THE TRAVEL YOGI
Panama Yoga Adventure
Trip in One Word: Vibrance
What You’ll Experience in Panama
On this yoga retreat in Panama, you’ll experience the vibrant flavors (culinary and otherwise) of Panama City and the easy remote-lux island life of Bocas del Toro. You’ll eat delicious tropically fresh fruit, snorkel mangroves, spot sea turtles, lounge on a catamaran, visit the pristine islands of Bastimentos National Park and enjoy unparalleled sunsets. You’ll practice yoga poolside and palapa-style and sleep soundly to the lull of tropical sounds (or the chatter of the local monkeys!). From the hum of the city to the soothing rolling of the tide, explore all the sensory delights of this yoga retreat in Panama. From the sounds of wildlife to the warm ocean water on your skin to the unparalleled sunsets… a world away from the world awaits.
How You’ll Experience Panama
Start your trip in the historic, boutique Central Hotel located in the old quarter of Casco Viejo in Panama City. Stroll the city by foot and taste buds, enjoying the local food and admiring its eclectic architecture. Feel the pulse of music in the street (and maybe even dance!) as sunset in Casco means the emergence of local bands. Next, you’ll travel to Bocas del Toro and a slice of island life and barefoot elegance. You’ll journey away from the hum of town to a pristine beach hideaway for perfect sand-in-your-toes relaxation. Your abode features open-air bathrooms and pool-facing patios and the background sounds of the surf. Practice yoga under the poolside palapa, listen to monkeys and laugh with new friends. During the day, you’ll sail turquoise waters on a catamaran, snorkel in mangroves and azure reef waters, and visit the undeveloped and *sigh* gorgeous La Isla Zapatillas. Next on the agenda: nothing (or cervezas by the pool anyone?!). This is a trip that will change your life! (We’re not the only ones who think so—National Geographic Traveller voted this yoga retreat in Panama one of 50 Epic Adventures in 2018.)
How You’ll Feel When You Return Home
When you return home from this yoga retreat in Panama, you’ll bring the island life with you. You’ll let your hair flow au naturale and have muscle memory of relaxation and ease. You’ll have memories of adventuring with new friends on vibrant streets and tropically warm blue-green waters to keep you floating even in landlocked states.
Adventure Details
Panama CIty
Bocas del Toro
Cayo Zapatilla
Upcoming Dates
Stacey Linden
Stacey Linden
Stacey Linden (she/her), ERYT-200, received her certification in 2008 through OM Yoga. In addition, she has completed Baron Baptiste Level 1, as well as training in adjustments, alignment, prenatal modifications and trauma-informed yoga. She is also now certified in Accessible Yoga.
Stacey was one of the lead teachers for MindBodySoul’s 200-hour teacher training since its beginning. Her classes bring attention to breath and alignment with a dose of humor for good measure. Stacey teaches people at all levels and, through careful, thoughtful sequencing and clear instruction, she tries to make sure that every student feels engaged and leaves class with a practice that feels good for them.
Stacey wants students to experience the beauty of the unknown: that every day, every time we step onto our mats, we can be just a little surprised by where our bodies, minds, and breath are at that moment. After all, people practice yoga, they don’t “perfect” it.
Michelle Manausa
Michelle Manausa
Growing up as a dancer, Michelle Manausa (RYT 200) made the leap to the fitness industry as a senior in high school on Long Island, NY in 1989. After moving to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida State University, she continued to embrace her love of movement and fitness as a staff instructor for the FSU Athletic Center and various health facilities. Michelle experienced her first yoga class in 2001 and it was love at first asana! After a 10 year break of teaching fitness classes while her 3 children were small, she re-entered the fitness industry adding yoga instruction with a new sense of purpose and passion.
Presently, Michelle teaches Kickboxing, HIIT, Step, Pilates, Barre, Core, and Yoga. She loves any fusion of these forms of movement especially when she can introduce Yoga to new people. While Michelle loves teaching many varieties and levels of yoga, she really enjoys leading an intro class. She’s passionate about creating a safe and encouraging environment for new yogis to explore this type of movement. And now as an empty nester, she is enjoying the opportunity to take her love of yoga and fitness on the road for travel adventures!
While movement has always been a driving force in her life since a young age, her personal yoga practice has been a necessary grounding and balancing element. Sharing the amazing benefits of yoga, meditation and healthy lifestyle are her passion.
Michelle is always ready for fun, whether it’s a spontaneous dance party, a wine tasting tour or a zip line through the rain forest. Her degree in Hospitality Administration along with over 20 years in the fitness industry, prepared Michelle to host a fabulous trip with The Travel Yogi.
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What's Included
- Yoga each morning & evening (excepting Panama City arrival and departure)
- 2 nights accommodations in a Panama City historic hotel (arrival and pre-departure night)
- Guided city walking & tasting tour of Casco Viejo – a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Welcome dinner in a Casco Viejo restaurant
- Group flights from Panama City to Bocas del Toro
- Transfers to and from the Albrook airport by pavement and dirt road to relaxation paradise
- 5 nights beachfront eco-lux accommodation
- Group catamaran sail and snorkel
- Boat day out to Las Isla Zapatillas for a crystal-clear water snorkeling & exploration day
- Oceanfront cabana living
- Daily cooked breakfast & local fruits
- Evening dinners on the beach
- Transportation to and from Panama City (PTY) airport (on arrival & departure days only)
What's Not Included
- Airfare to Panama City
- Additional excursions
- Lunches
- Alcohol or items of a personal nature/souvenirs
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Gratuities
Yoga Retreat in Panama Accommodations
Panama City
Deplane in comfort at the Central Hotel in the old quarter of Casco Viejo. This historic boutique lux hotel bookends our island time with all of the comfort and amenities you can expect: delicious food, luxuriously appointed rooms and the best location in Panama to stroll and take in this beautiful city. Enjoy top-notch service and all the flavor of Panama City right outside your door on this yoga retreat in Panama.
