House of Shakti
Jungle yoga sanctuary near Playa Hermosa
House of Shakti is a small yoga sanctuary in the forest canopy about 5 minutes from Playa Hermosa, just north of Santa Teresa. It runs yoga classes, workshops, its own retreats and a tantra yoga teacher training, offers rooms for guests, and hosts visiting teachers' retreats. It suits yoga students and retreat leaders looking for a quiet, nature-focused base.
At a glance
- Location
- Playa Hermosa, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Type
- Yoga, Retreat, Hotel
- Best for
- Yoga students, retreat guests and teachers hosting their own groups
- Setting
- Jungle canopy, about 5 minutes from Playa Hermosa
- Rooms
- 4 main-house suites, a casita with kitchen and a jungle bungalow
- Programs
- Yoga classes, workshops, retreats, tantra yoga teacher training
- Wellness
- Sauna and ice bath, massage, sound healing, ceremonies
- Official website
- houseofshakticr.com
What it's like
House of Shakti calls itself a sanctuary in the canopy, and it's set up for people who want yoga at the center of their trip. It sits in the jungle about 5 minutes from Playa Hermosa, away from the busier parts of Santa Teresa. There's a main house with a pool, an open-air yoga shala and smaller units set deeper in the trees.
Founder Nancy Goodfellow has practiced yoga since 1992, starting in the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition, and has more than 750 hours of Yoga Alliance training. The house is built around presence, community and conscious living, and the program leans spiritual as well as physical, with ceremonies alongside classes.
The programs
- Yoga classes and workshops: The studio runs classes and sells class packs. The studio has its own contact email for schedules.
- Retreats: Curated retreats led by facilitators from around the world.
- Teacher training: "The Awakened Body," a certified tantra yoga teacher training led by the house.
- Host your retreat: Teachers and brands can bring their own groups and use the rooms, shala, meals and support.
On-site extras include a sauna and ice bath, massage, sound healing, Reiki and Access Bars, plus cacao and fire ceremonies and a sacred medicine ceremony. The team can also arrange boat tours, jungle hikes to a waterfall about 40 minutes away, surf lessons and horseback riding.
Rooms
- Main House Suites: 4 suites around a shared space, each with a private bathroom. Groups of up to 10 can take the whole house.
- La Casita: 1 bedroom with a queen bed, a full kitchen and a terrace, for up to 3 guests.
- Jungle Bungalow: 1 bedroom with a queen bed and private bathroom, for up to 2. It has a ceiling fan; air conditioning isn't mentioned.
Rooms and packages are offered for individuals, couples and groups. The site mentions nourishing meals but doesn't describe a meal plan, so ask what's included with your booking.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It's well suited to yoga students, people drawn to tantra or ceremonial practice, and teachers looking for a small venue for their own retreat. The jungle setting and small scale make it calm and personal.
It's less suited to travelers who want to walk out the door onto the beach, or who want a conventional hotel with a restaurant. The site asks but doesn't answer whether it's suitable for children, so families should check first. If ceremonial work isn't your thing, ask what's on during your dates.
Getting there
House of Shakti is in the jungle near Playa Hermosa, north of the main Santa Teresa strip, about 5 minutes from the beach. Directions and a map pin are shared through the official contact page. Most visitors arrive by shuttle or car via the Paquera ferry, or fly into the Cóbano airstrip and take a short transfer. Our travel guide covers the options, and our yoga guide lists other studios in the area.
Where to stay in Santa Teresa
Live prices from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a class without staying there?
The studio sells class packs and has its own email for schedules, so contact it to check drop-in options.
Can I bring my own retreat group?
Yes. House of Shakti hosts outside retreats with rooms, the shala, meals and support.
Does it offer teacher training?
Yes, a tantra yoga teacher training called The Awakened Body.
Is it child-friendly?
The site doesn't say. Ask when you book. Check current availability on the official House of Shakti website.
