Vida Asana is a long-running yoga retreat center and eco resort in the rainforest near Playa Hermosa, just south of Jacó on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. It suits yoga students, teacher trainees and travelers who want daily classes with easy access to surf and nature.
What it's like
Vida Asana has been around a long time by Costa Rica standards. Alejandro and Rose founded it in 2002, and it was one of the first yoga retreat centers on the country's Pacific coast. It has grown since then into a full retreat center and small eco resort, with a yoga school attached.
The property sits in the rainforest beside a river, less than a mile from the beach at Playa Hermosa. That's a laid-back surf community between Jacó and Manuel Antonio, and it's a handy base for exploring the central Pacific. On site you'll find two yoga shalas, a pool, a hammock garden, nature trails and bikes for getting around. The grounds blend into the jungle, so wildlife spotting is part of daily life.
Food is a strength. Three meals a day are included in most stays, mostly organic and largely vegetarian, with gluten-free, pescatarian and plant-based options. The center also supports local projects, including a youth jiu-jitsu program in Jacó and Costas Verdes, a group working to protect the coastal land.
It's clearly still busy: the website takes bookings, lists teacher trainings into 2027, and the Instagram account was posting in autumn 2026.
The programs
Join a retreat. Vida Asana runs a calendar of group retreats led by its own team and visiting teachers. Dates are listed on the programs page.
Personal retreats. If you'd rather come alone, you can book a personal stay whenever there's space. You get meals and up to ten yoga classes a week, and the rest of the time is yours: the pool, the trails, the beach or a nap in a hammock.
Yoga teacher training. The Vida Asana School of Yoga is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School. Its 200-hour Awakenings training is split into three phases: about ten weeks online, then 12 days in person in Costa Rica, then optional online mentoring after graduation. The style draws on vinyasa, hatha, ashtanga, Iyengar and restorative yoga. A 300-hour advanced training is also offered.
Host a retreat. Teachers can bring their own groups and use the center as a venue.
Adventures. Excursions on offer include surfing, waterfall and nature hikes, canopy tours, mountain biking and ceremonies such as cacao and temazcal.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It's a natural fit for yoga students who want plenty of classes in a green, relaxed setting, and for anyone considering a teacher training with a strong in-person component. Surfers and outdoor lovers will like being close to the beach and the activities around Jacó.
If you're after luxury spa treatment or a beachfront room, look elsewhere. The center is in the jungle, a short way back from the sand, and the focus is on yoga and community rather than pampering.
Getting there
Vida Asana is about 90 minutes' drive south of San José's international airport (SJO). Teacher trainees get group transport to and from the airport at set times. Other guests can arrange transfers or drive themselves; contact the center for current options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I come on my own, outside a scheduled retreat?
Yes. Personal retreats can be booked whenever there's availability and include meals and up to ten yoga classes a week.
Is the teacher training Yoga Alliance registered?
Yes. Vida Asana School of Yoga is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School, so 200-hour graduates can register as RYT 200.
How close is the beach?
Playa Hermosa is less than a mile from the property.
What are the rooms like?
For teacher training, there are shared and private rooms, all with air conditioning, hot water and their own bathrooms.
Can I surf while I'm there?
Yes. Surfing is one of the excursions the center offers, and Playa Hermosa is a known surf beach. Book through the Vida Asana website.
