If you’re wondering how to find the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica, you’re at the right place! Beautiful Costa Rica is home to hundreds of yoga retreats. Many people would agree that their favorite kind of vacation is a yoga trip. No matter the discipline of yoga you’re most interested in, or how long you’ve been practicing, you are bound to find the yoga destination that’s perfect for you in the gorgeous country of Costa Rica.
How to choose the best yoga retreat in Costa Rica
You can find a yoga destination in any country, but Costa Rica is home to some of the best yoga retreats in the world. As you begin your research, there are some guiding questions that can help you discover what part to go to. A yoga retreat is a money and time investment, so here’s some information about what to consider.
Things like amenities, who your facilitator is, retreat theme, duration, the size of the group you’ll be joining, and more, are things to think about. With so many yoga retreats in Costa Rica, how do you choose the best yoga retreat for you? Start by asking these 10 questions:
Where is the retreat located?
Every part of Costa Rica is special, but each region of the country offers a different vibe.
The Guanacaste Province, located in the northwestern corner of the country near Nicaragua, is home to some of the sunniest and most popular beaches, like Playa del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, Tamarindo, and the Papagayo Peninsula. Guanacaste is also home to some of the best yoga retreats in Costa RIca!
It is one of the more developed areas of Costa Rica, as many foreigners have built resorts and vacation homes here in recent years. If you head south from Guanacaste, you’ll reach the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s less developed here, however the beaches of Santa Teresa and Malpais are fast growing and Nosara has been named the “next Tulum.”
Puntarenas stretches across most of the North Pacific coastline of Costa Rica. Its beautiful beaches, inlets, islands, and natural treasures can be found everywhere. It’s slowly developing, but definitely still attracts many visitors. The virgin land here is what draws tourists in, for its secluded beaches and untouched land.
On the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, is the Limon Province. Limon is a paradise characterized by dense jungles, mountains, and alluring white sand beaches. If you travel here from San Jose, you’ll cross over the lowlands of Braulio Carriollo national Park, where short paths lead to overlooks and waterfalls, surrounded by lush green trees and canopies. If you find the chance, Puerto Viejo, is located in the Limon Province, home to the music, beaches, food that attract tourists from all over the world.
Our favorite, by no surprise, is the Osa Peninsula. The Osa Peninsula is in the southwestern region in the Puntarenas Province and is known for its lushness of land, water, and life. National Geographic named it the most biologically intense place on earth! The Osa’s ecotourism economy emphasizes forest and wildlife habitat conservation.
The maintained biodiversity is one of this mystical place’s main attractions. Its beaches are secluded and remote and has a private feel. It’s the perfect place to disconnect on a long walk or afternoon swim. And of course, we’ll be waiting for you at Blue Osa! We pride ourselves on being one of the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica.
What are the amenities of the yoga retreat facility?
Something you’ll want to look into are the amenities of the yoga retreat facility you plan to visit. Is there beach front access? Is there a pool? What is their yoga space like? Do they provide mats and other props? What kind of food do they serve? These are all questions to ask.
At Blue Osa, our gorgeous yoga shala is the center of the magic. Central to the rest of the grounds, it’s a wide, open-air space, lined by large windows and a tall, wooden ceiling. It’s the perfect place to carry out the intentions you come with and we’re sure you’ll expand into new ones.
Among the rest of the resort’s beauty, Blue Osa guests enjoy a beautiful lap swimming pool, farm to table menu, and beachfront access. There is nothing quite like beginning each day in front of the sunrise each morning, perfectly visible on the east side of the property. All of these reasons affirm our belief that we are offering our guests a getaway at one of the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica – something we are very proud of and eager to share with you!
Who is the yoga retreat facilitator or instructor?
This may be one of the most important things that will guide your decision of which retreat you want to be a part of. Perhaps your retreat facilitator is someone you know personally, like a teacher at your home studio, or maybe you’ve just recently connected online. Maybe you don’t know them at all! Make sure you’re aligned with their energy and their teaching style, and their values as a yoga instructor.
What is the cost of the yoga retreat?
Yoga retreats can range anywhere from $500-$4000, depending on where you go and the organization you travel with. You’ll want to look at the cost of the retreat plus airfare, and any add-ons you can make during your stay.
Once you have chosen your destination, look into some tips online to help you save money. For example, 10 unusual travel tips to help you experience the best of Costa Rica. Many retreat centers will offer optional excursions that you can partake in.
In some cases, your retreat may have some of these activities included in the cost. But the majority will have them as extras. Look into each retreat to see what is included. At Blue Osa, dolphin and whale watching is a popular activity amongst guests.
Think about if extra activities like this are of interest to you. Our guests also enjoy spa services by our talented team of massage therapists. After spending a week with us, you will be absolutely sure you stayed at the best yoga retreat in Costa Rica.
What is the theme or focus of the yoga retreat?
Before you dive into choosing a retreat, think about the vibe you want to expect. This will guide how you choose what kind of retreat you want to go on. Are you looking to connect more deeply with your soul? Perhaps you are interested in yoga philosophy and meditation, or maybe you’re looking for a way to reset and detox your body.
There are so many different opportunities this year to join a retreat at Blue Osa! Retreat leaders are coming to join us, hosting immersions in soul embodiment, Infinite Possibilities and the teachings of Deepak Chopra, and HEALTH (health, ease, alignment, and lightness)
What is the duration of the yoga retreat?
To fully absorb everything the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica have to offer you and everything the jungle has to show you, a weekend likely isn’t long enough. Once you arrive, you’ll already want to extend your trip. People often find 7 days is just right for a trip to Costa Rica to be able to enjoy both yoga and excursions.
