Blue Spirit Retreats

Blue Spirit is a retreat center on a hilltop in Nosara, on the Pacific side of the Nicoya Peninsula. It looks down over Playa Guiones, a long white-sand beach that's protected as a turtle nesting refuge. It was founded by Stephan Rechtschaffen, who earlier founded the Omega Institute in New York, and Annette Knopp, a meditation teacher. The name comes from the Nicoya Peninsula's place among the world's "Blue Zones," regions known for long-lived people.

How Blue Spirit works

Blue Spirit is mainly a venue for other teachers' programs. Its season runs from November to August, and every program is a 7-night stay, arriving and leaving on a Saturday. Each program has its own package covering your room, meals and the teaching, and you book it directly with the teacher or organization running it. Upcoming programs, with their contacts, are listed on Blue Spirit's site.

The topics are wide: yoga of many styles, mindfulness and meditation, chanting, nutrition and personal growth. Blue Spirit also runs a few programs of its own, including a longevity center, a cleanse program and spa services. Some programs suit beginners and some are advanced, so read the description and ask the teacher before you book.

If you lead groups, Blue Spirit hosts small groups and groups of up to about 100 people.

Rooms

Blue Spirit lists about 10 kinds of rooms: ocean view and superior ocean view rooms, mountain view rooms, garden and nature suites, cottages, single "hermitage" rooms, and, at the simpler end, eco cottages and platform tents without air conditioning. Most rooms have air conditioning and private bathrooms. Which room you can book depends on the program's package.

Food and grounds

Three vegetarian meals a day are included, served as a buffet with vegan and gluten-free options every day. Locally caught fish is served a few evenings a week, and there's a plain "Pure Food" option for people with allergies. The grounds include a saltwater infinity pool, a koi pond, a café, a gift shop and a spa.

Who it suits

Blue Spirit suits you if you already know which teacher you want to study with, or if you want a full, structured week with meals and classes taken care of. It's also a good fit for solo travelers. It isn't a drop-in hotel: you come for a program, so it's less flexible than staying in town and choosing classes day by day. Nosara also has good surf for beginners at Playa Guiones; our yoga and surf guide covers yoga-and-surf weeks in more detail.

Getting there

The usual airport is Liberia (LIR). Blue Spirit runs shared shuttles from Liberia on Saturdays, about 3 hours each way, and private transfers any day. You can also fly from San José to the small Nosara airstrip. Nosara's roads are mostly unpaved, so a ride in the dark takes longer than the map suggests.

For other centers in town, see the Nosara section of our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica, including Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort and the Harmony Hotel. For help comparing retreat weeks, read how to choose a yoga retreat in Costa Rica.

Website: Blue Spirit Costa Rica

Frequently asked questions

Can I just book a room at Blue Spirit?

Blue Spirit is built around week-long programs, so most stays are booked as part of a retreat. Check the upcoming programs page or contact Blue Spirit about stays between programs.

How long are retreats at Blue Spirit?

All programs are 7 nights, arriving and leaving on a Saturday.

Are meals included at Blue Spirit?

Yes. Program packages include 3 vegetarian meals a day, with vegan and gluten-free options and fish on some evenings.

Which airport is closest to Blue Spirit?

Liberia (LIR), about 3 hours away by road. Blue Spirit's shared shuttle runs from Liberia on Saturdays.

When is Blue Spirit open?

Its program season runs from November to August.

[Updated on: 4 November 2026]