Surf and Wellness Escape on Nicaragua's Pacific Coast

You've arrived on a clifftop on Nicaragua's Pacific Coast, at Amaru Nicaragua in Punta Aposentillo, El Viejo, in the Chinandega region. The place divides two surf breaks, and that position shapes the whole rhythm of the week. This is a retreat for anyone drawn to surf and wellness, whatever your level. Beginners start on gentle waves, while more advanced surfers can hike to a nearby break for barrelling waves, so there's room here whether you're finding your feet or chasing something steeper.

The surfing is guided by Gerritt, who has over 30 years of experience in the water. He has a knack for breaking down the conditions—waves, timing, positioning—in a way that's easy to understand, so you'll always know what you're working with when you paddle out. Alongside the surf, the week carries a steady thread of daily yoga and meditation, with sessions in the shala and classes timed around the tide and how you're feeling on the day.

The property is set across the jungle, with bungalows spread out so you get a sense of privacy despite the communal feel. Rooms sit deliberately away from the main communal areas to keep things quiet, with views over either the gardens or the Pacific Ocean. Each has an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, high-speed wifi, and a mosquito net over the bed. There's a shared room of about nine square metres with three single beds, and a private room of the same size with a queen bed plus an additional single or queen bed, which works well for couples or friends travelling together.

A typical day begins early, with either a surf session or yoga depending on the tide and what you feel like doing. Breakfast lands back at the bar mid-morning, lunch comes around two, and dinner around seven. Afternoons bring yoga and mobility work in the shala, and the evenings often end with a sunset surf or free time to yourself. There's variety threaded through the week too—an excursion day with options like a volcano hike, wakeboarding, or horseback riding at additional cost, and a salsa night with fellow guests later on. Mornings and sunsets are built around the water, with plenty of space in between to rest.

The food leans heavily vegetarian, though fish is common given you're in a fishing village, and local Nicaraguan dishes are woven in throughout. Breakfasts are a mix of fresh fruit, homemade granola, and bread; lunch and dinner follow the day's rhythm. They cater to most dietary restrictions, including vegan, gluten-free, and keto.

The seven-day retreat covers six nights of accommodation, daily yoga and meditation classes, surf lessons with experienced instructors, and three nutritious meals a day. You also get a 60-minute massage during your stay, water, tea, and coffee throughout the day, wifi, and parking. Flights, travel insurance, visa fees, additional treatments, and activities outside the itinerary such as the volcano hike and wakeboarding aren't included. What you're left with is a week that moves gently between the waves, the mat, and the table, on a quiet stretch of the Nicaraguan coast.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation - Daily yoga and meditation classes - Surf lessons with experienced instructors - 3 daily nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - 60-minute massage - Wifi connection - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Parking

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional activities not in the itinerary (e.g. volcano hike, wakeboarding) - Additional treatments