What You Need to Know About Your Nicaragua Adventure

Nicaragua may be one of my favorite places on earth. When I tell people how much I love Nicaragua I’m often met with questioning stares. It seems that the majority of people I come across still think Nicaragua is torn by civil war and unrest, which is simply not the case (and it hasn’t been for years). Each time I visit Nicaragua it is an adventure. Where will your Nicaragua adventure take you?

Nicaragua has been touted as the next Costa Rica for the past decade (maybe even longer). Thankfully, it hasn’t seen the runaway development that Costa Rica has seen. Nicaragua offers all that Costa Rica offers, but at a fraction of the price! My advice: get to Nicaragua ASAP.

Nicaragua is THE place for Adventure Lovers 

And also misadventure lovers!

I’m not sure where to start with this one… It seems that there is always an adventure to be had, whether it is surfing Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast, climbing a volcano, exploring primary forest, kayaking one of it’s lakes, or scuba diving off of one of Nicaragua’s remote islands. Nicaragua appeals to nature lovers, yogis, and adventure junkies.

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Time for a swim at Finca Esperanza Verde.

Your Nicaragua adventure can be easily planned by exploring one area at a time. Nicaragua can be divided into three distinct regions: the Caribbean lowlands, the central highlands, and the Pacific lowlands. With 565 miles of coastline split between the Pacific coast, the Caribbean coast, and a handful of Caribbean islands Nicaragua’s coastline provides miles of beaches to be explored and waves to be surfed.

Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast, designated as the North and South Autonomous zones, is a rugged and rural area of mangrove forests, savannas and primary forest. This area is difficult to travel to and requires an expert guide. I have only dipped my toe into this area, so I can’t write about it much. If you would like to read about my misadventure and the yoga of travel check back soon.

Lakes and Beaches of Nicaragua

On the Pacific side of Nicaragua you have loads of beaches, some incredible popular with locals, tourists and expats and some beaches where the only other person on the beach may be a local fisherman. Nicaragua’s continuous offshore breeze means that there is surf everyday of the year… of course somedays will be small and other days will be monstrous and others will be just right.

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San Juan del Sur on the southern end of Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast is a great hub for your Nicaragua adventure if you plan on surfing and exploring the southern beaches. You’ll find plenty of accommodation options, meal choices, yoga classes, and easy transportation to neighboring beaches if you don’t have your own wheels. Also, if you need to get work done there is reliable WiFi at most of the beach restaurants.

Interested in riding a crazy flyboard, go horseback riding, or swing down a zip line? They have those in San Juan del Sur too. A great way to meet people in San Juan del Sur is to join a class or two at the community minded Zen Yoga Studio or if that’s not your jam hop on the popular sailing trip. San Juan del Sur does tend to attract a bit of a party backpacker crowd, so if you stay in town expect a bit of noise.

 

yoga-retreat-nicaragua-san-juan-del-surPlaya Maderas, just north of San Juan del Sur, is one of Nicaragua’s most popular beaches and surf breaks. Playa Maderas’s laid back vibe invites you to slow down and stay awhile. Here you can either jump in on the action and join the line up or watch surfers of all levels rip it up or just wipe out while enjoying a passion fruit juice or cold beer. Book one of the places on the hill or join a Nicaragua Yoga and Surf Retreat for epic views, fantastic yoga and the opportunity to catch the first wave of the day. Yoga and Surf Retreats are a great option if you don’t want to be in charge of planning, board rentals, transportation, meals, etc.

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Yoga retreat with a sweet ocean view!

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Infinity deck overlooking Playa Maderas.

In the San Juan del Sur area there are many beaches and many surf breaks. If you don’t already use Magic Seaweed check out their site. One of my other favorite beaches in the San Juan del Sur area is Playa Remanso. When the waves are BIG or unrideable everywhere else Playa Remanso will often have something to play with. There are also a couple of beach bars that serve up seafood, typical Nicaraguan plates and cold drinks. The whole Nicaraguan coast from the Costa Rica border up to Popoyo is worth exploring.

Within the Nicaragua Depression lie the two largest lakes in Central America. Lago de Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central and South America is notably the most famous. In Lago de Nicaragua you’ll find numerous isletas near Granada and the massive Isla de Ometepe. Ometepe is recognized by it’s two massive volcanoes: Volcan Maderas and Volcan Concepcion, both worth the sweaty climb up. Like sharks? Lago de Nicaragua is also home to fresh water sharks. I promise I’m not making it up!

