Breathe is an organic concept born in the jungles of Costa Rica fusing music, activities, discourse, and inclusive participation aimed at sharpening focus on many social and ecological issues facing our future.

Time is short to address the enormity of different challenges facing the globe’s biosphere, natural resources and us as species. They are as big as they are diverse. The solutions are as clever as they are wide ranging. The first step in addressing a problem, is accepting there is a one.

Breathe challenges people to leave their regular surroundings and to re-immerse themselves with a isolated, vibrant, living, ecosystem. A chance to stop for a second. Take a deep breath. Interact, and re-examine our place on the planet from a completely different perspective.

In a remote jungle setting, Breathe promotes awareness through music, art, surfing, eco tours, yoga sessions, horse tours, offshore fishing, beach combing, local food & culture, workshops, documentary screenings and much more…

Put simply, Breathe offers a unique shared experience with like-minded people interested in change…

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Accommodation selection and booking is left up to the individual, however there is a wide range of different options from on site camping (real jungle experience, minimal infrastructure) to budget backpackers, to mid-rang cabanas, private houses to luxury beach front options.

Backpackers start from $12USD per night to what ever your price range or needs desire. Updates on recommended accommodation at all levels available on
www.breathecostarica.com shortly.

Recommended Locations:

Blue Surf Sanctuary        Tel: +506 2640 1001  (ask for Pia)

Rancho Itaúna                 Tel: +506 2640 0095 

For a gauge of additional accommodation check: http://hotels.nicoyapeninsula.com

The most politically stable country in Central America, it’s world renown for both it’s natural flora&flora, natural beauty, beach’s and it’s work in the environment. Costa Rica is 0.1% of Global Land Mass, yet hosts 0.5% of Global Bio Diversity. It was a pioneer in ecotourisim, and highly regarded asone of the countries having true ecotourisim today. Approximately 25% of the country is either National Park or protected wildlife reserves, the highest percentile in the world.

Bordered by Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South and boasting
both Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, it is a country of interesting firsts. They were the first country to constitutionally abolish their army and their government has declared it wants to be the first country in the world to be Carbon neutral by 2021.

Generally a very safe country, particularly by Central American standards, Costa Rica provides an activity, nature, and environmentally conscious location. Prudence is

Even with it’s ‘green’ credentials, outside pressure is starting to test the resolve of local authorities. Often unregulated Hyper-development, particularly in places like Tamarindo and Jaco, is starting to invade making Costa Rica a true testing ground for sustainable, eco sensitive development.

Other Points of Interest: If you have made the journey to this part of the world for Breathe, take a little extra time to check some of the most amazing National Park and protectorates in the world:

Corcovado National Park

Tortuguero National Park

Barra del Colorado Widlife Reserve

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Arenal Volcano

Manuel Antonio National Park

Golfito National Park

Santa Rosa National Park

Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve

Cahuita National Park

Tropical Science Center

By Bus: 

Inexpensive, easy and eco friendly. Public buses run twice a day
directly to the crossroads at Playa Carmen. On arrival at Juan Santamaria
International Airport, you need to take a bus or taxi to the Coca Cola Bus
Station in San Jose and ask for the bus direct to Mal Pais. It is a 7 hour trip
in a modern coach, including an amazing hour ferry trip from Puntarenus to Paquera.

It cost 5,000 colónes ($11US) direct. Busses usually run twice a day, Monday
through Saturday, 6AM (Important: since December the bus schedul has changed to 6am rather than 7am as earlier stated!!!!), and 2pm. These are subject to change as is the Sunday schedule, but it still normally has two per day.

By Car:

A variety of car rentals are based less than a kilometer from the airport. Cheapest way to hire is often through credit card when making your airline ticket
purchase. A small 4x4 and full insurance is strongly advised, there is also an option to hire GPS with the car.

Once you have the car, head direction Puntarenas on Highway 1, literally to the end of the road where you will see the Ferry Station to Paquera. The Ferry’s are once every two hours (unless one has broken down) and load until completely full. The
last Ferry normally leaves between 8 and 9pm. From Paquera, head Tambor, to Cobano where sealed road stops. Continue always direction Mal Pais. When the road hits a T-junction (the crossroads), left is Mal Pais, right is Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa.

As little or as much as you want. Unlike a conventional events , Breathe
creates the pallet, you paint your own experience. The week aims to relieve
stress, not create it, attendees are invited to do as much or as little that
interests them. 

