Costa Rica: Refresh Your Soul Hatha Yoga Retreat

Saturday, January 31-Saturday, February 7, 2026

(Retreat filled up before I got a chance to post this on my website…waitlist available. Fran is currently working on other retreats 2026 and will post information as soon as possible).

Imagine yourself relaxing in one of the most spectacular locations in the world. Enrich your yoga practice surrounded by rain forest, tropical flowers, toucans, iridescent blue butterflies (each wing the size of your hand), the sounds of birds in the morning, and the cacophony of cicadas as the sun goes down. Enjoy your privacy in the boutique hotel’s modern, comfortable, and stylish villas. This year, in addition to the luxury villas, there is also the option of having a private room of your own at one of the newly acquired Garden Villas.

Situated high up on the mountainside, you will love the dramatic Pacific Ocean views. The high elevation offers cool breezes that relax your mind and body and enhance deep sleep. The boutique hotel has been designed with heavenly views in mind. During the day, cool down in the infinity pool, while enjoying the panoramic views. There are two settings where you will enjoy your sunrise and sunset yoga sessions, led by yoga instructor, Fran Gallo. Fran will also lead an exhilarating variety of cardio and strength workouts. Set aside a week to focus on total body health and spiritual well-being. De-stress. Rejuvenate. Enjoy. Rediscover your inner peace.

Location:

The retreat site is at Vista Celestial, a boutique hotel located in Uvita, about a four-hour drive (211.4 km/132 miles) from San Jose’s SJO Airport. The roads are in great condition, but the landscape is mountainous so driving speeds are slow. The hotel is one and a half miles up a mountainside. We will have the resort all to ourselves. Please note that there are many steps (like stair climbing) going from your villa to the pool, evening yoga platform, bar, and dining area. You should be able to walk up and down steps to take part in this retreat. There is also an inclined gravel road that can be walked as an alternative to the steps.

Costa Rica is a global go-to spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Volcanic hills, lakes, and plummeting waterfalls shape the lush, vibrant landscape. Tropical jungles teem with species of wildlife that exist nowhere else on the planet.

Your Stay will Feature:

7 nights in one of the Ocean View Villas (double accommodation) with panoramic views & open terrace OR 7 nights in one of the newly acquired Garden Villas Private Guest Rooms.
Ocean views, including the famous Whale’s Tail sand formation (part of Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita).
Dedicated Yoga Space: Covered jungle yoga platform, all yoga props and sanitized mats provided!
Swim-up bar and beautiful infinity pool with waterfall
Tropical setting with flora and fauna all around
3 fresh, healthy, organic, and locally sourced delicious meals daily

Highlights

Fresh organic cuisine, including tropical fruit grown on the property
Two daily multi-level yoga sessions with Fran, with inspiring sunrises and sunsets (morning Hatha Yoga, evening Yin Yoga)
Fran will also offer daily Fitness classes, which will include toning and early morning calorie-burning workouts on the sea view terrace, all set to fun music!
Enjoy free time to relax poolside or in your personal accommodation, read, enjoy a superb spa service, or sign up for one of the many extra day tours available.
Lovely healthy spa drinks offered after our sunset yin yoga sessions.
Saturday: Arrive at SJO Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica in time for your 1:30pm group pick up.
Sunday: Visit the nearby beautiful swimming hole below a waterfall (10-minute drive + easy 20 minute walk to waterfalls). Refreshing! Afternoon Walking Tour of the property with plant and fruit tree identification.
Monday: Beach Outing to Playa Uvita within the Whale’s Tale National Park (Here you can swim or walk along the beach. It’s a beautiful walking beach.)
Tuesday: An all day Cultural Experience: Tico Tour, a local family-owned coffee farm tour(included in retreat fee)
Wednesday: Uvita Waterfall / Evening Beach Bonfire & Cocktail/Mocktail Hour
Thursday: Day Trip with a Nature Guide to Corcovado National Park (included in retreat fee) We are sure to see a variety of wildlife, and yes, we will most likely see Costa Rica’s Scarlet Macaws!
Friday: Take part in a Garden-To-Table Cooking Demonstration at the resort and enjoy this culinary creation at lunchtime. Farewell dinner in the evening

Sample of a Day in Paradise

6:30-7:10am Fitness Class with Fran (It sounds like an early hour, but the toucans and other exotic birds will wake you up!)

7:30-9:00am Hatha Yoga with Fran on the Jungle Platform

9:30am Breakfast

Local outing (on two occasions, there are full day outings which include lunch)

1:00pm Lunch

4:45-6:15pm Hatha Yoga on the Ocean View Terrace (Yin Style, deep stretch and relax) Enjoy a healthy spa drink after your yoga session.

6:30pm Dinner

VIEW SLIDESHOW From MARCH 2023 (3 minutes long)

VIEW BLOG POST from March 2019

Note: Railings have been added to the Yoga Platform “Yay!”

