If you were not able to join us on our recent trip to Nicaragua here’s another chance to join us in 2024! I have confirmed our next date for November of this year! NOVEMBER 23-30, 2024.

I have hosted twice at this location now called Jiquilillo Beach Hotel (previously known as Monty’s), February 2020 and just last week, March 9-16. After my first trip there my desire to return was strong and the next trip was to be the following year, but as we all know Covid shut down the world. My heart and soul has wanted to return for 4 long years. Returning last week reminded me deeply as to why I wanted to return. I have always wondered how the people and animals survived the shut down of their Country during covid as they rely mainly on tourism. There has been many changes there, many left Nicaragua as there was no way to make a living, leaving their children behind with the dependence on grandparents and neighbors to raise their children. I did notice last week while we were there that there was not a single dog I recognized from my visit there in 2020. Many new dogs there for sure though, looking very undernourished. Some family members gone unfortunately but also many still there. Reuniting with many of them filled my cup like nothing else! The surrounding villages and people have become our Nicaragua family. Welcoming us with open arms, touching our hearts in so many special ways, allowing us to be a part of their communities. A service trip combined with yoga makes this retreat above and beyond magical. 

“For anyone craving an experience centered on the power of belief, values, and impact – this is it. You will be safe, well fed and entertained – but mostly your soul will be enriched and touched deeper than you could ever imagine. That’s more than a vacation. That’s life changing.”

Jiquilillo Beach Hotel is owned and operated by one of my dearest friends Donald Montgomery – a Canadian who has taken “volutourism” to a new level. The work he and his guests do to better the community there is phenomenal. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience this type of travel!

There is a yoga shala where we will practice up to twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening – silent walking meditations in the early morning - the most stunning beaches, safe for swimming, surfing and cooling off – horseback riding (25$ US per person), volcano hikes, SUP and kayak estuary guided tours during the early morning sunrises with Ramon (35$ per person), beach volleyball and soccer with the locals, a swimming pool and of course chill time, anytime… it’s amazing! Monty and his staff are some of the kindest humans you will ever meet…..

We have many volunteer opportunities for each of us to participate in, all optional. Volunteer sites include the English Language Centre/Community Centre Jiquilillo, built by Monty and his guests many years ago, this school was made with thousands of recycled plastic bottles filled with sand, an amazing sight to see! We will go to the local church on ‘feed the people’ day. As part of your cost for the retreat our group will purchase all the food needed, we will prepare the food with the local women and feed the local women, children and men of Jiquilillo. Donations are welcomed, we will distribute throughout our week to local families, children at the local school and church. Every little donation means so much to these wonderful people. One of my favourites is sharing bags of dog food to the local families. The reforestation of the mangroves is so powerful, Ramon will share all his knowledge with us on this venture where we will plant mangrove seeds at the estuary, learning the importance of our work.

A very big part of this trip will be the focus of our turtles. This is the reason we are returning during the month of November. When I asked Ramon how we could best help him with his specialized project “Sea Turtle Conservation Of The Pacific” he told me he needed volunteers to help him in November as this is the busiest month of the year with Momma turtles coming up on shore to lay their precious eggs. We will help him with collecting newly laid egg nests, gathering fish, seagrass and other favourite foods for the baby turtles, we will do as much baby turtle releasing as possible and learn the importance of our work.

There will not be any mandatory activities – guests will be welcome to participate in the community service as much or as little as they wish.

Meals and Accommodations are included. There are 3 meals a day served at the lodge. They are fresh and locally sourced home cooked meals.

