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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Your website articles are very good. Lots of information is available from your website on a wide range of subjects. Thank you for providing this information about your visit to the Pure Jungle Spa in Costa Rica.
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.
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.
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. 🙂
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, 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!
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!
The picture of the treatment is priceless!
Thanks, Irene. I’m so glad I let Ro talk me into taking the 2 poses. They both turned out great! Happy Holidays!
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, read the post again! There was indeed a coconut oil massage as part of the 3-step process. It was most heavenly! Thx for stopping by the blog and Happy Holidays. 🙂
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. 😉
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!
Oh wow…I would totally roll around in chocolate. This is awesome.
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!
Hi Nancie: I’m beginning to realize just how much fun it is to visit spas in different countries. They all offer a unique twist to traditional treatments such as facials, wraps, and massages. I’ve been quite delighted to see how many spas offer some form of chocolate or cocoa treatment. Enjoy Bangkok!
Hi Doreen,
I don’t go anywhere in South East Asia without trying out the spa facilities. It’s one of my things to do in Thailand. Your spa dollar really goes a long way.
Definitely let me know if you hear of/encounter any amazing cocoa-based or chocolate spa treatments, Nancie. That region will be covered in Volume III of Chocolatour.
Hi Doreen!
Spa = good
Chocolate = good
Spa + chocolate = goooooooood!!!!!!
Loved your pic covered by chocolate 😉
Cheers!
Right on, Robson! And thanks re the pic. I think it is definitely going to be the cover of my next book as it’s drawing a lot of attention!
I think I fell in love with you 🙂 that smiling picture with chocolate all over your body made me laugh.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my love of chocolate, Milan! Chocolate can bring you pleasure in many ways. 🙂
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!
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.
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!
I did indeed, Anita! It definitely was a day to remember.
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.
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!
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!
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! 🙂
Thanks for dropping by the blog, Sherry! Yes, you really have that laidback vibe in Puerto Viejo. How I wish I could live that lifestyle, as there never seems to be time for everything ‘in the real world’ where I must fulfil my obligations. Happy Christmas to you!
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!
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!
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!
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!
OMG! Being drenched in chocolate? Talk about a dream come true! You have the best adventures Doreen.
Thanks so much, Cheryl! I really enjoyed my visit to the Pure Jungle Spa, and to Puerto Viejo in general. It is a lovely, laid back community.
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!
Thanks, Donna! Yes, I must say that was a really happy moment for me. I really do think that will be my next book cover! Thanks for stopping by.
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: 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.
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 😉
Thanks, Chris! It was actually recommended to me that this pic (or the full body one of me covered in chocolate!) will make a great cover for the next volume of Chocolatour. I concur! 🙂