A complete schedule will be posted on the site as it is known and confirmed. Daily updates will also be available morning and night as the week continues, and demand for specific activities is known.

In the mean time, no need to stress. After all, it is Costa Rica....

Pura Vide

The Nicoya is renown for it’s consistent and quality surf from Mal Pais to Playa
Hermosa. Mainly beach breaks it’s perfect for all levels. With more than
10 surf shop’s in the area, surf rental and surf lessons are available daily.

Guided and surf boat trips are also possible on request. Santa Teresa was
home to the Costa Rican Masters Champion, the location for the Costa
Rican Master’s and Junior’s Championships.

For those who don't want to travel with (or don't have) surfboards, there are rentals, second hand and brand new boards. Prices are relatively normal, but quality ding repair by a local Tico are inexpensive and solid. We recomend checking out Ian at Kina Surf as a good starting place.

Generally, surf is best at low tide coming to high. Mornings and evenings winds tend to be offshore, often glassy in the mornings, going offshore around mid day. In general, it is a fairly fast beach break with no reef although some areas have shallow rocks and are better surfed at higher tides.

Over the course of the week three nights will have organized music based events at the Sunset Hills and other local locations. Electronic Beats, International and local live music and. The last night features the old school vinyl hash-up, “The Night of the Hundred Discs” the week’s final highlight. Expect impromptu open deck/mike sessions and special guests.

Full program of the musical events and featured artists will be published shortly. Stay tuned, and keep checking this space.

Off shore fishing can be arranged daily with local fishermen at the Mal Pais fishery. Red snapper and mahi-mahi are local specialties.The three hour trip can net up to 70kg of fish. The catch will be split with the local fishermen and Breathe. Part of the local produced cooked evenings at events on the same day.

Another option is to take part in a guided spear fishing trip with long term local, Francisico Rosini. These guided tours will be available on a request basis, again, participants will have the option of keeping the catch themselves, or contributing to the cooked food at that evening's event.

Waterfall's Montezuma

Approximately 40 min from Playa Hermosa, Montezuma it famous for it’s waterfalls located 5 minutes from town then a 30 minute hike into the jungle. Actually, three falls in one, it is a popular attraction, a half day adventure and a close encounter with nature of the region. From the base pool of the first falls, it is a challenging rope and climb to make it to the higher falls. 

Being the inside of the tip of the peninsula, Montezuma is a quiet, funkey little town, well known for it's local ex-pat art and quality restaurants, it is worth a visit just to do a bit of shopping or grab a meal, our  suggestion if you are there is to check out the restaurant Playa de los Artistas.

Several Tours, such as to the Isla Tortuga, water taxis and day trips head out from Montezuma. While it has occasional breaks that work, it is a day trip if you want to have a good look around the area.

Cabuya 

Cabuya is a sleepy village right next the Cabo Blanco National Park and Cemetery Island. Both are worth a visit. It sits directly on the edge of the start of the jungle and the end of the farming land. It has amazing contrasts between untouched Dry Forrest and various natural features. There are several nature trails in the Capo Blanco National Park which covers the tip of the penitula. It is minimum a half day adventure, possibly a little longer if you go to Cemetery Island, which is a bird refuge.

Mal Pais to Manzanillo

Mal Pais to Manzanillo have their own unique feel, and directly face the Pacific Ocean. Granite outcrops, secluded coves, sandy beaches to Mountainous forest. It’s
definitely worth a day of exploring.

As far as possible, organized events during Breathe will be sourced, cooked and served from local, seasonal produce. The event attempts to minimize it's carbon footprint, including serving food on banana leave plates and drinks in bamboo cups.

Fresh fish, mango’s, banana, coco nut’s, guava, fruits and vegetables will form the basis of meals. Locals will be invited to prepare traditional dishes and local traditions. Whether at organized events or local restaurants, fresh local food is king.

An Anusara inspired teacher, Stefano Allegri, has 500 hours Yoga Alliance with the Yoga Art of Byron Bay Australia. Steve undertook teacher training with Tim Miller and Richard Freeman for Ashtanga yoga style. He teaches Pilates on the mat, and is a Black Belt 2nd Dan Shotokan Karate.

