The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea. ~ Isak Dinesen
After a beautiful month away in Canada surrounded by family and friends, coming home to Cambutal felt extra special this year. The magic of this place never fades – but this time, it hit a little deeper. As we rolled back into town, both of our kids had literal tears of joy as they rolled down the windows and breathed it all in. That moment reminded me how much this place grounds us – how deeply connected we are to this land, this rhythm, and this community.
We took a pause in June to rest and reset – closing our doors for the month and using that time to reimagine a few new things behind the scenes. Then, in July, we reopened our doors with full hearts and a completely sold-out Family Retreat. It was an incredible reminder of why we do what we do – bringing people together in meaningful ways, creating space for joy, connection, and play across generations.
It’s hard to believe we’re already into August, but the momentum here is alive and well. The lush green season is in full swing. The wildlife is vibrant. The waves are generous. And there’s something unmistakably sacred about this quieter time of year.
One of the most exciting updates is the transformation of our Reception space and the launch of our newly designed Salt Shop boutique. We’ve moved our retail into our gorgeous new reception space – elevating the welcome experience with thoughtful design details, custom finishes, and so much heart. Mike and his team brought the interiors to life, and I had a blast playing with the creative design and final touches.
It’s all part of our continued evolution – building, refining, and dreaming forward, while staying grounded in the soul of Sansara.
There’s so much we’re excited to share with you this month – from upcoming retreats and seasonal dishes from Buddha Bar, to a few familiar faces doing extraordinary things behind the scenes. Whether you’re planning your next visit or just soaking in the vibe from afar, we hope this update brings you a little piece of Cambutal magic.
We’re so grateful to be walking this journey with you – whether you’ve been here before, are planning your return, or simply hold a piece of Sansara in your heart from afar. As we move through this vibrat season, we invite you to stay connected, dream big, and maybe even say yes to that next adventure.
With love from Cambutal,
Janel & the Sansara Team
This is Green Season magic at its finest – more time to sink deeper into the rhythm of Cambutal, more sunsets over the Pacific, more moments of pure presence.
Why longer stays transform everything:
Perfect For: Digital detox retreats, solo journeys, romantic escapes, or simply giving yourself the gift of time.
What happens when you finally slow down and really, truly listen?
This isn’t just another retreat. This is soul archaeology – a loving excavation of who you’re becoming.
Led by the luminous Makayla Chapman, this sanctuary is designed for women navigating the beautiful mess of change, grief, renewal, and inner transformation.
Your week of deep medicine includes:
WARNING: This retreat will change you. The women who leave are not the same ones who arrived.
Picture this… perfectly poached eggs floating on a cloud of creamy, spiced Greek yogurt, crowned with our house-made-chili-infused butter that’s basically liquid gold.
INGREDIENTS (serves 2)
Spiced Yogurt
Chili Butter
Assembly
Sansara’s secret lies in the Aleppo pepper – its fruity, not just hot!
Craving it now??? Book your Buddha Bar table and taste it fresh.
Nature’s greatest show is happening right now!
Every August, humpback whales transform our coastline into a living cathedral.
These gentle giants migrate past Sansara’s shores with their calves, and witnessing them is… indescribable. Pure reverence wrapped in saltwater and sky.
Join Azuero Adventures for:
This is a once-in-a-lifetime medicine for the soul.
Peak whale watching season is NOW through September.
Hey beautiful souls! Your favorite bartender, Benny, here with a game-changing secret that’ll make your at-home mojitos unforgettable – while keeping Mother Earth happy.
The Magic? Homemade Mint Syrup. When your fresh mint starts looking tired, don’t toss it – transform it!
At Sansara, we believe every ingredient deserves respect (just like our organized kitchen philosophy). So when mint leaves begin to wilt, we turn them into liquid gold.
Quick Mint Syrup Recipe:
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Simmer gently, let the mint release tis aromatic oils, add your sugar until dissolved. Boom – you’ve got syrup that’ll make your mojitos sing.
Benny’s Perfect Mojito:
The Technique: Gently muddle mint with syrup and lime (let the flavors dance together), add rum and ice, top with bubbly water. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Pro Tip: We dehydrate lime wheels, pineapple wedges, and orange slices for gorgeous, sustainable garnishes that add serious visual wow factor.
“Total Relaxation. Sansara is a magical place. Off the beaten path but well worth the drive from the airport in Panama City. We were there in May during the off season and it was very quiet and relaxing. The rooms are beautiful and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. The food and cocktails were also incredible. We kept commenting how much we wish we had someone at home to cook us such healthy and delicious meals each day. We surfed each morning and even though the waves were big a couple of the days we learned a lot of new skills and our instructor Ricardo was super helpful and informative. All and all a great vacation and experience!” ~ Cat B, May 2025
To mark Sansara’s 10th year, our co-founder Janel is stepping forward to share the stories behind the story – the real-life moments that shaped this place, and the woman she became along the way.
Each week in Woman to Woman, she writes with honesty and heart about the journey – motherhood, building a business with her partner, navigating change, and leading with soul.
If you’ve ever wondering what it really takes to build something with purpose – this is for you.
READ THE LATEST EPISODE ON SUBSTACK
The question isn’t if you need this. It’s when.
Whether you’re ready for sunrise yoga, spa bliss, nourishing meals, or an epic surf retreat, we’re here holding space for your journey.
With love from all of us at Sansara. | inquire within