Wellness Escape: Surf, Yoga and Nourishing Food in Costa Rica

The retreat at Del Alma is built around two daily anchors: surfing and yoga. Every morning, a two-hour surf lesson takes you out into the warm Pacific, with a maximum of three students per coach so you're never waiting for feedback. Whether you're a complete beginner or have surfed before, the coaching is patient and step-by-step, run by JC, who's been riding these waves for years. He'll get you standing, help you read the ocean, and make sure you come back in smiling rather than frustrated.

Yoga happens in the afternoon, with Hatha and Yin-inspired classes designed to undo the tightness that surfing creates — open shoulders, a stronger core, and looser hips. The instructor, Catalina, is also a Primal Health Coach, so she ties the movement to how you fuel your body. She keeps the sessions accessible, so you don't need to be flexible or experienced to join in. Alongside the physical practice, there are guided meditations and breathwork sessions that teach you to calm your nervous system, which you can take home and use anywhere.

All meals are prepared for you, three times a day. The food is pescatarian, anti-inflammatory, and made with local ingredients. Breakfast and lunch are generous and fresh, and dinner is a proper sit-down meal at the main house. If you have specific dietary needs, they're handled — vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, or gluten-free can all be catered for, just tell them in advance.

The setting is a big part of the experience. The retreat has two properties near Playa Marbella: one set in the jungle and one a short walk from the beach. Both are quiet, with just a handful of villas, and you'll likely hear howler monkeys in the trees at dawn and catch dramatic sunsets in the evening. Evenings are low-key — you can swim in the pool at the jungle house, read on your terrace, or take a short walk to the beach.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a private villa - 3 daily meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner - 5 days of two-hour surf lessons with coaching - Daily yoga classes (5 days of yoga for surfers) - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama (breathwork) classes - Airport pickup and drop-off from Daniel Oduber Airport (LIR) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Free WiFi - Welcome drink

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Private yoga classes - Additional treatments (e.g., sound healing, 1:1 coaching) - Personal expenses