Reset & Flow- Mindful Surf and Yoga Retreat

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Overview

Reset & Flow- Mindful Surf and Yoga Retreat
El Gigante, Nicaragua
Nov 14 - 21, 2026
Ocean State of Mind image
Ocean State of Mind
$1,990
Deposit: $500

About this trip

A week of mindful reset and coming home to your aliveness in tropical Nicaragua!

This retreat is your invitation to step out of the grind, recharge in nature, and reconnect with yourself in a fun and lasting way. At the Reset & Flow Retreat, we go deeper than chasing waves- we explore the connection to nature, and to the vast, ever-changing oceaness within each of us.

The Experience

You don’t need to be a surfer, yogi, or meditator to join. This retreat is designed for all levels, offering an invitation to fall in love with the ocean- and with yourself.
A surf coaching program- Ocean Flow alongside a mindfulness program- OCEAN Mind, beautifully weaves inner exploration with the surf adventure.

The movement sessions are a combination of yoga (Vinyasa style, Gentle Flow to restorative), somatic movement, and surf conditioning exercises that complement the daily surfing, and leave you feel stronger! Combined with mindfulness and breathwork, you’ll reset your nervous system and recharge your body and mind.

This is not a surf camp or a trip to “surf your brain out.”

Past guests describe the retreat as "wholesome, playful, deeply nourishing, with a good dose of challenge." You’ll leave not only with surfing photos to show off, but refreshed, with clarity, practical tools, and a deeper appreciation for the ocean and your life.

The Town and Venue

Our boutique hotel is just steps away from pristine beaches, nestled in a lively fishing village full of authentic Nicaraguan charm. The venue features a refreshing pool, an open-air yoga deck, and even a dance floor. The rooms blend colonial character with modern design, each room comes with a private ensuite bathroom, AC, hot showers, high-speed WiFi, and bath/pool towels.


Gigante is not only a hidden gem for surfing, but also for experiencing the vibrant culture of Central America. It’s a place where you can integrate into local life from the center of town — when you arrive, you become part of the community rather than just another tourist in a bubble. Guided by our commitment to holistic cultural experiences, the team all have lived here and developed a deep connection with the community.

When you arrive, you’ll feel time slow down, transporting you to a simpler, slower rhythm of life where the ocean, community, and gentle pace invite you to truly be present, reset, and reconnect.

What's included

Eco Accomondation

Six nights in the beautifully appointed boutique hotel steps away from pristine beach in the center of our surf village

6 Breakfasts+ coffee bar

Daily morning coffee and snack bar with yorgurt, fruits & granolas before practice, followed by scrumptious, rotating plates of breakfasts

6 lunches + smoothies

Daily a-la-carte lunch: pick an item from the menu and/or a refreshing smoothie

5 dinners + 1 night out

5 rotating nourishing family style dinner, plus a night out at a local favorite spot- all meals can be adapted for vegetarian and vegans

Non-alchholic beverages

Unlimted healthy beverages, 1 smoothie a day

Airport Transfer

Door-to-door pick-up and drop-off from LIR or MAG airport on your arrival and depature day, with Costa Rica border crossing assist if you fly into Liberia.

5-Day OCEAN Mind Program

Cindy's signature Mindful Renewal Program to reconnect and fully come alive with clarity and energy

Surf Coaching Program

5 days of surf instructions for beginner and intermediate surfers, including equipments with patient, experienced instructors, 2:1 student to instructors ratio, pool+ land trianing, 1 video analysis

Opening Cacao Ceremony

Arriving with your heart open for a transformational retreat experience

Daily Somatic Movement

Daily practice to compliment the surfing and mindful program to balance your body, mind, and nervous system

Sunset Sail/Surf Safari

One of the half-day experiences to fully embrace the ocean, availability depending on group size and conditions

Salsa/ Social Night

A night of culture, rhythm and community with an award winning salsa master- a truly special night and guests' favorite

Recovery Ice-bath

2 Recovery Ice-bath sessions with breathwork guidance

Bonus Gift

1-month Access to the OCEAN State of Mind Online Membership

What's not included

Flights

Round trip flights to Managua, Nicaragua or Liberia, Costa Rica

Alchoholic Beverages

It will go on your tab

Additional Activities

Horse-back riding, fishing, excursions, massages, etc.

Gratuity

Tips for the team- optional based on your personal experience

The Surf Program

The Surf Program image

Ocean Flow- 5 days of Waves

We will be surfing daily in the best conditions with uncrowded line-ups and patient, experienced instructors at a 2:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Whether you’re a complete beginner catching your first wave or an intermediate surfer refining turns and maneuvers, you will be fully supported, with photo/ video analysis along with surf theory to help you improve.

This week is designed for your progression, but most importantly, it’s about having fun and falling in love with the ocean.

And if you don’t have a board or prefer not to travel with one, we’ve got you covered.

The Ocean Mind

The Ocean Mind image

A Week of Mindful Inner Exploration

This program sets our retreat apart- whatever brought you here, you will leave with clarity, renewed energy, and a deeper sense of yourself: far beyond just a few beautiful photos. From the opening cacao ceremony to the closing bonfire circle, we’ll dive into the waves within, learning the gentle grace to meet our emotions, thoughts, and different parts of ourselves.

All of this unfolds while exploring vibrant Latino culture, surfing uncrowded waves, and embracing the joy and playfulness that make this retreat unforgettable.

