Join Andrea and Danielle for the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation for a week of complete rejuvenation, as you cultivate inner peace in Panama. Take a dip in the pacific ocean, relax in the oceanfront infinity pool, hang out in the hammock on your garden view patio, and nourish your body with locally sourced meals!
This retreat offers the opportunity to check out from the stresses of city life and connect back to nature and oneself. What are you waiting for?
Feb 8-15th, 2025
Panama
Welcome to Waluua! You will experience a soul satisfying week in a tranquil surf and fishing village tucked away on the Pacific Coast of Panama. Santa Catalina is a true experience of slow-living among a small and safe community of friendly locals and like-minded travellers, without the crowds.
Sip your morning coffee and be front row to the action. Waluaa’s accommodations boast breathtaking views of Panama’s world-class surf break, La Punta. Take out a Kayak, SUP board, bike or surfboard in your free time. Walk to the village centre, or nearby beaches and get immersed in the local culture.
This luxury resort rests on miles of pristine beachfront, a short drive from Santa Catalina. Here you’ll be immersed in nature and the call of the wild nestled on 2.5 acres of secluded beachfront. It’s the ultimate sanctuary to rest and recharge.
Our Home For The Week
Leave your worries behind. Santa Catalina Panama is a laid-back, authentic village that’s not overrun with expats and tourists. Local kids roam safe day and night and visitors can stroll the town and beaches without hassle. Experience uncrowded beaches, world-class surfing and diving. All in Central Americaʼs safest country, Panama; with world-class medical facilities, infrastructure and the cultural sophistication of Panama City.
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AUTHENTIC SAFE TRAVEL IN PANAMA
Savor local wild caught fish, fresh local fruits and veggies every day. All your meals are locally inspired and naturally gluten and lactose free. We also dine at other local restaurants in the village so you can explore more of the amazing culinary scene. Don’t eat fish? No problem. We cater to all diets. Locally brewed coffee is served each morning and tropical fruit smoothies, and we include a complimentary glass of wine or local beer with each evening meal. Salud!
SOUL-NOURISHING MEALS
Ground Transportation
A private transfer, with professional drivers, will pick you up and bring you to and from Panama City.
7 Nights Accommodations
All of the rooms feature: Memory foam mattresses, plush pillows, 100% cotton linens, A/C and fan, Cable TV, Safe, Fridge, Wardrobe, Towels, Private bathroom, shampoo/conditioner/bodywash.
WIFI
Broadband wifi is available throughout the property including in room.
All Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner and an afternoon snack every day, also including your arrival evening dinner and departure morning breakfast. Meals are lovingly prepared by local chefs, using the freshest ingredients.
Culinary Experiences
2 Nights at different local restaurants( alcohol is not included with these meals)
Cocktail on Arrival
Enjoy a complimentary cocktail when you arrive.
Dinner Beverage
Glass of house wine or local beer included with each evening meal. Welcome drink on arrival and cocktail on arrival evening.
Two Yoga Classes Per Day
Plus all attendees receive a premium yoga pack for the week includes a Manduka PRO yoga mat, cork blocks, straps and blanket. Daily meditation also included.
Santa Catalina Island SUP Boarding and Island Picnic Lunch
Enjoy a delicious lunch on the white sand beaches! We will spend the afternoon SUP boarding, swimming, chilling and exploring the secluded island of Santa Catalina.
Closing Beach Bonfire
Nothing tops off a week by the ocean better than a beach bonfire under the starlit sky, reflecting on all the wonderful memories made!
Dry Land Surf Lesson
An introduction to surf with theory and surf basics.
Sports Equipment
Use of all sports equipment including SUP boards, kayaks, surf boards, body boards, bikes, and skateboards.
Concierge service for guests to book activities during their stay
Taxes/HST
(...Yay!)
What's Included
- Flights to and from Panama
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Optional Excursions
- Hotels in Panama
- Additional alcohol
- Extra meals/snacks or drinks beyond our included 3 meals, drinks and afternoon snack each day
- Gratuities: a gratuity of $80-$100 USD for service staff is suggested at check-out as an optional charge for each person.
- Any credit card/payment processing fees
(...Sorry!)
what is not included
Saturday, February 8th
Your peaceful journey awaits you! Welcome to Panama! We will meet at the central meeting point at 9:00 a.m, arriving in Santa Catalina in the afternoon (it is a 5.5 hour drive to the resort). For guests who will be flying into Panama on a red eye, we can arrange to have an airport pick up at 7:30 a.m. prior to the city pick up. Upon arrival you will be greeted with a cocktail of choice and then guided to your rooms to unpack and settle in. We will enjoy a meal together before snuggling in for the evening!
