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W6 | WEEKEND | THE TICO TIMES – October 10, 2008 THE TICO TIMES – October 10, 2008 | WEEKEND | W7 Exploring Costa Rica AmaTierra Redefines the Three Rs: Relax, Renew, Rejuvenate

By Vicky Longland Special to The Tico Times

he full moon rises as dusk falls and a group of yoga aficionados gently Tstretch in the open-air exercise studio against a vista that drops away toward the forested valley floor and hills beyond. At AmaTierra hotel and wellness center, this monthly celebration is only one of the many ways to relax the body and renew the mind. The hotel lies on the winding but won- derfully pothole-free Highway 27, 19 kilo- meters past Puriscal toward Orotina, about an hour’s drive southwest from San José. This is increasingly the route of choice to the coast for savvy drivers who want to avoid the truck-clogged Highway 1 to the Pacific port of Puntarenas; a narrow suspension bridge past the hotel prevents big trucks from nois- ily taking over this road. This bodes well for the hotel, which opened in early 2006, as its intention is for Vicky Longland | Tico Times guests to find an oasis of peaceful surround- ings and indulge in the wide choice of mas- Colorado, via California and Arizona, Rut- sage therapies, wellness programs and herbal tenberg and husband Bob decided to escape consultations. the rat race and set up a residential center AmaTierra owner Jill Ruttenberg is a catering to people who want to chill out in qualified American Herbalists Guild clini- beautiful surroundings. cal herbalist, yoga instructor and massage “People arrive at AmaTierra with their therapist. Originally from the U.S. state of ‘New York baggage,’ stressed and depressed, but within days they’ve eased out and started to relax,” Ruttenberg says. Amatierra With a mission that guests “feel cared Vicky Longland | Tico Times Photo by Simón Bolívar for and carefree,” the hotel soon conveys the by the Ruttenbergs for its durability and COSTA RICA N message that a stay here means unwinding rustic warmth. and letting oneself be pampered. “We are so pleased with how it’s turned San W E José Accommodations consist of five cottages out,” Jill says. “The whole place is very split into two suites each, while above, the Vicky Longland | Tico Times peaceful, and the upper floor can also Enlarged S Area open social area and dining balcony share fans, Jacuzzi bathtub and television for view- and sodas from a well-stocked fridge by the dinner are also available if preordered, and be used for seminars and workshops or views of the infinity-edge pool and deck and ing DVDs from the hotel’s selection of nearly pool. Although no hard liquor is sold, Bob you can choose between a full vegetarian and retreats of all kinds.” to Alajuela panoramic scenes over dense forest toward 350 movies, provided free to guests. A divid- enjoys recommending the variety of wines he fish or chicken (no red meat) dish imagi- Jill spent many years studying under

Secondary Road Orotina. Wireless Internet is available in ing wall separates the bed from a lounge area stocks from his collection in the dining area. natively prepared by local cooks under Jill’s such holistic luminaries as Joel Penner, Inter-American Hwy the upper part of the hotel and will soon be that can be converted into an extra sleeping In his former life, Bob was in the music supervision. There’s a pleasant informality from whom she learned about traditional to San José extended to all suites. space if necessary. The small terrace holds a promotion and marketing industry with a at mealtimes as guests often join up tables to Chinese medicines, and Michael Tierra of Bolsón San Pablo de Ciudad Escazú Being so steeply set into the mountain- couple of chairs and seat hammock. special interest in jazz, so music rates high share the day’s adventures or relaxing experi- the East West School of Herbology in Santa Turrubares Colón side does means plenty of steps to climb Decor is minimal, but the interiors are at AmaTierra. Evenings often become jam ences down in the wellness center. Cruz, California. She took her master herb- Poró Grifo Alto from one’s room to the restaurant and made colorful with warm sand-tone walls sessions around the piano, accompanied Certainly the pièce de résistance is the alist certification with Andrew Weil’s pro- lounge, and there is no wheelchair access. and soft furnishings that reflect the name of by whatever instruments guests might have newly inaugurated two-level pavilion. Built gram in integrative medicine at the Univer-

