The REKA Retreat

April 12 -18, 2026
San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

The REKA Retreat isn’t about escaping your life.
It’s about coming back to it, fully, unapologetically, and in a way that feels true.

This experience is designed to strip away the noise, the pressure, the expectations… and to make space for what’s real.

Set in the raw beauty of Nicaragua, where life moves slower and hits deeper, this retreat is an invitation to reconnect, with your body, your breath, your voice, and your capacity to feel alive.

We don’t fix. We don’t force. We create space for what’s already inside you.

Why Nicaragua?

Because it’s real. It’s raw.

It’s not overrun with tourists or trying to be something it’s not. It’s warm ocean, dusty roads, volcanoes in the distance, and people who know how to live without rushing.

It’s a place where things slow down. Where the food tastes better, because it’s grown here. Where connection feels natural, because no one’s pretending. You come to San Juan, and you just breathe different.

Time stretches out here. You stop checking your phone so much. You eat when you're hungry. You rest when you need it. Somehow, everything just gets simpler.

The Experience

This retreat is about stripping things back.
Not in a harsh way—just in a true way.
You get to be fully in your body.
You get to move, breathe, rest, reflect, and show up exactly as you are.

Our Day at a Glance:

Mornings start up in the hills with vinyasa yoga in an open-air shala overlooking one of the most iconic beaches in the world. The view alone will stop you in your tracks. Before practice, we ease into the day with warm coffee or tea, guided meditation and/or breath-work, and a few moments of stillness to arrive — gently, fully, and without rush.

After movement, there’s space.
Space to journal. To connect. To share a real conversation. To explore self-inquiry that reaches beneath the surface.

Breakfast follows — fresh, local, and nourishing — and then the rest of the morning is yours. Swim in the sea. Take up some surfing lessons with one of our expert trained instructors. Walk the land. Nap under the trees. Read, wander, or simply be.

In the afternoons, we offer extra space..
There’s time for integration. For cold plunges, somatic practices, or nothing at all. Later, we’ll gather again for evening sessions like yin or yoga nidra — designed to soothe your nervous system and settle your spirit.

Dinner is family style and unhurried.
A simple, nourishing meal. Afterward, we linger in firelight, move through honest conversation, or retreat into rest. No pressure. No performance. Just presence.

And one full day, we trade land for ocean.
We spend it aboard a private catamaran, off-grid and unplugged — just us, the water, music, dancing, food, and the kind of joy that doesn’t need explaining.

This retreat isn’t about escaping your life, it’s about returning to it more fully.

Each day is designed to support you in slowing down, turning inward, and reconnecting with your strength, clarity, and purpose.

There’s structure, but nothing rigid, and lots of time and space to explore San Juan on your own, hit some waves or simply rest by the pool. 

What’s Included:

→ 6-night ocean front accommodations
→Breakfast, light lunch and dinner daily
→Daily yoga, meditation and guided journaling
→Breath-work workshop and ice baths
→Direct beach access to two of the most stunning beaches
→Hike to cristo de la misericordia
→Private sunset catamaran cruise
→Unlimited swims, surfs and sunsets
→Intentionally created welcome gift
→… and so much more!

Optional Add-ons:
→ Private Reiki Session
→ Private Breath-work Session
→ Expert-led private or group surf lesson

What’s not included:
→ Airfare to Nicaragua
→Airport transportation
→ Alcoholic beverages and meals outside meal times
→ Travel Insurance

Getting to Nicaragua

 

Getting to Nicaragua might be slightly more difficult than going to the grocery store, but it is infinitely more exciting! 

We recommend flying into Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) as they offer direct flights from Calgary and Toronto.  Another option will be to fly into Managua, Nicaragua (MGA)

Either way, getting to San Juan Del Sur from either airport are equal rides in length and scenery (volcanoes, lakes, and windmills), so choosing the airport is a matter of flight costs, convenience and your overall travel plans.

Accommodations

This isn’t just a place I found—it’s a place I chose. After visiting dozens of locations over the years, this retreat space stood out for something you can’t quite name—but you feel.

Tucked into the hillside above Playa Maderas, with wide-open views of the ocean and direct access to two different beaches just a few steps away. Villas Playa Maderas is wild, beautiful, and deeply grounding.