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Standing on the shores of Lago de Nicaragua and taking in the view of our destination: Isla de Ometepe and it’s two massive volcanoes.

My favorite inland swimming hole is Laguna de Apoyo, which is set within a massive jungle clad volcanic crater. The water is crystal clear, warm, and incredibly deep. I always save a day or two at the end of my trip to spend floating on a tube in the lake simply relaxing. There are many options for places to stay the night or enjoy for just the day. Beach clubs often have a day use option for $6-7 USD. Laguna de Apoyo is about 45 minutes from Managua, so it can be a nice way to spend your last day in Nicaragua, especially if your booked on one of the late flights. Laguna de Apoyo or Nicaragua for the day? It’s a pretty easy decision for me! If you need to get your yoga fix check out one of the local yoga centres.nicaragua-adventure-yoga-retreat

There are no islands on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua, but there are a handful on the Caribbean Coast, most notable the Corn Islands and the Pearl Cays. These islands are worth the hassle of getting to and worth spending a week (or more) exploring and chilling. There are direct flights from Managua to Big Corn Island for the Corn Islands and direct flights to Bluefields to explore the Pearl Cays.

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Pristine beach on Little Corn Island.

From Little Corn Island you can take your Nicaragua adventure underwater with one of the local dive shops. We dive with Dolphin Divers when we’re there. Also, if you want to practice yoga on Little Corn Island there are plenty of options including Dragonfly Yoga at Little Corn B & B, Yemaya, and Funk Yoga and SUP. My favorite places are those that I can combine my love for all things water with yoga. Paddleboard yoga. Yes please!

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Where blue meets green.

I haven’t explored the Moskito Cays yet, but they are supposedly home to several endangered species including the Hawksbill turtle, the Caribbean manatee, the Tucuxi freshwater dolphin, and the caiman crocodile. The Moskito Cays are definitely being added to my ever-growing bucket list!

Forests and Highlands of Nicaragua

Take your Nicaragua adventure up to the highlands. I love the ocean, but if I’m not in the water the heat of the lowlands can start to get to me. Luckily, Nicaragua has some amazing highlands near Matagalpa, Jinotega and Esteli. The highlands are characterized by lush hillsides, mountains, coffee and chocolate production and a lack of tourists. The daily temperature in Nicaragua’s highlands is also marvelously cool and temperate. I can now fully understand the desire to have a mountain retreat. Guided hikes exploring the countryside are easy to arrange. Steve and I hiked a trail just out of Matagalpa on our last trip and it was lovely!

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The view from Finca Esperanza Verde

If you have wheels head out to Finca Esperanza Verde. Finca Esperanza Verde is an organic coffee and vegetable farm AND an eco-lodge that uses fully sustainable methods and supports the development and growth of the local community. The finca also maintains miles of trails to explore the surrounding jungle and hosts researchers and birders year round. I look forward to returning to Finca Esperanza Verde in February 2017 for a weeklong Yoga and Hiking Retreat in the Nicaraguan highlands.

Also, make sure to indulge in some Nicaraguan coffee and chocolate… it’s marvelous. The chocolate is like nothing you will find in the states. I recommend El Castillo del Cacao… they even have a bar with coffee in it. Yum!

Nicaragua also has numerous rainforests. Reserva Biológic Indo-Maiz are nearly pristine and the best in the country and Reserva Natural Miraflor contains a tiny lake and a waterfall. Biológic Indo-Maiz covers 3,626 square kilometers (1,400 square miles). In only a few square kilometers within the preserve, a habitat exists for a greater number of species of birds, trees, and insects than are found on the entire continent of Europe. Indo-Maiz protects the largest contiguous extent of primary rainforest in Central America, a 7,300-square-kilometer (2,820-square-mile) area that is called the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve.

Visit Volcanoes During Your Nicaragua Adventure

No Nicaragua adventure would be complete without visiting one of the many volcanoes, so if  hiking, surfing, diving and yoga aren’t your thing than head up to Leon and go volcano boarding. I still haven’t been to Cerro Negro for volcano boarding… mainly because I don’t feel like destroying my body on volcanic stones, but it does look fun. Technically, you do have to hike up to “surf” down.

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The caldera of Volcan Masaya

Volcan Masaya near the town of Masaya is a popular tourist stop and interesting in a sulfuric, hot sort of way. Volcan Masaya is most definitely active. It’s easy to combine with a trip to the handicraft market in Masaya.

