Planning our first visit to Costa Rica in 20 years, it became clear how diverse and expansive this country is, with extensive options and product available for a wide variety of travelers in different price ranges. With so many options, it was difficult to pinpoint our own itinerary, considering we were flying into San Jose and renting a car. We didn’t want to spend hours every day driving to different destinations, yet we wanted to experience some of the wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica offers that not only appealed to me, but that I hoped would appeal to my prospective clients looking for wellness, spa and yoga retreats. With so many great choices, I had to narrow it down to stays in two main destinations with visits to nearby resorts.
Luxury in the Clouds
First stop: El Silencio Lodge & Spa in Bajos Del Toro, adjacent to Poas Volcano. While quite remote, this was the perfect place to decompress and reconvene with nature. The upscale resort is a destination unto itself, a 500-acre private estate in the cloud forest offering casual luxury, bespoke adventure and wellness programs. Here we were delighted by the organic details of our spacious accommodations, the discretion of our private whirlpool, and the thoughtful touches of the attentive staff. We took full advantage of the on-site hiking trails, waterfalls and landscaped gardens, and indulged in the intimate Escencia Spa for our personal wellness. The outdoor yoga deck and 4 Elements Nature Trail provided glimpses of sublime yoga retreats accessible to the most discriminating yogis considering wellness yoga resorts in Costa Rica.
Pacific Coas : wellness yoga resorts IN costa Rica
After three blissful nights at El Silencio, we descended to the southwest coast of Costa Rica, winding past the more populated cities of Jaco and Quepos en route to Ojochal. While roads were paved and in good shape, there was some heavy traffic around these larger, condo-dotted cities, making it unconducive to roadside stops at scenic outlooks. At one lookout point just south of Manuel Antonio State Park, we pulled over to see what a group of tourists was gawking at through a telescope. We didn’t need our binoculars to see the flock of scarlet macaws froliking in the canopies high above Route 34, but I wish I’d had a camera with a zoom lens, as I could not capture their majesty with my iPhone 6s. Sadly, this was the best glimpse of wildlife we would get.
Costa Ballena chic: wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica
There are many choices of wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica’s Pacific coast enjoys. At first it was hard to adapt to the DIY mentality of AirBnb that I usually prefer when on vacation, and I lamented our decision to forgo a stay at Vista Celestial in Uvita. With breathtaking views of the Whale’s Tale at Marina Ballena National Park perched at 2,000 feet above, this resort would have been the perfect segway and a near match to El Silencio. A luxury wellness retreat, Vista Celestial caters to groups who prefer spacious accommodations, private plunge pools and exclusive dining experiences. With only five “haciendas”, retreat leaders enjoy exclusive use of the facilities and catered meals and activities especially for their groups.
Laid-Back: wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica
In Dominical, a town with a laid-back bohemian vibe that attracts many surfers, we were intrigued with Danyasa, a “yoga retreat and eco lodge” that is perfect for teacher trainings and groups on a modest budget. The accommodations crafted from shipping containers were more luxurious than imagined, complemented by an outdoor yoga studio, pool and comfy common area surrounded by indigenous fauna for a true “jungle” feeling. I immediately regarded this place as the perfect destination for young adventurous yogis looking to improve their practice and explore their creativity. Danyasa offers a variety of classes, retreats, teacher trainings, workshops and even dance therapy.
Beachfront Casual: wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica
Another excellent choice for wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica retreat groups is La Cusinga Lodge. Nestled along the coast between Uvita and Ojochal, the resort features modest, more rustic oceanview cabins made from natural wood and stone, and an outdoor yoga pavilion that faces the ocean with views of the Whale’s Tale at Marino Ballena National Park. There is also an on-site spa and full-service restaurant. As this property is adjacent to the beach, temperatures are much warmer here, so those who prefer air conditioning may not find the open-air jalousies and ceiling fans ideal.
Many Wellness yoga resorts costa rica
There are many more wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica offers on the Guanacaste peninsula that I would have loved to have seen first-hand. Surfing and yoga are commonly combined for retreats in Santa Teresa, Nosara, Playa Hermosa and Montezuma. These are more accessible flying into Liberia. My intent is to return in six months to get a broader feel for wellness yoga resorts Costa Rica offers, and to experience classes and workshops if possible