The best of Nicaragua, via Instagram
The last week in Nicaragua was (almost) exactly what I’d hoped for: early morning yoga classes accompanied by astrological insights, a hammock on my balcony with an ocean view, lazy afternoons spent reading/walking/surfing on a private beach, fresh coconuts and savory vegetarian meals, surrounded by lush forest and few other humans. If it wasn’t for the serious bout of food poisoning that hit me a few days in (lesson learned on eating street food chicken), it would have been perfect.
Alas, even 24 hours of being unable to leave my bed couldn’t dash my spirits: the sweet girls in the kitchen brought me delicious Nicaraguan rice and vegetable soup, straight to my bed with the ocean view. Although I wasn’t feeling 100% for the last few days of the trip, it was hard to be unhappy in a place as naturally gorgeous and wonderfully accommodating as Costa Dulce. Surrounded by other Brooklyn yogis–the retreat was led by Amanda, one of my favorite Greenhouse Holistic teachers and featured Reiki healing, tarot card readings and live sacred music–it was an incredibly rejuvenating week away. Bonus: it was my third country in 2014, so I was able to check that off my new year’s resolution list!
We had a bonfire on the beach on our very first night, with this stunning sunset as the backdrop. I set my intention for the week: release the past, embrace the future.
The only disappointment: that I wasn’t in San Francisco, or even Finnerty’s in New York, to celebrate the Giants winning the World Series! 
The view from our room: on the day where I was super sick, it was comforting to listen to the waves crashing and stare out at the ocean.
We ventured into town for one afternoon: San Juan del Sur is about a 30-minute drive on a very bumpy and sometimes steep dirt road that can only be accessed with 4-wheel drive.
San Juan del Sur didn’t disappoint: some good shopping, but more importantly, plenty of colorful buildings! 
It wouldn’t be a yoga retreat without plenty of yoga pictures…
The sunsets were spot-on every night–and I woke up to see the sun rise every morning as well! 
Picked up that shirt at an adorable surf shop in San Juan del Sur: how good is it?!
Basically the perfect way to start the morning: tea, journaling and yoga.
It’s funny how the best beauty routine doesn’t have any beauty products. A week with no alcohol, no caffeine and no makeup–and plenty of sunshine, saltwater and fresh air–left me with skin feeling better than any expensive facial. 
What’s your favorite photo of Nicaragua?
