Costa Rica Surf & Yoga Retreat

Did you know that practicing yoga is one of the best things you can do to improve your surfing? At the best Costa Rica surf and yoga retreat, Iguana Surf Camp in Tamarindo, we have first-hand experience of how beneficial it is to combine the two practices. Nurture your physical and mental strength on the mat, and you’ll see an incredible improvement on the water, too.

Read on to learn more!

Why Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is fast emerging as a yoga and surf retreat pioneer. The country’s fantastic nature, year-round idyllic temperatures, laid-back lifestyle and world-class surf breaks combine to create the perfect setting for invigorating getaways at any time of year. The wellness culture is thriving here and, with it, a newly emerging trend that combines surf and yoga.

Whether you wish to improve your surfing skills, enhance your yoga practice, or simply reconnect with yourself and nature, a surf and yoga retreat in Costa Rica is an ideal way to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.

Yoga and surfing – the ying and yang of connecting with nature

Surfing and yoga may appear an unlikely combination, especially to those who have not tried either. After all, how does riding waves compare to stretching on a mat?! Yet, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a connection that goes beyond the superficial. 

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India. It aims to unite the mind, body, and spirit through postures, intensive breath work, and mindful meditation. Many yogis seek balance and inner peace, yet even surfers who are not necessarily looking to ‘find their inner zen’ can greatly benefit from yoga practices. The key idea behind yoga is to find and nurture steadiness and ease in every pose, which mirrors the agility and flexibility required in surfing. 

The cobra pose, for example, trains the exact muscles needed to pop up on a surf board.

How yoga can help boost your surfing game 

In essence, yoga’s focus on balance, breath, flexibility, and being present while connecting with your surroundings is what drives surfers to seek the practice. Although surfing enthusiasts often describe surfing as a lifestyle rather than just a sport, it actually requires a lot of hard physical work. At Iguana Surf Camp, we’ve found yoga to be the secret weapon surfers need to improve their strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. 

When you combine yoga with surfing, you will find it easier to regulate your breathing and stay focused in the water. Yoga can greatly help with balance, perhaps more than anything else. Engaging several muscles to keep a pose is just what surfers need to help them stabilize on the water. Include a few yoga lessons between your surfing sessions, and you’ll see improved full-body strength and flexibility – no matter the age!

Naturally, it also works in reverse! At Iguana Surf Camp, we often host experienced yogis who want to put into practice their strength and balance in a challenging setting. Our Costa Rica surf and yoga retreat helps them do precisely that.

Check out The Best Yoga Poses for Surfing

The yoga-surfing lifestyle – an ideal match for Pura Vida

Beyond the physical benefits, combining yoga and surfing nurtures a lifestyle centered on mindfulness and connection with nature. Whether catching waves at dawn or practicing yoga on Tamarindo beach at sunset, you’ll find a lot of inner peace by being physical in nature.

Perhaps this point is what makes our Costa Rica surf and yoga retreat so popular. Our country is renowned for its laid-back ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle, emphasizing simplicity and harmony with nature. Shedding stress, prioritizes enjoying a balanced, mindful life free from unnecessary burdens.

Spend just one day with us here in paradise practicing your surf and yoga, and you’ll never want to leave!

What to look for in a Costa Rica yoga and surf retreat

Costa Rica’s retreat centers blend surfing and yoga to create a truly immersive experience. Surfers benefit from yoga’s focus on breath and flexibility, while yogis find opportunities to embody their practice in the exhilarating setting of the waves.

Here’s what you should be looking for in a surf and yoga Costa Rica retreat:

Perfect location

Ideally, you’ll want a surf and yoga retreat just steps away from renowned surf spots. The last thing you want is to lose your ‘inner peace’ every morning on a long drive to the beach! Moreover, you’ll want a retreat that can offer surf lessons geared to your personal skill set. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or moderately skilled surfer, ensure both lessons and surf breaks match.

Iguana Surf Camp is located on Playa Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica’s best surfing beaches and the #1 beach for learning to surf. Enjoy your  surf and yoga Costa Rica retreat with us, and you can stroll from your accommodation to the waves in one minute flat. 

No stress, no long commute, no renting of vehicles, or anything else that can dampen your experience. 

Pura Vida!

Quality surf and yoga instructors 

It’s always wise to look for certified instructors with loads of experience – on the waves or the mat. Online reviews are also helpful as they can give you a good idea of what to expect. 

At Iguana Surf, we’re proud to be consistently rated TripAdvisor’s #1 supplier of water sports in Tamarindo, and we think our reviews speak volumes. Our instructors have decades of experience. They know the Costa Rica surf like the back of their hand and deliver sensational rewards to every guest. On the logistical side, you’ll be happy to know our instructors are bilingual (English and Spanish) and are ISA-certified (International Surfing Association). They focus on teaching surfing skills and safety while ensuring you enjoy every minute on the water. 

Amazing stay and surf experience!

Mar 2024 • Friends

We had the BEST time at Iguana surf camp!!!!!! Woz, Oscar, and the whole Iguana team were so accommodating and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great stay. Our surf instructor, Luca, was an incredible teacher with amazing energy and the best vibes! We can’t recommend Iguana enough to anyone looking for great accommodations or surf lessons in Tamarindo! Pura Vida!

The ideal mix of surf and yoga (and more!)

Review the retreat itinerary to ensure it offers a balanced mix of yoga sessions, surf lessons, and optional activities that resonate with you. At Iguana Surf Camp, we aim to provide a wide range of activities beyond surf and yoga to offer a truly comprehensive experience.

Iguana offers three Costa Rica surf camp options: the 5-day, 6-day, and 7-day retreat. These include accommodation at our beachfront hotel, daily surf lessons, breakfast, and all the surf gear you need. Join a camp, and you also receive a discount on our optional extra tours, which showcase Costa Rica’s best highlights. Choose from AWD excursions to horseback riding, ziplining, whitewater rafting, and much more.

The most exciting offering, however, is our yoga add-on! Combine this with your surf camp, and you’ll enjoy the best Costa Rica surf and yoga retreat. For an extra USD 200, you can enjoy the addition of 3 yoga sessions and 1 guided meditation at the beach. 

Yoga is widely known to improve surfing. Its physical and mental benefits can improve performance, make you feel healthier, and have more fun on the water. Plenty of pro surfers include yoga in their training because they see how it helps them physically and mentally. 

Looking for the perfect yoga mat to take on vacation to Costa Rica? The Gaiam Dry Grip is one of our favorites! Its non-slip top layer is ideal for practicing yoga on warm sunny days in Tamarindo.

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned surfer, adding yoga to your weekly routine can improve your surfing and overall health and fitness.

Keen to enjoy this exhilarating mix? Contact us to know more!