the Rio Shanti Spa.