Panama·25 - 31 January 2026
A curated wellness, cultural + culinary experience on Panama's Pacific coast. Quiet, remote + authentic Panama!
This is a retreat to truly get away from it all. Panama is nestled between Costa Rica and Colombia and has many of the best elements of both. We'll spend our time in a private resort in a remote corner of the world in the western province of Chiriquí, Panama. Our home for the week is perched on the edge of a cliff with amazing vistas of lush jungle, the Pacific Ocean and rivers valleys. Together we'll get off the tourist path and hike remote waterfalls, have lunch on a deserted island, wake up to the sound of howler monkeys and practice yoga with 360 degree views of the breathtaking landscape. Get away your day-to-day and into a new rhythm of a tropical Panamanian life. - Price: $2820 per person for triple occupancy $3120 per person for double occupancy - Group Size: 12-15 Guests - Luxury Score: 3.5 (out of 5) - Activity Score: 2.5 (out of 5) - Some Active Tours - Adventure Score: 3 (out of 5) - Remote location, Off-the-beaten path tours - Cuisine: Omnivore (meat + fish offered), Vegetarian / GF avail upon request We are thrilled to partnering with Nicole LaFon and InBalance Yoga in Blacksburg, VA for this retreat.
Our quiet, remote retreat venue is held exclusively for Above Yoga Retreat guests and is set on an expansive property with lush landscapes in every direction. Sip a drink from the infinity pool as you look out at the ocean or nap in a shady hammock. Get back to your true self as you re-ground into nature.
All your delicious, healthy meals are included. From made-to-order local breakfasts to plated candlelit dinners, you'll remember the food on this retreat long after your last bite. Seafood, meat and vegetarian options are available. You'll also enjoy local cuisine on two excursions.
Enjoy invigorating lovingly cultivated yoga classes 1-2x a day in our thatched roof, open-air yoga shala just steps from the main building. Class types range from vinyasa, to slow flow, to yin and gentle. The shala is open to you outside of class times if you'd like to do additional movement or meditation practices.
Our villa is just a 20 minute walk from a local and quiet beach area. There are lounge chairs and hammocks set up for the retreat guests, so it's the perfect place to relax on a free day. Take a swim in the bay or just watch the hermit crabs climb over the sand dunes at sunset. Natural beauty at its finest.
A retreat is meant to be a sanctuary and a withdrawal from the every day stressors of life. You'll have plenty of time and space to journal, read, nap or just enjoy nature across several outdoor sitting and lounge areas on the property. There's lots of room to spread out mentally and physically in our Panamanian refuge.
We'll spend a half day exploring local islands by boat. Enjoy plenty of time to swim in the crystal clear waters, an included local lunch at a beach restaurant on a deserted island that'll make you feel like you've been castaway to another world. Swim, explore, just relax -- this beach + boat day can be as adventurous or as laid back as you want!
Sure to be one of the highlights of your trip - is our half day guided waterfall hike near the beautiful mountain town of Boquete. This is a moderately strenuous trail so if you'd rather not hike, you can choose to tour a local coffee plantation and shop in town instead.
In addition to our retreat leaders (who often also teaches yoga), every retreat will have an additional certified yoga teacher or fitness instructor on-site who will lead a portion of the classes and support students in their practice. We find that an opportunity to participate in a variety of classes with various teaching styles adds to our guests’ overall retreat experience.
Anna is Above Yoga's Chief Zen Officer and lead yoga instructor. Anna handles all retreat planning and logistics. She aims to hold space for others to experience personal growth, transformation and community through wellness travel. She loves to teach yin, slow flow and moderately paced vinyasa flows that are accessible to every level of student but that offer challenges in an inclusive and warm environment. Anna has led dozens of international retreats since 2017 and this will be her 4th retreat to Panama. She currently lives in Raleigh, NC.
Nicole is the owner of In Balance Yoga in Blacksburg, VA and a lead faculty member for their yoga teacher training programs. Nicole has completed three 500 Hour Certifications. She loves making the practice accessible to all in her classes and sharing this practice to everyone in a way that resonates with them. She is also a certified Energy Medicine Practitioner. She's traveled the world with yoga (including to India where she and our founder Anna first met). Nicole was a co-teacher on our first-ever Ireland retreat way back in 2018!
