Best Yoga Studios in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

The Complete Local Guide for Travelers, Surfers, and Digital Nomads

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, is more than just a surf destination. Over the past decade, it has quietly become one of the world’s most inspiring places to practice yoga. Nestled between lush jungle hills and the Pacific Ocean, this small beach town attracts surfers, wellness travelers, digital nomads, and creatives from all over the globe. Many arrive for a few days and end up staying for months, drawn in by the rhythm of the waves, the sunsets, and the strong sense of community.

Yoga in Santa Teresa is not treated as a trend or a luxury. It is part of daily life. Morning flows before the swell picks up, slow sunset classes overlooking the ocean, restorative sessions after long surf days, and jungle shalas filled with birds and warm air. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced yogi, Santa Teresa offers an environment where movement, breath, and nature come together naturally.

This guide explores the best yoga studios in Santa Teresa, the styles you will find, how to choose the right class, and what makes practicing yoga here so unique. If yoga is part of your travel routine, or if you are curious to begin, this is everything you need to know.

Why Santa Teresa Is One of the Best Places in the World to Practice Yoga

There are many places to practice yoga, but very few where the environment actively supports the experience the way Santa Teresa does. The town is small, walkable, and surrounded by raw nature. There are no high-rise hotels, no busy highways cutting through the center, and very little artificial noise once you step away from the main road.

The ocean plays a central role. Many yoga studios are either directly on the beach or positioned on hillsides with uninterrupted ocean views. Practicing yoga while listening to the waves or watching the sun dip into the Pacific creates a level of presence that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Santa Teresa also has a strong connection between yoga and surfing. Surfers rely on flexibility, balance, breath control, and recovery, which makes yoga a natural complement. As a result, many yoga teachers in town design classes that support surf performance and injury prevention. It is common to see students arrive barefoot with surfboards nearby, moving seamlessly between the ocean and the mat.

The community is another defining factor. Teachers come from diverse backgrounds, often with years of international experience. Classes are welcoming, English-friendly, and inclusive. Whether you are traveling solo, with friends, or staying long-term, yoga studios often become social hubs where people connect beyond the mat.

Finally, the pace of life matters. Santa Teresa encourages slower mornings, mindful afternoons, and early nights. Yoga fits naturally into this lifestyle, not as something you schedule aggressively, but as something you return to regularly.

Types of Yoga You’ll Find in Santa Teresa

One of the strengths of Santa Teresa’s yoga scene is its diversity. You are not limited to a single style or philosophy. Instead, you can explore different practices depending on your energy level, goals, and schedule.

Vinyasa and Flow Yoga

Vinyasa and flow-based classes are the most common styles in Santa Teresa. These classes emphasize continuous movement linked with breath, building strength, balance, and flexibility. Many are designed to be accessible while still challenging, making them ideal for travelers who want a dynamic practice without excessive complexity.

These classes are especially popular in the mornings, setting the tone for the day before surfing or exploring.

Hatha and Slow Flow

For those seeking a more grounded pace, Hatha and slow flow classes focus on holding postures longer, refining alignment, and developing body awareness. These sessions are well-suited for beginners, people recovering from injury, or anyone looking to slow down.

They are also a great counterbalance to intense physical activities like surfing, hiking, or long travel days.

Yin and Restorative Yoga

Yin and restorative classes are widely available and highly valued in Santa Teresa. These practices target deep connective tissues and promote recovery, relaxation, and nervous system regulation. Classes often take place in the late afternoon or evening, creating a perfect transition into sunset.

If you are surfing daily or spending long hours working remotely, these classes can be transformative.

Aerial Yoga and Acro Yoga

Some studios and retreat centers in Santa Teresa offer aerial yoga and acro yoga. These playful, strength-based practices appeal to adventurous travelers looking to try something new. While not as common as traditional mat classes, they add variety to the local yoga landscape.