Originally hailing from Italy, Stefano has lived and taught in the Santa Teresa, Nicoya region for the past 17 years and is considers himself a local and offers all levels of tuition, from beginner to advanced in various locations from beach sunset to chill rooms. 

Traditionally he gives classes at www.florblanca.com, Steve is available by booking each day.

For an isolated community, it’s sad and telling to see the amount of waste plastic washed up at the high water mark. One planned activity is to comb the beach from Playa Carmen to Playa Hermosa.

The collected waste will be used for media to press governments to address
their water and waste policies. The collected plastic will also be recorded, including type and origin, with this sent to the Marine Debris Project for research purposes.

"The Marine Debris Project creates a database of the data that people send in when they do beach clean ups. The data at first is used to identify what types of debris is prevalent in that area and then work on tracing it back to the source and then look at ways of preventing it from ending up in the ocean/on the coast in the first place.

A lot of their volunteers send in data monthly, others send it in annually, when there is enough data, a signature is created of that site looking at seasonal differences including weather, tides, currents, winds, use of the area etc.

This information is provided to anyone who is looking for research data and education purposes. The data also provided to government agencies, research institutions and industry to help create legislation and mitigation strategies."

Heidi Taylor

This plastic and refuse will be taken from the Nicoya Penitula to a regional centre for waste and followed through the entire recycling, processing to finished new products. 

Dirt roads to this part of the country until recently were only accessible via foot or horse back, now mainly host quad’s and 4x4’s, access. It’s still common to see locals proudly riding their steeds down the center of town. To get a feeling of what it used to be like, several tours are available, from beach tours, to backcountry mountain trails. A perfect low impact way to explore the region.

In association with Ario Ranch Expeditions, a full ecological tour with a biologist guide through a real working cattle ranch that has preserved several thousand hectares to a biology fauna and flora wildlife preserve.

The complete tour includes interaction and a cultural outreach experience with local people, a chance to visit their house and share a meal. A complete adventure, ecological and cultural experience.

check out:  Ario Ranch Expeditions

Our recommended travel agent for the Breathe week is Tobis Travel Solutions who has huge experience in surf, snow, skate travel and people traveling to remote destinations.

Briefed with the event, they can help with airline bookings, bus ferry timetables, car hire and travel advice. They also have information on how to manage your Carbon Footprint from travel to and from Costa Rica.

TOBIS Travel Solutions
Leipziger Platz 1
6030 Innsbruck,
Austria

Tel: +43 512 330 699

Breathe attempts to be as Carbon Neutral on site as possible, but
Carbon Neutral also starts with you… We urge people to consider visiting
www.carbonneutral.com, calculate your individual travel’s carbon footprint
and consider donating to your choice of eco foundation.

On Site Mobility

Mal Pais to Playa Hermosa is one straight beachfront road that stretches approximately 14km. While it is definitely an advantage to have your own transport to facilitate your mobility and experience, there is a frequent and well functioning local bus system servicing Manzanillo, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa, the Crossroads, Mal Pais, Cobano, Tarbor, Montezuma and Cabuya.

There is also local quad, motorbike, a 4x4 and push bike hire. For those who decide to take a 4x4 for the week, particularly from San José, please consider trying to car pool. Most International flights arrive at or around the same time, unknown persons could arrange this through the forums on www.breathecostarica.com or Breathe’s Face book site.

In the area, consider trying to fill the car for surf or regional trips.

Stop… Breath. Listen. Think. Free your mind. Relax. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Sit back. Kick off your shoes. Ground. Connect. Reflect. Time. Day-to-day grind. Where you are now. Question why. Time flies. Canopy. Vines. Jungle concerto alive. Mountain skies. Monkey’s cries. Sunset. Sunrise. One day closer to our demise. Earth rotates.. Lost in space. Life’s hectic pace. Internet. Cyberspace Just another day in the rat race. Ambient space. Smiling face. Music levitates in this amazing place. Never too late. Meditate. Re-connect. Educate. Multi-dimensional existence. Tactile experience. Music lubricates. Love illuminates. Life dictates. Friendships facilitate. Experiences appreciate. Sharing demonstrates. Love of life.

Stop. Breath. Experience…Life.

There are no wrist bands, passes or VIP’s at Breathe, basically because we are all VIP’s in our own right. The concept is open to all interested parties.

We invite bands, DJ’s, ecological & social organizations , NGO’s wishing to participate to contact us directly to examine the possibility of being included
in the schedule.