All your questions answered.
What is a typical day at Rise Up?
The daily schedule is always changing, as it is dictated by the surf conditions and tides.
What's included on a retreat?
- Transportation to/from the airport.
- Accommodation in a shared or private cabana, private bathroom, and access to a beautiful beachfront resort.
- All daily meals, snacks, and drinks (alcohol & video analysis not included).
- Daily surf coaching and guiding with experienced coaches.
- Surfboard rental – we have an excellent quiver of boards to choose from!
- Daily yoga classes with our in-house yoga teacher.
- Fun activities throughout the week! Transport to/from included.
- An incredible crew to host you throughout your stay!
Where do I fly into?
- Nicaragua: Managua International Airport (MGA)~3 hour drive to Luxury Escape, Eco Bay and Tranquil Escape
- Barbados: Grantley Adams International (GAIA)~20 minutes drive to the resort
- Costa Rica: International flight inot Costa Rica: San Jose Airport (SJO)Domestic flight from SJO to Puerto Jimenez (PJM)~20 minutes drive to the resortPlease Note: Airport transfers in Costa Rica run from 12pmYou will not be able to check-in at the resort until 3pmWe recommend trying to book a flight that lands close to 3pm upon your arrival and a morning flight on departure as check out is at 11am
- Guatemala: La Aurora International Airport (GUA)~3 hour drive to our resort
What are the entry and exit requirements for Nicaragua?
- To enter Nicaragua, your passport needs to be valid for 6 months.
- All visitors entering Nicaragua are required to purchase a Tourist Card for $10 USD.
- Visas are generally not required for stays up to 3 months.
- Citizens of some parts of Eastern Europe and Latin America, and many African and Asian nations, need visas to enter Nicaragua, while others can apply for a visa on arrival. Check the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry website: www.migob.gob.ni for the full lists.
Do you provide airport transfers?
All packages include round-trip transportation from the airport.
In the case of Costa Rica, transfers are only included from the local domestic airport of Puerto Jimenez (PJO).
Please Note: Airport transfers in Costa Rica run from 12pm and you will not be able to check-in at the resort until 3pm. We recommend trying to book a flight that lands close to 3pm upon your arrival and a morning flight on departure as check out is at 11am.
If you arrive before the first day or depart after the last scheduled day of the retreat, we can help to arrange a transfer for you at an additional cost as this falls outside of our airport transfer window.
What should I bring?
In addition to your standard packing list items, please refer to our packing checklist to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay with us!
Our locations are off-the-grid! Note the following things for Nicaragua:
WiFi: We recommend unplugging! If you absolutely need connection, we advise getting a local SIM card at the airport (there is a Movistar stand near the exit after baggage).
ATM: Make sure to get out enough cash at the airport before you leave as there is
no ATM near Rise Up. USD or Córdoba is accepted in Nicaragua.
No general store: Plan to have everything you need before getting to Rise Up as we are far from a local store (ex: enough sunscreen, repellent, etc.).
Showers: We do not have warm showers. You will probably prefer cold ones anyways 🙂
In addition we recommend the following:
- Bring eco-friendly toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, etc. as much as possible.
- Bring a re-usable water bottle (we provide drinking water for refilling).
- Bring a re-usable shopping bag instead of getting plastic bags at markets.
Are you able to cater meals for vegetarians, vegans or anyone with food allergies?
We are able to cater to most dietary requirements, as long as we have prior notice. Please specify any dietary requirements you may have when filling out the registration form.
What are the opportunities to give back?
Rise Up Kids is an NGO that we created to support the education and needs of children living within the local communities around Rise Up. We create, implement, and support sustainable projects that are focused on the development and well-being of kids. We believe that together with our guests, we can accomplish greater things and can take on projects that will change the lives of young Nicaraguans and future generations to come.
During your week of your retreat we organize some activities with the local schools. We will visit, deliver donations, and enjoy some football games with the kids!
If you are interested in collaborating, you can bring: socks, pencils, notebooks, soaps, shampoos, etc.
The best way to help our mission is to donate! Even a small amount can make a big difference! 100% of donations go towards our projects.
Is there Wi-Fi?
We have WiFi available in all of our locations, however at times it can be unreliable. That said, we recommend and prefer our guests disconnect from their devices as much as possible!
What breaks can we expect to surf while at Rise Up?