Beach Yoga and Sunset Sessions

Beach yoga is one of the experiences people associate most strongly with Santa Teresa. Classes are often held directly on the sand during sunrise or sunset, using the natural rhythm of the ocean as a backdrop. These sessions tend to be accessible and community-oriented, making them popular with short-term visitors.

Best Yoga Studios in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa does not have massive commercial yoga chains. Instead, it offers thoughtfully designed yoga studios and open-air shalas that blend seamlessly into the jungle, the beach, and the slow rhythm of town life. The yoga scene here feels authentic and personal, shaped by experienced teachers, surfers, long-term travelers, and a strong sense of community.

Below are some of the most respected and well-loved yoga spaces in Santa Teresa, each offering a slightly different atmosphere and approach to practice.

Horizon Yoga Center – Jungle Meets Ocean Views

Perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific, Horizon Yoga Center offers one of the most scenic yoga environments in Santa Teresa. The open-air studio combines jungle surroundings with panoramic ocean views, creating a feeling of elevation and openness.

Classes range from strong Vinyasa flows to slower, alignment-focused practices. Horizon is also well known for workshops, immersions, and longer-format classes that allow for deeper exploration of yoga philosophy and technique.

While the location requires a short walk or ride uphill, most students agree that the view and atmosphere make the journey more than worthwhile.

Funky Monkey Lodge Yoga – Community-Focused and Accessible

Funky Monkey Lodge has long been a cornerstone of Santa Teresa’s wellness scene. The yoga space is welcoming, relaxed, and strongly community-driven, making it an excellent choice for beginners, travelers, and those easing back into practice.

Classes are designed to be accessible without feeling basic, and the environment encourages connection without pressure. Beyond daily yoga classes, Funky Monkey often hosts retreats, teacher trainings, and special events, contributing to its role as a social and spiritual hub in town.

Many long-term visitors form lasting friendships here, both on and off the mat.

Casa Zen Yoga – Intimate, Calm, and Mindful

Casa Zen Yoga offers a quieter and more intimate alternative to larger studios. With a strong focus on mindful movement, breath, and internal awareness, classes emphasize quality and presence over intensity.

The open-air space is peaceful and often surrounded by greenery, creating an ideal environment for students who prefer a slower pace and deeper connection to their practice. Casa Zen is particularly appealing to travelers seeking consistency, depth, and a less crowded experience.

Believe Surf & Yoga – Yoga Integrated with Surf Lifestyle

Believe combines yoga and surfing into a cohesive lifestyle experience. While known primarily as a surf and yoga retreat center, it also offers yoga classes that emphasize mobility, balance, and recovery.

Classes are especially popular among surfers looking to improve flexibility and prevent injury. The overall atmosphere reflects the Santa Teresa way of life – active, barefoot, and deeply connected to the ocean.

Zeneidas Yoga – Local, Grounded, and Community-Oriented

Zeneidas offers a more local, down-to-earth yoga experience. Classes are typically smaller and feel personal, making it easier to connect with both the teacher and other students.

This studio appeals to those who appreciate simplicity, consistency, and a strong sense of neighborhood community rather than a retreat-style atmosphere.

Blue Mist Yoga – Jungle Calm and Slow Flow Energy

Blue Mist Yoga is known for its tranquil setting and slower-paced classes. Often surrounded by jungle greenery, the space encourages introspection, breath awareness, and nervous system regulation.

Classes here are well suited for yin, restorative, or gentle flow practices, making Blue Mist a favorite among travelers seeking balance after intense surf sessions or long travel days.

ESO Santa Teresa Yoga – Modern Wellness Meets Movement

ESO offers a more contemporary approach to wellness, blending yoga with movement, recovery, and mindful living. Classes tend to attract a mix of digital nomads, long-term residents, and travelers who enjoy a modern, structured environment.

The space feels intentional and well-designed, appealing to those who value both aesthetics and high-quality instruction.