Sunday, February 9th
Good morning, sunshine! Enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, and infused water and start your day with a yoga class. After class, we will indulge in a breakfast prepared with love and local, fresh ingredients. The afternoon is all about relaxation and rest! Lounge by the pool, soak up the sun on the beach, get a massage, take a nap in your room; the possibilities are endless. Slip seamlessly into your evening with a second yoga class in the late afternoon followed by a delicious dinner!
An Incredible week Awaits You
Monday, February 10th
We will start the day with a yoga class, then a delicious breakfast to follow! Today we will explore the small town of Santa Catalina! This quaint town is the town you see in the surf movies, an adventurous far off place that’s hard to get to, but so worth it. It’s the town you imagine visiting and getting lost in, when everywhere else feels overcrowded and impersonal. A remote beach town on the Pacific Coast where local fishermen and their families gather every day to enjoy the sunset, surfers ride on skateboards to the beaches and families commute by horseback for the school drop-off. Ahhhhhhhh! We will conclude the days’ adventure with dinner at one of the local restaurants before heading back to the resort.
Tuesday, February 11th
You know how we roll….out our mats, that is! We start our day with morning yoga followed by breakfast! After that, you’ll have free time to explore the local village, relax by the pool, or enjoy the beach. You also have the option to take a dry land surf lesson today, try SUP, go on a horseback riding adventure, go diving in Coiba National Park! Today you can do whatever adventure you choose! We will end the day with a late afternoon yoga class followed by a decadent dinner!
Wednesday, February 12th
Private island excursion, anyone? Just a 5-minute boat ride away with its calm crystal blue waters and white sand beach, Santa Catalina Island is the perfect place to enjoy sup boarding, swimming, and exploring. We will also enjoy a delicious picnic style lunch at this beautiful Island! When we return, we will end our afternoon with a yoga class to fill our hearts and dinner sure to fill our bellies!
Thursday, February 13th
After our morning yoga and breakfast the day is yours to choose your own adventure! We will meet in the afternoon for our yoga class and then head back into the picturesque town of Santa Catalina to experience another divine dinner at a second local restaurant!
Friday, February 14th
After morning flow and breakfast the day is yours to do whatever you are in the mood for. We will enjoy our afternoon yoga class and dinner. We will celebrate the closing of our stay with an intimate beach bonfire under the starlit sky, shared with new friends.
Saturday, February 15th
All good things must come to an end (insert sad face here). We will share one last yoga class and breakfast together before the group transfers back to Panama City.
- Massage
- Horseback Riding
- Spanish Lessons
- Surf Coaching
- Coiba National Park
- Snorkeling or Diving Adventure
- Fishing Tour
- Cacao Ceremony
Optional Excursions
Directions to Paradise
You will fly into the main airport in Panama City, Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY). We highly recommend that all participants fly into Panama City one day prior to our retreat start date. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy the sites and scenes, and to catch up on rest before departing to Walulaa the following morning. There is always the possibility of a delayed or missed flight. If you end up missing the complimentary shuttle included in the package, while we can provide you with all necessary travel information and other options to get you from Panama City to Wallua as quickly and safely as possible, this will be your financial responsibility.
Flights
The shuttle will pick you up promptly at 9am from either the Central Hotel or the Magnolia Inn.
These hotels are located in the old town of Casco Viejo, which is the best part of Panama to stay in! You can certainly choose to stay at an alternate hotel, but the cost of transportation to get from your hotel to one of the pickup locations will be your financial responsibility. For guests who decide to fly into Panama on a red eye, we can pick you up at the airport at 7:30 a.m. prior to the city pick up.
Hotels
Andrea Porter
Andrea completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Vinyasa (Flow) Yoga at Sonic Yoga in Costa Rica in 2016; she has completed over 200 + hours of Yin Yoga training; She is also certified to teach Yoga Nidra, Prenatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and is a level 1&2 Reiki practitioner. She is currently enrolled in and almost complete her 300 hour advanced teacher training program to become a registered Yoga Medicine® Therapeutic Specialist; she has completed the Yoga for Athletes, Myofascial Release, Prenatal Myofascial Release, Prenatal Therapeutics, Shoulder Anatomy: Dysfunction + Application, Mindful Trauma Informed Yoga, Restorative/Nervous System Yoga, Sequencing with Purpose, and Traditional Chinese Medicine modules. She is currently training to become a Certified Neurogenic Yoga™ Teacher and TRE® Provider. She is registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 200 and is a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider.
