# Rancho Margot

> Rancho Margot is a working, off-grid farm and eco-lodge in the hills by Lake Arenal, about 40 minutes from La Fortuna. Stays include 3 farm-grown meals a day and there are 2 yoga classes daily in a riverside shala, so it suits travelers who want yoga with a hands-on look at sustainable living.

Source: https://costarica-yoga-retreats.com/rancho-margot/
Last checked: 2026-11-04

Rancho Margot is a working farm and eco-lodge in a mountain valley near the village of El Castillo, on the shore of Lake Arenal, close to Arenal Volcano National Park and at the foothills of the Children's Eternal Rainforest. It's about 40 minutes from La Fortuna. The ranch grows most of its own food and makes its own electricity from the river, and in November 2026 its website is live and taking bookings.

![A woman in dancer's pose on a grassy hill, with Lake Arenal and the mountains behind](/static/img/old/2012-12-rancho-margot-warrior-pose.webp)

## A ranch that runs itself

Rancho Margot was set up to show that a lodge can be largely self-sufficient. Its founder, Juan Sostheim, has described how the ranch's power comes from water turbines, cooking gas from biodigesters and much of its hot water from compost. Much of the food comes from the farm, and what it can't grow it buys from neighboring communities. You can see how it all works on a 2-hour guided ranch tour.

![One of the ranch's spring-fed pools with forest behind](/static/img/old/2012-12-rancho-margot-swimming-pool.webp)

## Yoga at the ranch

The yoga shala is a large, open-air covered deck on the bank of the Caño Negro River. Rancho Margot lists 2 classes a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so you can join yoga without booking a retreat. Groups also use the shala for their own retreats. The ranch's current site doesn't list a teacher training, so ask directly if that's what you're looking for; our [guide to yoga teacher training in Costa Rica](/yoga-teacher-training-costa-rica/) lists schools that run them.

## Rooms and meals

There are 19 bungalows and 20 bunkhouse rooms. The bungalows have private bathrooms and a terrace with a hammock, and suit couples and families; the bunkhouse is the budget option, popular with volunteers and student groups. There's also a rental house. Stays are all-inclusive, with 3 buffet meals a day cooked from the farm's own produce, and there are 2 spring-fed pools.

![Guests gathered at Rancho Margot](/static/img/old/2012-12-guests-at-rancho-margot.webp)

## Other things to do

Beyond yoga, the ranch runs night walks, a Spanish and culture immersion program, gardening workshops and a volunteer program where you help in the garden, kitchen, library or with building. Arenal Volcano, the hot springs around La Fortuna and the lake itself are all within reach.

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

It suits families, students, solo travelers and anyone curious about sustainable farming who also wants daily yoga in cool mountain air. It's not a beach trip, and the setting is rural and social rather than a quiet, silent retreat. Expect rain: this side of the country is green for a reason.

## Getting there

La Fortuna is about 3 hours' drive from San José airport (SJO), and Rancho Margot is about 40 minutes beyond it, past El Castillo. The last stretch is on rural roads, so drive in daylight and ask the ranch about current conditions and transfers. For more about yoga in the mountains, see the Arenal section of our [guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica](/where-to-do-yoga-in-costa-rica/), and to compare retreat styles, read [how to choose a yoga retreat in Costa Rica](/yoga-retreats-costa-rica/).

Website: [Rancho Margot](https://www.ranchomargot.com/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is Rancho Margot?

In a valley near El Castillo on the shore of Lake Arenal, Alajuela province, about 40 minutes from La Fortuna.

### Does Rancho Margot offer yoga classes?

Yes. It lists 2 yoga classes a day, morning and afternoon, in an open-air shala by the river.

### Are meals included at Rancho Margot?

Yes. Stays include 3 buffet meals a day, made largely with food grown on the ranch.

### Can I volunteer at Rancho Margot?

Yes. The ranch runs a volunteer program, with help needed in the garden, laundry, library, yoga and construction.