Volcan Mombacho, which is relatively close to Granada is pretty touristy, but offers a couple of different trails and helpful guides.

During my first trip to Nicaragua in 2009 I had the opportunity to climb Volcan Maderas and I loved this sweaty jungle hike on Ometepe Island. The hike begins in coffee country and you eventually climb up into the cloud forest. We saw howler monkeys and beautiful birds. Once we made it to the top, we then descended into the crater where there is an incredible muddy lake, but if you’re overheating it’s worth the eww factor. While we were at the crater there was a group of young guys playing baseball. It was super fun to watch. It was a slippery muddy, shoe-sucking slog back down… so muddy I actually through my shoes away.

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Local game of baseball within the crater of Volcan Maderas

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Just the beginning of Nicaragua adventure — muddy shoes and lots of smiles!

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Our hiking guide for our trek up Volcan Maderas.

Where will your Nicaragua adventure take you? We host yoga retreats within Nicaragua twice a year. Shoot us a message if you’re interested in joining one of our yoga and adventure retreats or one of our Nicaragua yoga and surf retreats. Enjoy your trip wherever it takes you!

Love and Light,

Autumn

 

How to Prepare for a Yoga Retreat

A common question from retreat attendees is “how do I prepare for a yoga retreat?” For most of us, we don’t practice yoga 2+ hours each day, let alone 5, 6, or 7 days in a row so I think there is a bit of fear and apprehension that comes into play during the lead up to a yoga retreat. Don’t sweat it. You’ll be fine whether you practice once a week or everyday…. an experienced yogi or a newbie. The following are my tips for how to prepare for a yoga retreat, whether it’s your first retreat or your hundredth!

1. Prepare for a yoga retreat by keeping your yoga practice up.

Make sure to keep your practice up and add a class or two if you have time. But most importantly keep your yoga practice balanced. If you always practice vinyasa add a yin or restorative class or vice versa. Your body will thank you when it feels strong, open, vibrant, and relaxed on retreat.

Two weeks before your retreat is not the time to start practicing headstands/handstands/advanced postures if you’ve never done them before. Trust me you don’t want to injure yourself right before your retreat. Just wait. If those postures are on the agenda at your yoga retreat you will have plenty of time to explore them in a mindful manner.

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Warrior 3

2. Trust the process and your teacher.

Booking a yoga retreat is a pretty courageous act, especially if it’s your first retreat or with a yoga teacher you don’t practice with regularly. Assuming you’ve done a bit of research to get to know the teacher a bit better, have chatted with them on the phone or via email and connected on social media it’s time to relax. An experienced retreat leader will make sure you receive all of the necessary information before you need it.  Let go of the need to micromanage your life for just this little bit… you’re going on retreat aren’t you? Let your retreat leader guide you on your journey.

3. Be willing to put in 110%.

I’m not just talking physically here. Be willing to open up, to let go of old habits and preconceived self-limiting beliefs, to let down your walls and to connect with others. You already have a lot in common with the other people on the retreat, so be yourself and enjoy new friendships.

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Yoga babes.

4. You don’t need 20 pairs of yoga pants, your hair dryer or your makeup.

I’m completely guilty of overpacking yoga leggings and I’ve seen it many times from my students too. You don’t need as much as you think. Likely, you will end up wearing the same couple of outfits over and over simply because it’s easy. And there is no need to primp during a yoga retreat. We will happily accept you as you are. Sweaty, crazy haired, and glowing.

5. Prepare fora yoga retreat by ask yourself “What is my intention?”

Get clear about your intention or sankalpa for the retreat. What are your goals? Why are you attending a yoga retreat in the first place? Is it to deepen your yoga practice? To learn meditation? To relax and rejuvenate? To connect with yourself? To heal emotionally, physically, spiritually? Whatever your intention don’t be afraid to honor that. Sometimes honoring your sankalpa means skipping a yoga practice to sleep in or journal or walk the beach. Sometimes it means being bold and letting down all the barriers you’ve built up. Sometimes it means trying something completely new.

6. Eat mindfully, so you don’t “shock” your system.

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Healthy eats! Raw vegan wraps. Yum!

Most yoga retreats have amazing, healthy meals with minimal processed food, meat, alcohol and caffeine. You can prepare for a yoga retreat by beginning to cut processed food and toxins out of your diet a week or two before the retreat. Ease your way into a new healthy radiant you.

