Wellness Escape on a Volcanic Crater Lake: Yoga, Plant-Based Food & Free Time in Nicaragua

Villa Laguna sits inside the crater of a dormant volcano, right at the edge of Laguna de Apoyo. It is one of those places where the setting does a lot of the work. A couple of hours after you arrive, you will have done a welcome yoga practice and sat down to dinner with a small group of strangers, some of whom will probably feel like friends by the end of the week.

Miriam, who runs the place, left a career in aviation after watching a documentary on veganism. She trained as a health coach in plant-based nutrition and then did her hatha yoga teacher training in India before opening the retreat in Nicaragua. She is there for the guest experience in a way that goes beyond the standard welcome talk.

The daily rhythm is built around two yoga practices. Mornings are on the waterfront deck as the sun comes up over the crater. Afternoons are your own time, and late afternoon brings everyone back for a second session. The style is hatha, with plenty of pranayama, meditation, and philosophy woven in for people who want to treat yoga as more than exercise.

Meals are all plant-based, prepared fresh from local ingredients. There is a different homemade breakfast each morning and a three-course dinner in the evening. Lunch can be bought from the kitchen if you don't feel like leaving, and the food is the kind of thing people write long reviews about - artfully presented, generous, and made with love.

The location makes it easy to get out and see Nicaragua while staying in a peaceful base. Granada and Masaya are about 30 minutes away, with their markets, cafes, and colonial architecture. There is also kayaking and paddleboarding on the lagoon, hiking in the nature reserve, and the possibility of visiting the Masaya Volcano or a nearby horse rescue sanctuary. Most guests come solo, and the small group size means there is real space to connect with people while also doing your own thing.

What's included

- 8 nights accommodation in a private or shared room - 2 daily yoga classes (morning and afternoon) - Homemade plant-based breakfast each morning - Three-course plant-based dinner each evening - Unlimited purified water, tea, and coffee - Private return airport transfers from Managua (MGA) - Welcome gift curated from local artists and entrepreneurs - Donation to a local animal welfare organization - Wifi connection - Free cancellation up to 60 days before arrival - Complementary 60-minute massage

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Optional excursions and activities - Additional treatments (massage, private sessions, etc.) - Tips - Lunch (available to purchase at the villa)