The Best Surf & Yoga Retreats
Rise Up is more than just a surf camp – we are a familia. Join us for our all-inclusive surf retreats in Central America! Come for the surf, stay for the people.
IMPROVE YOUR SURFING
Our surf coaching program is all about personalization – focusing on your unique goals and intentions. Paired with a small group based on similar surf level, your coach will be sure to give individualized attention to each student. Our surf coaches are experienced in delivering programs that help everybody achieve their goals. We can guarantee that not only will you see improvements in your surfing, but you will also have the time of your life with our Rise Up familia. The bond you will form with our staff, in and out of the water, is what sets our surf retreats apart from the rest.
GROUND DOWN THROUGH YOGA
At Rise Up, we believe yoga to be the perfect compliment to surfing. We offer daily yoga classes to restore and stretch sore muscles, learn helpful breathing techniques, and calm busy minds. Surfing, like any repeated activity, can cause tightness and imbalances in the body – yoga restores that balance. Our classes are for all-levels and our experienced yoga teachers will tailor each class to the needs and abilities of every student.
CONNECT WITH OTHERS
One of our guests said it best:
”“This is more than just a surf vacation. This is an experience where you become part of a family—a community. The friendships that form are unique and really make me feel so grateful to have an amazing tribe of surfer friends all over the world. If you are looking for the ultimate surf retreat—whether beginner or advanced, this trip has it all.”
AlixRegular Rise Up Guest
Join the Rise Up Familia for a surf retreat you will never forget!
OUR DESTINATIONS
Travel to the best surf and yoga destinations in Central America
GIVING BACK WITH RISE UP SURF
Rise Up Kids
We are committed to bringing a better future to younger generations. Our NGO, Rise Up Kids, supports the children living in our Nicaragua community. Through education and empowerment, we see the possibility of a better world.
Environmental Impact
Sustainability is important to us. We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and leave a positive impact on the communities where we host retreats. We hope to leave every community better than how we found it.
Don’t just take our word for it…
Suzanne Piddock
April 30, 2023.
A very belated review but I stayed at Rise Up Nicaragua for Christmas week 2021 and haven’t stopped recommending it to others since. So many thoughtful touches throughout the week, beautiful location with waves right out front, excellent coaching in 2’s and 3’s with all levels catered for from complete beginner up to advanced. Great mix of surf coaching, photo reviewing, theory and optional ‘holiday’ activities for those who wanted to participate. We had early starts to go with the tides but it wasn’t a problem and sunrise surfing was a lovely experience. Food was delicious and dietary requirements well catered for. Rise Up team were all super lovely and welcoming. I’ll 100% be back for another Rise Up week at some point! Thanks for having me 🙂
Daniella DeForest
April 24, 2023.
High quality instruction and well organized in a lovely accomodation. Fantiasic pictures and video too! Food was fresh and delicious.
Sheila Attaie
March 24, 2023.
This was one of the most incredible trips I've ever taken, and I don't even surf! I cannot put into words how wonderful this experience was for our group. With how effortless it was for us as guests, I know there must have been so much work that went into making this as comfortable, fun, relaxing, centering, and memorable as it was. For that, I am so grateful to the staff, instructors, and every one at RiseUp. Everyone in our group spent the car ride to the airport figuring out how and when we could come back as soon as possible!
Maura McEvoy
March 9, 2023.
Staying with the Rise Up Surf familia in Nicaragua was amazing from the moment they greet you until our teary goodbyes at the end of the week...I actually did have tears in my eyes.
Kate Gray
March 8, 2023.
Rise Up exceeded all my expectations! I was at the Tranquil Escape location in Nicaragua. What a gift to get to surf such uncrowded waves and be taken care of by such a stellar group of people 🙂 The setting, team, accommodations and food were all incredible. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and the surf coaches are top notch. Goin' back next year!
Bill Erickson
March 8, 2023.
As a previous professional guide, this was my first time as a guest on a trip like this and I was not disappointed! From the time you are picked up at the airport to the time that you have dropped off again, you are taken care of.
