Costa Rica: A Spiritual Seeker’s Paradise

“THE VEIL” is very thin in Costa Rica – meaning the connection between the physical world and the spiritual / etheric / astral plains is blurred and permeable. It is especially thin around our area, the southern end of Costa Ballena and the wilds of Osa Peninsula.

This article aims to explain why this is the case – what are the reasons that conspire to make Costa Rica one of the world’s premier destinations for those seeking a deeper connection with themselves & the unknown worlds beyond. The Veil is the border, or separation, between our physical world and the worlds beyond – its Angels & Demons, Principalities, Spirits, Souls, ghosts, God, the Demiurge, guardians, aliens, interdimensional entities, gods of ancient legends, thought-forms and mind viruses…you get the idea!

Table of Contents

NATURE, LANDSCAPES & BIODIVRSITY

Costa Rica is home to over 5% of the world’s biodiversity, making it a haven for those seeking spiritual renewal through immersion in nature. Many visitors report feeling a heightened sense of awareness and presence when surrounded by its lush rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes, animals, plats & flowers, and oceans & beaches. Whale and dolphin encounters bring people to full-on spiritual experiences, as does a silent visit by a majestic Blue Morpho butterfly. And those who choose to ‘leave the cell phone at home’ gain a multiple of the effects.

Imagine NOT being able to fall into a high-vibe when you are surrounded by the chill-est of animals, like our easy-going sloths. c/o jean-paul-montanaro.

Primeval energy is everywhere in Costa Rica – and this type of energy marks the places where The Veil is the thinnest. I am talking about our OCEANS and VOLCANOES. Archetypally, oceans were the first element of earthly creation, perhaps existing eternally, long before God’s separation of Light and Darkness. Many cultures see our oceans as the first elements of creation – after all, this is where life was born. Oceans also represent the unconscious mind, a place of mystery that needs to be explored and integrated – this is often reflected in our dreams, as any student of Carl Jung will attest. The sense of wonder, awe, and unease one may feel on a small boat in the middle of the oceans is well-known to many! And let’s not dwell on the reality that we have NO IDEA what lurks just below the dark waters…

Volcanoes are the epitome of creation – they created the land that pushed the oceans aside – this is Costa Rica, a very young nation, created by volcanos only 4 million years ago. The same underwater volcanoes which helped our land emerge from the depths of the waters are still building Costa Rica to this day.

It is easy to find your center when you are surrounded by primeval energy, peace, and beauty - like these vistas of the Arenal volcano. c/o Dominic SImecek. — It is easy to find your center when you are surrounded by primeval energy, peace, and beauty – like these vistas of the Arenal volcano. c/o Dominic Simecek.

So, in a way, the oceans represent the unconscious void that is & was, the blank canvas that structured the birth of our world, space, movement, and time itself – holding the secret of creation. The volcanoes built the land, or the consciousness, that emerged out of ocean’s voids to give form upon what is now Costa Rica. And in ancient times, volcanoes were seen (and still are, actually) as literal gateways to hell – portals into the underworld. No wonder we feel as sense of awe around these geographical and geological features!

Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano. Volcanoes such as Turrialba created Costa Rica a short 4 million years ago - and continue to grow the country to this day. c/o Luis Alberto Arias with every eruption of lava, tephra & ash. — Costa Rica’s Turrialba volcano. Volcanoes such as Turrialba created Costa Rica a short 4 million years ago – and continue to grow the country to this day with every eruption of lava, tephra and ash. c/o Luis Alberto Arias.

THE PURA VIDA LIFESTYLE

The phrase Pura Vida, meaning “Pure Life,” is more than just a saying—it’s Costa Rica’s philosophy. It embodies gratitude, mindfulness, good wishes, and a slower, more intentional way of living, encouraging people to appreciate life’s simple pleasures and to face little adversities and annoyances with a big smile. It is both a ‘Hello’ and ‘Goodbye’. ‘Thank you’ and ‘You’re Welcome’. And sometimes even a sheepish ‘I’m Sorry’. You will hear this phrase when entering a restaurant, being sent off by your cashier, greeted by a Transito policeman, and everything in between.

Ben & Heather have grown into the PURA VIDA spirit - the sign above their heads in reproduced thousands of times all around the country. And take note of Heather's shirt...PURA VIDE is everywhere in COSTA RICA. — Ben & Heather have grown into the PURA VIDA spirit – the sign above their heads in reproduced thousands of times all around the country. And take note of Heather’s shirt…PURA VIDE is everywhere in COSTA RICA.

