Nicaragua Surf and Yoga Week: 8 Days of Ocean and Mat in San Juan del Sur

The week runs on a simple rhythm. Mornings begin with yoga and meditation before the heat builds — the sessions are grounding rather than athletic, designed to loosen you up for the water. After breakfast, you head out for a surf lesson with an instructor who tailors the coaching to your comfort level. Beginners work on positioning, paddling and standing up in the whitewater; more experienced surfers get guidance on reading the waves, timing and turning. Equipment is provided for lessons.

Afternoons are left open. You can swim in the infinity pool, read in a hammock on your balcony, or walk down to the quiet stretches of sand near the property. Some people nap, some book massages, some head back into the water on their own. Dinner is served in the evening, and most nights end early because the days start early too.

What sets this retreat apart from a standard surf camp is the balance between the two practices. The yoga isn't an add-on — it runs daily and is sequenced to support surfing: hip openers, shoulder mobility, balance work and breathing. The surf coaching is also adapted to each person rather than run as a one-size-fits-all group lesson, so mixed-ability groups work fine.

The property itself, Eden on the Chocolata, is an eco-luxury retreat centre surrounded by dense tropical gardens. It's not a hotel with a retreat bolted on — it's built for this kind of stay, with an infinity pool overlooking the greenery, hammocks on the private balconies, and a layout that makes it easy to meet the other guests. Meals are prepared on-site from locally grown produce, and the kitchen accommodates most dietary requirements with advance notice.

San Juan del Sur sits on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, about two and a half hours from Managua. The town itself is a relaxed surf town with a handful of restaurants, bars and shops, and the surrounding coastline has a string of beaches that range from beginner-friendly to more serious reef breaks. The retreat is close enough to town for an evening out, but far enough that you mostly hear the jungle and the ocean.

What's included

- Accommodation at Eden on the Chocolata retreat centre - Daily yoga and meditation sessions - Surf lessons with instructor guidance - Meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients - Access to the infinity pool - Hammocks on private balconies - Tropical garden grounds

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Optional treatments such as massages - Alcoholic drinks - Additional excursions