Included

Round trip ground transportation from/to the San Jose International Airport (SJO), Costa Rica
Three meals per day (alcohol not included, all meals organic, many options available for vegan, veg, and non-veg, chef caters to dietary restrictions)
Two daily yoga sessions with Fran, all yoga props and sanitized mat provided.
Daily Morning Fitness Classes with Fran
Round-trip up/down the mountain group transportation. The once per day group transportation can be to/from the beach, into town, to a local tour, etc.
One Garden-To-Table Cooking Demonstration
7 nights in one of five Ocean View Villas, double occupancy, king-sized bed. All Ocean View Villas have stunning views and include a spa bathtub/jacuzzi OR 7 nights in a Garden Villa Private Room with queen bed (most rooms have ensuite bathroom and some have private bathroom right next to your private room).
Facility Privately Booked, no other guests
Guided outing to beautiful swimming hole below a waterfall (close to our resort)
A visit to the nearby Uvita Waterfalls
Beach outing to Playa Uvita (nearby)
Walking Tour of the property with plant and fruit tree identification
All villas and private rooms have AC.
Great internet connection (high speed internet) in the villas and private rooms, the dining area, and the office area.
Evening Beach Bonfire & Cocktail/Mocktail Hour
Corcovado National Park Full Day Excursion with Guide, includes lunch (highlight!)
An all day Cultural Experience: Tico Tour, a local family-owned coffee farm tour , includes lunch (highlight!)

Not Included

International airfare is not included.
Alcohol not included, available for purchase
Non-group activities/day trips and Spa Services are not included. You may book your spa and extra outings at the hotel.
Personal expenses and tips

Cost/Registration Information

Ocean View Villa: $3595 per person, double occupancy. King-sized bed. Spacious luxury villa. Extra bed brought in for a second person if sharing with a friend. (If sharing with friend or spouse/partner, let Fran know who your villa-mate will be.) Link to view Ocean View Villas

Garden Villa with Private Room & Bath: $2595 per person Link to view Garden Villas Private Rooms These villas/private room accommodations have recently been added to the Vista Celestial property. They are contiguous and are connected to the resort by a nice walking path.

50% (Deposit) Due May 23, 2025. Your villa is reserved as soon as your deposit is received. Deposit nonrefundable from July 1, 2025 (unless we can get someone to take your place).

50% (Balance) Due September 1, 2025 Balance payment is nonrefundable from October 15, 2025 (unless we can get someone to take your place).

Contact Fran to see if space is available. Please let me know if you are requesting an Ocean View Villa (double accommodation) or a Garden Villa with Private Room & Bath. Payments may be made via Venmo @FranGalloYoga, PayPal, Zelle, International Money Wire (perfect for those living outside of the US), or by Check. Upon request, Fran will send you information needed to make your payment.

Your deposit payment holds your spot.

I strongly urge you to purchase TRIP INSURANCE to protect your retreat and flight investment at the time of making your deposit and flight arrangements.

Booking Your Flights

ARRIVAL AIRPORT: Book flights to San Jose (SJO).

ARRIVAL TIME: Please book your flight so you arrive no later than 1:00 pm on January 31, 2026 in order to make the one-time group ground transportation Pick Up from the airport to the hotel. Our group transportation leaves the airport at 1:30pm on your arrival day. (Hint: if your flight arrives later than 1pm, consider coming one day early and book a hotel near the San Jose airport and meet the group on January 31, 2026)

DEPARTURE TIME: For the return date, make sure to book flights departing after 1:00pm on our departure day, as we need to allow 6 hours (4 for the drive + 2 hours needed prior to your departure for international check in). Some people opt to stay one extra night near the airport and leave the next morning after the retreat ends. Departure day is February 7, 2026.

Notes about booking flights:

If you book flights arriving after 1:00 pm and departing before 1:00pm, you will also incur the cost for ground transportation. It is around $250 each way for a private car.
I found that if it is difficult to book flights to fit our group shuttle pick up and departure times, it is worth while to arrive one day early and stay at a hotel near the airport.
A hotel near the airport that comes highly recommended for those of us coming one day early or departing one day later is the following (free shuttle service every 30 minutes to and from the hotel): Courtyard San Jose Airport Alajuela

A review:

This place is seriously AMAZING! The hotel really blew me away! Everything about it is modern, elegant, natural and beautiful. There is a lovely infinity pool with a swim up bar, overlooking the ocean and Whale’s Tail on the coast line. You’re surrounded by nature: tropical birds and butterflies and heavenly old growth jungle. The villas have these drop dead views – you’re greeted every morning by an ocean view. The owner and staff are sweet and hospitable! All of my students were over the moon about the accommodations and the hosts and frequently asked about returning next year. Perfect, perfect, perfect!