Kindred Spirits is a small yoga and horse sanctuary on a permaculture farm in Cocles, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. It's best for yoga students and horse lovers who want gentle, hands-on time with horses alongside yoga, and it also runs teacher trainings and occasional retreats abroad.
What it's like
Kindred Spirits is a family-run sanctuary where yoga and horsemanship are taught side by side. It's hosted by Terry Newton, who has lived on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast with her daughters, Alexia and Eve, since 1995. A small circle of women yoga teachers who share their love of horses helps run the programs.
When we first wrote about it, the center was listed under Cahuita. Today it's on a permaculture horse farm in Cocles, a little further down the coast in Limón province, and its website has moved to horses.yoga. The old address now redirects there.
The approach is gentle. Horses are worked at liberty, meaning without halters or lead ropes, and the emphasis is on trust and awareness rather than control. Sessions mix yoga, meditation, sound healing and time with the herd, and one of the signature experiences is swimming with the horses in the Caribbean.
The programs
The program list is broader than most yoga retreats. Here's what the official site offers:
- Yoga Healing with Horses retreat: a seven-day stay in Cocles. A July 2026 date was listed when we checked.
- Three days of yoga with horses: a shorter version for people with less time.
- Drop-in classes and single sessions: horse connection, riding with the breath, swimming with horses, horse-guided empowerment sessions, and even archery with horses.
- 200-hour yoga teacher training: registered with Yoga Alliance.
- Equine yoga teacher program: a certification in equine yoga and aligned horsemanship.
- Retreats abroad: horse and yoga trips in Cappadocia, Türkiye, with Morocco and the Camargue in France also listed.
There's also on-site lodging at the farm. The website doesn't give much detail about rooms, so ask when you get in touch.
If you're a teacher, the site also has information on hosting your own retreat there.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
This is a great fit if you love horses, or have always wanted to spend time with them in a calm way. You don't need to be an experienced rider, since a lot of the work is on the ground. It's also a natural choice for yoga teachers who want to add horse-based work to what they teach.
It's not a place for fast trail rides or competitive riding. And if you're nervous around large animals, start with a single session before booking a full week. The farm is in the jungle, so expect a rural, hands-on stay rather than resort polish.
Getting there
Cocles is on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast, in Limón province. The website doesn't publish detailed travel directions, so ask the team about transfers when you book. They've lived on this coast for decades and can point you to the easiest route.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kindred Spirits still in Cahuita?
No. It's now based on a farm in Cocles, Limón, further south along the same Caribbean coast. The website is horses.yoga.
Do I need riding experience?
Not necessarily. Many sessions focus on connecting with horses from the ground, alongside yoga and meditation. Check the program details for anything that involves riding.
Can I become a yoga teacher there?
Yes. It runs a 200-hour Yoga Alliance registered training and a separate equine yoga teacher program.
Does it run retreats outside Costa Rica?
Yes. Retreats in Cappadocia, Türkiye, are on the calendar, and Morocco and the Camargue are listed too. Dates vary, so check the website.
