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A Rejuvenating Costa Rica Retreat | Yoga, Adventure And More

A Costa Rica retreat is exactly what the doctor ordered! You can choose your adventure: yoga retreat, ziplining tours, cloud forests, national parks, beaches, surfing, and more!

Costa Rica Sign with mountains in the background on a blue sky day.

Looking for the perfect 5-day Costa Rica itinerary that blends adventure, yoga, and relaxation? I spontaneously booked a solo trip to Costa Rica and spent five full days soaking in the best this beautiful country has to offer. Spoiler alert: 5 days isn’t nearly enough time! But if you’re short on vacation days or just need a refreshing reset, five days in Costa Rica can still be magical. Whether you’re a wellness traveler looking for a yoga retreat or an adventure seeker craving zip-lining and rainforest hikes, Costa Rica has it all. From serene mountain accommodations and rejuvenating hot springs to vibrant wildlife and epic day trips, here’s how to make the most of your Costa Rica retreat based near San José.

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Costa Rica Retreat at Hotel Don Ernesto

I have to admit: I lucked out when I booked this hotel. I saw the pool and the rooms and immediately booked my trip, without knowing how much more this place as to offer! Only 20 minutes from San Jose (the capital of Costa Rica), the Hotel Don Ernesto truly has it all for a wonderful experience. The charming boutique hotel provides an intimate and peaceful atmosphere, with lush gardens, spacious rooms, and a warm, welcoming staff.

Located on a 74-hectare coffee plantation, the rooms are inspired by a typical Costa Rican country house, cozy without luxuries. All the “casitas” (cottages) are over 30 years old and were recently converted into rooms. They used to be classrooms in a school where Spanish was taught to foreigners.

Not only are the rooms and casitas wonderful, there’s also:

  • Pool overlooking the Central Valley
  • Open-air yoga deck with sunrise views
  • Tennis court and walking trails
  • Two restaurants, a cozy bar, and two chill-out zones (hello hammocks!)
  • Zipline tour and onsite hiking trail
  • Bookable coffee experience tour right at reception
Woman sitting cross legged, facing away from the camera towards the sunset. She is sitting on a towel on a ledge, overlooking the rolling green hills of Costa Rica. The sun is just setting beyond the hill in the background.
Tin roof cabana, with open walls and chairs underneath the roof.
A woman's legs extending on a hammock, crossed ankles with tan Teva sandals. The hammock is set in an area with trees.
Woman sitting on a rock in the middle of a pool, with a fountain behind her. The woman is sitting with her legs in the water, looking towards the right hand side of the camera. In the background, there are lush green palm trees and pink flowers.
The setting is a pool. The bottom half of the photo has a yellow lounge chair, and a fountain beside it, spilling water into a blue pool. Behind the chair is palm trees and pink flowers, extending far above the pool and chair.

A Day Trip Adventure

Honestly? This one was a tough decision to make! I had wanted a relaxing week, but I can’t help but scratch an itch for an adventure! Here are some day trips you can take in Costa Rica, from San Jose/Don Ernesto Hotel:

  1. My Pick: La Paz Waterfall and Animal Sanctuary: A half-day trip featuring a lush waterfall trail and rescued animals like toucans and ocelots.
  2. Monteverde Cloud Forest: One of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations. It’s a long day from San José (13–14 hour day trip) but worth it for misty forest hikes and suspension bridges.
  3. Manuel Antonio National Park: Everyone I talked to said this National Park exceeds expectations and is one of the highlights of a trip to Costa Rica.
  4. Tortuga Island Tour: if you’re more into exploring a beach town and enjoying some snorkelling, this one is for you!
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A sleeping scarlet macaw. The macaw has its beak tucked under it's wing. The scarlet macaw has red feathers on its head, with yellow feathers on its wings extending to blue feathers to the tail. The macaw is sitting on a branch.
A keel-billed toucan sitting on a branch.
Green hummingbird standing on the edge of a hummingbird feeder.

