Anamaya Resort & Retreat Center

Anamaya is a small yoga and wellness resort in the jungle above Montezuma, on Costa Rica's southern Nicoya Peninsula. It suits people who want daily yoga with an ocean view, healthy food and a mix of rest and adventure, plus anyone looking for a 200-hour teacher training.

Disclosure: Anamaya Resort shares an owner with Retreat Vacations. We've kept this profile to the same standard as every other one. See about us.

What it's like

Anamaya sits in the jungle on the hill above Montezuma, a laid-back beach town on the southern tip of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. It's been running since 2009, and the name comes from a Sanskrit word the resort translates as freedom from disease. Most rooms look out toward the Pacific, and the open-air yoga space and saltwater infinity pool share that view, so sunrise and sunset classes tend to be the moments people remember.

The property is small. There are 14 places to stay: five rooms, seven cabinas, a sky cabin called the Garuda Tower and a casita. The resort says it builds with non-toxic materials, uses organic fabrics and works with local artisans. Rooms have ceiling fans and air conditioning, and there's free Wi-Fi, though the team is upfront that jungle life means the odd outage.

The wider area helps too. The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world's Blue Zones, places known for long, healthy lives, and Santa Teresa and Malpaís are about 25 minutes away if you want a bigger surf scene.

The programs

There are three main ways to come.

• Wellness and yoga retreats. Anamaya runs its own retreats with daily yoga, from morning flows to evening restorative sessions, and you can shape your stay around how active or quiet you want it to be.
• Guest-led retreats. Outside teachers and wellness leaders bring their own groups. Upcoming examples on the calendar include a somatic experiencing retreat and a wellness week in late 2026, so it's worth checking the retreat calendar for something that fits your interests.
• 200-hour yoga teacher training. Trainings run for three weeks, with small groups and Yoga Alliance certification on completion. Tuition, meals and accommodation are included, and private shuttles are arranged for trainees on arrival day. Check-in and check-out both fall on Saturdays.

Beyond yoga, the spa offers massage and a list of newer wellness tools, including an infrared sauna, cold plunge, red-light and oxygen therapies and heart-rate-variability checks. Reception can book surf lessons, canopy tours, horseback rides, hikes, snorkeling, scuba diving and sea kayaking. Some evenings bring live music, fire dancers or kirtan.

Meals are organic, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices, plus free-range chicken and fresh fish for people who eat them.

Who it suits (and who it doesn't)

Anamaya is a good fit if you want a retreat that feels like a small community, with yoga at the center and plenty of nature around it. It works well for solo travelers joining a group, couples, and anyone serious about a teacher training in a setting that's easy to unwind in.

It's less suited to people who want a big full-service hotel, total silence or a strict monastic schedule. It's a hillside jungle property, so expect insects, humidity and some walking between rooms and the main deck. If you need guaranteed fast internet for work, plan around the occasional outage.

Getting there

Anamaya's address is simply Anamaya Road, Montezuma, in Puntarenas Province. The FAQ points travelers to the resort's travel suggestions and says staff can help arrange transport, and teacher trainees get a private shuttle on arrival. Ask the team for the best route for your dates when you book.