Yoga, Sun & Sea: A Winter Retreat
with Savonn and Bill
January 23 – 30, 2027
Join Sellwood Yoga’s founders and sister and brother duo, Savonn and Bill, for a week of yoga, sun, and surf on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast. Our home base is Verdad, a small boutique resort set on a hillside above the private, uncrowded beach of Playa Escameca Grande.
Location
Verdad is a boutique resort along Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast that blends high-end comfort with eco-conscious living. Between yoga sessions, you’ll find plenty of ways to settle in—shaded beach hangouts, lounge chairs by the pool, and trails through lush tropical surroundings. If you want a change of pace, San Juan del Sur is just 20 minutes away with beachfront dining, local brews, renowned gelato, and quaint shops.
Ready to Sign Up?
Click below to register and pay your retreat deposit.
Retreat Highlights
Yoga Classes with Savonn and Bill. Up to 2 classes per day in a beautiful open-air studio overlooking the coastline and surrounding hillside. Equipped with Manduka mats, yoga straps, blocks, and bolsters, it’s an ideal setup for our group sessions or your own personal practice.
Secluded Beach Access. Playa Escameca Grande and Playa El Yankee are both within a 10–15 minute walk. At Playa Escameca Grande, there’s a thatched-roof lounge area with hammocks and shade, plus a beach bar serving smoothies, cold beer, cocktails, and lunch — think fish tacos, fresh ceviche, and other local favorites.
Pool. Hang out at the pool with a book, taking in views of the water and coastline. The pool area has lounge chairs, ample sun and shade, and an honor bar stocked with drinks and snacks.
Wine Tasting and Food Pairing. The retreat includes a wine tasting at sunset with food pairing led by a local sommelier. Typically, the tasting features a collection of South American wines — a sparkling, a couple of whites, and a couple of reds — each accompanied by a small bite that complements the pour.
Hiking. Verdad is surrounded by hiking trails that wind throughout the hillside and connect not only to the closer beaches and surrounding tropical forest, but to nearby beaches such as Playa El Coco and Playa El Yankee. You can take a trail map and hike on your own or go with one of the local guides. Hikes range from easy to somewhat strenuous.
Functional Fitness Equipment. The yoga studio also has kettlebells, TRX, jump ropes, med balls, Bosu, and other fitness equipment that you can use when the space isn’t being used for yoga.
Meals and Beverages. Early riser snacks, brunches and dinners are included with the retreat price. Meals at Verdad are fresh, flavorful, and prepared daily with local ingredients—think just-caught fish, garden vegetables, brick-oven pizza, and house-made desserts.
- Early Riser & Pre-Morning Yoga Snack. Each morning, there will be coffee, tea, fresh juice, homemade granola, and yogurt for any early risers.
- Nicaraguan-Style Brunch.
- Family-Style Dinner.
- Lunch and Tapas. There’s a beach bar for a la carte lunch and a pool bar with tapas during the day. (At your own expense)
Accommodations. Verdad’s rooms (or “casitas”) are architecturally designed with local craftsmanship, handmade tiles, and private baths. Spaces range from a hillside casita with private deck to pool-side single rooms overlooking the gardens and the sea. You’ll find 500-thread-count cotton sheets, spa-style bath towels in your room, Turkish cotton towels for the pool and beach, and locally made shampoo, hand soap, and body wash made with natural ingredients. The hotel is fully solar-powered and filters its own drinking water—high-end comfort with a genuine commitment to the environment.
Ready to Sign Up?
Click below to register and pay your retreat deposit.
Optional Activities
Surf & Surf School. Steady offshore winds create ideal conditions for surfing nearly all year. With a variety of boards available for rent and lessons offered for all levels by professional coaches, beginners can catch their first wave while experienced surfers can enjoy reliable swells and plenty of time on the board.
Boogie Board and Body Surf. Boogie boards are available for rent, and the beach breaks along Playa Escameca Grande are great for body surfing.
Massage. The hillside massage studio has sweeping views of the water, cool ocean breezes, and the soothing sound of the waves — a perfect setting for a deeply relaxing massage. Skilled bodyworkers offer deep tissue, hot stone, and Swedish massages, or combo treatments tailored to your specific needs.
Panga Boat Excursion. Head out on a panga boat with local guides and fishermen for a day on the water. The trip includes fishing — try your luck or sit back and leave it to the captain and crew — along with snorkeling and a beach stop. Fresh ceviche is made right on the boat with whatever’s been caught that day. And if we’re lucky, maybe even a whale sighting. The excursion can also include optional surfing, wakeboarding, or snorkeling.