7. Practice on your travel mat beforehand.

If you’re bringing a travel mat, or even a new mat, make sure to practice on it beforehand. A slick mat, or one that stretches in downward facing dog is annoying at best. Test it out beforehand and if it doesn’t work out pack your old standby. A “crappy” mat can make for a frustrating yoga retreat. You don’t want something as simple as a yoga mat to detract from your experience.

8. Learn about your destination.

Where are you going? What is that part of the world known for? Do you have time for extra excursions? Prepare for a yoga retreat by doing a little research beforehand. It will get you pumped up about where you’re going and it might even get your friends excited enough to tag along. Sweet!

9. Set aside all expectations.

Manage your expectations. As you prepare for a yoga retreat make sure to ask your retreat leader questions about things you want clarity about…. transportation, food, excursions. Get the answers you need and want… and then let it go. The nature of retreats, especially international retreats, is that sometimes things need to change to bring the best experience to the students. Maybe the teacher has had to rearrange excursions due to whether or even swap them out completely… maybe instead of going on that jungle hike you’ll get a lovely massage instead. Don’t worry about it. The instructor wants you to love the experience as much as you want to love the experience, so roll with the punches, go with the flow, ride the wave. It will be amazing.

“To explore what it would mean to live fully, sensually alive and passionately on purpose, I have to drop my preconceived ideas of who and what I am.”

Dawna Markova

Happy Retreat Prep Yogis!!!

Love and Light,

Autumn

Travel Insurance For Yoga Retreats

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I get asked about yoga retreat travel insurance A TON! Even if your yoga retreat host doesn’t require retreat travel insurance I recommend that you purchase a basic policy. For the majority of my retreats I require travel insurance for my participants and that is simply to protect all parties involved. Travel insurance, depending on your plan, can help cover your expenses if you get delayed, your baggage is lost, you end up in the hospital, or you need to cancel due to a family emergency. It’s a crucial part of trip planning… especially when investing in a weeklong yoga retreat.

Here are a few yoga retreat travel insurance companies to get you moving in the right direction. As far as I know there aren’t any companies that specifically focus on travel insurance for yoga retreats, but the following are all reliable companies that will protect you should you need coverage for your next yoga retreat.

John Lewis – UK based. Easy to book online. Also has multitrip coverage. Sweet!

World Nomads – Multiple countries. Easy to get a quote online with easy to use comparison table to book the right insurance for you. Recommended by Lonely Planet.

Travel Guard– One of the larger travel insurance providers, but their website was a little clunky to use.

Insuremytrip.com and Squaremouth.com are great resources for comparing multiple options. There are so many travel insurance options on the market. It’s important to do your research and pick the best one for you.

It is also important to book your yoga retreat travel insurance as soon as you have your retreat and your flight booked. Most travel insurance options have a time limit between purchase of your travel and purchase of your travel insurance… sometimes it’s only two weeks.

Depending on the cost of your trip and the coverage you need/want you can expect to pay anywhere from $40-200… I’m sure there are probably some higher and some lower. Most travel insurance packages seem to be under $100 per person, not too bad for a little peace of mind.

See you on retreat!

Love and Light,

Autumn

Bali Yoga Retreat Packing List

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You’ve booked your trip to Bali for your very first yoga retreat… now what? Well it’s time to start thinking about packing your bags for your trip. If you’re like me you like lists, so I’ve created this Bali Yoga Retreat Packing List. I hate forgetting things at home and lists help keep me sane. This list is a basic list for your Bali yoga retreat. I’m sure there will be things you will want to add.

What do you put on that Bali yoga retreat packing list? What do you pack for a yoga retreat anyway? Well that depends on the activities you’ll be participating in…. what other activities does your yoga holiday include? Hiking? Swimming? Surfing? Meditation? Visiting temples? You get the picture. Figure out what your additional activities are and that will help you with your packing. I’ve created a general yoga retreat packing list for the yogis attending my weeklong yoga retreat in Bali this November and I thought I would share it here with all of my readers.

