Home to some of the world’s most amazing nature, wildlife and biodiversity, there are many reasons to visit Costa Rica. Along with eco-tourism and adventure activities, the incredible wellness and yoga retreats in Costa Rica are among the best in the world.
Costa Rica is famous amongst travellers that want to see the country’s spectacular flora and fauna, go trekking and enjoy bird watching. It’s one of the world’s best yoga and wellness destinations due to it’s numerous opportunities for healing against a stunning natural backdrop and the chance to experience the ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle.
There are so many excellent Costa Rica yoga retreats you are spoilt for choice, but how do you make sure you choose the best one for you. In this post I’ll explain what makes Costa Rica the ideal place for a yoga and wellness vacation, the top destinations to head to, give you my recommendation for the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica and more tips to help you plan an incredible trip.
A Guide to Yoga in Costa Rica
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Why Costa Rica is perfect for a yoga and wellness retreat
Costa Rico literally translates to “Rich Coast”, but the stunning beaches are just the start – the abundant wildlife, impressive volcanoes and mountains, lush jungles and rainforests, lakes and waterfalls are also spectacular.
I know it’s a cliché but this country really does have breath taking landscapes and makes a perfect setting for reconnecting to nature and to yourself.
It is truly is a magnificent country, and one of the best places in the world to practice yoga surrounded by the healing vibes of nature and experience a more natural way of living.
Whether you are looking for a luxury yoga retreat, an eco friendly wellness retreat in nature, or a fun yoga and surf on the beach, there’s so many option for yoga vacations in Costa Rica.
Joining a group retreat is also a great choice for solo travelers as you’ll get plenty of time for both self discovery as well as the chance to meet plenty of like minded people to practice yoga and explore the surrounding area with.
As well as being known for it’s Pura Vida or pure life philosophy, Costa Rica is also one of the best surfing destinations in the world. Riding the waves is like a meditation in itself and the two combine brilliantly and create the perfect escape.
The Best Places For Yoga In Costa Rica
There’s no shortage of yoga retreat centers in Costa Rica and the destination you choose depends on what sort of experience you are looking for.
Beach lovers are spoilt for choice, Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas, Puerto Viejo and Limon are home to some of the top yoga resorts where you can combine daily yoga classes with enjoying the goregous beaches.
If you also want to experience Costa Rica’s amazing surf then head to the laid back surf towns like Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Nosara, and Montezuma where you can dive into the Pacific Ocean. Here you’ll find plenty of surf camps and yoga retreats, many of which combine yoga and surfing – the perfect combination!
If you’re after lush rainforests, waterfalls, hot springs and volcanoes then head to the area around La Fortuna and the Arenal volanco which is home to some of the best wellness retreats in Costa Rica.
There are so many retreats that it can actually get overwhelming searching through them all and checking reviews is also really important. I find bookyogaretreats really useful as you can read reviews from previous guests who’ve already been there themselves so you know what to expect.
You could also combine your yoga vacation with exploring the rest of this stunning country – this detailed Costa Rica itinerary should give you all the tips and info you need to plan your trip.
The Best Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica
Here’s the top rated yoga retreats in Costa Rica to help you narrow down the options and make it easier for you to choose.
- El Sabanero Eco Lodge, Cañafistula, Guancaste
- Shambala Retreats, Nosara, Guanacaste
- Essence Arenal, La Fortuna, Alajuela Province
- Del Alma Retreat, Playa Marbella, Guanacaste
- Tierra de Suenos, Playa Chiquita, Limón
- Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, Nosara, Guanacaste
- Ashtanga Yoga Mama, Playa Azul, Guanacaste
- Chandra Karuna Yoga, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Sacred Journeys Yoga, Cahuita, Limón
- Adventura Doma Natural, Tucurrique, Cartago Province
Either click on the links to find out more or carry on reading to discover what makes each one special.
El Sabanero Eco Lodge
- Location: Cañafistula, Guancaste
- Duration: 6 Days
- Price: From US$2,265
El Sabranero Eco Lodge is located in the remote village of Cañafistula. It’s a stunning property that’s completely surrounded by the lush vegetation that the country is known for, making it one of the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica to get back to nature.