Every villa has its own private pool, open-air living spaces, and views that stop you in your tracks—especially at sunset, when everything slows down and the sky lights up in a way that makes time feel suspended.

The accommodations are intentionally not overdone. They’re clean, artful, and nestled right into the hillside. There’s a simplicity to them that invites you to breathe easier and be more present—no flashy luxury, just thoughtful design that supports your Nicaraguian experience in the most profound way.

Private Room

  • Private Rooms

    Your own space to retreat, reflect, and recharge.

    If you know you need solitude to process and integrate, this is for you. Your private room includes an ensuite bathroom, AC, and access to your villa’s private pool.

    Only 3 private rooms available

  • Private $3,100 usd

    Only 3 private room available

Shared Room

  • Shared Rooms

    Rooted in connection, with space to be yourself.

    These rooms are ideal for solo travelers or friends attending together. You’ll share a room with one or more guests in a spacious, comfortable setting. Each room includes individual beds, air conditioning, and secure storage.

  • $2,350 usd pp (shared 2 ppl)

    $2,200 usd pp (shared 3-4 ppl)

The Retreat Grounds

The retreat location itself is part of the experience.

You’ll practice on ocean-view yoga decks surrounded by trees and sky. Take a cold plunge with the sounds of the jungle around you. Hike through the property or wander down to the beach for a swim or sunset walk. Each villa is just steps away from the next, but you’ll still feel like you’re in your own little world. It’s quiet here. Alive. Undone in the best way.

Meet your hosts

Erika Blakely

“I’m a leadership coach, retreat facilitator, and Baptiste Certified Yoga Teacher with over a decade of experience creating powerful spaces for growth and transformation.”

After walking away from a corporate career in accounting, I committed fully to the path of yoga and leadership. I’ve trained for over 1,000 hours with some of the most respected teachers in the world—including through The Baptiste Institute—and now co-lead 200-hour teacher trainings and lead international retreats that take people deep into themselves.

My work blends yoga, embodied leadership, coaching, and personal inquiry. I create experiences that challenge people to get honest, go inward, and reconnect with what matters—whether that’s on the mat, in conversation, or halfway across the world in a retreat setting.

Denise McIntosh

”I practice and teach a wide range of meditation, yoga, reiki, and breathwork.”

I have had the privilege of studying with many mentors in my journey, including a Tibetan Buddhist monk who introduced me to the beautiful Zen Buddhist Philosophy, which guides my aspirations in life. I have also studied the science behind the many forms of searching for contentment and enlightenment enabling the mind and body to connect to the soul in harmony. I am trained in: Buddhist meditation, Baptiste yoga, Reiki, Breathwork, Yoga Nidra, I rest, Ishta yoga, Hooponopono, and life coaching. I have been trained in trauma-informed and somatic practices which I weave into all my classes. I aim to inspire and empower people with a gentle, compassionate approach to tap into their inner wisdom ultimately finding balance in their lives. With this balance my students can embrace the present moment and cultivate a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.

Karen Bowen

“Seven years ago, I stepped into my first Baptiste Yoga class looking to shake up my fitness routine. What I found was a spark — one that ignited a passion and purpose I never saw coming.”

By 2020, I had completed my 200-hour RYT, and by 2021, my 300-hour training. I dove deep into the work, expanding my capacity to lead, teach, and serve. With certifications in Power Yoga, YIN, and special populations, I bring a well-rounded, inclusive approach to the mat.

My classes build intentionally — starting slow, rising to a powerful peak, and landing in stillness. It's a journey that strengthens the body, calms the mind, and reconnects you to what matters most.

Becoming an Elevation Life Coach deepened my impact, giving me the tools to hold space, challenge growth, and lead from the heart. Yoga, for me, is more than movement. It’s a pathway to clarity, courage, and coming alive. I’m here to guide that journey — and I’d be honored to walk it with you.

Reconnect and Awaken
If something in you is stirring - listen.

This retreat isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remembering who you already are. Slowing down. Connecting with others and with yourself in a brand new way. And rising into the next version of your life with clarity, courage, and presence.

Spots are very limited. To reserve yours, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required.