Tracey is a yoga teacher based in Cornelius, NC. She discovered yoga in 2018 during a challenging time and found it to be a transformative practice, helping her quiet the mind, connect breath and body, and feel a deep sense of peace. Tracey teaches deep stretch, slow flow, and power/strength classes. She's been all over the world with AYR - including Morocco, Ireland and the Caribbean!
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DAY 1
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Panama! In the late afternoon, you'll be greeted outside the Enrique Malek International Airport (in David) by your private transfer and sit back for a 1 hr 15 min scenic journey to the villa.
Enjoy a leisurely check-in and get settled into your new home! Soak up the sunset views as our private chef prepares our first delicious dinner. Sit back and kick your feet up as we prepare for our week together!
Airport Transportation
Welcome Gathering
Private Chef Dinner
DAY 2
We'll wake up to have an invigorating morning yoga flow class followed by a gourmet made-to-order breakfast. Join for an optional guided walk to our nearby beach area.
The day is yours to relax and enjoy the scenery. Feel free to hang at the beach in a hammock, take a swim in the Pacific or sit by the pool and dive into a new book. Lunch can be ordered poolside at your leisure.
We'll gather in the early evening for a restorative and meditative yoga class. Then it's another gourmet dinner (maybe the fresh catch straight from the ocean) while overlooking our villa's infinity pool. You could get used to this life, right?
Morning Vinyasa Yoga
Breakfast
Intro Beach Walk
Lunch
Evening Yoga
Dinner
DAY 3
After our morning yoga class, enjoy another specialty breakfast dish + tropical fruit and local coffee. We'll head out late morning for a visit to the spectacular mountain town of Boquete.
You'll have the choice of touring a local coffee plantation or a half day waterfall hike. Then we'll all come together for a spectacular group lunch.
Once we're back at the villa in the late afternoon you can hop in the pool until it's time for another delicious group dinner such as local Mahi Mahi with tropical salad.
Morning Yoga Class
Guided Hike or Coffee Tour
Restaurant Lunch
DAY 4
After another thoughtful yoga class in our private thatched roof shala, we will have an amazing villa breakfast. Today's a free day to slow down and soak up your surroundings by enjoying beach and pool time. Craving more adventures? You can sign up for an additional excursion such as a surfing lesson or kayaking tour. Today is also a great day for a deeply relaxing on-site massage.
Lunch is available mid day to order at your leisure. We'll join together for an early evening restful deep stretch yoga class and then have another incredible group dinner.
Morning Yoga
Optional Excursions or Spa Appts
DAY 5
Enjoy our favorite combo of amazing outdoor morning yoga + strong coffee + a breakfast of tropical fruits, yogurt and homemade granola. After breakfast we'll head out for a 30 minute drive to the nearby town to board a boat for our island day! We'll explore a local island that's white sand beach and tropical palm trees -- a castaway's dream. There's a small local restaurant tucked into the shoreline where we will enjoy a local lunch such as a whole fried fish with the usual Panamanian sides! Grab a frozen beverage and float in the ocean afterwards.
We'll be back to the villa by late afternoon time, so we suggest you grab spot by the pool to watch the sun go down before another amazing group dinner by the pool.
Boat / Island Excursion
Lunch on Island
Alcoholic Drinks
DAY 6
Enjoy our sunrise flow morning yoga class and breakfast (it wouldn't be one of our sand + sea retreats without this blissful combo!) and then head to the beach to soak up some more sun!
You'll still have plenty of time to enjoy a free afternoon before a yin evening yoga class and another mouthwatering dining experience like local prawns with a tropical sauce at the villa this evening.
DAY 7
Parting is such sweet sorrow! After your final tropical breakfast and last cup of delicious Panamanian coffee, we'll head out as a group in the morning back to the airport in David for your flights to Panama City and onward to your final destination.
But you're a part of the Above Yoga family for life and we know we will see you on another retreat soon!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (all meals!)
Expertly curated yoga classes (1-2x daily)
Airport transportation to villa
Guided waterfall hike or coffee plantation tour
Boat excursions + island lunch experience
Guided journaling workshop(s)
Group lunch at Boquete restaurant
Ample free time for beach, pool, etc.
