Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Retreat Center in Nicaragua

Are you dreaming of owning a wellness retreat center? While destinations like Costa Rica, Bali, and Mexico may be more well-known, Nicaragua is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting and affordable places to start a retreat business. Whether you're looking for a lifestyle change, a smart investment, or a place to build a conscious community — Nicaragua has it all.

At Eden on the Chocolata, we’ve lived this dream for the past 7 years. Here’s why we chose Nicaragua — and why you might want to as well.

Why Nicaragua?

When people go on retreat, they seek distance from their daily lives. They want to disconnect to reconnect — and Nicaragua offers the perfect setting for this transformation. With its tropical climate, stunning beaches, and laid-back lifestyle, Nicaragua is still one of the most affordable places in the world to buy a retreat center.

Choosing Nicaragua isn't just a business decision. It's a lifestyle shift. But is it right for you? Here's our honest story, including the highlights and the challenges.

Our Story: From Amsterdam to the Tropics

We were both living in Amsterdam — I worked as a tax advisor and Remy had a ticket business. Life was comfortable, but something felt off. We sold everything and traveled the world for over a year. That space and freedom helped us clarify what we wanted next:
A place where people could slow down, reconnect with themselves, live healthier lives, and feel part of a like-minded community.

That dream led us to Nicaragua, where we managed an ecolodge for six months. We fell in love with the tropical climate, the raw beauty of nature, the ocean, and the simplicity of life. We got married here, and soon after, Remy found a magical property for sale. Within a week, we bought it — and Eden on the Chocolata was born.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Retreat Center in Nicaragua

1. 🌴 Incredible Nature & Scenery
   From lush jungles to ocean views, Nicaragua offers an inspiring natural backdrop for retreats.
   
   

2. 💰 Affordable Property Prices & Low Cost of Living
   Compared to other retreat hotspots, Nicaragua remains one of the most accessible investment locations.
   
   

3. 🏖️ World-Class Surf Beaches
   Locations like San Juan del Sur attract surfers, yogis, and travelers from all over the world.
   
   

4. 🌅 Indoor-Outdoor Lifestyle
   Enjoy year-round sunshine, fresh air, and healthy living away from the 9-5 grind.
   
   

5. 🌍 Growing Tourism Industry
   Nicaragua, especially the southern Pacific coast, is seeing a steady increase in tourism.
   
   

6. 🤝 Welcoming Local & Expat Community
   Nicaraguans are incredibly friendly, and places like San Juan del Sur are home to lively international communities.
   
   

7. 🚗 Improved Infrastructure
   The new coastal road makes travel along the Pacific coast faster and easier.
   
   

8. 🏡 Property Ownership is Open to Foreigners
   Nicaraguan law allows foreigners the same property rights as locals — no extra complications.
   
   

9. 🧘 Ideal for Wellness & Spiritual Retreats
   The energy of this land is powerful, the power of nature is very closeby — perfect for yoga, meditation, and healing.
   
   

10. 🏙️ Diverse Locations to Choose From
    Colonial Granada, upscale Emerald Coast, and lively San Juan del Sur all offer different vibes for your dream retreat.
    
    

What to Consider Before Buying a Retreat in Nicaragua

Nicaragua is beautiful — but it comes with a learning curve. Here are some important things to know before you make the move:

• Seasons Matter:
  Nicaragua has a dry season (Nov–May) and a rainy or "green" season (Jun–Oct). Dry season is considered the high season for tourism, but my love goes to the green season when everything is beautiful and lush. Most rainy showers are in the nights and the days are usually still sunny.
  
  

• Building a Team Takes Time:
  Finding reliable staff in a developing country takes patience and cultural understanding. Most people don’t speak English and have different norms then the fast paced Western mentality. As you are serving mostly Western guests, this can be a challenge.
  
  

• Efficiency is Not the Norm:
  Bureaucracy moves slowly. Getting documents or permits can be a lesson in patience.
  
  

• Shopping Can Be an Adventure:
  Your grocery run may involve multiple stops and you will only find veggies that are in season. But that’s also part of the charm — we now make our own coconut milk, granola, sauces, and more.
  
  

• Access to Quality Goods Is Limited:
  Especially when we started Eden, we had to travel across the country for certain items. Since last year (2024) online shopping is now an option too.
  
  

• Decide Where You Want to Live:
  Living on-site helps you understand your retreat center deeply. But long-term, you may prefer to live nearby for more balance. The first years of Eden we lived on site, but after having 3 kids we decided to move close by.
  
  

• Know Your Neighborhood:
  Development can affect your business — for better or worse. The area around Eden is now largely completed, but it’s important to do your research.
  
  
  

Eden on the Chocolata Your Next Dream Investment?

If your heart is pulling you toward Nicaragua, and you're looking for a turnkey retreat center that has already changed countless lives — Eden might be the place for you.

We’ve poured our hearts into Eden, creating a thriving community space where yoga, healing, and nature come together. After 7 beautiful years and three little ones, we're ready to pass this dream on to the next visionary owner.

📩 Want to learn more?
Visit retreatcentercentralamerica or contact us. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you decide if this is your next chapter.