10 Things to do during a Yoga Retreat in Dominical Beach

Costa Rica is a beautiful mystery with many interesting layers to it. There are several unique things that you can do in Costa Rica beaches while on a yoga retreat. Dominical beach is one of them!

This beautiful beach will leave you lusting for more and if you have been eyeing upon this destination for a while, then it is time to take the plunge. The destination is seeing a growing number of travellers approaching for wellness retreats, with amazing cuisines, surf culture and stunning biodiversity all around you. This is something that everyone must experience in this lifetime.

Dominical beach is probably best known for its waves, which draws surfers from all around the world.  But there is a lot more to this quirky beach town and the surrounding stretch of coastline called BahiaBallena than only surfing. What is most loved about this region of Costa Rica is the combination of jungle-filled mountains and ocean. The nearby hills are a playground for wildlife and hiking enthusiasts, and the nearly deserted beaches are the perfect escape for those looking to relax and unwind.  After a morning of yoga, you have several stunning options of exploring the nearby towns, surfing, snorkelling, experiencing the local food and the Costa Rican wildlife!

Nestled about 44 km south of Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park, Dominical beach offers everything you could want from your trip to Costa Rica. Its rich and diverse nature, warm sand, waves, and tranquillity has put Dominicalon the top of many travel itineraries.

Below are the top (but not limited to) things that you can do whilst visiting Dominical beach on a yoga retreat.

1 – Surfing:

If you are a surfer, or like being an amateur of the waves, then chances are you have heard of Dominical, Costa Rica. Its pristine beaches with their awesome waves, some 10-feet tall, bring surf lovers from all over the world.

Playa Dominical is a hippie haven for surf junkies and yogis alike, for this little slice of paradise is one of the least developed beaches in the entire country. Apart from being the cheapest, safest, and arguably, most authentic, Playa Dominical offers one of the largest waves in the country.

2 – Nauyaca Waterfalls:

One of the most popular things to do in Dominical (and in Costa Rica) is hiking to the Nauyaca Waterfalls.The Nauyaca waterfalls lie deep in the tropical rainforest in southern Costa Rica. Despite the remote location, the trailhead is located just 20 minutes from Dominical and is surprisingly easy to get to.

This two-tiered waterfall, with a 61 meter (200 foot) combined drop and a deep natural pool for swimming, is one of Costa Rica’s most dramatic waterfalls. You can arrive to the falls on horseback or pickup truck, or if you’re up for a moderately difficult hike, it is recommended going on foot so that you can take in the gorgeous surrounding rainforest.

The Nauyaca waterfalls are an impressive natural attraction that shouldn’t be missed. Their close proximity to popular tourist destinations along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast make them an easy-to-access activity for those looking for some off-the-beaten-path adventure.  Sitting in the cool pools after an invigorating hike really is the perfect meddling of adventure and relaxation. After all, isn’t that what Costa Rica is all about?

3 – Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge:

One of the best places in the area for a day hike is Hacienda Baru. Hacienda Baru is a hotel and wildlife refuge off the highway just north of Dominical. What makes this property so special is the diversity of habitats, which include primary and secondary forest, mangrove, grassland, and even beach. Monkeys, sloths, peccaries (similar to a wild boar), white-nosed coati, and caimans are often seen along the trails. And if you like bird watching, Hacienda Baru is one of the best places around, with over 330 species identified!

The 4.3 miles (7 km) of trails at Hacienda Baru are well-maintained so self-guided hikes are an option. You may see more wildlife, however, with the help of one of the reserve’s expert guides.

Costa Rica is home to some of the rarest species of birds and animals, which makes it a must-see destination in the world. An offspring of the volcanic eruptions, Costa Rica offers numerous options for Day Trips to visit the fauna here. Some of the amazing creatures that you can witness in the area are scarlet macaws, tree frogs, sloths, and an abundant slew of butterflies all over this destination.

4 – Mangrove or Ocean Kayak/SUP Tour :

If you’re looking for to take in the beautiful scenery out on the water, consider a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour. These tours take you either through the nature-filled mangroves or to the ocean. Mangrove river tours are great for all levels. As you creep along the calm water, you’ll learn about the biology of this important ecosystem and get to see some of its inhabitants. Monkeys, herons, kingfisher, crabs, raccoons, and sometimes even crocodiles and sloths are seen on the natural canals.