Unlimited filtered water, coffee and tea
Unlimited access to semi-private beach and private pool
A detailed itinerary, packing list and constant support leading up to and during the retreat
A pre-retreat Zoom meeting and private Facebook group
A mobile-friendly secure web app for use on retreat
Airfare to David, Panama
Smoothies or alcoholic beverages
Additional excursions or spa services
Optional tips for villa staff
PAY ONLY $564 DEPOSIT
Large room with private bathroom, Either 2 guests in a king bed or solo in a queen or twin bed, Can be booked as individual spots
Large room with private bathroom
Either 2 guests in a king bed or solo in a queen or twin bed
Can be booked as individual spots
FROM$2,820.00/pp
PAY ONLY $624 DEPOSIT
Large room with private bathroom, Shared sleeping accommodations in king bed: perfect for couples or close friends, Both spots must be booked, Possibility of 2 twins - inquire
Shared sleeping accommodations in king bed: perfect for couples or close friends
Both spots must be booked
Possibility of 2 twins - inquire
FROM$3,120.00/pp
VIEW GALLERY
A 20% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining 80% can be paid at your leisure and in any increments, as long as it is paid off at least 90 days before the trip (reminders will be sent). Please note our Terms & Conditions before booking for more information on cancellation policies and liability waiver, you will be asked to agree to them when checking out. https://www.aboveyoga.com/terms/terms_and_conditions
For this retreat, you will need to fly into a small airport in David, Panama called the Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV). The easiest way to do this is from Panama City Tocumem Airport (PTY) on Copa Airlines. We HIGHLY recommend that you come into Panama City at least a day earlier than necessary to take in the city and not miss your intra-Panama flight. In order to use the retreat transfer service you should plan to take the 3:45 pm flight from PTY to DAV on the afternoon of the first day of the retreat and the 9:30 am flight from DAV to PTY on the morning of the final day. More information and recommendations on where to stay, eat and explore for optional add ons to your trip will be sent upon booking.
Our retreat villa is a remote area of Panama, so the roads to get there are at times bumpy and windy. Also the nearest towns, and small shops or restaurants are more than 30 min - 1 hour away. This is meant to be a mental detox, so if constant stimulation or shopping is your preferred vacation style, this is likely not a good retreat for you. Please also keep this in mind if you have pre-existing health concerns as the nearest hospitals and medical facilities are a great distance away. We highly recommend you take out travel health insurance.
This is a wonderfully, family owned boutique hotel that also operates as a retreat venue. Given the limited number of rooms and bed configurations, there is no option to have your own room on this retreat. The rooms themselves are extremely large, and there's an option to have your own bed in shared accommodations as desired. There is also plenty of space across the grounds to spread out during the day for alone time!
Average weather for Panama in January is: highs in the upper 80s and lows in the 70s. Expect ample sunshine (pack your sunscreen) and humidity. As with any tropical destination, there is a small chance or passing rainstorms and of course - bugs! While there are few mosquitos there are "no see ums," so make sure to bring your bug repellant!
While Panama has its own currency - the Balboa, it's tied directly to the US dollar. So US dollars are accepted everywhere within Panama - a great perk for easy travel! For small purchases at corner stores and tips for guides the USD is the best way to pay. Plan to take out money at your local bank before the trip. Major credit cards are also accepted at most establishments.
I loved how easy this experience was. Aside from booking flights, some logistics in/around Panama City (also super easy with all of the great recommendations!) and getting travel insurance, I didn't have to do much other than review the recommended packing list and decide which activities I wanted to do. Anna and the retreat leaders made everything feel so seamless which I know is not a low lift behind the scenes.
Meagan, St. Paul, MN (2024)
I didn’t know I wanted to go to Panama until I saw this retreat on the Above Yoga website. The moment I read about this retreat I knew I needed to go. I was nervous about being a solo traveler in a group. I didn’t need to be. I was nervous about sharing a room with people I just met. I didn’t need to be. From the moment I booked to the post-retreat survey, the attention to detail, communication and offerings were top-notch. I knew this trip was going to be amazing, but it was so much more. I can’t even put it into words...
