chocolate ecstasy at the Pure Jungle Spa

I promised readers Alison and Anita I would share my experience at the Pure Jungle Spa of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, here as it was truly one of pure chocolate ecstasy!

chocolate-body-wrap

Pure Jungle Spa

I learned about the Pure Jungle Spa while at the Puerto Viejo Chocolate Festival. Owner Andrea Turcios (pictured above) enticed us with her presentation featuring a delectable bowl of warm, molten chocolate that is used to slather the body in the chocolate papaya wraps, facials, and chocolate massages offered at her spa.

Ro

Andrea’s assistant Ro (pictured above) seduced our senses, giving festival participants the opportunity to inhale the intoxicating aroma of the pure organic chocolate used in the various treatments.

soaking feet

Who could resist? Within minutes, I was at the spa, my swollen (sprained) ankle soaking in warm water adorned with fresh flower petals, while enticing my taste buds with fresh locally made chocolate.

The Chocolate Decadence treatment began with a lemongrass scrub followed by a coconut oil full body massage to get my senses tingling. The pièce de résistance was being slathered with warm, molten chocolate–to every conceivable coordinate on my body.

Doreen at Pure Jungle Spa

This truly sensual treatment can be provided to couples who really want to experience the wild side of chocolate! But I was flying solo on this trip, so was happy to chat with my very capable masseuse, Ro, who kept me entertained with the story of her life as she applied the aromatic chocolate that had my nasal passages jumping with joy!

The laughing continued as I tried to scrub the chocolate off in the privacy of the jungle shower in the lush garden out back.

tropical flower

My visit to the Pure Jungle Spa was definitely a highlight of my visit to Puerto Viejo and will be covered in volume II of Chocolatour. It’s been the most memorable treatment I’ve had to date at any of the chocolate spas I have visited in my chocolate travels around the world.

If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, be sure to visit the Pure Jungle Spa for one of those amazing chocolate body wraps! 

Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I researched and wrote Volume I of Chocolatour that won a Readers' favourite Award in 2014. Always enjoy experiencing new destinations and flavours.

42 Responses

  1. Hi, I am also love going to spa places. It is for sure that I will visit Day Spa one of these days. Thank you for sharing this. I appreciate it.

  2. Spa says:

    Wow, this is amazing especially pictures, which you have shared in this blog. Great blog and the idea you have shared with us. I have taken spa a lot of times but this was my best experience ever.

  3. Hi Doreen,

    Whenever I think of Costa Rica, my mind *first* envisions dinosaurs ala Jurassic Park! Juvenile, I know! So by way of redeeming myself, in light of all the molten chocolate fun you had, I thought of chocolate dinos. LOL

    Hope your ankle is all healed up. 🙂
    Vernessa Taylor recently posted…Let’s Get Serious About Personal Computer SecurityMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Vernessa and Happy New Year! Nice to have you stop by the blog.

      Costa Rica is many things to many people, but to me, it’s all about beautiful nature, warm friendly people, and lots of great chocolate. Not a dinosaur in sight!

      All the best to you in 2015.
      Doreen recently posted…My Top Travel Moments of 2014My Profile

  4. Doreen, yet again, you surprised me with another chocolatey adventure! I just want to ask: I know this is a ‘chocolatey’ blog but how do you find these activities? I never thought there could be too much!
    Trisha Velarmino recently posted…2014: A Year In South AmericaMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Thanks so much for your comment, Trisha. I’m glad you’re enjoying my chocolate adventures! You ask how I find these adventures? I’ve been travel writing for nearly 20 years now, and have forged many relationships in the travel industry. Fortunately, my friends and colleagues bring destinations and events to my attention, and as well, my social media contacts help put me in touch with the right people and places. I think 2015 will be an equally delicious year!
      Doreen recently posted…chocolate ecstasy at the Pure Jungle SpaMy Profile

  5. The picture of the treatment is priceless!
    Irene S. Levine recently posted…Men and Spas: What does it take to get a man to visit a spa?My Profile

  6. Rachel says:

    Wow, chocolate on the inside and chocolate on the outside. It sounds like heaven! And if they were using coconut oil too, that would be even more wonderful: I love the smell of coconut oil! Your posts always make me crave chocolate!
    Rachel recently posted…California’s overlooked mission historyMy Profile

  7. Doreen, this is amazing! The idea of being slathered with chocolate sounds so luxuriously decadent! I’m sorry that you had a sprained ankle, but it sounds like you were taken care of pretty well on that day at least. 😉
    Tracie Howe recently posted…my travel planning processMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Tracie: Yes, my hosts took good care of me despite my handicap! And yes, having a chocolate spa treatment is one of the most decadent ways to spend a couple of hours. I look forward to discovering more. I thought St. Lucia did it well (and they do!), but the outdoor garden shower at the Pure Jungle Spa in Puerto Viejo is absolutely amazing!
      Doreen recently posted…chocolate ecstasy at the Pure Jungle Spa My Profile

  8. Michelle says:

    Oh wow…I would totally roll around in chocolate. This is awesome.

