Last updated January 4, 2024
Costa Rica is known for its pura vida lifestyle and is the ideal destination to nourish your mind, body and soul. Read on to learn about our top nine picks (and one bonus) for wellness retreats in Costa Rica.
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Our recommended Costa Rican retreats offer it all—from lush forest escapades to secluded spa sessions. Activities galore await: meditation experiences, yoga excursions, surfing, cooking classes, guided tours, off-site day trips and the list goes on.
Costa Rica is sprawling with verdant jungle and hillsides that overlook turquoise waters. It’s a country of beaches, rainforests and volcanoes—a true nature-lover’s haven that lends itself to being a utopia of relaxation.
Ready to unwind? Then keep reading because these nine wellness retreats (and one bonus) in Costa Rica will surely send you on your way to feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Wellness Costa Rica-Style
Whether you’re seeking to turn up the knob on adventure, or searching for time to detach and quietly reflect, look no further than one of these nine wellness retreats plus bonus retreat in Costa Rica.
1. Lapazul Retreat Center
Immerse yourself in authentic Costa Rica with a stay at Lapazul Retreat Center. This wellness retreat is located in Savegre de Aguirre, near the southwestern coastline of the country. Imagine waking up to sounds of jungle life and grabbing yourself a hot Costa Rican cup of joe while you get ready for the day.
Due to Lapazul’s location, you have access to a variety of Costa Rican landscapes—from rugged rainforests to sandy beaches. Mountainous greenery offers opportunities to revive yourself in the great outdoors with nature walks and bird watching. For those looking to crank up the adrenaline, hiking, waterfall excursions and ziplining are within reach.
But what sets Lapazul Retreat Center apart from other wellness retreats is its culinary highlights. The staff prides itself on curating delicacies of herbs from local farmers and fish caught right off the coast.
2. The Retreat Costa Rica
The Retreat Costa Rica takes transformation and wellness to the next level. This resort is the brainchild of wellness industry leader, chef and best-selling author Diana Stobo, and she’s cut zero corners in the creation and detail of this luxury wellness center.
Categorized as a boutique luxury resort, this space pairs intimacy with grandeur. Comprising nineteen thoughtfully decorated suites and sitting atop the hills of the Atenas region, the accommodations offer expansive views of the Pacific Ocean.
Transport yourself to a state of bliss by taking advantage of their Vida Mida Healing Center and Spa, yoga studio, meditation deck, pool, fitness training and spa offerings. Venture off the premises to explore the local towns, surf or hike the Costa Rican trails. Because why not? You’re in Costa Rica!
3. Hacienda Barrigona
Head on over to the hidden paradise of Hacienda Barrigona, located in Guanacaste, a quaint and peaceful beach town that sits along the country’s northwestern coastline.
Interested to know just how peaceful a stay at Hacienda Barrigona is? This retreat is located on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, which is one of the world’s five Blue Zone communities—where people live the longest and are the healthiest.
As a matter of fact, here on the Nicoya Peninsula, life expectancy often surpasses 100 years of age.
You can certainly experience the blue zone lifestyle at the Hacienda Barrigona. The boutique hideaway offers laidback beach life with jungle vibes—500 acres of rainforest canopy overhead to be precise.
Besides spending your days surfing Barrigona Beach or humming to the sound of the ocean waves, you can while the day away meditating at one of the two Bali-inspired open-air yoga shalas present at the retreat.
4. Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas
Infinity pools, mountain views and minimalist vibes—oh my! The Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas is an award-winning adults-only boutique hotel, perched atop the cliffs of Costa Rica.
The location offers remarkable views of sprawling hills and the Pacific Ocean. So grab a snorkel and dive in! Activities include birdwatching, basking in the sun and hitting the trails. What’s more, Casa Chameleon guests receive an all-access pass to explore over 50 miles of maintained hiking and biking trails, accessible directly from the property.
5. Bodhi Surf + Yoga
Surf’s up! Whether you take to the ocean or stick to the mat, Bodhi Surf + Yoga is a refuge of relaxation you can’t pass up.
Equipped with on-staff instructors, Bodhi’s crew go to great length to develop the surf and yoga skills of guests. In fact, Bodhi Surf + Yoga supplement surf with the teachings of yoga for undeniable results on the water.
