Visiting the Casa Zen

Personal Retreats

Personal Retreats at the Casa Zen are a wonderful way to combine quiet time and spiritual inspiration. Retreats are an opportunity to enjoy your own natural rhythms in an extraordinary setting. In Costa Rica you will find rain forests, cloud forests, tropical beaches, volcanoes, hot springs, mountains, beautiful wildlife—and friendly Ticos. A retreat might include time for writing, meditation, yoga, study, reading, or simply quiet time away from the normal routines of your everyday life.

At the Casa Zen, you will find a natural and contemplative environment conducive to rest and renewal. On your retreat, you are free to schedule your own time or, if you wish, we can provide suggestions for retreat schedules. You are always welcome to join our daily meditation sessions.

Those on personal retreat provide their own lunch and dinner (we provide breakfast) and prepare their own vegetarian meals. Bedding is supplied. Retreatants may use the library, meditation room and other areas. We have a fine collection of books on Buddhism and Eastern spirituality as well as many audio tapes.

Activities

We are happy to provide you with a variety of information about such things as:

• Studying at local Spanish classes
• Visiting volcanoes
• Hiking in rain forests
• Tropical beaches
• Visits to local museums
• Trips to volcanic hot springs
• Transportation arrangements
• Volunteer work in Costa Rica

Groups

The Casa Zen is happy to accommodate small groups of children from schools or other organizations, provided they are accompanied by teacher, parents, or chaperones. For such groups we have a short orientation on Buddhism and can arrange a workshop on Zen meditation.

Vegetarian meals

Our healthful and delicious vegetarian diet includes tropical fruits, bread, yogurt, granola, tortillas, local cheese (Turrialba), coffee and tea. You are also welcome to use the Casa Zen kitchen to prepare vegetarian food for lunch and dinner. Breakfast food is provided and served buffet style.

Attending sesshin

If you are a serious Zen practitioner and wish to apply for sesshin during your visit to Costa Rica, please contact us by e-mail after reading the information about sesshin. The Casa Zen is closed to visitors during sesshin.

Of Note

• High speed wireless internet
• Airport pick-up $6/person

Accommodations, Fee and Registration Form

• Please e-mail us about the types of rooms
• $25 per person per day, including self-serve breakfast
• Please see the Donations page for payment options
• The Registration Form is a fillable Word document which can be completed in Word, then saved and e-mailed to the Casa Zen.
  VERY IMPORTANT : Before coming, please make sure that you have received a confirmation email. This email should be sent within the two weeks after your application is sent. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact us.

Things to Know

Quiet time—From 5:00 a.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays; 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday are times when our members are using the meditation room. Out of respect for house residents we ask that noise be kept to a minimum after 9 p.m.

Vegetarian food only—We do not serve meat, fish, or poultry at the Center and ask that you not bring such foods into the Center or onto the Center’s grounds.

Alcohol and drugs—The consumption of any type of alcoholic beverage and the use of recreational drugs is prohibited at the Center.

Smoking—Smoking is not permitted in any of the buildings or on the grounds.

Shoes—We do not wear shoes in the Casa Zen ’s buildings. You are welcome to wear house slippers.

Pets—Pets are not allowed at the Casa Zen.

Fire precautions—Due to the danger of fire, candles can only be used in the meditation areas.

Strong smells—We ask that you not use strong perfumes, shampoos, or cosmetics because their smells can permeate fabrics and linger beyond your stay.

Cleaning up—The Casa Zen has no housekeeping service and retreatants are asked to leave your room as it is found: clean and ready for the next person. There is a very simple clean-up procedure and cleaning materials are furnished.