Horizon Hotel & Yoga Center is a small hotel on the hillside above Santa Teresa, with wooden studios and villas looking out to the Pacific. It's best for yoga lovers and couples who want daily classes on a hilltop deck, a kitchen in their room and a quiet base above the town.
What it's like
Horizon is a small hotel in tropical gardens on the hill above Santa Teresa, facing the ocean. It's built around yoga: the highest point of the property is an open deck with a wide view over the Pacific, the town and Mal País, and classes happen there every day. The rest of the place is simple and homey, with wooden cabins, a pool, hammocks on the balconies and sunsets you can watch from the deck, the pool or your own room.
Two of the teachers, Yoav and Gali, trained at a Sivananda ashram back in 2003, and the place has a steady, unpretentious feel compared with some of the flashier wellness spots in town.
Rooms
Every unit is a wooden cabin with a kitchen, air conditioning and Wi-Fi:
- Ocean View Studio: for 1 or 2, with an equipped kitchen and a balcony hammock facing the sea.
- Horizon Studio: a studio with a kitchen and a partial ocean view.
- Horizon Suite: 2 bedrooms, each with its own entrance, balcony and bathroom, good for two couples or a family.
- Villas Yin & Yang: 2-floor villas with a garden view and private parking, sharing a pool between them, for 2 or 3 people.
- Villa Zen: 2 bedrooms over 2 floors, with its own private pool and garden.
Yoga and food
Classes are mostly Vinyasa Flow and Fusion Flow, and all levels are welcome. Drop-ins and class passes are available, and private and prenatal sessions can be arranged. The weekly timetable is posted on the hotel's Instagram. Horizon also hosts yoga retreats. If you're comparing studios, see our yoga guide.
The restaurant is organic and vegetarian, served on an open deck facing the ocean. It's open to the public for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Saturday, so plan on cooking in your kitchen or heading down to town for dinner. Massages are given in an ocean-view rancho.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It's a natural fit for anyone who wants yoga to be part of every day, and for couples and small families who like having a kitchen and a calm place to come back to. Villa Zen works well for a family that wants its own pool.
It isn't on the beach. Being on the hillside means great views but a walk or drive down to the sand and back up again, and the 2-floor villas mean stairs. There's no dinner service on site, and if you want nightlife on your doorstep, you'll be happier closer to the main road.
Getting there
Horizon is on the hillside in the southern part of Santa Teresa. From the Playa Carmen junction, ask the hotel for the turn-off and directions when you book. The hotel recommends a 4x4 if you're driving from San José via the Paquera ferry, which takes about 4.5 hours. Flights from San José to Cóbano take about 30 minutes, followed by a 25-minute drive, and the hotel can arrange a taxi from the airstrip. More options are in our travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-guests join yoga classes?
The hotel sells drop-in classes and class passes, and the site says anyone can practice. Check the Instagram schedule for times.
Is the restaurant vegetarian?
Yes. It's an organic vegetarian restaurant, open to the public for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Saturday.
Do the rooms have kitchens?
Yes. Every studio, suite and villa has a kitchen.
Is Horizon on the beach?
No. It's on the hillside above town, with ocean views. You'll walk or drive down to the beach.
Do I need a 4x4?
The hotel recommends one if you're renting a car to drive from San José. Check current availability on the official Horizon Hotel & Yoga Center website.
