Nicaragua is Central America’s best kept secret. With legendary sunsets, epic surf breaks, and endless adventure activities, Central America’s safest country has quietly become the go-to place for in-the-know travelers looking to escape typical tourist crowds. So where’s the best place to go for your first (or next) visit? We’ve put together a list of our favorite retreat spots in the entire country (in alphabetical order).
TOP RETREAT DESTINATIONS IN NICARAGUA
APOYO LODGE
Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua
apoyolodge.com
Apoyo Lodge is a private retreat space specializing in mindful plant-based healing cuisine. Deep within a secluded nature reserve, Apoyo Lodge offers unparalleled access to Lake Apoyo, a beautiful lake inside an extinct volcano crater. The lodge specializes in a raw-cooked whole food plant-based fusion and sources seasonal, local, organic produce when possible. There are 8 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms which can comfortably accommodate up to 18 guests.
AQUA WELLNESS
Playa Redonda, Nicaragua
aquanicaragua.com
Aqua Wellness is a boutique resort situated in a lush tropical forest, within a private beach cove, on Nicaragua’s ‘Emerald Coast.’ Known for their extraordinary treehouse villas lofted high above the jungle floor, you’ll fall asleep to the tranquil waves of the ocean and wake up to the sounds of the tropics – more birds than you can imagine and perhaps a family of howler monkeys having breakfast in the trees surrounding you. Aqua Wellness features 24 treehouse villas and a fully-equipped yoga shala.
BUENA VISTA SURF CLUB
Playa Maderas, Nicaragua
buenavistasurfclub.com
Buena Vista Surf Club is a secluded jungle eco-lodge overlooking the surf at Playa Maderas. The property is known for its incredible open air yoga deck with 180 degree views of the beach and jungle. This is a place for people who want something different – to stay in a private cabana amongst the trees, share family-style meals with like-minded people, stargaze from the treetops, and stroll five minutes to pristine beaches.
CASA BAHIA
Playa Marsella, Nicaragua
casabahiahotel.com
Casa Bahia Hotel overlooks Playa Marsella, a raw, unobstructed beach on the outer-edge of San Juan del Sur. Guests can choose from a wide variety of activities during their stay, from lounging at the hotel while sipping margaritas to adrenaline charged zip-line tours, surf lessons, and beachfront horseback riding. Casa Bahia’s restaurant bar is perched above a private pool, offering the area’s best view of Playa Marsella.
CASA MADERAS
Playa Maderas, Nicaragua
casamaderas.com
Casa Maderas is an eco-friendly hotel with Nicaraguan style white cabins nestled between San Juan del Sur and Playa Maderas. With a hilltop yoga studio, swimming pool, and a restaurant/bar serving delicious vegetarian friendly meals, Casa Maderas has all the trappings of the perfect yoga retreat. With a free daily shuttle running to the beach, it’s an ideal location for travelers eager to experience the surf of Playa Maderas without the prices that comes with beachside boutique resorts.
COSTA DULCE
Playa Escameca, Nicaragua
costadulcebeach.com
Costa Dulce is a jungle and beach paradise, boasting a beautiful open air 900 square foot yoga studio, large kitchen/dining area, lounge/bar, and plenty of common space, all just a few steps from the beach. One of the first things you will notice upon arrival is that Costa Dulce is thriving with natural beauty. Located in a tropical dry forest shared with monkeys, sloths, turtles, lizards, parrots, and hummingbirds to name a few, you’ll soon wonder how you live any other way.
EL COCO LOCO
El Viejo, Nicaragua
cocolocoresort.com
El Coco Loco is the product of a dream shared by three college friends to create an eco-friendly resort in an area independent from modern tourism. Each eco-friendly cabana has a private bathroom and open-air shower — imagine showering under the stars at night — and a composting toilet to reduce water footprint. Surf uncrowded waves with locals, ride horseback on nearly private beaches, visit local schools, or partake in one of El Coco Loco’s development-focused initiatives.
EQUILIBRIO YOGA
Popoyo, Nicaragua
equilibrionicaragua.com
Equilibrio is a private retreat space purposefully designed for mind-body and health focused getaways. Located on 22 acres of luscious property in the epic surf town of Popoyo, Equilibrio offers sleeping accommodations for up to 20 guests. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing, healing retreat with an emphasis on restorative yoga and meditation, or an action-adventure fitness holiday, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect blend.