Yoga will be offered in the mornings and evenings. Classes will include, yoga on the inside, restorative relax deeply, vinyasa, pranayama, meditation and chanting. On this trip all locals will be welcomed to join us in all and any classes. Our main focus during our yoga classes will be the therapeutic side of yoga and the benefits of the poses. We are so blessed to have the teachers we have at Invati, the space to practice together which is something this sweet little village does not have. What this sweet village does have is all the struggles we have in our lives - stress, trauma, neck, shoulder, back, hip, and leg stiffness, depression, anxiety, gut health challenges, nervous system regulation challenges, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune challenges, brain health and so much more. The challenge we will rise up to on this trip will be bringing yoga to as many locals as we can, if they can’t join us at our shala we will bring yoga to them! At their homes, schools and church! This as you know is something so near and dear to my heart, I can not wait to share this experience with you!

Depending on single, double, triple occupancy, prices range from 

$1900 (single private room with private bathroom and shower, beachfront) 

$1550 (double private room with private bathroom and shower, beachfront) 

$1250 (triple private room with private bathroom and shower, beachfront) 

$1550 (private room shared bathroom and shower)

All prices are Canadian plus tax 

$500 per child (10 and under)

This is for 7 days including food and money towards community projects. We will sponsor 1 turtle nest as a group which costs $50 US as well as feed the village at the local church which will cost $450 US.

Flights, transportation and extra activities are not included in these costs. If you need support finding flights, Monty and I will help you as much as we can.

Singles, couples, families, friends and children are welcome. We want to be completely inclusive for this health and impact experience.

Getting to the retreat will look like this…

Fly into Managua – transport pick up to the Lodge all together (shuttle bus cost will be split by all, about $15 US each) – 3 hour drive depending on traffic, flights are reasonable as well – about $1000 CAN. Group transportation will depart Managua Airport on November 23rd. You will literally pick up your bags on arrival, step outside the airport and the shuttle bus will be there to pick you up. If you arrive a day early there is a Best Western right across the street from the airport where you can stay comfortably until day of pick up. The group shuttle will return to the airport on November 30th for outbound flights. You are welcome to make other flight arrangements. Some people arrive earlier or extend their stay and spend time in Granada and Little and Big Corn Island. I will be journeying to Corn Island for some of the best scuba diving in the world following the retreat. These places are not to far to go from the Managua airport. Please note that the retreat price does not include any transportation described above as well as any time that you stay at the Best Western or surrounding areas. 

Your retreat package includes: –7 nights accommodations at Jiquilillo Beach Hotel – 3 meals/day – daily yoga and meditation. The planning of any and all activities and the organization of all transportation needed to and from surrounding areas.

What are the accommodations like? Located on the Pacific Ocean in the rural village of Jiquilillo, Jiquilillo Beach Hotel is rustic, comfortable and laid back. There are different types of accommodations available at the Lodge that includes dorms, ocean-front cabanas or poolside cabanas. Some accommodations are with private bath, while others have shared bath. There is no air-conditioning at the Lodge – public areas are open air and all rooms are equipped with a fan and mosquito net. There are outlets in each room – same as in North America. Wifi is also available but most people purchase a sim card for $20 US at the airport and you have data the entire time there.

Not included is the cost of your airfare to and from Managua airport, optional tips for the staff, surf lessons ($10 per person) and any activities, e.g., horseback riding ($25), Cerro Negro Volcano Tour (Sandboarding) (price depending on how many people attend), Spanish lessons, Salsa lessons, Spa services (massage by Daniella, one of Ramon’s sisters, $50 US per hour), Tortilla making lessons Cheese making lessons, Cosiguina Volcano Tour and more! 

Registration

To register, E-transfer your deposit of $1000.00 to:invatiyoga@gmail.com Your deposit will reserve your space in the retreat and room location; date of receipt of the deposit will mark your place in line for room choices. The full balance is due by November 1, 2024 No refunds can be made after this time. Credit Card payments can be made by phone or in person to Megan Owens (a 4% processing fee applies). We support anyone that may struggle with finances, please contact me for further options.

Questions: Please email me with any questions regarding the retreat @ invatiyoga@gmail.com

Connect your mind, body and spirit the Pure Vida way as you Give and Receive with me!

Mucho Amor, 

Kelly