She is committed to honouring every individual’s search for personal growth and their desire to be well. She teaches her classes with compassion, intelligent sequencing that incorporates functional movement, a sense of humour and playfulness, and an utmost respect for every beautiful soul that joins her on this journey, on and off the mat. It is her hope that her all encompassing classes will help every individual to connect to their breath, body, and mind; ultimately empowering them to heal and nurture their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Andrea has experienced the transformative benefits of yoga and hopes she can share this gift with the world. You can often find her and her four legged friend, Winston, in the woods, by the ocean, or anywhere in nature, as this is where she feels most at home.
Danielle Flynn
Danielle (Dani) Flynn is a certified yoga instructor and nature enthusiast who has a passion for movement, mindfulness, connection and adventures! She has been offering group yoga classes in and around her community of St. John’s, Newfoundland for over 10 years now, always striving to offer a lighthearted and centred approach to teaching. Dani aims to cultivate balance in her classes by guiding her students back to that cheerful playfulness from childhood & that peaceful grounded place within.
Her training is rooted in Vinyasa flow yoga (Sonic Yoga, 200 Hour YTT) with a focus on creative sequencing and advanced postures (Authentic Movements, 500 Hour YTT) and is beautifully balanced by additional training in Yin Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, Thai Yoga Massage and (soon-to-be) Neurogenic Yoga & TRE.
Outside of working and teaching, Dani can usually be found along the coastline of the rocky shores of Newfoundland, hiking or paddling with her little buddy, Fern (her dog) or cozied up at home with a good book, some wool, thread, paint or any other number of crafting materials – depending on the day!
When asked what she loves most about yoga… “The freedom that’s cultivated in body, mind and spirit, and being able to share that with other people, it’s a gift. One that I’m genuinely grateful for.”
50% of the balance owing is due on August 8th, 2024
Remaining balance is due October 8th, 2024
Impt Dates
The remaining $350 of your deposit, plus all other payments, can be transferred to ONE other Rise Yoga and Wellness retreat, within one calendar year from the current retreat start date. You can also transfer your booking to another person, minus the change/cancellation fee noted above.
If you cancel between 91 and 119 days before your retreat start date, you will forfeit 100% of your $500 deposit. A one time transfer of your payments may be applied to another Rise Yoga and Wellness retreat, within one calendar year from the current retreat start date. . You can also transfer your booking to another person, minus the $500 deposit.
If you cancel 90 days or less before your retreat start date, there will be NO credit given and you will forfeit your entire deposit and all payments.
We do not offer refunds on deposits or payments under any circumstances. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits will be given for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early. We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance. We encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance in order that your trip fees will be covered should you or your family have a medical problem prior to your trip or while on the trip. Trip insurance should also be purchased to cover medical expenses in the event you have an accident while on the retreat.
If you cancel your booking up to 120 days before your retreat start date, you will forfeit $150 change/cancellation fee of your initial deposit.
The Cancellation Policy
We can certainly do our best to find a roommate for you! The good things in life are best when shared with friends!
I am looking for a friend to share a room with. Can you pair me up with someone?
You would have to contact the retreat centre directly to inquire about that. You can reach them via email at vickie@waluaa.com
Can I stay at the resort centre prior to or post retreat?
No. This is an adult only retreat.
Is this retreat for children?
Participants are required to have a regular yoga practice for at least 6 months prior to the retreat.
Can a beginner join or do I need to have some yoga experience?
Your Burning Questions
Triple occupancy with king bed (1) and twin beds(2) or twin beds(3), kitchenette, table and chairs, a double seater sofa and a private bathroom.
$2050.00 USD per person
Deluxe Room Triple Occupancy
Double occupancy with king bed (1) or twin beds(2) kitchenette, table and chairs, a double seater sofa and a private bathroom.
$2250.00 USD per person
Deluxe Room Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy with king bed, kitchenette, table and chairs, and a double seater sofa, and a private bathroom
$2650 USD
Deluxe Room Single Occupancy
Garden patio junior suite with King bed (1) or twin beds (2) and private bathroom
$2050 USD per person
Standard Room Double Occupancy
Garden patio room with King bed and private bathroom.
$2450 USD
Standard Room Single Occupancy
All rooms include: Memory foam mattresses, plush pillows and 100% cotton linens. All the modern conveniences- Air conditioning fans cable TV and Wi-Fi, a safe, wardrobe bath and pool towels.
Each private bathroom is equipped with hot water and complementary shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Outside each room, the garden view patio features a hammock, sun deck, and chairs and table for you to enjoy.
Payment Options
1. Preferred method of payment: EMT to nlyogaretreats@gmail.com
2. Stripe is available for credit card payment but, please note, there will be an additional service fee of 2.9%+$0.30 per transaction.
Your Home Away from Home
