Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica

This was rainy season in Costa Rica and the resort was not full, but was lovely as were the staff. They only posted my 07:30 a.m. class on the activities board but did not post the 09:00 class, when I asked them about it they said "the guests can look at the iPad in their room" -- however our iPad did not work too well. Really a lovely experience. Although I only had at times one or two people attending, as it turned out they were fairly new to yoga and I was able to spend time with them showing them modifications to the asanas and using rolled towels as props to support their knees, etc. This resort is a little jewel box and the staff are just so gracious. A privilege!

The hotel staff and entertainment team were welcoming, friendly, and supportive of any needs I had. I have enjoyed all of the teaching vacations I have taken and hope to continue to take one each year!

The resort staff was super helpful and friendly! The resort, staff and place are beautiful and friendly! Definitely plan on returning!!

I taught yoga on the deck near two pools. Only the sounds of the waves are needed for music. Merari was very wonderful, helpful and enthusiastic!

Hotel staff was extremely friendly, very transparent about the transition to Hyatt management. Entertainment team head was extremely helpful and fun to work with.

The 1st class outside spa or if it rained in the open air restaurant, 2nd class at the main pool complex under a gazebo. They have mats and towels. The staff were AMAZiNG in every way and in every department!

This was an easy teaching vacation! 2 morning classes, about 40 minutes each. There were no problems. Give it 5 stars!

I LOVE teaching here! They do need more yoga mats fyi - classes were very full! I taught near the spa and main pool. Amazing staff! I will book here again!

Teaching yoga here is a dream. Class was held in the spa or poolside. Entertainment (activities) team was so helpful and friendly. They are amazing people and really made me feel welcome. Teaching here was wonderful. Everything happened with so much ease. The staff handles all the equipment set-up and cleaning for me and the classes went smoothly. The music of the spa and sounds of the ocean were perfect for my classes. I had a couple of students in each class and was able to pay each individual special attention. I had a great time.

Pura vida!!! Costa Rica is absolutley beautiful. The people were all so genuinely kind everywhere. This is a very unique Secrets, cut into a mountain by the bay. The rooms are very nice and clean. The food was really good! The entertainment staff was excellent!!! They set up the mats, and towels and water bottles every day, and cleaned them up after class. I taught 2 classes a morning, one at 7:30am and one at 9:00am. I had 2-10 people for every 7:30, and only a few for the week at the 9:00am. We will 100% be back to Secrets Papagayo!!

Taught yoga at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica. One class at 7:30am on the deck next to the gym at the spa pool. 9am at the gazebo at the main pool. Mat, towel, water was laid out by the entertainment staff each day prior to my class. My location didn't change I didn’t use music. The entertainment staff was amazing!! So friendly and fun. They got to know me by name and we learned more about each other as people, not just as “staff”. This was a great teaching experience. I had up to 10 students per day. The teaching areas were set up by the entertainment staff every day for me! A mat, towel, and water in each space. And they retrieved the mats and towels for me each day too. Easy as can be! I taught by the spa pool at 7:30am by the spa pool then 9am by the main pool each day. The 7:30 was a larger class because they didn’t have the 9am posted on the activity board. Only in small print on the FitBodies flyer above it. I let them know kindly that posting the 9am class on the activity board would be helpful. And they agreed. But it was the 7:30am only that was prominently displayed. I still had about two to four students at the 9am each day. The same group that I lured in the second day I was there lol. I loved the food and accommodations and friendly staff and wonderful guests!! Awesome experience. It all went smoothly.

Taught yoga here during the week of Thanksgiving 2019 ... my experience was FANTASTIC!!! My first of two daily 45-minute yoga classes was at 7:15a at the “quiet pool” which was so scenic and serene with a view of the Papagayo Bay. My second class was immediately following at 8:15a in the Amphitheater... this location was not very scenic, but perfectly fine. The Entertainment Team would have mats, towels and bottled waters set up for participants. Staff would also bring out fresh juice at the end of each class. Classes were well attended , particularly the 7:15a class, with attendance ranging from 2-12 people. Once, I had no students at the later class ... this was no big deal, my day just started 45-minutes earlier than usual. The average age of participants was around 55yrs and a more gentle style of yoga was very much appreciated ... several students shared that it was their first yoga class ever. My “work” day would conclude at 9am ... my husband (who attended all of my classes!) and I would have breakfast then lounge at the pool or go on an excursion. The final 7:15a class of my teaching vacation was completely full and many of the students (who were from all over the world) told me that they felt such great benefits from their yoga practice at the resort that they would continue practicing once they returned home. During our time at the resort, we went jet skiing, paddle boarding (my husband only), went into Coco Beach to shop, and visited the rain forest and a waterfall. The food at the resort was outstanding (however, I am vegan and wish there had been a few more options specified on the menus ... rather than having to constantly explain that I did not want meat/fish etc. with my meal ). We stayed an additional night at the resort and upgraded our room to one with a view of the bay ... UNBELIEVABLY GORGEOUS!!! My only slight issue was that the toilet door was frosted, basically-see-through glass which offered no privacy ... this was the case in both of our rooms. The entire staff was kind and extraordinarily helpful! We will definitely be returning to Secrets Papagayo!!

Yoga classes were perfect. First class was taught from 7:15 am - 8 am on the "quiet" side near the spa/fitness center/pool. Class size was anywhere from 2 - 6 people. This space offered a quiet shaded area for a morning practice. Yoga Mats, towels were available from the fitness center The second class was taught on the other side of the resort, Main Garden, under the Malinche tree (flowering orange tree) which was absolutely amazing. This location was on grass and offered another great view and breeze. Staff provided yoga mats / towels. Class size was 2-6 people. The staff was absolutely amazing. No need for music in this natural setting. Teaching outside allowed us to connect to nature and simply listen to her song.