Bali Yoga Retreat Packing List:

Yoga Stuff:

  • yoga pants (4+ pairs)
  • yoga shorts (1 pair)
  • sports bra (3+)
  • underwear (7+)
  • long sleeve hoody or cardigan (1)
  • lightweight, quick drying tank top/t-shirt (4+)
  • sarong (1)
  • yoga mat

Regular Clothing:

  • Comfy long pants (1-2)
  • Lightweight long sleeve (1-2)
  • Shorts (2+)
  • Tanks/T-shirts (4+)
  • Undergarments
  • Socks (1 pair)
  • Hiking shoes, trail runners, sneakers, etc. (1 pair)
  • Sandals (1 pair)
  • Rain Jacket (just in case) (1)
  • Swimsuit (1-2)
  • Pajamas

Other Stuff:

  • journal and pen
  • book
  • camera and charger
  • sunscreen
  • natural bug spray (lemongrass essential oil or lemon eucalyptus both work great)
  • toiletries
  • money for extra excursions, massages, gratuity
  • refillable waterbottle
  • headlamp

 

Autumn Adams
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Top 5 Restaurants in Ubud

Ubud has the best vegetarian, vegan, raw food I’ve ever come across and they’re all so convenient. I’ve been blessed with multiple opportunities to spend time in Ubud, in fact I will be there this fall leading a yoga retreat in the mountains of central Bali. For those of you that know me well, you know that I am a flexitarian, as in I eat mostly vegetarian, but occasionally splurge for some protein. This is how my body seems to work and feel its best. It is incredibly easy to eat healthy, balanced meals at the many Ubud restaurants catering to yogis and other health conscious travelers.

Ubud Restaurants for Foodies and Health Conscious Travelers

Clear Cafe

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There are hundred of restaurants in Ubud… quality Ubud restaurants are almost a dime a dozen, but one of my favorite places to hang out and have a cool drink and a snack is Clear Cafe. The view is incredible, the atmosphere is just right, and the food is delicious. Yes, it is slightly out of town, but only a few minutes by scooter/ojek. The Green Hornet Cooler.. is just that cooling. I couldn’t drink one every day (well I could, but I shouldn’t) this smoothie of sorts is packed with cacao, mint, coconut, cashew mylk and spirulina…woohoo. Their Suki Sushi, raw pizzas, and bamboo rolls are all divine too. Check out their menu.

Jalan Campuhan, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali
8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Dayu’s Warung

Last Autumn when we spent 6 weeks in Bali I may have eaten raw vegan pie every single day…. okay not every day, but definitely more days than not and this little restaurant is why. Not only are their pies out of this world, but their staff is so sweet. Service can be a bit slow at times, but it’s always with a smile and it’s always worth the wait. They’re traditional dishes are great too. I loved their gado-gado, vegetarian mango tempeh curry, vegetarian mie goreng and their nasi campur.

Jalan Sugriwa #28x, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali
8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Ibu Rai’s Bar & Restaurant


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This place is so AMAZING!!! Ibu Rai is one of the most splurge worthy Ubud restaurants. The food is considered pricey by Bali standards, but it is worth every single rupiah (and honestly it’s still half the price of a meal at home). I haven’t had a single bad dish here. The seafood is fantastic, the duck is fantastic, their desserts are spot on. I also appreciate that they have delicious non-alcoholic drinks available that are fancy and fun without a ton of sugar.

Jalan Monkey Forest No. 72, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
8 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Kafe and Garden Kafe at the Yoga Barn

These restaurants are owned by the same family and have very similar menus. I recommend their raw vegan lasagna… it’s heavenly and comforting just like lasagna should be. I ate at Garden Kafe a lot during my teacher training at the Yoga Barn. I particularly loved their Living Granola with a banana on the side for breakfast. Their egg dishes were pretty good and same with their macro bowl. Lunch was usually lasagna, raw sushi, raw pizza, or one of their raw pasta dishes topped off with some type of sweet treat and jamu for the road. At Kafe I enjoyed Meg’s Bowl, the vegetarian lumpia and their carrot ginger soup.

Garden Kafe: at the Yoga Barn (Jln Hanoman/Pengoseken and Jln Tebesaya), Ubud; 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. 
Kafe: Jalan Hanoman No. 44B, Padangtegal, Ubud; 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Bali Buda Cafe

Bali Buda is right across the street from Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio. When I was practicing at Radiantly Alive I was so happy to have Bali Buda right across the street. A fresh juice and their raw vegan food platter was my go-to post yoga fuel. Prices here might be a little higher than Kafe and Garden Cafe. They have an extensive, thoughtfully planned menu full of super tasty goodies.

Jalan Jembawan No. 1, Ubud
6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

What are your favorite Ubud restaurants? I’d love to hear about them, since I will be back in Ubud Sept. -Nov. 2016.

Autumn Adams
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