7-Day Lakeside Yoga Escape at Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua

The retreat runs on a simple rhythm: yoga twice a day, everything else optional. The morning class is the more active of the two, a flowing practice to start the day, usually while it's still cool. The evening session is gentler — stretching and winding down as the light goes. Because the classes are the only fixed points in the day, the hours in between genuinely are free, which is the point of the whole trip.

What sets this apart from a more scheduled yoga week is the setting. Laguna de Apoyo sits inside a protected volcanic crater, so the water is clear and warm and the forest around it is full of birdlife. The property is right on the shore, tucked into the trees, which means you can go from a yoga mat to a swim in the lake in a couple of minutes. There's no beach-resort bustle here — it's quiet, green, and a bit off the usual tourist track.

Days can go in a few directions. Some people use the free time to go deeper into their practice, resting and reading between classes. Others treat it as a base for exploring: kayaking on the lagoon, hiking to the crater rim, or heading into Granada with its colourful streets and old churches. The structure doesn't push you either way.

Food is a big part of it. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all plant-based, cooked fresh with local ingredients, and served communally so the group eats together without any obligation to be sociable if you'd rather not. Dietary needs are catered for when you tell them in advance.

Accommodation is simple and comfortable — rooms built from natural materials, set in the forest close to the lake, with a calm, grounded feel rather than any kind of luxury polish. The hosting is warm and low-key.

This one suits travellers who want yoga but not a rigid schedule, and who'd rather have a lake, a forest and some quiet than a resort full of activities. It works for solo travellers, couples and small groups alike, with room options to match.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation by Laguna de Apoyo - Two daily yoga sessions led by experienced teachers - Three homemade plant-based meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Access to the lake for swimming - Use of forest trails around the property

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Airport transfers (confirm with the leader) - Travel insurance - Optional excursions (e.g. trips to Granada) - Personal expenses