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Shaka Beach Retreat

Norte de Escuela 200 M Village of Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa Costa Rica
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Traveler (336)
Pool & Beach (117)
Dining (34)

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About

#1 of 5 resorts in Santa Teresa
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.9
Value
4.9
Located just 5 minutes North of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, is the highly desirable neighborhood of "Playa Hermosa." Shaka Beach Retreat is a jungle haven offering private villas nestled among the tropical surroundings. A short walk leads to one of the most beautiful quiet beaches in the heart of Hermosa's "Surf Zone". Perfect for swimming, relaxing on the sand, and surfing of all levels. Join us for our popular Surf and Yoga packages to experience a true piece of paradise!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool / beach towels
Yoga classes
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Boating
Car hire
Secured parking
Wifi
Yoga room
Fitness classes
Restaurant
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Special diet menus
Diving
Hiking
Horseback riding
Snorkeling
Water sport equipment rentals
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Walking tours
Board games / puzzles
Nightclub / DJ
Taxi service
Couples massage
Full body massage
Massage
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
Express check-in / check-out
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Seating area
Walk-in shower
Complimentary toiletries
Sofa
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
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Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish
340Reviews5Q+A41Room tips
Traveler rating
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Adam D wrote a review Mar 7
2 contributions
+1
Shaka is a fantastic place to visit. The scenery is incredible. The accommodations have a homey feel with plenty of space in the rooms and livings areas, hot water, and ice cold A/C. The food is fantastic, nutritious, and freshly made. The surf coaches are expert technicians and qualified to provide high quality surfing instruction to any level of experienced or beginner surfer. 10/10 would go back.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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BLB wrote a review Aug 2022
5 contributions
+1
Hotel's Favorite
Frank was so helpful in booking and preparing for our trip. The grounds are beautiful but the people make it magical! The food is delicious and healthy. The surf instructors, Andres and Marianne, are clear and patient. The yoga instructors, Luna and Kate, are passionate with fun, challenging classes. The social hosts, Fran and Clio, are so warm and really made our stay special. My husband and I had a private cabin. It was very comfortable and spacious. We were surprised it had AC! We can’t wait to plan another trip back the Shaka. It’s farther away from town, which we liked. If you want to explore town, you can rent an ATV or call a cab. The beach is a quick 10 min walk (with a surfboard) away. We love Shaka!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Stay as long as you can and make sure to get a massage from Francesca.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Chris A wrote a review Feb 2024
Miami, Florida5 contributions1 helpful vote
We’ve been traveling to Costa Rica annually for the past three years staying at Shaka every time, and we can confidently say that the growth in our surfing abilities has been nothing short of remarkable. Shaka is definitely a gem of place with great people, amazing food, and superb surf instructors. During one of our trips my wife and I got engaged there and their staff helped create a very memorable experience for us. We will always look forward to coming back to Shaka! Thank you!