Catamaran Sail. For a more mellow day on the water, take a catamaran sail along the coast. Full-day sails include lunch and drinks, while half-day sails come with snacks and beverages — either way, a relaxing way to see the coastline from a different perspective.
Lighthouse Excursion and Sunset in San Juan del Sur. Head to nearby San Juan del Sur for a late afternoon stroll through town — browse the shops, grab some gelato, and buy some gifts for friends and family. As sunset approaches, make your way to the lighthouse for a cocktail or mocktail at the café and one of the best sunset views in the area.
Nicaraguan Cooking Class. Join Verdad chefs in their kitchen for a cooking class and lunch. This is a unique opportunity to learn how to prepare Nicaraguan-style enchiladas and then share the meal with each other.
Horseback Riding. Take a guided horseback tour through the jungle to the beach, or head deep into the surrounding tropical forest where you’re likely to encounter all sorts of wildlife.
Hike and Farm Tour with Lunch. Hosted by Verdad’s own kitchen team this excursion takes you on a hike to their property for an up-close look at a Nicaraguan farm, complete with a home-cooked lunch prepared by the chefs themselves.
Tour Granada with Las Isletas Boat Ride. Consider a visit to Granada for a wonderful walking tour of Nicaragua’s oldest city, founded in 1524. The colonial architecture is stunning, with vividly colored buildings clustered around the iconic bright yellow Catedral de Granada. Shops and restaurants along the pedestrian street Calle La Calzada offer chocolate, coffee, art, jewelry, and delicious food. The tour includes a boat ride around the nearby Las Isletas de Granada—365 jungle-clad islets in Lake Nicaragua. Within this unique habitat you can spot monkeys, birds, and aquatic life and see a mix of fishing shacks and luxury mansions.
Other Optional Activities. New activities pop up every year. Past favorites include pickleball at Las Alas (just a five-minute drive away) and beach bonfires with night swimming. Verdad can also help arrange other adventures and outings.
Instructors
Savonn Wyland
Teaching yoga since 1998, Savonn brings a grounded, skillful, and inspiring presence to her classes. Her teaching blends precise, detailed instruction with a deep respect for personal expression, creating a supportive and transformative experience for students of all levels. Savonn’s classes, workshops, and retreats are thoughtfully designed to help students deepen their practice, connect more fully with themselves, and feel part of a welcoming community.
She has been leading international retreats since 2006, with past destinations including the Italian Dolomites, the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, Madeira and the Algarve in Portugal, Tuscany, and both coastal and inland areas of Costa Rica — as well as Panama, Mexico, Nicaragua, France, and Morocco. This will be her third time at Verdad, and she’s so happy to be co-leading the retreat with her brother Bill and to share such a special place with everyone joining.
Bill Wyland
Bill’s approach to yoga is grounded in a simple idea: the practice doesn’t stay on the mat. The skills and awareness you build in class carry into everything — your health, your relationships, your work, and your personal growth. As a studio co-founder and teacher, he brings that perspective to every class he leads.
This will be Bill’s second retreat at Verdad, and he’s looking forward to getting back — the open-air yoga studio, the waves (he’s a dedicated boogie boarder), and the overall pace of life there made a lasting impression.
Pricing and Registration
Please click on the “Sign Up” button to the right and make a non-refundable deposit of $500 to reserve your spot.
Once we receive your deposit, we will follow up within a few days to review your lodging preference and confirm other details about the retreat.
Payment Schedule
A $500 deposit is due at the time of booking to reserve your spot. The remaining balance — based on your choice of accommodation — is split into two equal payments and automatically charged on the dates listed below. If you need to make arrangements for a different payment plan please let us know and we will work something out.
| Payment | Due Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due at booking | $500 |
| Payment #2 | October 1, 2026 | Half of remaining balance |
| Final Payment | October 23, 2026 | Half of remaining balance |
Retreat Deposit
secures your spot on the retreatAccommodation Options
Ocean View Bungalow — Private (2 available): $2900 per person
For those who want a bungalow to themselves. Each private bungalow has a queen bed, private en suite bathroom, private deck, outdoor shower, and ceiling fans.
Ocean View Bungalow Shared (3 available): $2500 per person
2 people per bungalow. The ocean view bungalows can be configured to have 1 queen bed plus 1 single bed, private en suite bathroom, private deck, additional outdoor shower, and ceiling fans. There are 3 ocean view bungalows.
Ocean View Duplex: $2500-$2800 per person
Lower level: 1 queen bed and 1 twin bed. Upper level: 1 queen bed.
3-4 people total in the duplex. The duplex is divided into 2 levels with 1-2 people per level. Both levels have their own private deck, bathroom and ceiling fans. There is 1 duplex.