And the PURA VIDA vibe is responsible for (or maybe the effect of?) Costa Rica’s reputation as a bridge between our physical world and the more subtle realms. As any seeker will tell you – positive intentions, a focus on the good in people & situations, forgiveness, and total acceptance is what opens the door to other dimensions – and when the whole country exhibits these attributes, it creates an effect that is multiplied upon itself. The cohesiveness of millions of minds envelops Costa Rica in highly developed energetic vibration that anyone can tap into. This is the secret of PURA VIDA.

Follow the link to read an interesting BBC article about Pura Vida.

THE MYSTERIOUS STONE SPHERES & ANCIENT INHABITANTS

Our previous articles were dedicated to the Boruca People and the mysterious creations of their predecessors – the near-perfect Stone Spheres. The spheres were made starting from around 600 AD. They are found around our local area, known as Diquis Delta, as well as on Caño Island, and vary in size from just a few centimeters to over 2 metres in diameter. Over 300 of them have been found in Costa Rica.

One of the mysterious spheres - placed in a Palmar Sur park, where over a dozen of the Spheres can be found scattered around the grounds. — One of the mysterious spheres – placed in a Palmar Sur park, where over a dozen of the Spheres can be found scattered around the grounds.

It is thought the spheres lined approaches to the houses of local Chiefs, or that they represented planets and stars on giant jungle-floor stellar maps, or were used as navigational markers. And then there are the ‘alien artifacts’ or ‘they came from Atlantis’ theories. legends say that the Diquis could make a magical potion that softened rock and allowed easy carving. Unfortunately the Diquis civilization disappeared soon after the Spanish conquest so we may never know the truth.

One of the smaller spheres in Palmar Sur.

Many locals & visitors, including energy healers, have visited the spheres (there are over a dozen of them scattered around two neighboring parks in Palmar Sur). They confirmed that these artefacts emit incredible amounts of ‘energy’ – powerful, healing energy. The Diquis people, who came before the Boruca and made these spheres, put a lot of effort into ensuring their near-perfect dimensions. So it is no wonder that the spheres add to the spiritual mystery of Costa Rica and undoubtfully act to thin The Veil around these parts of the country.

LA NEGRITA & THE BASILICA OF CARTAGO

Can you believe that, once a year, up to 50% of the ENTIRE population of Costa Rica descend on the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, in Cartago, to pay respects to Costa Rica’s Patron Saint – the Virgen de los Ángeles? Can you imagine the spiritual energy of such a gathering, and how the energy recharges the country once the pilgrims make their way home to their local cities, towns and villages?

The Basilica stands on the site where La Negrita kept re-appearing. c/o Bernard Gagnon, wikicommons.

Also known as La Negrita, the little statue of the Virgin is honored with an annual August 02 pilgrimage. According to tradition, the small (about 3 inches or 7.6 cm) statue is indigenous or mixed race representation of the Virgin Mary. The statue was found on 2 August 1635 by a native woman named Juana Pereira. As the story goes, when she tried to take the statuette with her, it miraculously reappeared twice back where she had found it. The townspeople then built a shrine around the statue, and later a series of chapels, a church, and finally today’s beautiful Basilica.

YOGA & MEDITATION

The practice of Yoga and meditation draws scores of tourists to our areas. And many expats moved here because their spiritual practice is elevated by the Costa Rican nature – the weather, mountains, volcanoes & oceans, animals, forests, landscapes, and ‘vibes’ connect them to the spiritual source, in very real and tangible ways.

And in return, the practitioners contribute to the ‘vibe’ in their own way – by creating an elevation in consciousness that, undoubtfully, is another solvent which thins out our Veil. Costa Rica is speckled with retreat centers of all kinds. For example, Cartago hosts a local Vipassana center where noble silence, dawn-to-dusk meditation and a humble vegan diet is experienced in 10 to 30 day blocks.

A Tibetan Yoga retreat in the lush landscapes of Costa Rica. c/o Dereck Camacho, wikicommons.

MEDICINAL PLANTS

Recent years saw an absolute explosion in peoples’ interests when it comes to ‘medicinal plants’, ‘teacher plants’, or ‘psychedelic plants’ – different names for a few special creations, botanical wonders that for unknown reasons contain certain chemicals which open up our minds to deeply personal and out-worldly experiences. Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Peyote, Magic Mushrooms and Ibogaine are just some of the more popular teacher plants. These medicines have the power to end the harshest of addictions, heal PTSD & childhood trauma, and bring in total & complete life transformations. Many people report travelling to parallel dimensions and meeting all sort of creatures – creatures that seem to have a mind of their own!

