ABOUT
Home is here.
Hola! I’m Jonathan Samalin, founder and owner of Casa Nautika—and your soon-to-be friend.
Twenty years ago, when I first bought my land in Costa Rica, I had no idea what I would do with it—like so many others, I just knew I wanted to live in paradise someday.
At the time, I was a high school teacher in New York City. I lived nine months of the year helping kids stay in school, stay out of trouble, and hopefully grow into responsible adults. When the final bell would ring on the last day of school, I’d hightail it out of the concrete jungle and fly straight to the real jungle—back to my beloved Costa Rican town of Dominical.
Back then, I was always looking for ways to escape my life. I had a sailboat to escape the city, a VW bus for road trips around the U.S., and some less healthy habits to cope with the daily grind—processed foods, sugar, TV, and prescription drugs.
Then one day I asked myself, what if I created a life I didn’t need to escape from?
After beginning my personal healing journey, releasing unhelpful patterns, and delving into my music and medicine work, I made the big decision to move full-time to Costa Rica and start building Casa Nautika.
What started off as my own home, quickly evolved to become yours too.
Casa Nautika was originally designed as a modern Airbnb, but as I transformed, so did my vision for it. After attending yoga trainings and personal growth retreats, I realized its true purpose: to be the perfect environment for transformational leaders to share their wisdom and help others change their lives.
Today, Casa Nautika is a high-vibration retreat space, designed to support relaxation, alignment, and a deep sense of connection and well-being. It’s filled with light and love, adorned with sacred objects and original art, and equipped with modern amenities to ensure ultimate comfort for every type of guest.
I absolutely love meeting and hosting people from all over the world. In the past eight years, I’ve hosted over 60 retreats and have had the privilege of mentoring both first-time retreat facilitators and seasoned retreat hosts.
Casa Nautika has become a second home for travelers from near and far, drawing in those seeking to rest, root, and receive.
Whether you’re visiting Casa Nautika for one of our retreats or hosting your own, I’ll introduce you to the magic of local living in Costa Rica—the beaches, waterfalls, adventures, talented healers, musicians, food, and healing medicines—all of which make this place special and bring me joy every day.
But beyond introducing you to this land I’ve loved and called home for over two decades, the part I cherish most about hosting retreats is witnessing guests settle in, relax, and drop into the frequency and vibration of this healing land—with all its beauty, wonder, and mystery. Seeing guests create meaningful, lasting changes in their lives through retreating here is indescribably rewarding. It’s this deep transformation that keeps my doors open and my rooms full—welcoming those seeking healing, connection, and a renewed sense of self.
I look forward to hosting you at Casa Nautika and helping make your Costa Rican dream a reality.
Mi casa really is tu casa…
Meet your host, your home, and the loving “support staff” who are here to make your stay comfortable and unforgettable.
Igloo & Zoom
Casa Nautika’s dynamic duo keep the energy purrfectly balanced—Igloo is the cool and collected master of lounging, and Zoom is the resident speedster and mischief-maker. Together, they add just the right mix of calm and play to make you feel right at home.
Lulu
Casa Nautika’s furry ambassador of love and good vibes—Lulu is an expert in cuddles and warm welcomes. She brings joy to everyone she meets, offers comfort to those who need it and eagerly joins in on any adventure she can. Lulu enjoys every moment just as much as you will!
