Papaya Wellness is a small retreat company that runs week-long surf, yoga and fitness retreats, mostly for women. Its main base is Hacienda Iguana in southern Nicaragua, and it has also run trips in Mexico and elsewhere. It's best for women who want real surf coaching with yoga and good company.
What it's like
Papaya Wellness isn't a single building you can drive up to. It's a small retreat company run by two women who surf and teach, and it takes groups to surf breaks for a week of coaching, yoga and downtime. The company says it's been running retreats since 2012.
Its home ground is Nicaragua. The featured retreat runs at Hacienda Iguana, where guests stay in a large home a few steps from the beach, with air conditioning and a private bathroom in every room. The website's FAQ says the team has also run retreats in southern Nicaragua, Indonesia, Morocco, mainland Mexico and Baja California, and a retreat near Ericeira in Portugal was in early planning for fall 2026.
The feel is friendly and small-group. Most retreats are for women only, though the team says it sometimes runs mixed trips on request.
The programs
The main offering is a seven-day, six-night surf and yoga coaching retreat. Each day centers on a surf session with coaches, and the team adds extra coaches both in the water and on the beach. Around the surfing you'll get restorative yoga or Pilates with a focus on surf strength, and meditation on a platform that looks out at the ocean.
The current Nicaragua program, according to the official site, also includes:
- Three meals a day, plus smoothies, juices and coffee
- A surf etiquette workshop
- Two video coaching sessions with surf photos
- One massage
- Two ice bath and sauna sessions
- A visit to a local farm to make tortillas with a family
- Board rental and airport transfers
Meals are mostly vegetarian and seafood, and the team says it can handle vegan, raw, vegetarian and gluten-free requests if you tell them ahead of time.
Beyond the set retreats, Papaya Wellness builds custom retreats for private groups and offers a surf conditioning program with certified trainers to get your body ready before you travel.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
This is a strong pick for women who want to actually improve their surfing, not just pose with a board. The coaches match spots to each person's level, so beginners and experienced surfers can share a week. Yoga teachers adjust sessions to your experience too.
It's less suited to anyone after a quiet, solo, unstructured stay, or to men looking for a general surf camp, since most trips are women only. Because it's a retreat company rather than a fixed venue, there's no year-round drop-in option.
Getting there
For the Nicaragua retreat, you book your own flight and a driver meets you at Managua or at Liberia in Costa Rica, holding a sign with your name. Dates for upcoming retreats are posted on the official website, and when we checked, the Nicaragua retreat was listed for 2026 with dates to be announced.
Frequently asked questions
Is Papaya Wellness only for women?
Mostly. The official site says most retreats are women only, and mixed-gender trips are offered now and then on request.
Do I need to know how to surf?
No. Coaches work with all levels and pick surf spots to suit each guest.
What's included in a retreat?
For the Nicaragua retreat: lodging, three meals a day, daily surf coaching, yoga or Pilates, a massage, video coaching, board rental and airport transfers. Flights, insurance, tips and alcohol aren't included.
Can they handle special diets?
Yes. The team says it can cater for vegan, raw, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
Where else do they run retreats?
The website mentions past or planned retreats in Indonesia, Morocco, mainland Mexico, Baja California and Portugal.
