Alya Retreat Center
Alya is a small retreat on a 19-acre forest property in the hills above San Juanillo, on the northern Nicoya Peninsula. Today it runs mainly as Alya Jungle Casitas, with yoga and quiet personal stays, so it suits independent travelers who want simple, slow days in the forest rather than a packed retreat schedule.
Update, November 2026: Alya's website is still online, but it hasn't posted dated events in a while. The property now lists itself mainly as Alya Jungle Casitas, with open-date "slow living" stays and yoga, so contact them before you plan a trip around a set retreat.
Alya is a small, simple retreat on about 19 acres of forest in the hills above San Juanillo, a quiet beach village on the northern Nicoya Peninsula. It's not a resort. Think eco-built casitas, hammocks, birdsong and an open-air space for yoga and meditation, with the beach a few kilometers down the hill.
What it's like
The site describes Alya as a place for rest, reflection and simple living. Over the years it has hosted personal retreats, yoga and Kundalini yoga, meditation, work-exchange and community stays, and groups who rent the space for their own retreats. Current listings on Retreat Guru name a guide, Dimitri, and mention daily yoga, but they don't show a fixed schedule, so ask what's running during your dates.
It suits you if you like quiet and don't mind a rustic setting. If you want a full program with several classes a day, a spa menu and set meals, a larger center will suit you better (our guide to choosing a yoga retreat in Costa Rica compares them).
Where you stay
The official site lists eco-built casitas, some with full kitchens and some with partial kitchens, plus dorm-style beds with shared bathrooms in the main house and space for camping. Several casitas are also rented through holiday-rental sites under the Alya Jungle Casitas name. Because most casitas have their own kitchen, plan on cooking for yourself unless your retreat leader arranges meals.
Getting there
Alya is in the hills inland from San Juanillo, north of Nosara in Guanacaste. The nearest international airport is Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR); listings put the drive at about 2.5 to 3 hours. From San José it's a much longer drive, so most people fly into Liberia. You can also take a domestic flight to Nosara and drive north from there.
The last stretch is a rural dirt road of about 2 km. Guests recommend a car with good clearance, ideally a 4x4 in the rainy season, and arriving before dark. A car is useful once you're there too: the beach is a short drive away, or a 30 to 40 minute walk through the forest. If you want to add surf lessons to your stay, Nosara is the nearest big surf town (see our yoga and surf guide), and our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica covers the rest of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Check their website for current rates and availability: alyaretreatcenter.com.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Alya Retreat Center?
It's in the forested hills above San Juanillo, a small beach village on the northern Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste, north of Nosara.
How do I get to Alya from Liberia airport?
Plan on about 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Guanacaste Airport (LIR). The final 2 km is a dirt road, so a high-clearance car helps and it's best to arrive in daylight.
Are meals included?
Not as a rule. Most casitas have a full or partial kitchen, so you'll mostly cook for yourself unless a group retreat includes meals.
Is Alya good for beginners?
Yes, if you want a quiet stay with some yoga and lots of free time. It isn't a structured beginner course, so if you want daily guided classes, ask what's on during your dates before you book.
[Updated on: 4 November 2026]
