Retreat Centers
Shaka Beach Retreat
Shaka Costa Rica is a surf camp for adults on Playa Hermosa, about 15 minutes north of Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, with daily surf coaching, daily yoga and shared meals. It suits beginners and solo travelers who want to learn to surf in a small group, with yoga to stretch out tired muscles.
Update, November 2026: Shaka is open, now as Shaka Costa Rica. Sola Luna Yoga, which we mentioned in our first article, no longer appears to operate; Shaka runs its own daily yoga classes.
Shaka Costa Rica is a surf camp on Playa Hermosa, on the southwest coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, about 15 minutes north of Santa Teresa. Don't confuse it with the other Playa Hermosa, near Jacó. Shaka calls itself a surf camp for grown-ups: not a typical resort, but with many resort comforts and a relaxed, sociable feel. It sits in the heart of the Hermosa surf zone, and the beaches here are quieter than in Santa Teresa itself.
Surf coaching
Most guests come to learn to surf or improve. Shaka runs daily surf lessons with its own coaches, and its site and blog explain how lessons build over a multi-day stay, which makes it a good fit for complete beginners.
Yoga
Shaka's private yoga studio sits at the bottom of the property among the trees, and the resident monkeys sometimes watch. Classes run every day and are open to all guests, in restorative and vinyasa styles with hands-on adjustments. You can ask for a stronger or a gentler class depending on how your surf session went.
Rooms and meals
Guests stay in rooms and villas set in tropical gardens, each with air conditioning, hot water, a private bathroom and Wi-Fi, and there's laundry service. An open-air rancho with hammocks is the communal space. Meals are part of the day-to-day program. Shaka sells surf, yoga and custom packages; check their website for current rates and what each includes.
Getting there
The quickest route is a flight of about 30 minutes from San José to the Cóbano airstrip, then a taxi. Private door-to-door shuttles and public buses also run from San José; by car, you take the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera and drive on through Cóbano. For Santa Teresa as a whole, see the Santa Teresa section of where to do yoga in Costa Rica. Nearby we also profile Horizon Hotel and Yoga Center, Hotel Tropico Latino and the women's retreats of Pura Vida Adventures.
Website: Shaka Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions
Is Shaka good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Shaka runs daily lessons and describes its program as beginner-friendly, with coaching that builds over your stay.
Where exactly is Shaka?
On Playa Hermosa, on the southwest coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, about 15 minutes north of Santa Teresa. It's not the Playa Hermosa near Jacó.
Is yoga included?
Shaka runs daily restorative and vinyasa yoga classes in its own studio, open to all guests.
How do I get to Shaka from San José?
Fly to Cóbano in about 30 minutes and take a taxi, or take a shuttle or bus, or drive with the Puntarenas to Paquera ferry.
[Updated on: 4 November 2026]