There are two yoga shalas; one indoors and one outdoors, where you will enjoy two Vinyasa yoga practices a day alongside pranayama, meditation, and chakra balancing workshops. You will also get three gourmet vegetarian meals as well as diet and nutrition tips for living a healthy life.
Five nights accommodation in a private room and airport transfers are included. When you’re not practicing yoga, you can relax at the infinity pool, get a massage or take the free shuttle bus to one of the nearby stunning Pacific coast beaches.
Shambala Retreats
- Location: Nosara, Guanacaste
- Duration: 7 days
- Price: From US$1,688
Combining nature therapy with adventure, Shambala Retreats offer some of the most magical and transformative yoga retreats in Costa Rica.
The mountain-side retreat center boasts an incredible open-air yoga shala with 360-degree views of the ocean and the surrounding jungle. It’s also just a 2-minute walk from the beach and traditional village of Ostional, giving you a glimpse into local Costa Rican life.
Shambala’s 7-day horse riding and yoga holiday is one of their most popular offerings, giving yogis an immersion into Costa Rica’s nature and wildlife. You’ll trek through the jungle and along the beach on horseback, spotting birds, butterflies, and even monkeys.
When you’re not riding, you’ll explore Tantra, Kundalini, Yin, and Hatha yoga through daily asana classes. You’ll sleep in a lodge or casita close to the beach and enjoy a freshly-cooked vegetarian breakfast and dinner each day.
Shambala Retreats also offers a 7 day surfing and yoga holiday, as well as a nervous system reset retreat featuring breathwork, Kundalini yoga, and holistic healing practices.
Read More: Best Yoga Retreats in Nicaragua
Essence Arenal
- Location: La Fortuna, Alajuela Province
- Duration: 4 Days
- Price: From US$776
This Costa Rica yoga retreat is off the beaten path in a small village on top of a hill overlooking Lake Arenal and Arenal volcano. The spectacular views are something out of a National Geographic, making it one of the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica for the setting alone.
Spend four blissful days enjoying a daily 75-minute Vinyasa or Yin yoga classes, daily guided meditation, daily personal hydrotherapy, three healthy vegetarian meals per day made with organic produce from the onsite permaculture farm and naturopathic teas.
Even though this rainforest retreat is surrounded by nature you don’t have to compromise on comfort. You will be staying in a private room complete with orthopaedic mattresses and anti-allergic pillows.
Also, Essence Arenal is surrounded by jungle trails and just up the road from the Butterfly Conservatory. It truly is the perfect spot for a quick yoga getaway in spectacular nature.
Read More: Best Yoga Retreats in Mexico
Del Alma Retreat
- Location: Playa Marbella, Guanacaste
- Duration: 7 Days
- Price: From US$2786
Costa Rica’s deeply healing energies and abundant greenery make it a perfect place to heal, reset, and rebirth, and that’s exactly what Del Alma’s 7-day retreat facilitates.
Suitable for all levels, you can choose between a luxury villa on the beach or in the jungle. Here you can unplug from modern life with yoga, meditation, and primal movement flows. Along with calming your mind and nurturing your soul, you’ll strengthen your body through HIIT and strength training sessions on the beach or by the pool.
The all-inclusive luxury retreat includes 3 daily delicious meals and your choice of 2 additional activities, including surfing, mountain biking, or horseback riding. The package also includes airport transport to and from Liberia airport.
Read More: Best Yoga Retreats in Mexico
Tierra de Suenos
- Location: Playa Chiquita, Limón
- Duration: 8 Days
- Price: From US$1,197
Enjoy a private beach yoga getaway at an eco-conscious wellness center a stone’s throw from the secluded Playa Chiquita.
Suitable for beginner and intermediate yogis, the 8-day private retreat blends yoga and relaxation with culture and adventure with plenty to do both on and off the yoga mat.
After your morning yoga session, you can enjoy one of many unique cultural tours or activities. There’s a wide range of activities, including horseback riding, rafting, surfing, and even visiting a local animal rescue center.
