Retreat Centers
Danyasa
Danyasa is a small eco-retreat and yoga and dance studio in the village of Dominical, on the South Pacific coast. It rents rooms nightly, hosts retreats and teacher trainings run by visiting teachers, and suits travelers who want yoga, surf and a walkable beach town.
Danyasa is an eco-retreat and yoga studio on the main street of Dominical, a surf village on the South Pacific coast, where the Baru River meets the sea. The beach is about 2 minutes' walk away, and the town's cafés, shops and health food store are all on foot. It has been running since 2008 (its studio was long known as Bamboo Yoga Play), and in November 2026 its website was live and taking bookings. We also have a longer profile of Danyasa's retreats and teacher trainings.
The studio
The heart of Danyasa is its open-air studio, about 1,400 square feet with bamboo floors, bamboo ceilings, a mirrored wall and a good sound system. It's used for yoga, dance and aerial work (there are 15 aerial rigs), and Danyasa says its classes are suitable for all levels, beginners included. The studio has long been known for blending yoga with dance and expressive movement.
Rooms and food
The rooms are built from recycled shipping containers, fitted out as small, private eco-rooms around a garden and pool. Danyasa's social accounts describe it as adults only. When you stay by the night, an organic breakfast is included; when a retreat group takes over the center, 3 farm-to-table meals a day are included, mostly vegetarian at breakfast and lunch, with fish or free-range chicken at dinner unless the group asks for a vegetarian or vegan menu. The tap water is filtered and there's Wi-Fi throughout.
Retreats and teacher trainings
Most retreats at Danyasa are run by visiting teachers who book the whole center, and Danyasa handles meals, rooms and excursions. Past programs have included yoga and surf weeks, aerial yoga, dance and 200-hour teacher trainings. Danyasa's events page didn't list future dates when we checked in November 2026, so contact them about what's coming up. If you're comparing trainings, our guide to yoga teacher training in Costa Rica explains how to check a school's Yoga Alliance listing.
Who it suits
Danyasa suits you if you want a small, sociable base in a real beach town, with surf, waterfalls and the Marino Ballena National Park within easy reach. It's a good fit for retreat leaders who want a full-service venue for a mid-sized group. It's less suited to families with children, or to anyone who wants a quiet, remote setting away from a road. Dominical has strong surf that's better for confident surfers; our yoga and surf guide covers beginner-friendly coasts.
Getting there
Dominical is about 3 hours' drive from San José airport (SJO). You can also fly from San José to Quepos in about 20 minutes and drive about 30 minutes south. Direct buses from San José to Uvita stop in Dominical and take about 5 hours. Danyasa is on the main street opposite the public school. For other places to practice in the area, see the South Pacific section of our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica.
Website: Danyasa Eco-Retreat
Frequently asked questions
Where is Danyasa?
On the main street of Dominical, on Costa Rica's South Pacific coast, about 2 minutes' walk from the beach and next to the Baru River.
Are Danyasa's classes good for beginners?
Danyasa says its classes are tailored to all levels, including beginners.
Can I stay at Danyasa without joining a retreat?
Yes, it rents rooms by the night when no group has booked the whole center, with breakfast included.
How do I get to Dominical from San José?
It's about 3 hours by car or private shuttle, about 5 hours by direct bus, or a 20-minute flight to Quepos followed by a 30-minute drive.
[Updated on: 4 November 2026]