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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aulfers wrote a review Feb 2024
San Francisco, California7 contributions4 helpful votes
Have you ever arrived somewhere you immediately felt you belonged? Have you ever felt genuine camaraderie with perfect strangers who seemed more like long lost friends? Have you ever been to a place that feeds you sweet organic morsels of inspiration and relaxation? If so, you are one of the lucky ones. If not, you need a taste of Shaka at Hermosa Beach in Costa Rica. The team sees to it that you feel welcome and comfortable from arrival until departure. Your surf instructor will teach you how to surf in a week. Everyone there wants to see you successfully adopt the sport. Your yoga teachers optimize the sessions to address tight shoulders and hips. I had attended two yoga classes in my life and am now convinced it’s critical for my health moving forward. After an hour of movement, savasana was a near religious experience for me. Reflecting on my entire stay at Shaka the aggregate experience was the nourishment for my soul that I didn’t know that I needed. The mix of physical activity, afternoon relaxation or adventure paired with an outstanding food menu leaves little more to be desired. If a “Surf and Yoga” retreat sounds like something you would enjoy, look no further. Many thanks to Andrés, Alvaro, Kari, Erica, Emily, Valentina and Mike for a week I’ll always remember.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Maxine wrote a review Jan 2024
1 contribution2 helpful votes
+1
I had a truly excellent experience at Shaka, and I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking to learn how to surf (and just relax for a week in the jungle). I booked the 7-day surf package at Shaka, as a solo traveler who had only surfed 3-4 times in the last 2 years. I learned so much from the surf instructors Alvaro and Andres, and after 6 lessons, I was confidently getting up on a hardtop board and working on turning and paddling and even turtle rolls — things that seemed so far away on the first day in the water. Shaka is an easy, short walk to Playa Hermosa, so I ended up going to the beach 2-3 times every day — for sunrise, surf lessons, sunset, even one walk to see the full moon. I enjoyed yoga with Kate and Luna; it was really nice to deal with any muscle soreness. Frank was very helpful with booking and providing travel tips to get from San José to Santa Teresa. The room I stayed in was clean and comfortable, with an A/C. The meals were consistently delicious; the poké bowl for dinner and burrito for brunch were two standouts. Though I was traveling alone, I always felt welcome and comfortable at Shaka.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Allison M wrote a review Jan 2024
1 contribution
It was awesome! the accommodations were kept very well, the staff was so helpful and friendly, they were able to make anything happen (booked a fishing tour and horse riding, and any taxis super quick). Food was amazing and never had the same dinner or brunch twice. Alvaro is so knowledgeable and a great surf coach. But most importantly- Shaka seems to attract some really great people. Everyone I met was friendly, down to earth, and willing to share the experience.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip: Book the local flight from the airport to Cobano early, the drive can take up to 6 hours.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Matthew G wrote a review Jan 2024
2 contributions
Shaka was awesome. The reviews all hold true. The staff is amazing. They have people there 24x7, so you are always attended to. The combination of the staff and other guests makes for a great experience. We had a very structured daily routine, and any question we had a question where to go to get x or do y, the question was immediately answered. Whereas, usually it takes 2-3 days to get into the rhythm, we were fully in a daily rhythm by the end of our 1st full day. As far as the other guests, we ended up exchanging emails with each other despite a wide range of ages. Typical age is late 20's to mid 30's. My wife and I are in our mid 40's and had a blast. The accommodations are really nice and private compared to other similar setups. The rooms are very much as photographed, and the food was really good. It was all very healthy and local. I will stay at 5 star hotels sometimes, and I didn't feel like I was wanting for anything relative to a more upscale resort. The surfing was amazing. I am a beginner to intermediate surfer. I've surfed in Maui, Baja, LA, Santa Cruz . . and this was definitely the best beach I've ever been to for learning in terms of consistency and size of waves. The instructors were also the best I've ever had. I've had 7 or 8 instructors, and they were easily the best I've had. The beach is a 5 min walk. You're very close, but it's a walk. Shaka is just outside of Santa Teresa, which was fine for us. It was a little quieter, but there were a few cafe's, shops and stores within walking distance. Downtown Santa Teresa is a 15 in cab ride. Shaka has a guy they use for this too. In ST there is every shop and restaurant you might want. Also, it looks super far from San Jose (4.75 hr car ride), but you can get a flight for $100 (each way), and it's a 30 min flight. Flights run several times a day. It was like taking a taxi. This was a big game changer in terms of the time in transit.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: This is a full package, and the staff and other guests make it super easy to figure out the best...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Valentina Capeyron, General Manager at Shaka Beach Retreat