A batch of Ayahuasca being prepared in a traditional way. Two plants need to be mixed - the Ayahuasca vine and the Chakruna leaves. c/o Terpsichore, wikicommons. — A batch of Ayahuasca being prepared in a traditional way. Two plants need to be mixed – the Ayahuasca vine and the Chakruna leaves. c/o Terpsichore, wikicommons.

Costa Rica’s numerous retreat centers attract people of all ages & walks of life. They come here to experience life transformations, to heal, and to help others in their own journeys. And this energy creates a powerful effect, further thinning Costa Rica’s Veil as thousands of experiencers are elevated to astral realms all around the country’s mountains and jungles.

The number of Ayahuasca and Medicinal Plant retreats has grown tremendously over the past decade. c/o Google Maps.

It is worth to heed some advice when it comes to medicinal plants in Costa Rica. Many of these substances may be illegal, illegal but not criminalized, or sitting in a grey area depending on particulars around the use and distribution – so it is worth to keep that in mind. Also some of these chemicals may clash with medications and can exacerbate medical conditions – this is NOT for everyone. People should do their own research and seek professional medical advice before deciding if this is the right practice for them.

Ayahuasca being prepared by plant medicine center attendees, supervised by a helper of the curandero.

Also, as all psychonauts should know, experiencing plant medicine is not always fun – proper preparation is required including weeks of fasting, abstinent behavior, meditation and reflection. Failure to pay proper respects to the plants may result in gravely serious and unpleasant consequences. Lastly, it is important to verify the quality of the chosen center – including things such as accommodation, food, security, reputation & reviews, and the qualifications of curanderos / facilitators.

Plant medicine centers may offer a real middle-of-nowhere experience. While people have different reasons for attending, no one walks out the same person they were when they walked in.

WHAT ELSE???

Camps & retreats offering a wide variety of options – such as deep breathwork, nature immersion, cold exposure, Cacao ceremonies, sound & energy healing, full moon & eclipse celebrations, dance & music expression, religious devotion, men and women-only retreats, wellness & fitness excursions, detox & healthy lifestyle vacations – are present in many forms all around Costa Rica.

INTEGRATION MATTERS!

But there is an elephant in the room – and it is a need for INTEGRATION. Any spiritual or medicinal practice can succeed in a beautiful, controlled, peaceful environment where everyone is on the same page (and on their best behavior). But will the practitioner carry their new found peace and revelations into the ‘real world’ of traffic jams, tight deadlines, screaming children, heated political discussions, pointless social media arguments, or rude strangers? THAT is the real test – and the only indication of whether true transformation has been achieved.

Will you carry your spiritual revelations and breakthroughs into the REAL WORLD - or will you slip back into old habits? That is the TRUE TEST. — Will you carry your spiritual revelations and breakthroughs into the REAL WORLD – or will you slip back into old habits? That is the TRUE TEST.

Costa Rica offers the perfect canvas for people to make permanent changes for the better – and the thin Veil connects practitioners to the infinite information field where many of the answers reside. But work needs to be done, and lots of it!

WHERE TO FIND THE THINNEST VEIL IN COSTA RICA?

As stated, MANY spiritually-minded people report that ‘The Veil’ is very thin in Costa Rica. Below are a few locations noted for their thin Veil:

Osa Peninsula and the Diquis Delta, with the strange stone spheres and their mysterious energy.
Monteverde Cloud Forest, with stories of strange lights, whispers, visions and spirits.
Active & erupting volcanoes such as Irazú, Poás, Arenal or Rincón de la Vieja – these volcanoes have built, and are building, Costa Rica. They connect our earthly realms to the spiritual planes as well as the underworld. Treat with utmost respect!
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles – The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels is consecrated to the Virgin of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, a small representation of the Virgin Mary carrying the infant Jesus. An annual August 2 pilgrimage brings between 40-50% of Costa Rica’s populations to the Basilica, united in their faith. The energy is palatable.
The Ocean, the void, the unrealized possibility – what was before there was anything else as God’s Spirit presided over the dark waters. A connection to our unconscious and to the Source – and home to the Whales, who many consider to be spiritual messengers, bringing deep subconscious message up to the surface.

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1.

A land steeped in mystery, calling out to seekers who can tell, in their bones, that this is a special place. And one of the most powerful & energetic locations in Costa Rica is right here – our southern Costa Ballena, where the Veil thins and worlds meet. This is where you find the mysterious stone spheres, the wild jungles, profound oceans, and legends of the people gone by. We invite you to browse the local properties available in our area, knowing that RE/MAX WE SELL PARADISE is your trusted partner in the South Pacific corner of Costa Rica.