Bodhi’s relaxation haven is located off the beaten path—so you’re sure to unwind and detach from reality. Guests can also engage with the coastal community of Bahia Ballena, located on the Osa Peninsula, which remains one of the country’s most remote destinations.
While out at sea, look for whales—this region of Costa Rica is famous for its whale sightings, along with its dolphins. Afterwards, strap on a snorkel and explore Costa Rica’s coral reefs and tropical marine life below.
6. Finca Luna Nueva Lodge
Welcome to the jungle. After all, Finca Luna Nueva Lodge is hidden in the rainforest of San Isidro Peñas—a nature haven in the Northern Highlands region of Costa Rica.
The lodge is tucked away between forests and national parks, including Parque Nacional Juan Castro Blanco and Bosque Eterno de Los Niños.
Finca Luna is only a short commute to La Fortuna, the adventure capital of Costa Rica. There, thrill-seekers can get their fill of waterfalls, white water rafting and ziplining. Experience the adrenaline rush while admiring the expansive backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano.
When the adrenaline baselines and you head back to Finca Luna, send your mind, body and soul to a state of bliss at the retreat’s rainforest spa. Finca Luna’s offerings include acupuncture, cupping style massage, Korean massage, Reiki, craniosacral therapy and more.
7. AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center
Next up on our list is the award-winning AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center, located in San José Province, Turrubares, which is about an hour outside of the capital.
AmaTierra is a sanctuary of serenity, offering a cozy, blissful and enlightened ambiance. The retreat is hidden in the hills of Costa Rica’s rainforest—undoubtedly a true healing hideaway.
If yoga is your cup of tea, you certainly won’t want to miss out on a stay at AmaTierra. The retreat emphasizes connecting with nature and finding balance, specifically through the practice of yoga. Experience relaxation and high vibrations while practicing your down dog on the open air-teak wood yoga shala.
Besides daily yoga classes, AmaTierra’s spa is something to write home about. Aromatherapy, sound therapy, chakra balancing and massage await you. Detach from the daily grind and feel the weight of everyday life lift off your shoulders at AmaTierra.
8. Casa Chameleon at Mal País
We can’t get enough of Casa Chameleon, an adults-only award-winning boutique hotel. This time we head over to the property at Mal País, located at the southern end of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.
The location, just steps away from Playa Mar Azul, is ideal for snagging a surfboard and hitting the waves or sitting back and sinking your toes into the sand. The location is also prime for hiking and horseback riding.
Casa Chameleon’s bohemian charm and laidback vibes won’t make it easy to step away—and why should you? Equally enticing are the panoramic views, uninterrupted tranquility and peaceful spa pampering all from the comfort of the Casa Chameleon wellness center.
9. Hacienda AltaGracia
You’re in luck. We’ve got an extra special Costa Rican all-inclusive gem to share with you: Hacienda AltaGracia. This Costa Rican resort is perched above the Costa Ricans hills, offering sweeping views of the San Isidro Valley.
It’s part of the larger Auberge Resort Collection, and one thing is for certain—they know luxury like no other. In fact, it’s been regarded as one of the 50 best resorts in the world! Guests are pampered and meant to feel like royalty from the start. You can skip on over to their resort via complimentary chartered plane. Or, if you’re seeking privacy, opt for a private flight or car transfer.
Expect nothing less once you arrive. The Hacienda AltaGracia team is staffed with dedicated itinerary designers who will ensure your stay is enriching and memorable. You’ll have the opportunity to experience culinary adventures, thrilling excursions, mindful movement classes, spa sessions and so much more.
Bonus: Rancho de Linda Tailored Mindfulness and Yoga (Retreat Only)
Experience five nights and six days relaxing in a cozy beachfront villa, situated along the coast of Guanacaste. Rancho de Linda is a mindfulness and yoga retreat hosted by Irena Bartolec, also known as Ashtanga Yoga Mama, a certified yoga teacher, meditation instructor, workshop and retreat facilitator, life mentor and published author.
The Rancho de Linda retreat takes a tailored approach to wellness, offering a customized plan curated based on guests’ needs and goals.
In addition, the retreat offers a range of remedies, from modern facilities to ancient holistic wellness techniques. Achieve an elevated, more mindful version of yourself at Rancho de Linda Mindfulness and Yoga Retreat.
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