A Hike Through Hacienda La Chimba

If you’re looking for an active day, the Hacienda La Chimba hike is a must. You pay for the hike at the reception for Hotel Don Ernesto, and walk about 500 m downhill to the start of the trail. Employees of Hacienda La Chimba will give you an overview of the trail, and send you on your way. The landscape is a stunning contrast of rolling green hills, coffee plants, and breathtaking views . You can choose a 3 km, 5 km or 9 km route:

  • The 5 km route takes you past a variety of Costa Rica inspired photo ops, seen below. The full hike is difficult, with varying elevation changes and switchbacks.
  • The 9 km route takes you past all the photo ops, and adds an additional 4 km total beyond the Mantra Hand.

💡 Know before you go:

  • Trails open from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Bring at least 1.5–2L of water, it’s hot even early in the morning!
  • Early mornings and weekdays are less crowded (I didn’t wait at all for photos!)

This hike is a hidden gem for travelers near San José looking for nature, fitness, and Instagrammable spots without venturing too far.

Giant white Buddha statue.
Woman standing in a frame that overlooks San Jose in Costa Rica. The frame is a giant rectangle, with 7 cups on the top that signify the 7 types of coffee beans. It is a blue sky day with wispy white clouds in the sky.
Woman in a white linen shirt, black skort and black running shoes, facing away from the camera walking on a dirt trail. A heart shaped frame lines the dirt trail and the woman is walking towards it. There are trees in the background, and the trail is lined with coffee plants.
A Costa Rica sign, missing the "I", where a woman is jumping in place of the missing letter. The letters are painted in the flag colours (horizontal blue stripe, white stripe, red strip, white stripe, blue stripe). The sign is on an interlocking paving stone road, with the mountains in the background on a blue sky day.
Ox and Wagon statue, with a woman standing in the wagon. The wagon is painted in a mosaic style that is Costa Rican culture: very colourful.
Woman in a yellow tank top and black skort, standing on a giant hand extended out above the trees. The hand is palm up, and made of coffee bean branches. The woman is turned away from the camera and facing the mountains of Costa Rica near San Jose.
Giant blue butterfly statue, with a wire boardwalk/bridge leading out to it. The butterfly is frames with mountains in the background and trees surrounding the butterfly.
Mantra Trail Map

More to Do in Costa Rica: A Whirlwind of Adventure

Costa Rica truly is a whirlwind of activities, offering endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and exploration. Here’s just a sneak peek of what you can enjoy while in this vibrant country:

  1. Explore the Beaches: Costa Rica is famous for its stunning beaches. From the surfer’s haven of Santa Teresa to the tranquil shores of Manuel Antonio National Park, there’s a beach for everyone. Spend your days lounging in the sun, swimming, or indulging in watersports like surfing, paddleboarding, or snorkeling.
  2. Canopy Tours and Zip-lining: For those who love a good adrenaline rush, Costa Rica offers some of the best canopy tours and zip-lining adventures in the world. Fly through the treetops in places like Manuel Antonio or Monteverde and experience the rainforest from a whole new perspective.
  3. Surfing and Water Sports: Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a beginner, Costa Rica has some of the best surf spots on the planet. Take a lesson at Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande, or any of the country’s many surf-friendly beaches.
  4. Cultural Experiences: Discover Costa Rica’s rich cultural heritage through visits to museums, coffee farms, and historic towns. A coffee tour is a great way to learn about one of the country’s most important exports.
  5. Hot Springs and Wellness: Costa Rica is also known for its rejuvenating hot springs, often found near volcanic regions. Relax in natural hot pools surrounded by lush greenery and soothing mountain views, a perfect way to unwind after a day of exploration.
Woman exploring Costa Rica. She is standing on rocks, looking out towards a tall waterfall in the middle of a rainforest.
Waterfall cascading over a ravine into a blue/green pool of water. There is a lookout at the edge of the pool, and lush green trees and leaves surround the pool and waterfall.
A double waterfall, falling from lush green trees down into a blue/green pool of water. It is an overcast day, with darker tones.

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