If you think that still isn’t long enough, maybe you decide to expand your intentions and dive into a 14 or 28 day yoga teacher training! Here’s our advice on how to choose the best yoga instructor certification.
What is the size of the yoga retreat?
Think about your comfort levels in small or large groups and which is more supportive of your learning. Some retreat centers don’t accommodate groups larger than 10 or 15. Blue Osa comfortably holds up to 38 groups.
What activities do you want to do outside the yoga retreat?
Excursions are great opportunities to take advantage of, but again, are not always included in the set cost of a retreat. Spa packages are popular ways to enjoy the most of your retreat while also saving a little bit of money.
Instead of booking multiple massages, consider if a package is right for you. At Blue Osa, there are several packages to choose from such as a juice package, wine package and even a birthday package! These will allow you to enjoy some more benefits while you stay.
If you’re a mover and enjoy more physical activities in your down time, Our staff is passionate about guiding tours and hikes through Matapalo, which borders Corcovado National Park. You’ll get a glimpse of this lowland rainforest, home to one of the largest populations of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica.
You’ll see monkeys, toucans, macaws, and finish your journey at the waterfall. Another one of our favorites is the Mangrove Kayak Exploration. You’ll wade beneath 80 foot mangroves, getting a beautiful vantage point from below. Or you can try waterfall rappelling, horseback riding, kayaking, or bird watching. And as always, the beach is always available for a long walk or swim, and that is priceless!
Why are you looking for the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica?
Are you looking to deepen your yoga practice and learn tools to connect with yourself more spiritually? You’re definitely considering the right part of the world! Or, perhaps there’s a particular environment you envision yourself in and the kind of food you’ll be eating. Think about the different regions of Costa Rica and where your vision can manifest. If you’re craving the jungle and the sea, it’s hard to go wrong here.
The next thing you’ll want to decide is the style and pace of the retreat you think is best for you. The last thing you want is to show up to your first class and dive deep into an Ashtanga practice when you were expecting Vinyasa. Think about your level of practice.
Do you think you’d be more comfortable on a beginner yoga retreat, or something more advanced? Do you enjoy long holds, or fluid movement? There are lots of different types of yoga, so think about which one is right for you.
Does the yoga retreat have professional experience?
As with any new experience, you always want to check the reviews. See what other people who have been on the retreat say about the retreat leaders, facility, location, food, and anything else you may be curious about. This is probably the best way to pick up truthful information about what to expect. See what our guests say about their experience at Blue Osa!
Are yoga retreats for beginners?
Yes! Yoga retreats are not only for the advanced yogi. Plus, the kind of retreat you want to go on is entirely your own decision and there’s tons out there to choose from. You can find some of the best yoga retreats for beginners in Costa Rica, as well as retreats that cater to students with a more developed practice.
Pay attention to what the teachers are offering and if you think that aligns with your experience, but don’t be afraid to try something new. Just make sure you’re gauging how challenging or not the offerings will be and embrace the honesty of your intuition.
Maybe you do want to try something more difficult than you’re used to, but you know you’d realistically enjoy something more nourishing and restorative. Advanced yoga retreats can be rewarding, but may not end up being what you hoped for. Play with a gentle approach and maybe you’ll be called to something more challenging on your next retreat after getting a feel for what they’re like.
Choosing the right retreat location and teacher will carry you a long way. Think about what’s inspiring to you and if you feel that when reading retreat descriptions. Don’t worry about getting lost and overwhelmed in all of the options that are on the internet for the best yoga retreat in Costa Rica.
If a group retreat isn’t your jam, most yoga retreat centers offer private retreats. This will allow you to customize the experience to what you’re comfortable with. As with anything, there are pros and cons to booking a private retreat.
While you benefit from a tailored itinerary, you won’t have the energy and dynamics that are present with a group. For many people, this is a big component of a great retreat. Connecting with other yogis you don’t know and learning from them can be a deeply transformative experience.
Are yoga retreats worth it?
That depends on your desire to go on one. If you’re already considering a yoga retreat, a part of you is probably craving a chance to learn and find a sense of deeper connection. If that is you, we speak from firsthand experience when we say, YES!
Yoga retreats are worth it. If the cost is a point of contingency, or the chance of trip cancellation, maybe a last minute change of plans, or anything that might happen after you’ve submitted payment that could inhibit you from being able to go, check with the retreat leader about the cancellation and refund policy.
How do I choose a yoga retreat?
Ultimately, your decision should be guided by where you want to go, how much you want to spend, the theme of the retreat, and how much you feel like you trust your retreat leader. Take your time in your decision making process and pay attention to details. You know best! Take a personalized approached.
Think about where you believe you can find the best yoga retreat in Costa Rica, and then think about where you can find the best yoga retreat for you. Trust that you’ll be led to the right place. No matter where you land, there’s no doubt you will learn and grow from whatever experience you encounter.
If you’re unsure of where to start, check out our very own yoga retreats! We’d love to welcome you to the paradise we call home. After one week here, you’ll start to feel at home too.
Want to take your yoga practice even further? Check out some of Blue Osa’s yoga teacher training courses! Not only will you deepen your yoga practice but you will also get the opportunity to be immersed in a life-changing experience. Located where the jungle meets the sea, Blue Osa is the perfect place to either begin or enhance your yoga practice.
Read More about the Blue Osa experience
Blue Osa’s Commitment to Being Off Grid
Water is Life at Blue Osa
Nosara vs. Osa: Which is Better for a Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica?