Becky, Milwaukee, WI (2023)
Everything about this trip worked for me. The pre-trip communication was sufficient without being excessive. The airport pickup was smooth and painless. The yoga was perfect for me. I attended every class but knew I had the option to skip. The retreat property was beautiful, the owners and staff members were delightful, the food was delicious and all of the coastal excursions were great. It was just the right balance of activity and relaxation with cool new friends!
Anne, Greenwich, CT (2023)
Anna, I am compelled to tell you how wonderful and grateful I am for the amazing trip to Panama. It was curated to perfection and very clear that you worked really hard on it. I cannot say with enough emphasis how truly lovely the experience was. The staff is absolutely incredible and welcoming. The food was delicious. Meg was such a solid leader and trustworthy guide/teacher. Jen is the most amazing and wonderful host as are Jenny and Carol. I am shouting their praises. I hope to join in another Above Yoga Retreat in the near future, and want to personally thank you for your pristine, curating abilities!!!!!
Jess, St. Paul, MN (2024)
I felt incredibly well prepared from all of the pre- trip communication and reminders. The resort exceeded my expectations- everything was perfect and the staff was so accommodating. Loved every single meal and the excursions were exactly my style. To me, the biggest value was that everything was taken care of so I could relax, reflect and absorb more than I have in many years.
Carley, Raleigh, NC (2023)
I wasn’t sure I’d ever be one to enjoy group travel—I enjoy planning travel and even love traveling solo, but after my first retreat with Above Yoga to Morocco in 2021, I was a firm believer! Retreats with Above Yoga truly feel like a VACATION. You get the flexibility of personal travel with the worry-free benefits of group travel—plus a brand new group of friends! Coastal Panama was the perfect mix of adventure: hiking to a remote waterfall, taking a boat ride to secluded beaches, surfing and downtime—morning and evening yoga, eating delicious food, reading by the pool, strolling the quiet beach nearby. The retreat location was stunning too. This was my second retreat with Above Yoga, and I’m already looking forward to the next one!
Erin, Salt Lake City, UT (2023)
Adventure travel with Above Yoga is exactly the right amount of adventure, travel and yoga. All the planning is done for you with options to customize the experience, like summer camp for grown ups! Communication within our cohort was excellent from the beginning, so much so that I recognized another retreat participant in the airport! Within the first day of arriving, I had nine new friends. I especially loved all the excursions that took us off the beaten path and expanded my awareness of a new corner of the world. My expectations were blown out of the water repeatedly, from the accommodations to the hospitality and sincerity of local guides and surprises, big and little all along the way. Still smiling…
Susan, Wilmette, IL (2023)
The Panama retreat was exactly what I was looking for, a perfect combination of remoteness, luxury, and adventure! As a frequent solo traveler I appreciate that with these trips, I can have 100% confidence that every detail is taken care of. Pre trip communications are thorough, including detailed packing lists and suggestions for additional activities and restaurants for those arriving to the destination a few days early. Our accommodations in Panama were every bit as gorgeous as pictured and the resort staff was absolutely fantastic - and OMG, the FOOD!!! I thought the balance of excursions and free days was perfect for those just looking to relax. My next retreat is already booked and I cannot wait!
Pamela, New York, NY (2024)
Thank you for a retreat that exceeded my expectations in every way. You were so helpful and efficient, from my very first inquiry to your on-site coordination. No hiccup could phase you, your communication was wonderful and greatly appreciated, especially the web-based app! Once in remote Panama, there are not enough words to describe this amazing place! Each local tour guide, was beyond outstanding. Our drivers also deserve a shout-out. The resort that we stayed out was spectacular. And everyone, from the owners to each member of staff, made us feel so welcome and comfortable. Anna, you created a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget. Thanks again, it was a truly remarkable retreat!
Angela, Charlotte, NC (2023)
The most amazing part of going on an Above Yoga retreat was how safe and cared for we were. You can tell by how well all the guests got along that we all felt comfortable and at ease that this was true! The impeccable attention to detail is clear at every step. And I never once felt out of place, left out, or judged for not participating in any of the yoga! I will definitely book another Above Yoga retreat.
Sonia, Oneonta, NY (2023)
Panama·25 - 31 January 2026·6 nights
FROM$2820/pp
Join the waiting list and we will let you know if a spot becomes available.