Puriscal Each cottage is tucked into the slope sur- each room. I stayed in Sangria, with its bright brought along. along feng shui lines, the octagonal build- sity of Arizona. rounded by the many mature mango or red bedspread, pillows and cushions. Menta, Room rates include a full breakfast fea- ing holds the therapy and massage rooms In her beautiful, light-filled office, Jill AmaTierra pochote trees and garden shrubs that fill Rosa, Café and Dorado, to name a few more, turing typical gallo pinto, juice, fruit plate, below while above is the spacious, open-air showed me an array of shelves filled with dif- the three-hectare grounds. All rooms have a pretty much go through the color chart. locally baked whole-wheat breads, a wide yoga studio. A synthetic thatch roof look- ferent tinctures and lotions, many of which queen-size bed, fridge, coffeemaker, ceiling An honor system operates for juice, beer choice of teas and fresh coffee. Lunch and ing just like dense palm fronds was chosen she makes herself, using herbs from the Roy Arguedas Arias | Tico Times hotel’s organic gardens. As she explained their uses, she shook several jars that were Getting There, Rates, Info in the process of becoming powerful herbal remedies, explaining that this has to be done Photo courtesy of AmaTierra Take Highway 27 from Ciudad Colón to Puriscal, daily between the new and full moon to A Place to Be Well: From top left, AmaTierra guests dine with a sweeping view; then follow signs for Turubari Tropical Park and maximize their curative powers. the new two-level pavilion holds therapy and massage rooms below and a yoga Orotina. Nineteen kilometers past Puriscal, look for Massage sessions ($75 for one hour) AmaTierra signs; the hotel is on the right. Airport or range from aromatherapy de-stress, deep tis- studio above; herbalist, yoga instructor and massage therapist Jill Ruttenberg San José pickup is offered for $60 one way. sue and lymphatic massage to Jill’s specialty, makes many of the tinctures and lotions used at AmaTierra using herbs from Rates for an overnight stay for two including abdominal chi mover. This entails 45 min- the hotel’s organic gardens; the spacious, open-air yoga studio invites medita- breakfast are ¢40,000 ($72) for residents and Costa utes of gentle strokes to move the life force Ricans; nonresident rates for bed and breakfast are energy throughout the belly and unblock tion; rooms have queen-size beds and sitting areas. $127 single and $149 double. Lunch costs $7, dinner “stuck” energy that causes emotional stress $25, per person. Visit the hotel’s Web site or call for and indigestion, with a 10-minute final head sultation ($95 for 75 minutes) to improve taken on excursions to nearby Turubari other package deals, such as the three-day Wellness and foot rub. She also gives sound therapy health and lifestyle. Jill makes an assessment Tropical Park and Carara National Park, on LReal TexMex food and Adventure Package including meals and lodging, to rebalance chakras using the hauntingly using Chinese medicine tongue and pulse horseback to a hot springs and waterfall, or a LPool table two yoga classes, wellness treatment of choice and penetrating tones of Tibetan singing bowls methods and recommends dietary changes day trip to the beach. L22 elegant hotel rooms, starting at $59 guided tour to Turubari park for $595 per person. and other sound tools. and custom-made herbal formulas for each Because of its proximity to San José and LAttractive and service-oriented staff The hotel is nonsmoking and does not accept Other specialists come in to offer shiatsu, person’s particular constitution. easy access, AmaTierra makes a convenient children under 4. For information and reservations, Reiki, ear candling, detoxification treatments Several packages are available, from a getaway for some alternative three Rs: relax, call 2419-0110, e-mail [email protected] or and acupuncture. Visitors are encouraged to Relax & Renew Wellness Weekend to five- renew and rejuvenate. Or go the whole way and visit www.amatierra.com. have a personalized nutritional herbal con- and seven-day packages. Guests are also add another couple for “romantic retreat.”Q 5743 10159