Vida Asana

Vida Asana is a yoga school and eco-retreat at Playa Hermosa, on the Central Pacific coast just south of Jaco. It sits in the forest on a river about a mile from the beach, and it's one of the closest yoga retreats to San José airport. It has run since the early 2000s, and in November 2026 its website is live and taking bookings. We also have an older profile of the Vida Asana yoga retreat center.

Ways to stay

• A personal retreat, where you set your own dates and join the daily classes and meals.
• Group retreats led by visiting teachers, listed on Vida Asana's calendar, or your own group if you're a teacher.
• Yoga teacher training. Vida Asana runs 200-hour and 300-hour courses. Its 200-hour "Awakenings" course mixes 10 weeks of study online with 12 days in residence at Vida Asana and a month of online mentoring afterwards, with the next residential part listed for July 2027. The school says the course is registered with Yoga Alliance; check its listing yourself on yogaalliance.org before you enroll. Our guide to yoga teacher training in Costa Rica explains how.

Check their website for current dates and rates.

Yoga, food and the rest of the day

There are 2 yoga shalas on site, and classes are pitched so that beginners can follow. Three organic, mostly vegetarian meals a day are served, with produce from the garden where possible, and gluten-free and pescatarian diets can be accommodated. Between classes there are waterfall and nature hikes, bicycles to borrow, and evening gatherings such as kirtan, cacao ceremonies and a temazcal (a traditional sweat lodge).

Surf

Playa Hermosa is a well-known, powerful beach break that suits intermediate and experienced surfers. Vida Asana rents boards on site and arranges trips to breaks for beginners and for advanced surfers along this coast. Our yoga and surf guide compares coasts for learning.

Rooms

Vida Asana describes its rooms as modest, quiet and comfortable. The lodge was built with teak and bamboo grown by local farmers rather than rainforest hardwood.

Who it suits (and who it doesn't)

Vida Asana suits a short trip, a first retreat, or a yoga week with surf thrown in, because you can get there in about 90 minutes from the airport. It also suits teacher-training students who want a blended course with less time away from home. It's less suited to anyone who wants to walk straight onto the beach or wants luxury rooms.

Getting there

Vida Asana is about 90 minutes by car from San José airport (SJO), about 1 km up Calle Hermosa at Playa Hermosa, and about 10 minutes from Jaco. For other places to practice on this coast, see the Central Pacific section of our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica, and to compare retreat weeks, read how to choose a yoga retreat in Costa Rica.

Website: Vida Asana

Frequently asked questions

Where is Vida Asana?

At Playa Hermosa, on the Central Pacific coast about 10 minutes south of Jaco, in the forest about a mile from the beach.

How far is Vida Asana from San José airport?

About 90 minutes by car.

Does Vida Asana offer yoga teacher training?

Yes, 200-hour and 300-hour courses. The 200-hour course combines online study with 12 days in residence.

Can beginners surf at Playa Hermosa?

Playa Hermosa's waves are strong and better for experienced surfers, but Vida Asana arranges trips to beginner breaks nearby.

Are meals included at Vida Asana?

Its retreats include 3 organic, mostly vegetarian meals a day.

[Updated on: 4 November 2026]