At Tierra de Suenos Lodge, you’ll sleep in a cute Caribbean-style bungalow and tuck into 3 freshly-prepared vegetarian meals a day. The package also includes two 60-minute massages.
Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort
- Location: Nosara
- Duration: 7 Days
- Price: From US$2,299
This luxury wellness retreat is designed for anyone looking to deepen their yoga practice while fully immersing themselves in nature. Set in the laid-back surf town of Nosara, Bodhi Tree blends world-class yoga facilities with the relaxed rhythm of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast where you can go surfing or snorkeling after your yoga class.
The retreat offers week long yoga retreats with daily yoga classes in a variety of styles, along with Pilates, meditation, sound healing, and other holistic spa treatments. Whether you’re refining your practice or simply carving out time to reset, the experienced teaching team and thoughtfully curated schedule make it easy to reconnect with yourself.
The resort itself feels like a tropical sanctuary, with open-air yoga shalas, lush gardens, and a saltwater pool surrounded by palm trees. You’ll stay in a beautifully designed bungalow or jungle room featuring modern comforts and serene, natural touches. A nourishing daily breakfast is included, and the on-site restaurant serves fresh, locally sourced food to support your wellness journey.
Ashtanga Yoga Mama
- Location: Playa Azul, Guanacaste
- Duration: 6 Days
- Price: From US$2640
If you’re looking for a private, luxury yoga retreat in Costa Rica, check out Ashtanga Yoga Mama. Here, lead teacher Irena will create a custom 6-day retreat experience to suit your level and needs.
It starts with an initial consultation to clarify your goals and needs, followed by daily restorative yoga, breathwork, and beach meditation. In between sessions, you’ll have a guided beach walk and jungle hike, as well as daily brunch and dinner prepared to your liking by your own private chef.
You’ll stay in a beautiful beachfront villa on Playa Azul, which has some seriously lavish features. For example, there’s a saltwater swimming pool overlooking the sea and a huge open-air yoga deck where you’ll relax in Savasana to the sound of real ocean waves. The villa also offers private access to an untouched beach, making you feel like you’re in a private paradise.
Chandra Karuna Yoga
- Location: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Duration: 4 Days
- Price: From US$650
The private therapeutic retreat is designed for anyone seeking to reprogram their minds and let go of negative, unconscious beliefs and behavioral patterns.
Using a therapeutic healing technique called “Psych-K,” retreat leader Francesco will help you realign your subconscious and conscious mind and let go of the fears holding you back from your dreams. After 4 days of daily yoga, meditation, and Psych-K therapy, you’ll leave feeling noticeably more confident and empowered, and with a deeper sense of clarity around your life direction.
The private retreat takes place at a newly-built jungle house in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, so you’ll be immersed in Costa Rican wildlife and nature during the experience. You’ll have your own bungalow, complete with a double bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a modern bathroom. Daily breakfast is included; lunch and dinner can be requested at an extra cost.
Sacred Journeys Yoga
- Location: Cahuita, Limon Province
- Duration: 7 Days
- Price: From US$1,688
If you’ve been feeling uninspired and detached from your yoga practice lately, the serene energy and beautiful nature of Cahuita will fill you with fresh inspiration and energy.
This 7-day retreat will help you reconnect with and deepen your Hatha yoga practice through daily asana, meditation, and spiritual development workshops.
Casa Firefly boutique retreat center sits along Costa Rica’s exquisite coastline, where you’re just a few steps from the Caribbean sea. It’s also very close to Cahuita National Park, home to vibrant wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, and hummingbirds.
The best part of this retreat is that you get to choose what you do. You’re free to skip a class to take a hike in the jungle or a stroll along the beach whenever you want.
The all-inclusive yoga vacation in Costa Rica includes all food, airport transfers, and ongoing support, so you can focus fully on rest.
Adventura Doma Natural
- Location: Tucurrique, Cartago Province
- Duration: 4 Days
- Price: From US$760
If the mountains are calling, you’ll love this 4-day yoga and nature retreat set in a peaceful farm atop a small mountain in central Costa Rica. Here, you’ll wake up to birdsong, breathe in the freshest mountain air you’ve ever experienced, and experience profound relaxation.
