Yoga – Costa Rica Travel Tips by Chifrijo Jones & Friends

Thanks to its stunning nature, Costa Rica has become a unique destination for world-class yoga vacations. From windswept beaches to lush rainforests, this tropical paradise has everything you need to enhance your practice. You will even find one or two yoga studios close to nightlife spots in San José. Yoga at sunset. If you’re an ardent yogi, you’ll probably be more excited about Costa Rica yoga retreats that are at the heart of nature. In which case both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts have yoga studios that offer stunning ocean views and vast sandy beaches on which to meditate. Some eco-lodge yoga centers are located in or close to the country’s rainforests. These are perfect for anyone who is looking for a remote setting. Regardless of your preference, yoga in Costa Rica will leave you in an excellent mind-body state. With that said, which are our favorite yoga retreats in Costa Rica? Read on to find out. Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat Location: Santa Teresa In addition to offering daily yoga classes, Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat has year-round yoga workshops. That’s why it’s one of our favorite places for yoga in Costa Rica. You can book an all-inclusive yoga retreat that’s standardized or you can customize your own according to your preferences. Either way, the hotel’s spacious yoga shala, combined with its serene environment, will help you let off steam. Built on the Pacific Coast, close to the Nicoya Peninsula, the hotel’s oceanfront suites are located in the beautiful shores of Playa Santa Teresa. These villas and bungalows are designed with local bamboo and decorated with Indonesian furniture. You won’t find many Costa Rican hotels that will bring you closer to nature than that. Besides, the Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat has a vast beach on which you can relax in between your yoga sessions. You can even practice yoga while enjoying the stunning ocean views of Playa Santa Teresa. The beach is famous for its world-class wave breaks, so if you’re a surfer you may combine yoga with surfing. In case you’re not planning to surf perhaps you may be interested in the in-house wellness spa treatments. The good people at Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat offer a variety of bodywork treatments; from massages to detoxification and everything in-between. They accept visitors who drop by for daily yoga classes. So, even if you’re not staying at the hotel you can make your way there in your free time to enjoy some of the best yoga in Costa Rica. Waterfall Villas Location: Baru-Dominical Are you a vegan looking for the best yoga in Costa Rica? Or perhaps you need to detox? Waterfall Villas is the place for you. Nestled in a remote area in Baru Rainforest, this wellness retreat center places emphasis on meditation, mind-body connection, healthy vegan cuisine and detoxing both the mind and body. It may be located in a remote place but this laidback yoga destination is very easy to access. Its only 3 miles away from the Dominical Beach Town and 15 minutes away from the famous Osa peninsula. The best thing about Waterfall Villas is that they have a variety of packages from which you can choose one that suits you best. Their Rejuvenation Package is one that you don’t want to miss. You get 7 nights of accommodation, during which time a yoga instructor will guide you through meditation and detoxification. If you have been struggling to break bad or unhealthy habits the instructor will help with that too. In addition to daily yoga classes, they will teach you how to make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid self-sabotage – all with amazing vegetarian meals to keep your mind and body strong. Other packages to consider include the Diva’s Detox that lasts for 4 nights and a Juice Cleanse program for 5 or 7 days. In case you’re wondering, the accommodation at Waterfall Villas is just as good as their yoga programs. There are 6 eco-lodge suites, each with a glass door that gives you access to an open veranda. The veranda itself is superbly designed for relaxing; it makes a perfect location for open-air yoga sessions. Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort Location: Nosara Located along Costa Rica’s northwest coastline is Nosara, an almost mystic village that’s popularly known as a yoga center. Once you set foot in this area you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a totally different world, where peace and tranquility prevail. Residents exist in harmony with their natural environment, and most of them live past 100 years. To no surprise, the village is home to some of the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica. None is more popular than the Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort. Here, you will find a running theme in the form of water – the life-giving element that brings us in tune with nature. From a large infinity pool to water fountains, the resort is laced with bodies of water. And it’s less than a mile away from the world-famous Playa Guiones, a sandy beach along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. In case you didn’t know, water yoga helps in the release of body tension while at the same time building your strength and helping with static balance. That (and more) is what Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort seeks to achieve with their guests. During your stay, you will enjoy the best sessions from a yoga instructor. You can choose to have private or group yoga lessons. They also have yoga teacher training sessions and workshops for yoga instructors. So if you’re a teacher yourself and you need to broaden your yoga skills then this is the place to be. Here’s one more reason why Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort is one of the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica: the resort is as green as it can get. Electricity and heating are provided by solar panels. Additionally, the entire property is plastic-free, so no pollution whatsoever. If you need more reasons, then you’ll be glad to hear that they are huge supporters (financially and otherwise) of the Costa Verdes, a not-for-profit organization that’s dedicated to coastal restoration. Good stuff all around! Samasati Yoga Retreat Location: Puerto Viejo Along the Caribbean Coast, you will find the Samasati Yoga Retreat, an eco-lodge that sits on a reserved rainforest in Puerto Viejo. It’s actually called the Samasati Retreat & Rainforest Sanctuary, but many people simply call it the Samasati Yoga Retreat because of its association with yoga in Costa Rica. Travel & Leisure Magazine named this resort among the “Top 5 Yoga Retreats” of 2014. Rightfully so considering guests enjoy daily yoga classes in the morning and evening. You will get the same with their Private Yoga Retreat package. While most of the teachings focus on traditions set by the likes of Krishnamacharya (like Viniyoga and Ashtanga), yoga tutors here make the experience fun by mixing things up. You will get to go on nature walks and enjoy Thai yoga massages. If you are a surfer, you can book a package that combines yoga and surfing. The stunning beaches of Puerto Viejo are just minutes away from the retreat center. There you will find amazing reef breaks, including Salsa Brava, a right-hand reef break that is famous for its big barrels. There are surf lessons available in Puerto Viejo if you are an aspiring surfer. The buffet-style meals at Samasati Yoga Retreat come in a variety as well. You get to choose between vegetarian meals and dishes that are prepared with fish and chicken. Accommodation facilities are just as relaxing. Suites have a rustic finish, which when combined with the visible canopy of the jungle, brings the feeling of being in nature. Pura vida.