# Ojo del Mar: Solar-Powered Yoga Lodge at Cabo Matapalo

> Ojo del Mar is a small, family-run eco lodge on the beach at Cabo Matapalo, at the southern tip of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. It suits travelers who want daily yoga, wildlife and simple off-the-beaten-path living, and it also hosts visiting yoga retreats.

Source: https://www.retreatvacations.net/ojo-del-mar/
Last checked: 2026-10-20
Location: Cabo Matapalo, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Type: yoga, eco lodge
Official website: https://www.ojodelmar.com
Best for: Nature lovers, independent yogis and retreat leaders looking for a remote venue
Setting: Beachfront on the Golfo Dulce side of Cabo Matapalo, backed by rainforest
Programs: Daily Vinyasa and Hatha classes, hosted group retreats, wildlife and adventure outings
Power: Solar electricity, well water, propane for cooking
Nearest town: Puerto Jiménez, about 12 miles north

## What it's like

Ojo del Mar, Spanish for "eye of the sea," sits right on the beach at Cabo Matapalo, about 12 miles south of Puerto Jiménez at the bottom of the Osa Peninsula. It's the work of Mark and Nico, a German couple who found the land on a trip in 2000 and built the place slowly, starting with a small home made of driftwood and bamboo, then a few more shacks and an outdoor yoga platform. Classes drew people in, and over nearly two decades it grew into the lodge you see today.

It's still small and personal. Buildings cover less than 1% of the 1.5-hectare property, and the rest is garden, trails and forest. The lodge runs on solar electricity, with solar lanterns and candles after dark, drinking water from its own well, and propane for the kitchen. Roofs are bamboo and palm thatch, and the staff build furniture from reforested wood. Waste is sorted, organics go back into the gardens, and recyclables travel to Puerto Jiménez.

There are several places to sleep, including the Beach House, the Beach Nests right by the sand, and a handful of individually named cabins. The Casa Grande is the shared heart of the lodge, with an open kitchen, a library and the dining area. Expect wildlife close at hand; squirrel monkeys are regular visitors, and Corcovado National Park isn't far away.

## The programs

Yoga is central here. The lodge runs daily Vinyasa and Hatha classes in a custom-built shala with a hardwood floor, an insulated bamboo roof and screened doors that slide open on every side. Mats, straps, blocks and blankets are provided. Morning classes cost extra, so check what's included when you book. Both practice spaces are open to guests through the day, except when a large retreat has booked them.

Ojo del Mar also welcomes outside teachers who want to bring a group, and has a page set aside for retreat leaders. Beyond the mat, the lodge suggests wildlife walks, active outings, sound healing and time with the local community. Surfers will find breaks nearby, including Backwash Bay.

Meals lean toward healthy comfort food made with produce from local farmers, fishers and Nico's gardens. Breakfast is a buffet with fruit, juices, homemade granola and a hot dish such as eggs, gallo pinto or banana pancakes. Dinner is a candlelit, shared buffet with vegetarian, chicken or fish options. Vegetarian food is always on hand, and vegan, gluten-free and allergy needs can usually be met with notice.

## Who it suits (and who it doesn't)

It suits people who are happy with simple comforts in exchange for a beach, a rainforest and a quiet yoga practice. It works well for small groups and for teachers looking for a remote venue. It's less suited to anyone who needs reliable connectivity: Wi-Fi and phone signal are patchy. The lodge can't cater to keto, paleo, raw, kosher or halal diets.

## Getting there

The lodge is about 12 miles south of Puerto Jiménez, and it says you can come from San José by plane, car or bus. Download maps before you go, because signal fades near the lodge. Its GPS point is N 08° 24.577', W 083° 16.924'. See the [official website](https://www.ojodelmar.com) for directions and booking.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is breakfast included?
The lodge describes breakfast as included. Packed lunches are an add-on, so ask about dinner when you book.

### Can the kitchen handle special diets?
Vegetarian food is always available, and vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly meals can be arranged ahead. Keto, paleo, raw, kosher and halal diets can't be catered for.

### Can I bring my own yoga retreat group?
Yes. The lodge hosts visiting retreats and has information for retreat leaders on its website.

### Is there Wi-Fi?
There is, but it's spotty, and so is mobile coverage.