Costa Rica Yoga Week with Tricia Philpott at Blue Spirit, Nosara

The daily shape is fixed: meditation at sunrise, then a strong vinyasa flow class. The afternoon session changes through the week — Yoga Nidra for deep rest, Yin for long held floor poses, Buti Yoga for something faster and more physical. Tricia teaches the classes herself, with hands-on assists.

Blue Spirit is a purpose-built yoga and meditation centre above Playa Guiones. It has its own restaurant serving three meals a day, a pool, a spa and a gym, and it sits in dry tropical forest with howler monkeys and birds around the property. The beach is a walk downhill — Playa Guiones is a long, grey-sand surf beach, and Nosara is a small town with cafés and surf shops.

What separates this from a generic Costa Rica yoga week is the length of the relationship between teacher and venue. Tricia has brought groups to Blue Spirit since at least 2018, and the room list on this listing is Blue Spirit's own — Superior Ocean View, Ocean View, Mountain View, Pacifico Cottage, Garden Suite, Nature Suite, Hermitage Queen, Eco Cottage and Platform Tent. You choose the room and the price follows it.

There is no set itinerary for the free hours. Guests typically swim, book a massage at the spa, take a surf lesson at the beach, or join one of the centre's excursions. The retreat is priced with three meals a day included, so you eat on site unless you head into town.

Group size is not stated. A $500 deposit holds your place and is non-refundable, and you email Tricia directly to choose your accommodation before paying the balance.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation at Blue Spirit, Nosara - Three meals a day at the centre's restaurant - Sunrise meditation - Morning vinyasa flow yoga with Tricia Philpott - Afternoon yoga sessions (Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, Buti Yoga) - Use of the pool, spa and gym on site

What's not included

- Flights to Costa Rica - Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Spa treatments - Optional excursions - Drinks and personal expenses