Combining a yoga retreat with a trip to Costa Rica, a beautiful place in nature is the perfect recipe to help you relax, recharge and renew. Costa Rica has become extremely popular as a destination for yoga retreats due to its natural beauty and biodiversity, outdoor activities and adventures, and its positive and happy attitude and environment, ¡Pura Vida!

Pura Vida means ‘pure life’ and locals use it regularly in Costa Rica instead of saying hello, goodbye, thank you and more. It basically means ‘everything is great and life is good’. What a great way to live life every day! This positive attitude, Pura Vida, aligns very closely with the philosophy of yoga, such as being happy and content with who you are, and living life with authenticity and purpose. One of the spiritual observances of yoga that make up the eight branches of yoga, called Saucha, literally means purity. This includes purity, cleanliness and clarity of mind, speech and body, the outer body and the inner mind. Yogis are all about living a pure life!

Named ‘The Happiest Country in the World’, Costa Rica has a passion for freedom, democracy and equality. This inspiring and forward thinking culture attracts many tourists and travelers, and of course yogis. The ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve enlightenment, which is to free yourself from all suffering and find inner peace and joy. What better place to practice yoga and continue your journey to this pure place of peace and joy than the happiest country in the world.

During a yoga retreat, there are often two yoga practices per day. First thing in the morning before breakfast, as yoga is generally recommended when waking up and before eating, and early in the evening before or after dinner. This leaves plenty of free time during the day, whether it’s for self-reflection, meditation, or exploring the beautiful country and taking advantage of all the fun outdoor activities and adventures.

With many different microclimatic zones and the highest density of species biodiversity in the world, Costa Rica has something for everyone. You can explore the lush rainforests and jungles with high levels of precipitation and lots of living vegetation, or take a jungle tour in the hot, dry cloud forest. Costa Rica is famous for the canopy, where it is literally between the vegetation and the forest. Besides being an exciting experience, you will appreciate the vastness and density of the jungles and rainforests.

Surfing and other water sports are popular on the Pacific coast, where many tourists enjoy tropical beaches and ocean, and rest and relaxation. You must visit Arenal, the most famous active volcano in Costa Rica. It is common to see lava falling down the side after eruptions. Other popular excursions and activities include visits to hot springs and geysers, bird watching, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, working on a sustainable organic farm, and much more.

Thanks to the rich volcanic soil, Costa Rica is also known for gourmet coffee beans and cocoa beans. Since cocoa beans, an incredible superfood, are found natively in the jungles, it is no wonder that the jungle animals are happy and that Costa Rica has delicious and healthy chocolate. So even if yoga isn’t your focus, you can still enjoy high-quality coffee and chocolate!