HULAKAI HOTEL
Playa Maderas, Nicaragua
hulakaihotel.com
HulaKai Hotel is the latest addition to the popular surf-town of Playa Maderas. Built for the graduated backpacker, HulaKai carefully balances nature, green living, and pristine ocean with adventure, gourmet food and late night conversation in a way that you might consider quitting your job and staying permanently. It’s a place where travelers come together, finding a small piece of paradise, a home base where there’s something for everyone. HulaKai offers an infinity pool and two yoga spaces, one which can accommodate aerial yoga.
INANITAH
Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
inanitah.com
The island of Ometepe is world reknown for its environmentally conscious eco-resorts. Guests at InanItah live off the grid, relying on the solar energy, human engineering and appropriate technologies to supply electrical and comfort needs. InanItah is nestled between fire and water volcanoes, tucked against the hillside of Volcano Maderas on an incredible 22 acres of biological diversity . The property’s peaceful natural surroundings are framed by panoramic views of both volcanoes and epic sunsets over the lake.
JICARO ISLAND ECOLODGE
Granada, Nicaragua
jicarolodge.com
Jicaro Island Ecolodge is one of Nicaragua’s most well-known eco-resorts, located on a private island in the Granada Isletas of Lake Nicaragua. Just a short boat ride from the gorgeous colonial town of Granada, Jicaro Lodge boasts spectacular views of the Mombacho Volcano across the lake. All nine casitas are two story houses, featuring a king size bed, a spacious living area connected to an outside deck overlooking the lake, an oversized hammock, and comfy deck furniture to relax and meditate.
LITTLE CORN B&B
Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
littlecornbb.com
Little Corn Island is a place for travelers who crave a true escape, who seek adventure around every turn, and who know the toughest places to get to are often the best. A restriction on all cars, motorcycles, golf carts or planes has kept Little Corn one of the best vacation islands in the world. At Little Corn B&B, guests can experience the tranquility of Little Corn without relinquishing creature comforts like running water, internet, and dedicated customer care.
MADERAS VILLAGE
Playa Maderas, Nicaragua
maderasvillage.com
If not for the incredible ocean views, world class surf and tropical weather, you might be forgiven for thinking you’re in Williamsburg, Austin, or Mission District. With creatives, entrepreneurs, and socially conscious travelers from around the world coming here to get away, it’s no wonder Maderas Village is one of the hardest reservations to get in Nicaragua. Boasting a brand new, fully equipped 30+ guest open air yoga studio, it’s also quickly becoming the place to go for retreats.
MAGNIFICANT ROCK
Playa Santana, Nicaragua
magnificrockpopoyo.com
Perched on a 100 foot cliff face, Magnific Rock offers the best views of Popoyo’s top surf breaks, including; Popoyo, Outer Reef, Popoyo Rivermouth and Santana’s. Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of their yoga studio, with 270-degree views of the expansive Pacific Ocean and stunning Nicaraguan west coast. Go snorkeling, visit a hot spring, learn to surf or simply lounge on the beach, sip margaritas and enjoy a massage (or three).
MORGAN’S ROCK
Playa Ocotal, Nicaragua
morgansrock.com
Located on a 4,000 acre expanse of Nicaraguan jungle, nearly half of Morgan’s Rock is a private protected reserve. The ecolodge itself is a 15-bungalow hideaway on a mile-long sandy beach, frequented year-round by nesting sea turtles. With a 4,300 square foot open air yoga studio, endless activities and tours, plenty of space to explore, astounding wildlife, and an organic farm, Morgan’s Rock offers the ultimate retreat experience.
SURFING BUDDHA
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
thesurfingbuddha.com
Surfing Buddha is located at Finca Las Nubes, an intentional community two miles from the beaches of San Juan del Sur. The intent of the community is to create a sustainable lifestyle through partnerships with local Nicaraguan residents. Surfing Buddha features an infinity pool overlooking lush green jungles, and is known for its certified organic meals plucked from their own farm.
SURF RANCH RESORT
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
surfranchnicaragua.com
Located just outside of San Juan Del Sur, The Surf Ranch is the ideal location for adventure travelers, featuring Nicaragua’s largest rock climbing wall, an airbag jump, volleyball court, a restaurant & bar, and a swimming pool with swim up bar. The Surf Ranch offers a host of extreme sports and activities such as surfing, skateboarding, sailing, fishing, yoga, and more.
YEMAYA BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
yemayalittlecorn.com
Yemaya Boutique Hotel on Little Corn Island is an island utopia in its truest form. The hotel’s lush jungle gardens, white sand beaches, turquoise seas, clean air and colorful reefs are all waiting for you to explore. Relax within your eco-chic cabana directly overlooking the stunning Caribbean sea, with access to a first class spa, twice daily yoga classes, and all manner of fun water activities.
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