Costa Dulce Nicaragua is a humble jungle retreat set on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua, just outside San Juan Del Sur. I had planned my stay to have a few quiet days in one of the treehouse bungalows. But, after arriving, I couldn’t resist the generous offer from a teacher named Camille Aragon to join her Nicaragua yoga retreat.
Camille Aragon takes a class during her Costa Dulce retreat. Image © Mary Tilson
Costa Dulce Nicaragua
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Camille, an Ashtanga Yogi from San Francisco brought a group of her students over from the US for a week of Yoga, Surf and Healing in Nature. The surf yoga Nicaragua trip was inspired by her own experience back in 2009 when she first attended a teacher training in Central America and fell in love with this part of the world.
Years later, while living in the Bay Area, she thought her students could benefit from the same opportunity to unplug from their busy lives and recharge with a tropical getaway – and she was right on.
A colourful and beautiful setting to practice with Camille Aragon at Costa Dulce. Image © Mary Tilson
Another Yoga Teacher and Massage Therapist, Rich Logan from Chicago also happened to be staying at Costa Dulce – complementing the dynamic morning Ashtanga practice by offering deep tissue massage and restorative sunset yoga classes in the evening.
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Mary Tilson gets bendy with some acro-yoga at Costa Dulce, Nicaragua. Image © Mary Tilson
What to Do at Costa Dulce Nicaragua
For those looking to get moving, there are surf and SUP boards on the beach, a horseback riding adventure offered to a nearby waterfall, hikes and even tours to the more touristy destinations of Nicaragua.
Given the quiet, relaxing atmosphere, I found Costa Dulce most conducive to taking time to relax with a good book, practising yoga, and getting to know other travellers.
Of course, make sure to keep your ears open for when the staff announces that baby turtles have emerged from the hatchery and are making their way out to sea – it’s a tiny miracle that you won’t want to miss!
Meals at Costa Dulce are made from fresh, colourful local ingredients and served family-style. Image © Mary Tilson
The food at Costa Dulce
On my first morning, I tagged along with Yuner, a Nicaraguan staff member who quickly felt like a good friend, for a trip to the markets in town. The meals at Costa Dulce are prepared with locally sourced food and served family-style on long shared tables. Seasonal tropical fruits, local dishes and organic chocolate fuelled us between Costa Dulce retreat activities.
There is something deeply nourishing about the community-style dining and getting to engage in conversation with people from all over the world at every meal.
Costa Dulce Nicaragua is a rustic natural Nicaragua retreat made for relaxation. Image © Mary Tilson
Accommodation at Costa Dulce Nicaragua
A beautiful Nicaragua surf hotel, the design of the accommodation is simplistic, with many activities both on and off the property encouraging guests to spend most of the day outside of the rooms. It’s an ideal place for solo travellers to connect with like-minded people.
Communal areas include a beautiful Yoga Shala which boasts views all the way out to Costa Rica on a clear day, a bar and lounge area and of course, the beach which is usually empty with the exception of inside guests.
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Nicaragua’s stunning coastline offers the perfect retreat backdrop at Costa Dulce. Image © Mary Tilson
Getting to Costa Dulce Nicaragua
Flying to Nicaragua from the USA is easy, with flights leaving from major USA airports such as Atlanta, Houston and Miami. Transportation from Managua airport is about three hours by car and can be arranged by Costa Dulce. For those with a little more flexibility in their travel schedule, this is the type of place I would leave time to extend your stay, as you may just stumble upon a friendly group of yogis that quickly feel like family. Compare airlines, dates and prices with Skyscanner
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Costa Dulce Nicaragua
The Fit Traveller was a guest at Costa Dulce Nicaragua for this stay. As always, the opinions, words and images are authentically our own.