Ocean and Valley View Bungalow for a Couple (1 available): $2200 per person
This casita, located hillside with both ocean and valley view, is the most privately situated of the bungalows. Perfect for a couple wanting more privacy or friends seeking extra quietness. It has a ceiling fan, a full bathroom with solar hot water shower, a desk, and a private deck with a daybed, hammock, and two chairs. There is 1 ocean/valley view bungalow.
Ocean View Deluxe Bungalow (1 available for 2 people): $2700 per person
The deluxe bungalow was built in 2025. It has both a large ceiling fan and modern air-conditioning. There are two full-size beds, a large outdoor sofa, and two lounge chairs on the private deck overlooking the coastline, as well as a full bathroom with double sinks, a solar hot water shower, gorgeous tiles handmade in Nicaragua, and a rain showerhead. There is only 1 deluxe bungalow.
Single Rooms (2 available): $2400 per person
These rooms have a double bed, private bathroom, outside seating area, ceiling fan, and air conditioning. They are located near the pool.
Transportation to and from Verdad
The staff at Verdad will help organize ground transportation from Augusto C Sandino Airport in Managua, Nicaragua, or from the Liberia International Airport in Costa Rica. Private ground transport from Liberia (including border crossing) is about $165 for a maximum of 4 people. Additional people average about $40/pp. From Managua, the cost is about $120 for 4 people, and each additional person is about $30/pp.
If you fly to Liberia, Costa Rica, you will need to take into account the land based border crossing. Verdad’s ground transportation partners will help you out on both the Costa Rica as well as Nicaragua sides. The crossing can be a lengthy process depending on how many people are working at the border as well as how large the crowd sizes are. If you plan on flying in/out of Liberia, do some internet searching on current conditions and/or recommendations for the Peñas Blancas border crossing.
Retreat price includes:
- 7 nights’ and 8 days’ accommodation at Verdad Eco Boutique Hotel.
- Daily yoga classes with Savonn and Bill (up to 2 classes per day).
- Meals: 7 Early Riser & Pre-Morning Yoga Snacks (coffee, tea, fresh juice, homemade granola, and yogurt), 7 Nicaraguan-Style Brunches, and 7 Family-Style Dinners with Dessert.
- Use of communal spaces including the pool, lounge areas, yoga studio, and fitness equipment.
- Wine tasting and food pairing with a local sommelier.
Retreat price does NOT include:
- Airfare or other travel expenses to and from Nicaragua.
- Transportation to/from Verdad on the first and last days of the retreat. Verdad will help arrange group transportation.
- Personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance.
- Optional excursions and add-ons.
- Bodywork and spa treatments.
- Additional food, meals, wine, or alcohol.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We know that life happens and unforeseen situations and circumstances can change and impact your plans. Our cancellation/refund information is listed below. We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance so that you have more travel-related protection in case you need it. There are no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, injury, family emergencies, or illness.
Full payment is due by October 23, 2026. The card that you use for your deposit will be the one automatically charged for your balance payments. If you would like to pay the balance with a different credit card or by check, please make arrangements in advance.
- The $500 deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancel before September 1: full refund of any payments beyond the deposit. Cancel between September 1 and October 23: studio credit for payments beyond the deposit, valid for 365 days.
- No refunds or credit will be given for cancellations later than October 23, 2026.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to provide additional protection in case of any unexpected situations that may alter your travel plans. Check out travelinsure.com, insuremytrip.com, or speak with your credit card, airline, or travel company to find suitable options for your needs.
Reviews of Verdad
“My stay at Verdad Nicaragua was above and beyond 5 stars. As a young female, I am extremely concerned about safety. I traveled to Verdad alone from the United States and felt completely safe everywhere I went—both at Verdad and in the surrounding community. When I checked in to the hotel, I also noticed the safety precautions being taken there, including a gated entrance to the hotel premises that is monitored by a staff member 24/7. I even left my room door unlocked for the majority of my stay without worry!”
“When considering this trip to Nicaragua with my daughter, we originally had some concern about safety, due to the bad current political situation. Now that we’re back, I can say the total number of seconds I felt some anxiety during the trip was zero. Moreover, the aggregate friendliness factor of the Nicaraguans I met—from airport arrival to airport departure—was significantly higher than the American counterpart.”
“Delightful and outstanding experience. Verdad exceeded our expectations. Relax in a peaceful, unspoiled, tropical paradise with the comforts of an upscale hotel that will make you think you are in heaven. We truly had the time of our lives. I cannot stress enough the sweetness of everyone and everything. I am so grateful this place exists. Visit them!”