Unique Retreats In Costa Rica That Aren't Yoga Retreats

Though Costa Rica is a popular yoga retreat destination, it also hosts a surprisingly large variety of other getaways. So if you aren’t up for a week of cobra and warrior poses, perhaps you’d prefer a pro-led photography camp? Or how about a fire dancing retreat?

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Sustainability retreat

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Costa Rica has become synonymous with ecotourism and Earth-friendly initiatives. And if you’d like to join the movement, head to Rancho Mastatal, an education center in the rural farming town of Mastatal. It hosts workshops, apprenticeships and customized retreats throughout the year focusing on sustainable and natural building, permaculture and agroforestry.

Medicinal plant retreat

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If you’ve an interest in herbalism, head to the off-grid farm and education center Punta Mona. It hosts a number of medicinal plant retreats throughout the year, in which you can learn about natural medicines from a herbalist. The farm itself is also home to more than 150 medicinal plants, trees and fungi.

Silent retreat

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Fire dancing retreat

Health Spa, Building

Set your soul ablaze with a fire dancing retreat in Montezuma. Classes at Love in the Fire include poi and staff dancing, fire eating and hoola hoop. Join a group class if you’re a beginner hoping to make some friends while learning a new skill. Or go private if you’re a seasoned fire performer looking to perfect your art.

Photography retreat

Natural Feature

Costa Rica is a photographer’s – especially a nature photographer’s – dream destination. With 12 main ecosystems and 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, there are endless captivating creatures and vistas to photograph. For both novice and experienced photographers, a photography retreat in Costa Rica is an opportunity to learn and improve your skills under the guidance of an experienced photographer, while also having the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful places in the country. There are multiple photography retreats across Costa Rica.

Paddleboarding retreat

Natural Feature

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is an amazing paddleboarding destination. Between the abundant protected bays, lively estuaries, mangrove forests and vast coastline, there are opportunities to paddleboard in a new location and ecosystem every day. Blue Zone SUP runs paddle boarding retreats in Nosara throughout the year. The retreat is open to all levels and is a great opportunity to improve your skills and spend time on the water in Costa Rica.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.