5-Day Vibe Higher Wellness and Surf Escape in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

The Vibe Higher retreat runs for five days and four nights in Santa Teresa, a small beach town on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, known for its surf breaks and jungle-backed shores. Each day is structured around a few core activities, leaving plenty of time to explore on your own. You'll get three surf lessons with ISA-certified instructors, three yoga classes, one kirtan session, a cacao ceremony, ice baths, a kayak sunset tour, and either a beach party or a moontribe. There's also a photoshoot on the beach and in the waves, plus a natal chart reading and a digital guide to local spots and waterfall hikes.

The accommodation is at ICO Living Hostel, which is about 100 meters from Playa Selina in northern Santa Teresa. It's a laid-back hostel with shared rooms (each with a private bathroom) and private rooms or apartments (some with shared bathrooms). All rooms have air conditioning, which makes a big difference in the tropical heat. There's a fully equipped shared kitchen, a refrigerator, and common areas where you can hang out with other guests. Free parking and Wi-Fi are included.

Your host, Rox, is an emotional experience designer rather than a traditional retreat leader. She describes her role as walking beside you rather than teaching you, and she asks guests to share an emotion they'd like to feel during their stay. The program includes a sound healing session with Sol, who uses quartz bowls to work through the chakras, and a photoshoot with Jemmi, a photographer who specializes in capturing surf and beach moments. Guillermo, an ISA-certified surf instructor, leads the surf lessons, tailoring them to your level.

Santa Teresa itself is a single main road running parallel to the ocean, lined with surf shops, cafes, and restaurants. You can walk to nearby beaches like Playa Hermosa and Manzanillo to the north, or Malpaís to the south. The hostel is also close to El Peñón and the natural pools at Rocamar. The retreat includes a digital guide with recommendations for local spots and hikes to nearby waterfalls.

This retreat is best for travelers who are comfortable with a hostel-style stay and who want an active, social week. The included activities cover the essentials, but meals are not provided—you'll cook in the kitchen or eat at one of the many nearby cafes and restaurants. If you're looking for a structured wellness retreat with all-inclusive dining, this might not be the right fit, but if you're after a fun, surf-centric week with a dose of personal growth, it's a solid choice.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation (shared or private room) - 3 yoga classes - 3 surf lessons with certified instructors - 1 kirtan session - 1 cacao ceremony - 1 sound healing session - Natal chart reading - Kayak sunset tour - 1 beach party or moontribe - Photoshoot at the beach and in the waves - Airport pickup and drop-off (from SJO) - Welcome gift - Water served throughout the day - Digital guide to local spots and waterfall hikes - Motivational audio sequences - Pre- and post-retreat support from the team - Parking and Wi-Fi

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Meals - Extra activities not listed in the package