Come reset, recharge, and reinvigorate yourself in tropical paradise! This trip invites you to step outside of your comfort zone to challenge and support the self to find clarity and growth. To remember what it's like to get "high on life" and find excitement in your daily life. And to embody the truth that you have everything you need to be happy and create moments of euphoria.
So, if you feel like your spirit needs some activating, then join us this February in Playa Gigante, Nicaragua! 6 nights in a beachside boutique hotel, daily yoga/breath work, and cold plunges, 4 healthy meals per day, a day trip to Laguna de Apoyo to relax or experience the beautiful sport of Freediving , and opportunities to surf as well. No experience is required!
As described by the owners of the space in Nicaragua: “Playa Gigante is a charming, tropical fishing village that sits along the beautiful Emerald Coast of Southern Nicaragua. The vibrant, friendly, local community creates the chance to immerse in the culture + expand perspectives through travel. Our hotel is the perfect private oasis in the heart of the community, directly across the street from the beach + just a 10 min walk to surf.”
Traveling with us removes the headache of any planning or confusion and allows you to focus on the good stuff - so get ready to take the plunge to dive deeper into yourself without all the distractions!
Our 14-room boutique hotel is equipped with a sparkling pool,A/C, hot showers, and Wifi in every room. You’ll be able to enjoy travel in a a way that preserves comfortable accommodations without losing the rustic touch of travelling off the beaten path to enjoy what makes Playa Gigante unique.
We have an all-weather multi-use wellness space that is perfect for yoga/movement, breathwork sessions, or a game of pickleball or pool. It is a simple oasis in the heart of town with friendly staff, extremely comfortable rooms, and an amazing overall vibe that will shift your perspective on the beauty of Nicaragua that often goes unnoticed or misunderstood.
We have a full-service restaurant + bar to prepare meals and beverages during this retreat. Enjoy fresh, locally-sourced ingredients with delicious options for all dietary needs and preferences. Experience delicious tropical fruits, fresh caught fish, local produce, and a thoughtfully crafted menu to keep you satisfied.
We also include two dinners in the local community where we Roam and experience more local businesses that keep this magical community thriving.
A colorful fishing village off the beaten path, El Gigante is located just over an hour north of San Juan Del Sur on Nicaragua's beautiful Pacific Coast.
The town is aptly named “big foot” when translated from Spanish to describe the gentle green foothills that meet the ocean with such ease. A town filled with untouched beaches, roaming farm animals, and dirt pathways; you’ll quickly remember the importance of slowing down and to embrace living simply.
The lifestyle and culture here very much embodies the phrase “Take it Easy”. Arriving here feels like taking one long exhale and a chance to just be.
Jenn Ludwig was born and raised in the Midwest, but her heart and soul belongs to the ocean. So, she graduated college as early as possible and jetted off to Oahu, Hawaii. For three years, she immersed herself in surfing, SUPing, hiking, ocean swimming, scuba diving, and practiced healthy living through mindfulness and being open to new ways of living. It was also when she took her first yoga class. She was hooked and yoga has been a huge part of her life ever since. Jenn has been sharing and teaching her passions for the past 20 years. In 2018, Jenn competed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at Reach Yoga in San Diego, California, so that she could start sharing her love of practicing yoga with others. When Jenn’s not teaching yoga classes, you can find her jet setting around the world as a private flight attendant.
James Phillips was introduced to yoga in 2016 while looking for a change in lifestyle and uses yoga as a daily tool to center and ground himself. In 2018 James completed his 200-hour yoga teacher training in India and would then complete his 300-hour YTT in 2020. James has a strong passion for creating community through leading yoga flows, workshops, and yoga retreats. Many of his other passions are cooking, biking, traveling, spending time with loved ones, and anything outdoors such as camping and hiking.
Awaken into your natural aquatic abilities.
Set in a beautiful nature reserve crater lake, you will have the opportunity to take part in an introductory course that will teach you the fundamentals of freediving. The classroom session will cover topics like breathing technique, equalization technique, equipment, physiology and safety.
You will then practice these techniques up to 5m depths in the open water. After completing the course, your confidence and experiences as a snorkeler will be greatly enhanced, enabling you to trust your abilities and stay safe in the water.
Freediving can also be seen as a meditation like no other, an underwater journey to completely immerse yourself into a quiet serenity and discover the higher functions of your body.
Nicaragua is home to so many world-class waves, and many are within easy access from our beachside hotel along the Southern Pacific coastline. We have great options available by foot, car, or boat!
Playa Gigante specifically gives you easy access to both the waves within walking distance, as well as the waves accessed from a panga ride. We partner with a local family for shaded panga boat rides, and pro surf guides to get to the best waves.
Home Break: Playa Amarillo (North and South) Beach breaks ~walkable x 10 min (or Surf Wagon) x 5 minutes -can work all levels depending on swell ~South Amarillo is usually little bit smaller than the North with super good surf vibes. ~North Amarillo can offer bigger, fun beach break with no crowds
Colorados:
~5 min Panga Boat ride or 30 min beach walk
~Known for shallower beach break barrels
-not usually advised for beginners
~Can have bigger crowds
Panga Drops:
~10 min Panga Boat ride
~Panga Drops has large, slopey wave faces Lefts and rights, semi-beginner friendly and good at all tides, can get huge also
~Sensitive to high winds, can be worse in afternoon
Mag Rock/Beginner Bay:
-25 min Surf Wagon drive
-fun, beginner-friendly point break
-better mid-high tide
Popoyo:
25 min Surf Wagon or Panga ride
-Pretty clean A-Frame reef break
-intermediate + skill level
-good mid to high tide
Lance’s Left:
45 min Panga boat ride
-Long, FUN, left reef break–can work in all tides (high tide a little mushy if swell is small)
-Good for all levels, can get huge when swell is big. The wave face stays open for long, fun rides with room to maneuver
Playgrounds:
60 min Panga Boat ride
-A-Frame reef break
often compared to Lower Trestles
-mid-high tide best
Intermediate + skill level
Manzanillo:
15 min Panga Boat ride
-Left reef break, only works on certain swells -intermediate + skill level
-mid tide
Our shared rooms are equipped with both a queen and twin size bed, hot water shower, and refreshing A/C. + ceiling fans.
Our private single rooms are equipped with a queen size bed, a side table/desk, built in dresser, blackout shades, hot water shower, and refreshing A/C + ceiling fans.