Hacienda Harmony — Vanilla Forest Reset
A six-day return to stillness in Costa Rica's hidden rainforest.
A six-day return to stillness in Costa Rica's hidden rainforest.
Five nights at a colonial hacienda surrounded by 100 hectares of jungle, vanilla plantations and waterfalls. Daily yoga, meditation, three guided hikes, and meals lovingly prepared on the finca — for a circle of just eight.
The rainforest opens slowly. You’ll arrive by 4×4 through the mountains, walk along a clear river to your first waterfall, and by late afternoon land on the terrace of Hacienda Las Vainillas — a colonial boutique hotel perched above 100 hectares of jungle.
For five nights, this is home for a circle of just eight. Daily Dru Yoga and meditation, three meals from the finca, guided hikes to private waterfalls, a vanilla plantation tour, sharing circles by candlelight. Colonial beams, terracotta tiles, a 100 m² pool — and the quiet decision, every morning, to put your phone down and meet yourself instead.
Led by Antoinette, held by Isabelle. All-inclusive from Escazú, San José.
Move, explore, unwind. At your own pace.
The rhythm is gentle on purpose. The day flows around you, not the other way around.
Join every activity, explore at your own pace, or spend a quiet afternoon in the hammock. Every choice feels right.
Day by day
Every day has its own texture — arrival, depth, silence, expansion, integration. Here's what unfolds.
01 Wednesday, November 18 Arrival & Opening
- Departure from Escazú, San José. Scenic 4×4 journey through the mountains (~2h30).
- Lunch at Refugio de Vida Silvestre Juco (chocolate farm).
- Transfer to Hacienda Las Vainillas and check-in.
- Free time to settle and rest.
- Opening yoga session on the upper terrace.
- Welcome dinner.
02 Thursday, November 19 Vanilla & Forest
- Morning yoga.
- Breakfast at the lodge.
- Walk to a hidden waterfall on the finca for swimming.
- Lunch at the hacienda.
- Free time.
- Afternoon yoga.
- Dinner.
- Yoga Nidra.
03 Friday, November 20 Las Gemelas
- Meditation.
- Breakfast.
- Leave for Refugio Silvestre — guided silent walk to Las Gemelas, the twin waterfalls at the bottom of a 200 m canyon, among the most spectacular in Costa Rica. Swimming in the natural pools.
- Lunch on return.
- Afternoon restorative / yin yoga.
- Dinner, free evening.
- Optional sharing circle.
04 Saturday, November 21 Canyon El Sueño
- Walking meditation to Ceiba.
- Breakfast.
- Guided tour of the endemic vanilla plantation.
- Lunch.
- Free time: pool, journaling, optional holistic massage on request.
- Workshop.
- Dinner.
- Cacao ceremony and sharing around the fire pit.
05 Sunday, November 22 Integration
- Meditation / mindfulness.
- Breakfast.
- Walk through the property to the El Sueño canyon (The Dream).
- Lunch.
- Free afternoon: cacao tour in Mastatal village, bird watching walk, or rest by the pool.
- Closing yoga.
- Farewell dinner.
06 Monday, November 23 Closing & Return
- Yoga.
- Tea / coffee break.
- Closing circle.
- Brunch.
- Check-out, departure by 4×4 to San José.
- Arrival in San José.
Everything taken care of
From the moment you arrive until the goodbyes — here's exactly what the price covers.
In the price
- Round-trip 4×4 transport from Escazú, San José
- 5 nights at Hacienda Las Vainillas (shared twin room)
- 3 meals per day prepared on the finca
- All snacks, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, water and herbal infusions
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions
- Guided hikes to 3 waterfalls (including Las Gemelas)
- Guided vanilla plantation tour
- Yoga Nidra and sharing circles
- Use of the 100 m² pool and all hotel facilities
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages and extra à-la-carte drinks
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- International flights to San José (SJO)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional holistic massages (Kanawi, on request)
Hacienda Las Vainillas
A five-bedroom colonial boutique hotel built on a hilltop, with terracotta tiles, wooden beams and balconies overlooking 100 hectares of tropical forest. Rooms come with private bathrooms (hot water), ceiling fans, coffee machines and views all the way to the Pacific Ocean. A 100 m² swimming pool, a “pulpería” bar serving fresh juices and cocktails, and a restaurant focused on local, seasonal cuisine.
This retreat is for you if...
You are craving a true reset — whether you are a first-time retreat-goer, a returning yogi, a solo traveler or here with friends. The pace is gentle, the group is small (only 8 of you), and every session is adapted to who is in the room.
Five nights. A circle of eight.
Mastatal, Costa Rica.
From past guests
Real words from guests who walked, breathed and slowed down with us.
Every detail had been carefully thought through, and the result is remarkable.
I had barely got home before sitting down to write you this little thank-you note for the wonderful adventure you gave me. Hacienda La Vainilla is a magical place, perfect for the program you designed — and honestly, hats off for the care you took to awaken the senses, to surprise me and to push me beyond my limits.
Every detail had been carefully thought through, and the result is remarkable. See you soon for new adventures!
I had never done yoga, but with Antoinette’s guidance we could all enjoy it.
The retreat at Hacienda La Vainilla with Yoga Soul Trails was very special for me in so many ways. The place is beautiful and perfect for reconnecting with yourself, surrounded by nature activities that Isabelle planned with love and attention to detail.
I have to confess I was a little nervous because I had never done yoga, but with Antoinette's guidance we could all enjoy it without any trouble.
