Blue Osa is a 13-room yoga retreat and eco-spa on a quiet beach near Puerto Jiménez, on Costa Rica's remote Osa Peninsula. It's best for people who want to unplug, practice yoga and soak up wildlife, including many solo travelers and teacher trainees.
What it's like
Blue Osa sits right on the sand at Playa Tamales, just outside Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula, one of the wildest corners of Costa Rica. The property covers about five acres, with the open-air yoga deck roughly 50 meters from a private beach. There's a chemical-free lap pool, a garden that feeds the kitchen, and spa treatment rooms beside the pool.
It's small on purpose: 13 rooms with space for around 36 guests. The resort runs mostly on solar power through its own micro-grid, so there are no TVs or hairdryers in the rooms. Rooms have ceiling fans, and four have air conditioning. Wi-Fi works in the main lounge and dining area, cell coverage is patchy, and the team openly encourages you to switch off.
Founder Yogi Aaron set it up as a calm, safe place to slow down and reconnect with nature. The resort says a large share of its guests, roughly 60 to 70 percent, come on their own, and there are night watchmen on site.
The programs
- Weekly retreats and wellness stays. Retreats run year-round, from weekends to full weeks. You don't have to be a yogi to come; the focus is rest, relaxation and nature.
- Yoga teacher training. Blue Osa offers 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga Alliance trainings in 14-day and 28-day formats, with dates offered monthly. The curriculum includes pranayama, meditation, yoga nidra, kundalini and Ayurvedic principles alongside anatomy.
- Group retreats. Teachers can bring groups of 10 or more, and the resort also hosts destination weddings.
The eco-spa offers massage, facials, body scrubs, Watsu and acupuncture, using botanicals from the region. Outside the yoga deck, you can surf, paddleboard, hike to waterfalls or join wildlife tours. Sea turtles nest nearby from July to December, and humpback whales are often spotted offshore.
Food
Meals are included, served at set times three times a day. The food is mostly vegan and vegetarian and farm-to-table, with chicken a few nights a week and eggs at most breakfasts. Coffee, tea, purified water and snacks are out all day. One thing to know: the kitchen can't cater for special diets and isn't gluten-free, dairy-free or nut-free.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
Blue Osa is a great match for solo travelers, women traveling alone, yoga students and anyone craving a real digital break by the sea. It also works for non-yogis who just want quiet and wildlife.
It's not ideal for families with young children, as kids are allowed only in limited cases and there's no childcare. It's also a tricky choice if you have strict dietary needs or must stay online for work.
Getting there
Fly into San José, then either take a domestic flight to Puerto Jiménez (about 40 minutes) or drive, which takes around five to seven hours. The last flight leaves earlier in green season. Shuttles from Puerto Jiménez airport can be arranged with the resort. Domestic flights usually have a lower baggage limit, so pack light. The resort recommends at least five nights if you're flying in.
Frequently asked questions
When's the best time to visit?
There's no single best time. The dry season runs from December to April and the green season from May to November, with the heaviest rain usually in September and October.
Are meals included?
Yes, three meals a day, mostly plant-based, plus snacks and drinks between meals.
Can I bring my children?
Only in limited situations, such as with the group leader's permission. There's no childcare on site.
Will I have internet?
Wi-Fi is available in the lounge and dining area at most hours, but not in the rooms, and phone signal is unreliable. Find current retreat and training dates on the official Blue Osa website.
