I stayed at Chimuri in June 2011 and would highly recommoned it. The owner is very nice and very helpful if you have questions about the area (how to walk to town? where to eat?) The grounds are great, lots of trees, open space, birds, animals and a great dog and cat. The cabins are great too - I was impressed by the kitchen and clean bathroom. I also enjoyed having the mosquito net and being able to have the windows open. The cabins are literally on the neach. Playa Negra is a much less crowded beach than the ones directly in Puerto Viejo and further down like Cocles, and is good for swimming. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHIMURI and hopefully will return someday. thank you Kiana for a great place to stay in Costa RIca.

I absolutely fell in love with Chimuri Retreat and Kiana! Kiana helped me feel right at home, and guided me based on my interests during my stay. And she has friendly protective dogs there, that I also fell in love with. The cottage is beautiful, newly remodeled, and perfect for my needs. I was there for only a week, which next time (which there will be, because this place felt like my second home), I will definitely stay longer. There is so much to do in the area, biking into town, many restaurants (incl vegetarian, vegan, and raw), many other beaches in biking distance to snorkel, surf, etc., and there are many adventure tours in the areas in and around Puerto Viejo, including national parks to take a peek at the local wildlife, also yoga classes right next door, and massages and other healing modalities available. The beach out in front of the cottages is amazingly peaceful and quiet, sometimes being the only one on the beach in the area. As I was a woman traveling alone, I was glad to feel very safe at Chimuri and in the towns. I really had a hard time leaving because it truly felt like home, but I am so grateful to have found this wonderful place to quietly retreat to and to return to again someday.

I booked my stay at Chimurri from October 5, 2011 to November 7, 2011 and from start to finish it was an absolutely amazing experience! The cottages are simple and clean and have an authentic rustic feel to them. The beautiful Playa Negra is only steps away from the cottage's front door. Kiana welcomed me with open arms and assisted me spiritually, daily with my retreat goals. If you are just interested in a quiet getaway and nothing spiritual, this is also the place for you! The town of Puerto Viejo is a quick taxi ride or 10 min bike ride away to buy groceries or eat out at one of the many restaurants the town has to offer. This retreat changed my life and renewed my energy and spirit and I would suggest anyone wanting a quiet place to reflect and enjoy nature to stay at Chimurri!

A quiet, simple life is what we were looking for and exactly what we found at Chimuri Beach Retreat! We stayed in a tiny, rustic cottage just steps away from the beach, surrounded by beautiful jungle, and the environment provided the energy we needed to recover from a far too hectic life. Our 3 weeks there were completely rejuvenating! Kiana, our hostess, is very warm and friendly and a wealth of information. Her partner, Mauricio, who has a beautifully gentle heart, offers very interesting guided walks through the jungle, and as an indigenous person, he offers a wonderful perspective that your average tour guide would not. If you're looking for someplace away from the 'tourist scene', choose Chimuri on Playa Negra. There is great dining and bike rentals at Banana Azul (a short walk down the dirt road) and the Saturday morning farmer's market in the village of Puerto Viejo is a nice bike ride away... great place to buy fresh produce for your meals!
Please note: the proximity to the jungle does mean you have to deal with bugs... you must be fastidiously clean in your cottage, or you'll have sugar ants joining you in minutes! There is a mosquito net over the bed, tho we did not encounter many mosquitoes at this time of year. There is a rooster on the property who will ensure you get an early start to your day! :)