Thank you so much, Yoga Soul Trails, for finding the perfect balance so we could have the best possible experience!
A powerful, healing experience.
I spent a weekend at a 3-day Yoga Soul Trails retreat at Hacienda La Vainilla. The location was a perfect combination of beautiful accommodations, inspiring natural surroundings and delicious food.
The blend of yoga, meditation and immersion in nature — through amazing hikes in the forest and along rivers — was well organized to create a powerful, healing experience. It was clear that a great deal of thought and planning went into it.
Thank you, Antoinette and Isabelle, for creating such a beautiful experience. Sat Nam.
I arrived a bit scattered and left feeling grounded and smiling, inside and out.
I recently attended a Yoga Soul Trails retreat, and it was truly an amazing experience! Isabelle's energy and compassion brought the group together, and Antoinette is such a gifted teacher — she draws you inward with her words of guidance and works with everyone's level of yoga experience. Their energy is infectious!
Our group especially appreciated that all mobile phones were locked away. It allowed us to be truly present, and it's a practice each of us left wanting to bring into our daily lives.
One of my favorite activities was the silent walk around the lush property. Nature carries so many messages if you let it in: witness its connectedness, ask for its guidance, seek its humility. Do the pesky ants show you community and resilience? Can butterflies — for whom obstacles are just part of life — teach us to embrace and let go with such grace? What message will nature whisper to you?
I arrived at the retreat a bit scattered and left feeling grounded and smiling, inside and out. I highly recommend a retreat with Yoga Soul Trails. You will love it!
To this day, I’m still feeling the benefits.
In January, I took part in a yoga retreat organized by Antoinette and Isabelle in the mountains of Turrialba, and it was an incredible experience. Antoinette and Isabelle are super kind, fun and attentive, and the group that formed was just wonderful.
We had moments of silence, meditation, yoga, hikes along beautiful trails, healthy food and so many laughs! I came back much more mindful, and to this day I'm still feeling the benefits: I feel less anxious, more focused, and everything in my life flows better thanks to that shift in mindset.
I'd love to join their next retreat, but work won't allow it this time — so I'm sharing it in case someone else wants to go. I recommend it from the bottom of my heart!
Two friends, one trail.
Antoinette
Leads the practiceOver 27 years of practice. Certified Dru Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness teacher, Shiatsu therapist and Holistic Life Coach. Her classes are gentle and unhurried — nothing to perform, every body met where it is.
Isabelle
Holds the journeyTwenty years living in Costa Rica. She scouts the lodges, trails and hidden waterfalls, and takes care of every practical detail on the ground — transport, food, rooms — so you don't have to.
A glimpse in pictures
Questions, answered
Do I need yoga experience?
No. The retreat is open to all levels, including complete beginners. Antoinette teaches Dru Yoga — slow, flowing and gentle on the joints — and adapts every session to who is in the room. Yoga Nidra is practiced lying down. Mats are provided.
How much yoga is there each day?
There is yoga every day: an afternoon class on most days, and on day 5 a long morning practice with breathwork plus a closing class. Every morning starts with meditation, and the first evening ends with Yoga Nidra. Nothing is mandatory — you can skip any session.
How fit do I need to be for the hikes?
A moderate, everyday fitness is enough. The first hike is an easy 40 minutes, partly walking in the river (mid-calf). The Las Gemelas hike goes down into a 200 m canyon, so expect a steeper walk back up. You go at your own pace, and every outing is optional.
What about food and dietary needs?
Three meals a day are prepared on the finca, plus snacks, fresh fruit, tea, coffee and herbal infusions. If you have a dietary need or an allergy, mention it in the booking form — we check with the hacienda's kitchen before you pay anything.
How do I get there?
Fly into San José International Airport (SJO). On day 1 the 4×4 leaves Escazú (San José) at 6:00 am, so plan to land the day before and spend the night near Escazú. We send the exact pickup point with your booking confirmation. On day 6 you are back in San José around 3:00 pm.
What are the rooms like?
You stay at Hacienda Las Vainillas in a shared twin room (two separate beds) with a private bathroom, hot water and a ceiling fan. Coming with a friend or partner? Select 2 guests in the form and you will share a room together.
Do I need travel insurance?
Insurance is not included, and we strongly recommend it: a policy that covers medical care, trip cancellation and outdoor activities such as hiking and river swimming.
What is the cancellation policy?
A 50% deposit confirms your spot, and the balance is due 30 days before arrival. If you cancel at least 30 days before the retreat starts, your deposit is fully refunded. Within 30 days, the deposit is non-refundable.
Another question? Ask us in the form below — we reply within 24 hours.
Reserve your spot
Transparent pricing, flexible payment, no surprises.
Hacienda Harmony — Vanilla Forest Reset
- Round-trip 4×4 transport from Escazú, San José
- 5 nights at Hacienda Las Vainillas (shared twin room)
- 3 meals per day prepared on the finca
- All snacks, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, water and herbal infusions
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions
- Guided hikes to 3 waterfalls (including Las Gemelas)
Join the waitlist
This retreat is currently full. Leave your details and we'll reach out first if a spot opens up.
Prefer to talk first?Chat with Antoinette & Isabelle on WhatsAppStill have a question?
Rooms, food, getting there, whether it’s right for you — ask Antoinette & Isabelle directly on WhatsApp. A real person answers, within 24 hours.
Chat on WhatsApp Or request your spot