Yoga for Surfers in Santa Teresa

In Santa Teresa, yoga and surfing are not separate activities – they are part of the same lifestyle. Many surfers here structure their days around both practices, using yoga as a tool to stay balanced, mobile, and injury-free while spending long hours in the ocean.

Surfing places heavy demands on the body, especially on the shoulders, hips, lower back, and core. Repetitive paddling can tighten the chest and shoulders, while long sessions in a crouched stance can limit hip mobility and strain the lower back. Yoga helps counterbalance these patterns by restoring range of motion, improving posture, and strengthening stabilizing muscles that support efficient movement on the board.

Beyond flexibility and strength, breathwork plays a critical role. Yoga teaches surfers how to control their breath under stress, improve lung capacity, and stay calm in challenging conditions such as strong currents, heavy sets, or long hold-downs. This ability to regulate the nervous system often translates directly into better decision-making and confidence in the water.

Many yoga teachers in Santa Teresa are surfers themselves, which adds a practical layer to their instruction. Classes are often designed with surf recovery in mind, focusing on shoulder health, spinal mobility, hip opening, and balance. Yin and restorative yoga are especially popular among surfers looking to recover after multiple days of consistent swell, while dynamic flow classes help build strength and endurance.

For anyone surfing regularly in Santa Teresa, yoga quickly shifts from being optional to essential. It becomes a form of maintenance that allows you to surf more often, with less pain, and with greater awareness of your body.

Drop-In Classes, Packages, and Yoga Retreats

Santa Teresa’s yoga studios are well adapted to the town’s transient yet tight-knit community. Whether you are visiting for a few days, staying for a month, or settling in long-term, there is a flexible way to integrate yoga into your routine.

Drop-in classes are ideal for short stays or for travelers who prefer not to commit to a schedule. They allow you to explore different studios, teachers, and styles while maintaining full flexibility. Drop-ins are also a good option if your days revolve around surf conditions rather than fixed plans.

Multi-class passes are better suited for those staying a week or longer. These passes usually offer better value and encourage consistency, which is especially beneficial if you are combining yoga with surfing or remote work. Many visitors find that practicing three to five times per week creates a rhythm that supports both physical recovery and mental clarity.

Yoga retreats offer a more immersive experience. These typically combine accommodation, daily yoga practice, meals, and sometimes additional activities such as surfing, meditation, or breathwork. Retreats attract travelers who want structure, community, and a deeper reset from everyday routines. While retreats require more commitment, they can be a powerful way to experience Santa Teresa through a wellness-focused lens.

Choosing the right format depends on how central yoga is to your trip. Some people come specifically for retreats, while others weave yoga casually into a surf-driven or work-focused stay. Both approaches work well in Santa Teresa.

How to Choose the Best Yoga Studio in Santa Teresa

With so many quality options available, choosing the right yoga studio in Santa Teresa is less about finding the “best” studio and more about finding the one that fits your lifestyle, body, and intentions.

Location is often the first practical consideration. Santa Teresa stretches along a long main road, and studios can be spread out between the north, center, and south. Choosing a studio close to where you stay makes it easier to maintain consistency, especially for early morning or sunset classes.

Style of yoga matters as well. If you surf frequently or train hard, you may benefit from a mix of dynamic flow and slower, restorative practices. Beginners may feel more comfortable starting with gentle flow or Hatha classes, while experienced practitioners may seek stronger Vinyasa or specialty workshops.

Teacher experience and teaching style can significantly shape your experience. Some teachers emphasize alignment and precision, while others focus more on intuition, breath, and movement flow. Trying different instructors during your first week helps you understand what resonates most with you.

Class size influences the level of individual attention you receive. Smaller classes allow for more personalized guidance and adjustments, while larger classes often feel more energetic and social. Both have value, depending on your preferences.

