Striking the balance between adventure and relaxation is a fine art.  Let us help you!  

On this exciting retreat, you’ll have a yoga session every day which will help to calm and focus your mind and strengthen and tone your muscles, leaving you feeling peaceful and strong. You’ll also get to explore the wild parts of Panama which lie off the beaten track: glide around a tropical mountain lagoon on your stand up paddle board; visit an indigenous Embera village full of grass huts; hike through a cloud forest; visit a colorful and vibrant local market; and spend time on the secluded and pristine local beach, Playa Grande which is just a 5 minute walk away from your beautiful retreat center, nestled in the rain-forest. The expert instructors will adapt all of the sessions and lessons to suit your ability and experience and you will be provided with a daily breakfast and dinner to fuel your action packed days!

Your day to day life is FULL and you need sometime to connect to yourself and nature.

You have tried stand-up-paddleboard a few times before, and you love the idea of exploring different ecosystems and cultures on a board.

You are that person who is always looking for the best deal for vacations, and gets it!

You want to have a blast with old and new friends in a stunning tropical destination.

You want to energize your body, mind and soul with beginner friendly yoga classes and healthy cuisine.

• We provide a hassle free and safe environment to explore the, of the beaten track, diversity of Panama – beaches, mountains, mangroves, cloud-forest, rivers, indigenous villages, small towns, big city.
• This is an active, but relaxed vacation, that is perfect for adventure seekers of all ages and backgrounds.
• The retreat center is close to Panama City, and all of its modern amenities, hospitals, etc. but you are still in a secluded retreat center surrounded by pristine nature.
• The owners of ISTMO Yoga and Adventure Retreat will accompany you on this getaway, making sure you feel at home and are comfortable through your time here.   You will leave feeling inspired, reconnected with nature, and reconnected to yourself and your potential.
• There is some travel time to the different excursions that are included in this amazing retreat-adventure.  Travel times range from 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.  During this time we connect with our fellow retreat participants and enjoy the views and diversity of the country.
• This retreat is designed for yoga practitioners and stand-up-paddleboarders (SUP) who are at a beginner to intermediate level and includes some intermediate level hikes in the cloud forest. The paddling is all done on flat water in picturesque locations and usually has a duration of one to one and a half hours on the water. For this retreat, you do not paddle in the open ocean or in areas where there are waves.
• The Hatha yoga classes are taught at a beginner to intermediate level. They are designed to help you reconnect with your breath and stay present amidst the activities and new experiences of your vacation. The hour-long daily classes include warm up exercises, sun salutations, an asana practice, and deep relaxation. Prepare to gently explore both your inner and outer bodies in a safe environment.

The Retreat takes place at the beautiful  Istmo Yoga and Adventure Retreat Center.  Istmo is the Spanish word for isthmus or a small body of land connecting two larger bodies of land.  When the Isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, it changed life on Earth in many countless ways.  Today this bridge of life hosts an astonishing wealth of biodiversity and is the nexus of a multitude of connections- climatic, biological, and cultural- that link the globe.  In this spirit we hope this retreat will help bridge connections and personal transformation for you. 

 ISTMO’s menu has been lovingly crafted by owner and Chef Sean Davis, a graduate of a prominent cooking school in New Orleans, Louisiana. We offer a tropical fusion cuisine that blends influences from Latin America, Caribbean, India, Middle East, the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Far East, South East Asia, Cajun, Southern US, and the Pacific Rim Islands.

• Sunblock, sunglasses, hat
  
• A set of nicer clothes in-case you want to go out to dinner in the city on your fist night.
  
• Flip Flops.
  
• Walking shoes or running shoes for uphill hiking (for the hike you don't need boots, but something more than sandals)
  
• Comfortable Clothes for Yoga.
  
• Few comfortable sets of clothes that you can wear over your bathing suites and to the hikes etc.
  
• Bathing suits – at least two – ones that you are comfortable being active in.
  
• A sun lycra maybe a good idea.
  
• A small day backpack you can take with you on the excursions, if it can be a dry-pack that would be better, but not necessary…
  
• Any snacks/foods/medicines/etc. you know you cannot live without (and may not get here).
  
• Spending money for lunches, souvenirs, drinks, etc.
  
• Camera/Phone.  (waterproof may be nice)
  
• A nice book to read ;)
  
• Mosquito repelent
  
• A light travel towel.

A $400 payment per person is required to secure your place in the retreat.  This payment is non-refundable, but is transferable (to another retreat, or hotel stay at Istmo) up-to 60 days prior to the starting date of the retreat.   The balance of the retreat should be paid 15 days before the commencement day of the retreat.  Payment can be made by international Transfer or Credit card.   If paying with credit card, we will add a 5% surcharge to cover our processing fees.  Should you cancel within 15 days of your arrival date or fail to turn up for your holiday, you will be charged 100% of the total value of the holiday.  

TRAVEL INSURANCE:  It is a condition that you and all members of your party have suitable and sufficient travel insurance to cover your holiday as we can be held responsible for any liability, expenses or losses you incur as a result of being inadequately insured. It is strongly recommend that a comprehensive travel insurance policy is purchased.  Without adequate insurance, we reserves the right to cancel your holiday without compensation or refund.