  9. Nancie says:

    WOW is all I can say! This looks amazingly wonderful. I’m heading to Bangkok on Sunday morning and a spa is on the top of my list. Now, I will have to look for a chocolate spa!
    Nancie recently posted…Daejeon’s Expo Bridge for Travel Photo ThursdayMy Profile

  10. Hi Doreen!
    Spa = good
    Chocolate = good
    Spa + chocolate = goooooooood!!!!!!
    Loved your pic covered by chocolate 😉
    Cheers!
    Robson Cadore recently posted…O Que fazer em Istambul? Dicas e Roteiro Para Sua Viagem!My Profile

  11. I think I fell in love with you 🙂 that smiling picture with chocolate all over your body made me laugh.
    Milan Bardun recently posted…Grand Canyon autom z Las VegasMy Profile

  12. My gosh, Doreen! You just can’t get enough of chocolate, can you?! Wonderful photo. What a great trip you’re having. I also saw your image on Facebook. Took a lot of courage, I bet, to take that bath!
    Jeannette Paladino recently posted…Are You “Prominent” on Social Media?My Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Jeannette and thanks for your comment. Chocolate is what I do! In every way and in every place. It wasn’t a chocolate bath, but rather a chocolate massage, in which the masseuse applied warm molten chocolate to my body. I have hard of chocolate baths, but to me, that would be wasteful, as it wouldn’t be sanitary to have more than one person (or a couple) immerse themselves in the same chocolate. Anyway … thanks for reading, and for being so supportive. Wishing you a wonderful festive season.
      Doreen recently posted…chocolate ecstasy at the Pure Jungle Spa My Profile

  13. Forget about, “Take me away Calgon!” I’m ready for the Chocolate Decadence Treatment! Hopefully you had a chance to nibble a bit while you relaxed!
    Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…There’s Something Fishy About MantaMy Profile

  14. Ashish says:

    Hi Doreen,
    Thanks for sharing the article about chocolate ecstasy at the Pure Jungle Spa. Very interesting article. I liked it. Because I like spa. And spa with chocolate. It’s really amazing.
    Ashish recently posted…11 Things Only a Single Girl can EnjoyMy Profile

  15. Doreen,
    I saw your photo on Facebook and got a kick out of it. I’m so glad I dropped by and got the complete story. It looks like you had a lot of fun!
    Sherryl Perry recently posted…Re-Thinking Your After Blogging To-Do ListMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Sherryl and thanks for your comment! Yes, I quickly learned that Puerto Viejo is indeed a very fun, yet laid back community. I would love to return when they get a stretch of hot, dry weather, as it was pretty darn damp when I was there. Beautiful, as it definitely added to the 50 shades of green!
      Doreen recently posted…air travel with a catMy Profile

  16. Sherry Ghiotto says:

    If you are ever in Puerto Viejo, the Pure Jungle Spa is definitely one to be on your must-do list! Words don’t really do it justice, but “Peace, Love and Chocolate” is a good start! 🙂

  17. Look at you! Love this and also what a trooper you are to take a fun photo like that! I think the experience sounds decadent!

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Suzanne and thanks for your comment. Yes, it was Ro (the spa technician) who suggested we take a couple of pics. I never would have thought of it, but I’m glad she did, and the results were fun! Best of the season to you!
      Doreen recently posted…air travel with a catMy Profile

  18. Natalie says:

    I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than getting doused in chocolate! 🙂 Did they send you off with a few chocolates as a parting gift? That would be the icing on the cake! This just seems like such a fun way to pamper yourself–I usually don’t like massages because I’m weird about people touching me, but I might make an exception for chocolate!
    Natalie recently posted…10 Inspiring Movies for the Wandering Soul {Guest Post by She Wrote a Book}My Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Natalie: I’m not usually big on massages either. But a chocolate massage is definitely the way to go! The smell of the warm, molten chocolate is absolutely intoxicating and relaxing. Afterall, chocolate is a feel good drug! And yes, they do feed you fresh chocolate at the Pure Jungle Spa, so they cover all the bases!

  19. Cheryl says:

    OMG! Being drenched in chocolate? Talk about a dream come true! You have the best adventures Doreen.
    Cheryl recently posted…AirFryer Cookbook: Coming SoonMy Profile

  20. This spa treatment sounds absolutely wonderful. And then to scrub everything off in a jungle shower. Fantastic. I too love the picture of you covered in chocolate. You look so happy!
    Donna Janke recently posted…Roam Mobility and the Canadian SnowbirdMy Profile

  21. Hi Doreen – Well you’ve come up with some interesting uses for chocolate as you’ve traveled the world and shared with us, but I’d never imagined slathering it all over your body for a massage. I think I might rather eat it…but I’d be willing to give it a try. 🙂
    Susan Cooper recently posted…Robert Mondavi Winery Wine Trio: #WineMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Susan: Believe me. Chocolate is indeed good for the skin, the hair. Even your teeth! Check the Health Benefits chapter of Chocolatour. You will find much useful info there. Plus … being covered with molten chocolate is so much FUN! Cheers, and thx for dropping by.
      Doreen recently posted…air travel with a catMy Profile

  22. Chris says:

    Wow, talk about finding a new application for something that is universally loved!

    That picture of you covered in chocolate certainly would look good as the face of your blog 😉
    Chris recently posted…PADI course, PADI course, book me a dive…My Profile

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