Based on the pre-trip information that you fill out they put each person in skill-level groups for surfing experience. Having never surfed in my life I was in Group 1. We had two super-competent surf instructors. Kim and Norvin really know how to teach and made things understandable and practical. Every day we progressed and they pushed us without making us uncomfortable or unsafe, they knew when we were ready to be pushed and when to be held back. Being able to walk out of your accommodations to the surf break was so incredible making multiple surf sessions possible. As we progressed we traveled by vehicle to different surf spots nearby.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided and are nutritious and delicious. Food preferences and allergies are well taken care of and not shamed, I felt very cared for and seen. The daily extra excursions were fun mostly because we had a really fun and interactive group. Daily yoga was an absolute blessing. Massages were available for a small additional price and were very high quality and much appreciated.
It sounds like they sometimes use different resorts in the area but heard nothing but good things about all of them. I was at the LBBH if you look it up on Google Maps. Nahualapa, Aposentillo, and The Point were the main spots that we surfed.
Adrienne Lynch
February 28, 2023.
I absolutely loved my stay with Rise Up Surf at the Tranquil Escape in Nicaragua. It's the perfect trip for surfers at any level looking to enjoy world-class surf instruction, learn about surf theory, and have a locals-only stress-free experience of Nicaragua. I'm a beginner-level surfer, but after the week in Nicaragua with helpful instruction from our surf coaches, I feel empowered to continue surfing on my own. The surf coaches did a great job making the time in the water fun, and weaving helpful tips throughout the week.
The food was excellent, nutritious and yummy. I liked that the daily schedule was presented every day the night before, and there was still flexibility if you didn't want to participate in some of the activities or early morning surf, as an example. I strongly recommend Rise Up Surf for anyone interested in improving their surf skills and wanting an authentic local experience.
Prue Bauer
February 28, 2023.
What a fantastic experience. I had the time of my life the Rise Up team were all rockstars & amazing people. The location, food & accommodation was fantastic. Couldn't recommend more highly do it!!
Can't wait to book my next retreat with Rise Up.
Charles Grauer
February 27, 2023.
My wife and I had an amazing time. Elegant accommodations, super friendly and helpful staff, terrific food. Its a really good mix of dedicated surfing and relaxation in a down to earth setting. The surf coaches are really great, dedicated, attentive and patient. A great place for my wife (a beginner) and me (an intermediate) to both get great waves with good people!
Christa Ollinger
February 26, 2023.
I felt welcomed and cared for throughout the week by everyone. Mandala is a beautiful place to stay, landscaping, various places to relax, great pool and lounge area, comfortable bed and room, delicious food, beach directly in front to walk to surfing spot, watch sunset and see the night sky!
Daniella D
Just go! It's a phenomenal experience and the instructors work very hard to help you understand how to level up. Be a good listener and let them help you be better. Phenomenal videos and photos from surf photographers. Amazing team <3
Abby R
had a blast in Costa Rica Review for the luxury retreat in costa rica (paying extra to have air conditioning was totally worth it!). This was my second Rise Up retreat, and I'm already planning my third. Dedicated and fun coaches who give incredible feedback that help you advance faster than you thought possible, beautiful waves for all abilities, and activity-packed days that still give you time for a little r&r if you need it. Rise Up is the perfect vibe for folks who are looking for a retreat where you're active, never feel like a tourist, and aren't into woo-woo bullsh_t. Our trip was 50% solo travelers (including myself) so you can feel completely comfortable traveling alone - you'll meet great like-minded folks and form warm connections in a matter of hours. I'm so grateful to the rise up folks for creating these experiences, and will definitely keep coming back for more!
Sheila A
BOOK IT NOW! This was one of the most incredible trips I've ever taken, and I don't even surf! I cannot put into words how wonderful this experience was for our group. With how effortless it was for us as guests, I know there must have been so much work that went into making this as comfortable, fun, relaxing, centering, and memorable as it was. For that, I am so grateful to the staff, instructors, and every one at RiseUp. Everyone in our group spent the car ride to the airport figuring out how and when we could come back as soon as possible!
Maura M
Rise Up Surf Nicaragua Rise Up Surf has it all figured out to make everyone of all ages and all levels of surf expertise feel super comfortable both in and out of the water. The coaches were unrelenting in their care and enthusiasm to get me surfing with better habits and pointing out some really ingrained bad ones! The food was excellent and never stopped coming! The yoga was perfect in that it was really geared toward where our tired bodies were at after days of surfing on weak winter arms. The photo and video recap every day was invaluable and, at times, hilarious. By the end of the week my surfing had improved and I took away a new desire for what I wanted from my surfing. I also made some great friends.