Sample Daily Schedule

Sample Daily Schedule image

A Day of Retreat

6:00am – Coffee bar & sunrise walk

7:00am – Mindfulness session and somatic movement

9:00am – Nourishing breakfast

10:00am – Surf lesson

12:30pm – Lunch & free time to rest, explore, or soak up the sun

3:00pm – afternoon activity/free time/surf session/ sailing

5:30pm – Sunset

6:00pm – Family Dinner

8:00pm – Free time/ Social Activities

Here in our surf village, life revolves around the tides- for both the local fishermen and the surfers. Our schedule is designed to flow with nature and with you, every day we will pick the best tide for the surf session. While we offer a full itinerary of movement, surf, and soul-nourishing experiences, everything is optional. Whether you join every session, feel called to something different, or choose to spend the day reading by the sea, you’ll be fully supported.

Sample Menu

Sample Menu image

A Week of Nourishment

Rotating Breakfast:

Avocado Toast/ Banana Pancakes and Fruits/ Gallo Pinto, eggs, bacon, fried cheese/ Eggs Benedict/ Breakfast Burritos  


A-la-carte lunch: you pick what you want at the time you want

Family Dinners:

Pollo de Jalapeño, Arroz, Ensalada, Vegetales a la parrilla, Salsa Normal y de Anacardo/ Carpacho de pescado, Pesto Pasta con Brócoli, Pollo, Camarones, Regular y Zucchini Pasta, Ensalada, Garlic Pan/ Taco Night with complete protein options/ Seafood Pasta / Special night out- Caribbean Special

All meals can be vegetarian and vegan.

Testimonial

Testimonial  image

What our past guests say

The retreat rejuvenated my body, mind, and spirit. The location allowed for peace, disconnection from city life, and connection to nature. From the soothing sound of the ocean surf, to the warming sunrise and peaceful sunset, to the walks on natural ground, green all around, not really any bugs to contend with, it all created a safe space for my nervous system to relax. I was then able to reconnect my mind to my physical body, and despite some emotional challenges the first days, I was able to handle them with grace, caring, perspective, clarity, and less reactivity. THAT was a big shift for me. The retreat gave me space to renew my perspective on how important my mind is to my physical and spiritual health.

The surfing lessons/trips and combined mindfulness with movement were the most impactful. Surfing- because it was new and adventuresome to me trying it at age 50. I was pleasantly surprised at the initial success and realized this is something I can incorporate in the future as a new, fun activity. The mindfulness combined with movement- because Cindy has a real gift in delivering the guidance in an engaging, purposeful manner.

The experience connects surf, tides, and ocean vibes to the peaceful energy that comes from going with the flow. There was a variety of activities that engaged the mind, body, and soul. You could relax and have fun, or dive deeper into self-reflection. It offered a safe, balanced, open place to try new experiences, movements, food, and activities. It was truly delightful, and I felt like a kid again! Actually surfing for the first time was the icing on the cake.

It reminded me how important it is to integrate mindfulness/meditation with my spiritual practice and keep moving my body. Taking time out for myself truly allows me to be the best version of myself.

-Lori

This retreat is a very curated experience and met a lot of needs, for body awareness and therapeutic movement, adventure, being at one’s edge and trying new things. The retreat was a great combination of relaxation, introspection, challenge, and somatic embodiment. It supported me in learning to go with the flow and walk through some fear (Panga/ice baths, the unknown). I left feeling rejuvenated, inspired, more resilient, and grounded, ready for more challenges.

Returning to a regular morning practice of yoga and body-centered movement was something I really benefited from. I have never slept better in my entire life. Panga Drops was a real treat and a bit edgy for me, a good stretch. All of this, woven into a community experience, was deeply nourishing.

-Adam

Your Retreat Leader

Your Retreat Leader  image

Cindy Gu

Cindy is a mindfulness coach and somatic movement teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching and facilitating humans to live with more presence and joy.

A former tech founder and product manager turned global guide and retreat leader, Cindy blends her practices with her passion for the ocean to curate experiences that are holistic, fun, and culturally integrative.

In 2023, she followed a deeper calling and took a planned gap year from her tech career to explore a different way of life rooted in flow, purpose, and presence. That leap led her to the tropics, to surfing, and ultimately to a soul-aligned, slow-travel lifestyle across vibrant communities in Central America and Asia.

You can learn more about her www.cindygu.com, and @cindygudness

An Inclusive Environment

An Inclusive Environment image

Policies and Expectations

This retreat welcomes all genders and backgrounds, and we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for everyone. The main program is offered in English, with the surf program available in both English and Spanish. Participants are asked to be confident swimmers, though no prior surfing experience is necessary.

If you have any specific needs or accommodation requests, please get in touch with us in advance. We’re happy to connect and explore how we can best support you throughout the experience: cindygu.coaching@gmail.com

Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and trip interruption/cancellation. Please ensure your policy provides sufficient coverage for your needs.

Cancellations:

  • $500 deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another participant if more than 30 days’ notice is given.

  • Additional payments (beyond the deposit) will be 100% refunded if cancellation is made more than 60 days prior to the retreat start date.

  • 50% of additional payments (beyond the deposit) will be refunded for cancellations made 30–59 days before the retreat start date.

  • No refunds are available for cancellations made less than 30 days before the retreat start date. Guests are strongly advised to use travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

Changes & Deferrals:

  • When possible, we may allow deferral of a booking to a later retreat and/or transfer to another participant, at the organizer’s discretion.


Group Conduct:
Our retreats are designed to be a safe, supportive, and harmonious space for all. Guests are expected to respect the group and staff. In rare cases of consistent disruption, a guest may be asked to leave without a refund.

About your organizer

Ocean State Mind is a mindful retreat and experience brand for adventurous, holistic minded travelers, and those seeking deeper connection with themselves and nature. Born from lived experience of simplicity, and rooted in eco-tourism, mindfulness, and embodied movement, our experiences blend adventure, cultural connection, and self-discovery. Each experience is curated to nourish mind, body, and soul. Step out of grind, reconnect with your body and spirit, and learn to live the ocean of our life with presence, flow, and purpose.

Reviews

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