Schedule flexibility is particularly important in Santa Teresa, where surf conditions, weather, and personal energy levels can change daily. Studios with multiple class times make it easier to adapt yoga to your day rather than forcing your day around yoga.

Atmosphere is the final, and often most personal, factor. Some studios feel community-driven and social, while others are quiet and introspective. Neither is better than the other – the right choice depends on whether you are looking to connect outwardly or turn inward during your practice.

Most visitors find that the best approach is to try a few studios during their first week, then settle into the one or two spaces that feel most aligned. Santa Teresa encourages exploration, and yoga here is no exception.

Getting Around Santa Teresa to Your Yoga Class

Santa Teresa is built along a single main road that runs parallel to the beach. Yoga studios are spread across different areas of town – north, center, and south – with some located slightly inland or uphill in jungle settings. While a few studios are walkable, many require traveling longer distances, especially if you are moving between neighborhoods.

Because of the heat, humidity, and uneven roads, transportation quickly becomes an important part of your daily routine, particularly if you plan to attend yoga classes regularly.

Common ways people get to yoga classes in Santa Teresa

• Walking Works well for short distances, but can be uncomfortable during hot hours or for studios farther away.
• Scooters or ATVs Popular, but often noisy, harder to park, and less aligned with the calm, wellness-focused vibe many people seek around yoga practice.
• Bicycles and electric bikes One of the most practical and popular options among locals and visitors.

Why electric bikes work especially well for yoga

• They make it easy to reach studios located along the main road or slightly uphill
• You arrive cool and relaxed, not exhausted or overheated
• Perfect for early morning classes when energy is low
• Convenient for sunset classes when you want a smooth, calm ride home
• No parking stress and minimal impact on the environment

This is where Bimba fits naturally into the Santa Teresa lifestyle.

Bimba offers a shared electric bike system that allows you to move around town without renting a scooter or committing to a long-term bike rental. Bikes are available in key locations along the main road, making it easy to:

• Ride to your yoga class
• Continue directly to the beach or a café afterward
• Adjust your plans based on surf conditions or class schedules

How Bimba supports a yoga-focused routine

• Flexible – use a bike only when you need it
• Effortless – electric assist makes riding smooth even in heat
• Quiet and eco-friendly – matches the mindful, low-impact lifestyle
• Time-saving – no waiting for taxis or dealing with parking

Instead of planning your day around transportation, using electric bikes allows yoga to fit naturally into your routine. You can move freely between practice, ocean time, work, and rest – all without breaking the calm rhythm that makes Santa Teresa such a special place to live and practice.

For many visitors, getting around by electric bike quickly becomes more than just a practical solution. It becomes part of the experience itself – moving through town slowly, feeling the breeze, and staying connected to the environment that supports both yoga and surfing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yoga in Santa Teresa

Is yoga in Santa Teresa suitable for beginners?

Yes. Most studios offer beginner-friendly classes, and teachers are accustomed to working with mixed-level groups.

Do I need to book classes in advance?

During high season, booking ahead is recommended, especially for popular studios and sunset sessions.

Are classes taught in English?

Yes. English is the primary language used in yoga classes in Santa Teresa.

Is beach yoga available year-round?

Beach yoga is common, though schedules may change during heavy rain or high tides.

How often should I practice while visiting?

Many visitors practice three to five times per week, depending on their activity level and schedule.

Conclusion: Yoga as Part of the Santa Teresa Rhythm

Yoga in Santa Teresa is not about perfect poses or rigid routines. It is about movement that fits naturally into life by the ocean. It supports surfing, travel, work, and rest, offering a way to stay grounded while embracing adventure.

Whether you practice daily or simply attend a few classes during your stay, yoga here has a way of leaving a lasting impression. It becomes part of the rhythm of Santa Teresa itself, slow, intentional, and deeply connected to nature.

If you come with an open mind and a willingness to explore, you will almost certainly leave with more than just improved flexibility. You will leave with a deeper sense of presence and connection to the place.