Costa Rica gets a lot of love for its surf and wellness culture, but if you are looking to truly escape the crowds and leave the real world behind, you might want to head just a bit further north. Nicaragua is holding the keys to the peaceful, untouched beach vibes you’re craving. Specifically, in Popoyo, an under-the-radar surf town where the only competition for the waves are the pelicans.
This is where you will find Hide and Seek Resort, a charming five-room oasis designed for anyone who wants to leave their phone in their room for an entire vacation. If your ideal getaway involves a perfect trifecta of catching great waves, resetting with sunrise yoga, and rejuvenating with a cold plunge, this place was designed for you.
Location
Hide and Seek Resort is a relatively new, minimal but luxurious boutique property in a small beach community in Popoyo, Nicaragua. It’s a 2-hour ride from the capital city of Managua. If you’re really adventurous and have 5-6 hours to spare, you can fly into Liberia, Costa Rica and experience the land border crossing.
Things to Do
Surf is the word in Popoyo. Gentle, beginner-friendly waves roll in from November through April, while more challenging breaks are just down the coast for experienced surfers. There’s plenty of surf to go around, though the abundance of “locals only” T-shirts in the shops might suggest otherwise.
During my visit, schools of sardines darted through the warm water as pelicans dove overhead in a feeding frenzy. When you’re ready for a break from the waves, sunset horseback rides along the beach are easy to arrange. Evenings are equally laid-back, with a handful of local hangouts (such as Mag Rock and Dogtown Shop & Café) offering live music, cold drinks, and a place to unwind after a day in the water.
Resort and Room
With just five rooms (for now), Hide and Seek has an intimate feel. My mornings began with coffee and a sunrise yoga session on the open-air palapa, accompanied by birdsong and the rustle of palm fronds in the warm breeze. Afterward, I’d rotate between the sauna and cold plunge.
The property’s modern design is striking. Throughout the day, shifting sunlight casts ever-changing shadows across the crisp white walls, vibrant tropical flowers, and bright blue pool. The scenery gets even better after dark, when dramatic sunsets give way to moonlit skies.
Dining
Hide and Seek’s restaurant, Oasis, serves fresh, colorful dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with an emphasis on local produce, garden-grown herbs, and minimally processed ingredients. It’s what every meal should be. The kitchen is happy to accommodate a range of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergies.
The menu has plenty of options for locally sourced meats and seafood, although they could have been a bit more generous with the tofu. Cocktails are superb, as well as a few dessert options. I’d come back for the passion fruit tart in a heartbeat.
Retreat
I stayed at Hide and Seek Resort during one of their retreats, opting for one led by Karoline, the founder of Sol Nourishment. Karoline is the kind of host who makes you feel like the week was designed specifically for you, because in a lot of ways it was. Rather than adhering to a strict yoga and surf program, she threaded surprises throughout my stay. Each yoga session incorporated a new addition to my practice, such as visualization, meditation, qigong, or breathwork. Every morning started with an oracle card pull for self-reflection, which was a small touch that set the tone for the day.
The retreat also included a personalized, restorative reiki session for each guest. A photographer came in and guided us through creating our own cyanotype prints to bring home. And one evening, she took us off-site for a rooftop sound bath, where ocean waves and sound waves combined for an incredibly relaxing experience. Karoline brought in local surf instructors to keep everyone safe in the water, including one of Nicaragua’s national champions. I felt looked after while making fun conversation waiting for the next set of waves to roll on by.
If any of this sounds like your kind of trip, her next retreat is scheduled for February 6–12, 2027, and you can sign up at Sol Nourishment.
