Step Aside, Costa Rica, Why Nicaragua Is the Underrated Gem of Central America

When most people think about a getaway to Central America, Costa Rica is usually the first place that comes to mind. And honestly, I get it, it’s beautiful. But if you’re craving something a little less polished, a little more real, and a lot more alive... it’s time to set your sights on Nicaragua.

There’s a reason I chose Nicaragua as the home for REKA Retreats. It’s raw, soulful, and full of the kind of magic that makes you feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

So, what makes Nicaragua so special?

The culture is real.
Nicaragua hasn’t been overrun by tourists yet, and you can feel it. Locals welcome you with genuine warmth, not because it’s their job, but because that’s who they are. Life moves slower here, and somehow, it invites you to slow down too.

The beaches are wild and wide open.
I’m talking miles of golden coastline where you might only share the view with a few pelicans and maybe a handful of surfers. Sunrise yoga sessions, barefoot beach walks, sunset swims — it’s all still raw and untouched.

It’s luxurious... without feeling pretentious.
You don’t need a $1000 a night resort to feel like you’re living in paradise. Here, you get boutique treehouse villas tucked into the jungle, farm-to-table meals, and front-row seats to some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen — without the insane price tags.

There’s a real spirit of adventure.
Surfing, sailing, hiking volcanoes, wandering colorful colonial towns — there’s something about Nicaragua that wakes up your sense of wonder. You’ll remember what it feels like to be alive in the best possible way.

Why REKA Retreats is rooted here.

When I was dreaming up REKA Retreats, I knew I wanted to create experiences that didn’t just look good on Instagram. I wanted to create spaces where people could actually feel something. Where they could soften, open, heal, and come back to life.

Nicaragua offers that naturally.
Here, the land itself seems to hold you. It slows you down, strips away the noise, and invites you to come home to yourself.

That’s what REKA Retreats is about. And that’s why I’ll keep bringing people here — to breathe deeper, laugh harder, move slower, and walk away different than they came.