Retreat Centers
Rio Chirripo Yoga Retreat and Lodge
Río Chirripó Lodge is a small riverside lodge in the mountains of Pérez Zeledón, in southern Costa Rica, a few minutes below the trailhead for Cerro Chirripó. It hosts yoga and meditation retreats and offers sunrise yoga to guests, and it suits groups and travelers who want cool air, a river and quiet rather than beaches.
Update, November 2026: The lodge now calls itself Río Chirripó Lodge, and its website is up to date for 2026. Some booking sites showed it closed from August 2025 to May 2026, so confirm it's taking guests on your dates before you book.
Río Chirripó Lodge sits on the bank of the Río Chirripó in Canaán de Rivas, in the mountains above San Isidro de El General in southern Costa Rica. The river runs right past the gardens, and the sound of it is constant. It's a few minutes' drive from San Gerardo de Rivas, the village where hikers start the climb to Cerro Chirripó, the highest peak in Costa Rica.
The yoga
The lodge offers sunrise yoga and outdoor meditation to guests, and it organizes group retreats on yoga, meditation and personal growth. It also helps teachers plan and host their own retreats; recent groups have run inversion workshops and Ashtanga weeks here. When we first wrote about it, classes were open to all levels in a yoga room with views of the mountains and the river. Ask the lodge which classes are on during your stay.
Rooms and meals
The official site lists 6 standard rooms and 6 larger suites. When we first wrote about it, there was also a casita with a kitchen and a cabin a few steps from the river. Meals use fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, the menu changes often, and the kitchen caters for dietary needs. Check their website for current rates and room types.
What to do nearby
The big draw is Chirripó National Park. The climb to the summit usually takes 2 days with a night at the mountain lodge, and permits must be booked in advance through the park system. There are also hot springs, waterfalls and bird-watching trails around San Gerardo, and the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve is just up the valley.
Getting there
Canaán de Rivas is about 45 minutes by road from San Isidro de El General, and San Isidro is about 3 hours from San José over the Cerro de la Muerte pass. All told, allow about 3.5 to 4 hours from San José airport. The beaches at Dominical and Uvita are about 1 to 1.5 hours from San Isidro if you want to add a coast stay. For more on the region, see our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica, and for choosing a retreat, how to choose a yoga retreat in Costa Rica.
There's an older article about this same lodge on our site: Rio Chirripo Yoga Retreat.
Frequently asked questions
Is Río Chirripó Lodge open?
Its website is current for 2026, but some booking sites listed it closed from August 2025 to May 2026. Contact the lodge to confirm your dates.
How far is Río Chirripó Lodge from the Chirripó trailhead?
A few minutes' drive. The lodge is in Canaán, just below San Gerardo de Rivas, where the trail starts.
Can beginners join yoga at Río Chirripó?
Yes. Sunrise classes are meant for guests of all levels; hosted retreats set their own level, so check with the retreat leader.
What's the weather like there?
Cooler than the coast, especially at night, with rain most afternoons from May to November.
[Updated on: 4 November 2026]