Charles G
Surf Honeymoon My wife and I had an amazing time with Rise Up Nicaragua! Amazing location, beautifully romantic accommodations, terrific food, and super attentive and friendly staff! Its remote enough, a great mix of dedicated surfing with real, quality instruction. It was a really memorable trip for both my wife (a beginner) and me (an intermediate) to both improve our surfing while enjoying unplugging in Nica!
Road26464608101
Unbelievable locations, epic waves and the BEST coaches...and the amazing food! This is my second Rise Up retreat and it's one of the best travel groups I have ever experienced! The coaches are world class (like literally from all over the world and the best waves), the activities were super fun and enriching to spend time with the locals, cooking class, kayaking in mangroves to see turtles, wakeboarding. The food is AMAZING and the locations are always stunning with WOW factor! The daily yoga classes and additional massages are the perfect compliment to surfing everyday, especially for a beginner. They really cater to all levels and you watch your videos to see how you can improve almost everyday. The best surf retreat I have been on, hands down.
Meghan W
First time surf experience Loved my trip to Rise Up Nicaragua! I was a first time surfer and had private lessons with Paula all week since I was the only one in the group that hadn't surfed before. I feel very lucky to have had my first surf experience with her because she was so knowledgable and supportive, it took the fear out of surfing and really boosted my confidence. Paula has so much positive energy and her love of the ocean and surfing was really contagious, I am totally hooked now! I am so grateful to have had such a positive experience my first time surfing.Loved the resort, the food, the other instructors and the outings we did! Will be back for sure!
JuliaJaneM
The place to go to improve your surfing and have a very restorative vacation Rise Up is beyond all expectations - the venue is incredible, low-key luxury overlooking one of the best waves around (a bay with several peaks actually, not just one wave), the space gently guides you to unwind, put down the phone, walk a little slower, and relax. The pool, the palapa, the bungalows, the yoga shala... everywhere you go there is space and time expanded. The food was exceptional. But the BEST part of Rise Up, by leaps and bounds, is the team : the owners are incredibly friendly and accessible, the team of surf coaches are beyond helpful, my surfing improved so much over one week thanks to their expertise, ability to communicate, their patience, and their stoke.. and they were all so nice and fun and encouraging. And they care. It's really an incredible place to spend a week and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Dani S
Magical Surf Retreat I attended the Rise up retreat with Kassia Meader in Northern Nicaraugua. The trip far exceeded my expectations and I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a peaceful, fun and supportive environment. I came to this retreat after a recent surgery. I wanted a retreat where I could learn some new techniques to improve my surfing, while doing it safely; since Id been out of the water for 6 months.From the onset the scheduling was seamless and from the moment I arrived I felt right at home. I was surrounded by friendly, funny, positive people which was so wonderful.My surf instrcutors were Alek, Norvin, Fran and Kassia it was wonderful to get into waves I normally would not be able to surf and do it all in a fun supportive environment. I really can not say enough good things about the positive friendly energy. How can you find so many wonderful people all at once?Kassia was amazing to listen to and watch surf. Her positive energy and helpful instruction i'm very thankful for. I got really useful feedback and planning on working on it as soon as I can get back in the water. I also really loved the meditation and sound baths as well as the Yoga lessons with Kathleen each day. Corina was a wonderful organizer and super friendly and easy to get along with. Fran's hysterical and so happy all the time and you can tell that they love what they are doing. The food was delicious and fresh and I definitely never ate so healthy in my life. They made every effort and attempt to make sure I was full and had enough to eat and that I lied what I was eating:)The pictures that Emy took were beautiful and she worked so hard getting everyones pictures in the water. Its rare that you get good surf pictures. The videos were super helpful in seeing what I am doing and what I need to work on. I have been on a bunch of surf retreats. Ive always had a good time. I mean how can you not when your surfing, but this one was truly special though. Every aspect was perfectly curated and flowed effortlessly. If you have any hesitations about attending a Rise up surf retreat don't, it was a wonderful experience.
Alyson
Women's Surf Retreat The overall programming for the stay and the surf retreat were exceptionally well done. The staff were all very knowledgable in their roles, genuinely engaged with the group and very perceptive and responsive to different needs. Low ego, high standards and good vibes all around. I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