Each day starts with a Hatha yoga class (suitable for all levels). After breakfast, you’ll embark on a jungle hike or visit a waterfall. Then, in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a unique excursion, such as a farm tour, a medicinal plant workshop, or a visit to the hot springs.
All participants get their own private room in an eco-conscious ranch, with a shared lounge, kitchen, pool, and sundeck. Three farm-to-table meals a day are also included.
More Tips for a Yoga Trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a year-round destination, but the experience changes quite a bit depending on the season — especially on the Pacific coast where many of the best yoga resorts are based.
The dry season (December to April) is the most popular time to visit. You can expect long sunny days, golden sunsets over the Pacific, and very little rain. This is ideal if you want beach time, outdoor yoga shalas with uninterrupted views, and predictable weather for exploration. It’s also peak season, so retreats and accommodation book up early and prices are higher.
The green season (May to November) is quieter, more affordable, and incredibly lush. Mornings are often sunny, with tropical showers rolling in during the afternoon or evening. I actually think this can be a beautiful time for a yoga retreat — the rain cools the air, the jungle feels alive, and the slower pace makes it easier to switch off. September and October tend to be the wettest months on the Pacific coast, so it’s worth checking exact rainfall patterns if you’re planning then.
If you’re combining yoga with surfing, wildlife spotting, or simply long beach walks at sunset, the dry season offers the most reliable conditions. But if you’re looking for a more introspective, quieter retreat experience surrounded by vibrant green landscapes and want to save some money then you’ll discover that the green season has its own magic – just bring insect repellent to avoid pesky mosquito bites.
Whenever you decide to visit, Costa Rica’s warm temperatures and laid-back “Pura Vida” lifestyle make it an easy place to drop into a daily rhythm of yoga, nature, and rest.
Also, as Costa Rica is a global leader in climate action, especially for its renewable energy use and long-term commitment to net-zero emissions, make sure you help the country’s efforts bring a reusable water bottle to avoid buying single use plastic water bottles.
How to Choose a Costa Rica Yoga Retreat
There is such a wide range of retreats centers in Costa Rica offering different types of yoga classes and other wellness activities from surfing to hiking, horseback riding to ziplining so it can be confusing figuring out which retreat is the best for you.
Take some time to think about your experience level, your preferred style of yoga, your budget, what other activities you want to try and which type of location you’d prefer.
Most retreats are suitable for beginners, many combine yoga and surfing, and there’s even yoga teacher training retreats in Costa Rica if you want to deepen your practice or change your career.
Also consider the location – do you want a beach yoga retreat or to be immersed deep in the jungle?
And what facilities are important to do – is an all inclusive luxury retreat center complete with swimming pool and spa essential or are you looking for a budget retreat and don’t mind sharing a room and cooking some of your own food.
Once you consider all these factors you should be able to find the perfect Costa Rica retreat for you. Whatever you decide, always check the reviews from previous guests. I find bookyogaretreats really useful, it’s like the Booking.com for yoga retreats where you can read traveler reviews from people who’ve already been there themselves.
After all, like hotels, not all yoga retreats are created equal and you want your yoga vacation to be a relaxing, incredible experience for all the right reasons!
Final Thoughts on Yoga in Costa Rica
I hope this post has helped you to find your ideal Costa Rica yoga retreat and that you have an amazing time.
This is just a small selection of the numerous yoga and wellness retreats in Costa Rica, I wanted to keep it short and sweet because having too many choices can just be overwhelming.
Whatever you are looking for, from a luxury eco retreat immersed in nature to a fun yoga and surf retreat on the beach I’m sure you’ll find it in Costa Rica.
Have you been on an amazing yoga retreat in Costa Rica?
I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below
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2 comments
Hi Anna,
I haven’t been a big fan of Yoga before 2020 but I am looking to practise yoga from 2021 onwards. Costa Rica is among the places that I don’t know anything about. But Yoga retreat had urged me to learn about Costa Rica more than before.
Hi , I am David
The amazing place which is best to learn yoga and spend our vacations in Costa Rica. Natural beauty ,peaceful and mesmerizing view is attracting the people all over the world. Thank you for giving the knowledge about the Costa Rica.