While at Rise Up Surf Retreats, you will be put into a small group that matches your surf level and brought to the best waves for your surf ability. Many of the breaks we surf are so empty we prefer not to name them to keep it that way!
Do you rent surfboards?
We include boards in all our packages. However, if you have a particular preference then please reach out to find out what boards we have available.
What time is check-in and check-out?
- Check-in is at 2pm.
- Check-out is at 11am.
What is the late check-out policy?
It really depends on the location and what is happening at that specific time. Please ask and we will accommodate you if we can.
What is our early arrival policy?
Requests for early arrival is possible based on availability.
Do you recommend travel insurance?
Rise Up Surf requires all guests to have valid travel insurance to cover your costs in case you are unable to attend part or all of your retreat with us and are not eligible for a refund from us under our cancellation policy.
We advise that you check to ensure your travel insurance policy covers issues related to travel like airline cancellations, personal injury (looking especially to cover surfing as an activity), a death in the family, and any Covid-19 related costs. Rise Up Surf is not liable for any refunds or travel costs.
We recommend Global Rescue, as they cover all the activities offered on our trips. If you have a preferred insurance provider, please be sure your policy includes travel cancellation, delays, and medical coverage in the case of an accident or injury
Rise Up highly recommends purchasing a policy with a “Cancel For Any Reason” clause. This should protect your trip payment from any unpredicted circumstances. Please make sure you read the fine print on what it covers so that you are sufficiently protected. If you plan to purchase “Cancel For Any Reason” insurance, please note that this must be purchased within ~2-3 weeks of your initial deposit date. Make sure you read the rules pertaining to your specific policy. We highly recommend buying your travel insurance at the same time or very soon after making your initial deposit with us.
Do we offer child rates?
Children up to 3 years old are free. Children aged 3 to 8 are 25% off. Those aged 8 and above will be charged full price.
What gratuity or tip do you recommend?
So much goes on behind the scenes to make your stay as smooth and enjoyable as possible. In addition to our surf instructors, yoga teachers, and drivers, we also have a full back of house staff (kitchen, cleaning, groundskeeping, etc).
If you have a great experience with the Rise Up team, we recommend a 10% tip on the trip total.
This will go directly to our wonderful staff members and makes a great difference as USD, CAD, the GPB and the Euro go much further than the local currencies.
Where can I get a copy of my receipt after departure?
Please email [email protected] to request an emailed copy of your receipt.
What are the extra charges when on a retreat?
We recommend bringing enough cash to pay for alcoholic drinks, massages, souvenirs, extra activities and tips. Please note that as we run in remote locations, with limited access to ATMs, the airport is the best place to get out cash. Cash is also recommended, as many locations do not accept credit cards.
Are all taxes included in the package price?
All in-country taxes are included, but you may have a fee depending on the method of payment used.
What are the terms and conditions of booking a trip with Rise Up?
Please take the time to carefully read our terms and conditions prior to making a reservation.
Is Central America safe?
Our guests are our number one priority. If ever we had reason to believe our locations unsafe, we would not run the risk of running them. Our retreats run are held in off-the-beaten path locations, but we ensure they are perfectly safe for tourists. Our guests have always felt very safe and comfortable. We recommend having the same level of caution as you would in your own home country and following common sense to minimize petty theft.
What are the steps that Rise Up Surf Retreats take to ensure client safety?
- We strive to be fully aware of guests who may have allergies, injuries or serious medical conditions
- Our local surf instructors and guides are ISA certified, life guard certification and hold their First Aid certifications. On top of that they have years of experience teaching. Our coaching methods and sound and thorough and truly focus on how to surf safely as one of the foundations when working with us.
- Our guests are always given the appropriate information and instructions about the surf and activities to ensure their health and safety
- Our drivers, boat captains and volcano guides are all First Aid Certified
- We keep a full medical kit on site at the camp and always travel with a medical kit when on any kind of trip.
- Our boat and vehicles are kept in good condition, with regular maintenance.
- We have an emergency plan that includes contacting reliable English speaking doctors at the emergency clinic nearby. We always have a cell phone or radio on us in the event of an emergency.
For more on our health and safety please read our terms and conditions. It is also compulsory to have international medical insurance to come on a trip with us and have this information available for us to find in the case of an emergency.
COVID19 & Nicaragua
Please see more info related to COVID-19 on this page.
If you have any more questions email [email protected] and we’d be happy to help.