Responded Jan 7, 2024
Thank you so much Matthew. It's so incredible for us to read such heartfelt reviews, even after all these years. We are so grateful for you joining us, and we are always here with open arms to greet you in the future! Until next time, big hugs from the Shaka family. Pura Vida
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Laura O wrote a review Dec 2023
1 contribution
My husband and I spent 7 days at Shaka and truly could not recommend it more. They’ve curated a really special experience, from the beautifully landscaped grounds and simple yet stylish facilities to the welcoming and fun staff to the top notch surf and yoga instruction which made us excited to get up every morning. The whole vibe was the perfect balance of structure and downtime & it was so fun getting to know our fellow guests and the Shaka staff. Frank was incredibly helpful in planning our trip (and guiding us through some travel woes) and Mike & Valentina were so welcoming on site (as was Pato, Shaka's adorable roaming cat). Andres and Alvaro were fantastic surf instructors, with Andres helping me grow confidence in the water and progress as a beginner and Alvaro helping my husband develop his existing skills and start catching waves out in the lineup. Kate was a great yoga instructor, with a flow and style that took our surf schedule into account. Neither of us practice yoga regularly so it was a new and well-needed stretch every day. Kari and Erica were wonderful hosts, making sure our meals and schedules were set and organizing anything the group needed from ATV rentals to cabs to massages. The communal meals were a treat - there was a ton of menu variety during both brunch and dinner, there was always the option for seconds, and it was a really fun time to catch up as a group. Also a treat - the daily cleaning service that made sand disappear. Finally, the location is unparalleled. It’s a short walk through a jungle paradise to a stunning beach. There are a few cafes and stores within walking distance and the town of Santa Teresa is a short drive away. Be sure to pack a good rash guard and body glide and you're ready to go. We hope to make it back to Shaka!
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Mike Bienz, Owner at Shaka Beach Retreat
Responded Dec 26, 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. It's always so nice to hear from our guests and to know that they loved their time here. Your Shaka family is here with open arms the next tim you decide to visit:)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Katie wrote a review Dec 2023
3 contributions
This was my 3rd time at Shaka and my partner's 2nd; we are already planning to return! The location is so peaceful, great to be out of town. The rooms always super clean and we love the communal meals. The food is plentiful and very healthy--I've always used my stays to restart a non-sugar lifestyle. The staff are all friendly, helpful, and help to make Shaka feel like a cool and supportive community! We love the lax schedule of surfing, yoga, eating, and sleeping! And the surfing is super. We have both improved from total newbies to low-intermediate. The coaches Andres and Alvararo are so helpful, professional, and expert. Shaka is a really special place!
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Matthew R wrote a review Dec 2023
7 contributions3 helpful votes
Phenomenal experience here. What a great group of people we had the pleasure of spending time with, both staff and guests. The grounds were beautiful, the surf lessons were helpful, and the food was delicious. What more could you ask for! We will definitely be back.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Mike Bienz, Owner at Shaka Beach Retreat
Responded Dec 26, 2023
Looking forward to welcoming you back. So happy to share this small slice of paradise with you!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
shaka beach retreat hotel santa teresa, shaka surf camp hotel, shaka surf camp santa teresa
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasSanta Teresa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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SHAKA BEACH RETREAT - Updated 2024 Prices & Resort Reviews (Costa Rica/Santa Teresa)

Frequently Asked Questions about Shaka Beach Retreat
Which popular attractions are close to Shaka Beach Retreat?
Nearby attractions include Playa Hermosa (0.3 miles), Playa Santa Teresa (3.3 miles), and Playa Carmen (3.9 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Shaka Beach Retreat?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Shaka Beach Retreat?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, blackout curtains, and a seating area.
What food & drink options are available at Shaka Beach Retreat?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and complimentary tea during their stay.
Is parking available at Shaka Beach Retreat?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Shaka Beach Retreat?
Conveniently located restaurants include El Tercer Ojo Costa Rica, The Somos Cafe, and Manzú Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Shaka Beach Retreat?
Yes, guests have access to fitness classes and yoga classes during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Shaka Beach Retreat?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and French.
Is Shaka Beach Retreat accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.