For a little more excitement, ocean trips are another option. These take you around the famous Whale Tail in Marino Ballena National Park for snorkelling or to see the caves at some of the area’s most secluded beaches.

Paddle boarding is very popular, and you will find a lot of places organizing this where the waves are a little quieter.

5 – Parque Reptilandia:

Reptile enthusiasts or anyone with an appreciation for nature will love Parque Reptilandia. This outdoor park has tons of different enclosures where you’ll see reptiles from Costa Rica and all around the world. Snakes make up the majority of exhibits, but they also have other interesting creatures like tortoises, crocodiles, and lizards. One enclosure also has poison dart frogs, which are as colourful as a sunset here, so if you’ve been wanting to see these adorable amphibians, Reptilandia is the place to go. Reptilandia is located 7 kilometres east of Dominical beach and very close to the Nauyaca Waterfalls.

Highlights from a trip to Reptilandia include an up-close-and-personal glance at the region’s most venomous snake, the fer-de-lance. This member of the viper family is marked by its menacing series of black-edge diamonds. And we can’t forget the giant African turtle that’ll walk right up to you and stare you in the eyeballs before meandering off to enjoy some relaxing time in the shade. If you’re really lucky you’ll get to stand only a few feet from one of Costa Rica’s famous crocodiles. And did we mention the Komodo dragon? Yep, they have one of those, too.

6 – Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary:

If you want to get up close to some of Costa Rica’s most exotic wildlife, check out the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary. This centre does some extremely important work for area wildlife, they rescue and rehabilitate animals and birds that have been injured or abandoned in the wild or confiscated in the illegal pet trade, then nurse them back to health in the hopes of release. The wildlife you will see is constantly changing, but the centre often has white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, white-nosed coati, sloths, armadillos, kinkajoos, and anteaters.

7 – Whale Watching:

Bahia Ballena gets its name from the hundreds of humpback whales that migrate to the region’s warm waters every year to breed and rear young. The Whale Tail, at Marino Ballena National Park, is a natural formation result of converging currents which deposits sand on rock formation making a unique tail like pattern. This is one of the most special areas in the world for whale watching, so if you’re visiting Costa Rica during whale season, it is something you won’t want to miss. The best time of year to see humpbacks and their babies is from August to November, with peak times during September and October.

8 – Diamante Waterfall and Cave:

In the mountains, behind Dominical, is another amazing waterfall and this one also has a cave. You have to be up for a moderate to difficult hike to get there and it’s only possible to visit with a guide. Once you arrive, you will be well-rewarded with a twin waterfall and a cave as its backdrop. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we recommend doing the overnight at the cave.

If you are visiting Playa Dominical Costa Rica in the rainy season, then don’t be disheartened. This time of year (Sept-Oct) is also known as the green season for a reason. The Dominical weather makes the lush rainforest even more impressive than usual. It’s a great time to visit Costa Rica and to hike into the jungle and see some waterfalls in full flow!

Just 35 minutes south of Playa Dominical is Diamante Verde, home to 10 different waterfalls, including Diamante Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica. Plunging 600 feet off the Tinamaste ridge, the Diamante Waterfall is surrounded by the green valley and offers stunning views overlooking the coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean. You can hike to the waterfall, spend the day swimming in magnificent natural pools beneath the falls, try rappelling, canyoning, and cliff jumping.

9 – Get A Massage on the Beach in Playa Dominical :

It’s not hard to find a spa in Costa Rica, but a massage on the beach after a beautiful yoga flow on your retreat is absolute heaven.  You will be able to find a professional massage therapist that can set up a pop-up massage parlour on Playa Dominical.

10 – Visit the Beachside Market in Playa Dominical Costa Rica :

If you are looking to give your wallet a good workout while in Costa Rica, Playa Dominical has got your covered. Everyday dozens of stalls selling clothes, jewellery, and souvenirs are set up along the beach turning Playa Dominical into a shoppers’ paradise. Stock up on Costa Rica t-shirts, grab a new sarong or pick-upsome souvenirs for all your friends and family back home.

These are only a few of the most exciting and popular things to do around Dominical Beach with many others that you can discover when visiting.  Spending a few weeks experiencing the wildlife, the surroundings and combining it with a yoga retreat in Costa Rica is the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.