--- title: Wednesday, October 30th, 2019. description: In this Daily, we talk about meditation and finding it in Las Catalinas. There are a number of spaces in this welcoming and walkable town on the coast of Costa Rica to meditate, and quite a few reason image: https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/XPT_Terraza_20-400x600-1.jpg --- # Wednesday, October 30th, 2019. [mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-october-30th-2019](mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-october-30th-2019) [Book](https://www.lascatalinascr.com/section/booking) In this Daily: Meditation and Finding it in Las Catalinas Meditation can take many forms. Some prefer more formal practices like yoga or pilates. Others can find a meditative state during physical activity like running or working out. It’s possible to  find meditation in the arts or music, and sportsmen like surfers, skiers, and mountain bikers often find meditation on mountain and wave. ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/XPT_Run_24-400x600-1.jpg?width=333&height=500&name=XPT_Run_24-400x600-1.jpg) Physical activities that have a natural rhythm, like a long run, can be a form of meditation What unites all of these activities are two major factors. First, meditation is considered to have a calming effect. Even in high energy scenarios, meditative activities result in a sense of calm and peace. Second, meditation results in a sense of heightened awareness. Practices and sports that are truly meditative can make the practitioner more aware of their surroundings as well as their own body and emotions.  This [has many effects](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation) that extend beyond a particular session. The calming effects of meditation can reduce physical stress, make it easier to sleep, help settle the mood, and also cut down on anxiety or distractedness. Awareness during meditation can make individuals more attuned to their own emotions, provide clarity of thought, offer connection to the senses and the surrounding world, and improve empathy. Each of these mental effects can have secondary effects on the body, which is why many high level professionals, performance artists, [and athletes](http://xptlife.com/breathe) often have meditation practices of their own.  ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/43025118_024d1ff314-1.jpg?width=500&height=332&name=43025118_024d1ff314-1.jpg) Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton's XPT Training program places breathing practice and mindfulness as one of its key pillars ### Meditation in Las Catalinas When visiting Las Catalinas, the shift to a car-free lifestyle surrounded by tropical dry forest and the ocean offers a chance to slow down to a more deliberate way of life and reconnect with nature. The benefits of meditation, a sense of calm and a greater awareness of self, others, and surroundings, often follow during time spent in town.  ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/XPT_Terraza_20-400x600-1.jpg?width=333&height=500&name=XPT_Terraza_20-400x600-1.jpg) A breathing session on the Santarena Terrace There are also many physical spaces around town designed to be well suited to meditation. The pavilion by Plaza Danta, the beachfront terraces on Playa Danta, [the studio at Casa Chameleon](https://www.casachameleonhotels.com/las-catalinas/wellness/), [the Santarena Conservatory](https://www.santarenahotel.com/meeting-and-events/venues/the-conservatory), and [the rooftop terrace at Santarena](https://www.santarenahotel.com/rooftop-terrace), have each been built to offer unique spaces to connect with self and surroundings.  More integrated into nature are the four meditation platforms around town, which offer a personal connection to nature from hilltops and waves. #### Platform 1 | At the Peak of La Cresta ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/MG_6453-600x400-3.jpg?width=413&height=275&name=MG_6453-600x400-3.jpg)     ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-10_15_12-AM-600x440-1.png?width=375&height=275&name=Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-10_15_12-AM-600x440-1.png) Sitting at the end of *La Cresta*, where the *Guachipelines *trail turns into *Secreto*, this platform has a view over the Dantita Valley, Las Catalinas, Punta Guachipelines and the Zapotal Valley, all of the way down to Playa Carmel. The steady breeze in the area, sunset over the Catalinas Islands, and a two leveled platform offer a versatile space to meditate surrounded by nature. #### Platform 2 | Principal ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_6599-600x400-1.jpg?width=413&height=275&name=DSC_6599-600x400-1.jpg)     ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-10_16_05-AM-600x445-1.png?width=371&height=275&name=Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-10_16_05-AM-600x445-1.png) Located just a short way up the trail at the beginning of *Zapotal* and *Principal*, this platform looks down the rim of the valley towards Las Catalinas, offering a view over the tropical dry forest, the town on the coast, the beach, and the ocean beyond. A space that captures the harmony of natural and manmade beauty found in Las Catalinas, with a setup suited to a small meal or any practice.  #### Platform 3 | Punta Penca ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_7699-600x400-1.jpg?width=413&height=275&name=DSC_7699-600x400-1.jpg)    ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-11_15_38-AM-600x446-1.png?width=370&height=275&name=Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-11_15_38-AM-600x446-1.png) The *Danta* trail ends in a small overlook on Punta Penca, which looks out towards Potrero Bay, Sugar Beach, Punta Guachipelines, and Beach Town. Sitting at the end of the point, this platform presents a space at the intersection of land and the ocean, which combines the tropical dry forest surroundings with the misty coastal breeze. A space close to the heart of town that is  immersed in nature. #### Sea Platform | Off of Playa Danta ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/XPT_PaddleSurf_42-600x400-1.jpg?width=413&height=275&name=XPT_PaddleSurf_42-600x400-1.jpg)    ![Meditation, Costa Rica Retreats, Meditation in Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-10_19_17-AM-600x448-1.png?width=368&height=275&name=Screen-Shot-2019-10-30-at-10_19_17-AM-600x448-1.png) Anchored in the bay a little more than 100 meters off of Playa Danta is the Sea Platform, a floating platform with a view from the ocean towards Las Catalinas and the forested hills. After a short swim, the platforms offers a flipped perspective of town and the tropical dry forest that surrounds it, as well as the swell of the waves and the clear ocean breeze. A platform open to the many elements that surround town, with uninterrupted light and color well-suited to sunrise and sunset practice. ### In Town, During Practice, Or On the Platforms Whether simply stopping to slow down in a walkable lifestyle, following a particular practice in one of town’s mindful spaces, or stepping out into nature, the opportunity to slow down and meditate is present all throughout Las Catalinas.  [maxbutton id="1" url="https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4917861/bb90976c-fd33-457a-a285-892e384bad66" text="Find Your Place to Meditate in Town" ] ## See related posts ## [Sunday, August 11th, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-11th-2019) [In this Daily: Día de la Madre (Costa Rican Mother’s Day) and the Week Ahead](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-11th-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-11th-2019) ## [Monday, November 18th, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-november-18th-2019) [In this Daily: The Pura Vida Ride Paddle Battle and the Intrepid Challenge](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-november-18th-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-november-18th-2019) ## [Wednesday, August 28th, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-28th-2019) [In this Daily: A Look at the National Parks of Costa Rica](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-28th-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-august-28th-2019) ## [Monday, September 23rd, 2019.](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-september-23rd-2019) [In this Daily: The Monkeys of Guanacaste](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-september-23rd-2019) [Read more](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/daily-september-23rd-2019) #### Subscribe to The Blog, The Daily, The Newsletter, and more Additionally you will receive our occasional newsletter. 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