Bocas del Toro
Get ready for barefoot elegance, island style on this yoga retreat in Panama. Each Island Plantation room is designed and decorated with natural comfort in mind. All rooms have gorgeous open-air bathrooms, front pool-facing patios, overhead fan for evening comfort (though the ocean breezes keep you cool) and a zen style that eases you into ‘island time’. Please note that hairdryers are persona non grata on Bocas so be prepared to let your locks flow au naturale mid-week.
Itinerary
On this yoga retreat in Panama, teachers will set their yoga schedule, generally mornings and evenings, prior to departure. Schedules will go out with the final Panama yoga retreat information.
1
DAY ONE
- Arrive into Panama City with transfers to hotel
- Meet up in the lobby for a walking tour of our historic Panama home
- Walk the UNESCO Heritage designated Casco Antiguo
- Taste your way through the local fruit market and small batch rum distillery
- Welcome dinner dining out in the historic quarter
- Enjoy the evening out or stroll back to the Central and chill
2
DAY TWO
- Breakfast at the hotel and get ready for our flight to the islands
- Group transfer to Albrook airport for our short 1hr flight to Bocas
- ‘Remote’ is the name of the game so be prepared for approximately 25min of travel on a dirt road to reach beach paradise
- Early evening yoga under the poolside palapa
- Welcome dinner island style
3
DAY THREE
- Morning yoga and breakfast
- Spend a leisurely day by the pool, on the beach or just sitting back and listening to the monkeys
- Early evening yoga in the jungle yoga studio
- Evening dinner and laughs
4
DAY FOUR
- Rise and shine morning yoga and breakfast
- Get your sea-legs on as we head out for a day on the water
- Hop on the catamaran for a day of natural beauty
- Sail through Dolphin Bay (guess why it has that name…)
- Snorkel the mangroves and spy for a sea turtle
- Back home in time for evening yoga in the jungle yoga studio
- Delicious group dinner island style
5
DAY FIVE
- Morning yoga and breakfast
- Today is free to catch up on your reading, enjoy a cervesa pool/beach style or stroll down to La Piscina
- Early evening yoga poolside
- Evening island dinner
6
DAY SIX
- Wake up yoga and breakfast
- Out on the water today heading to La Isla Zapatillas
- These pristine islands are part of the Bastimentos National Park and are completely undeveloped
- Snorkel the crystal clear water reefs and marvel at Mother Nature
- Evening yoga
- Sand-in-the-toes Bocas farewell dinner
7
DAY SEVEN
- Morning yoga will be dictated by the Air Panama flight time
- Final island breakfast and Bocas goodbyes
- Transfer to the Bocas airport for our flight back to Panama City
- Final group dinner in historic Casco Viejo
8
DAY EIGHT
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfers to the Panama City airport based on departure time
- Later flights have a few extra hours to explore and play in Casco
TESTIMONIALS
I really enjoyed being able to step out of my comfort zone and dare to do more things. This was an amazing adventure and Alison seriously was such a huge part in that. She is amazing!! Everything was super thorough and I am so pleased with how organized everything was. Perfect location and staff at Sansara. I want to go back every year."
The group vibe was wonderful, Sansara is an amazing and incredibly special place and Panama is one of the coolest countries I’ve ever visited. This was another amazing experience from The Travel Yogi!"
My room was beautiful. Bed was super comfy! Bathroom was luxurious. Loved my shower! Loved the yoga palapa! I love practicing by the beach! Layout of the rest of the retreat was so comfortable and intuitive. Loved it. Jen – you do an amazing job!!! So smart, and you always go above and beyond! Really appreciate all of your support while I was struggling to figure out my flights. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
Frequently Asked Questions
US citizens will need a passport to visit Panama, but no visa is required at this time. All passports will need at least three months validity beyond the date of entry and at least one blank page for entry stamp. As this information can change, for up to date entry requirements please visit the State Department’s Panama page. Nationals of all other countries should check travel requirements with their government well in advance of travel.
Please fly into the Panama City international airport (PTY). Transfers will be arranged from the airport on arrival and departure days only. Arrival transfers will only be offered for flights arriving before 3pm on arrival day.
The Travel Yogi has you covered when it comes to your domestic flight! We’ll get you all to the Albrook airport for the quick 50-minute flight to Bocas del Toro. From there it is approximately a 30-minute drive to our location. We’re giving you the best of city life as well as the secluded charm of the island. Only about 15 minutes of the drive is on a paved road, with the last half going a bit slower on a dirt road with the ocean on your right and tropical lushness on your left.
Our awe-some Bocas beach paradise has your yoga retreat needs covered. Blocks, mats and straps are all supplied and ready for you to breathe into your practice this week.
Naturally! Of course, there is the gorgeous Caribbean with options ranging from surf waves and rolling waters to the still bath-like waters of La Piscina. Or, if you want to forgo the ocean exploration, you can relax just outside of your room at the pool.
Absolutely. Dietary requests can be accommodated provided that you notify us at least four weeks in advance. There will be vegetarian and non-vegetarian options at each meal, so you can choose your own culinary adventure.
Whether your decide to surf all week or gallop off on a steed, there is more than enough time to book these excursions when you arrive. There is so much to absorb that it’s best not to book before arrival and, especially for the surf, you’ll want to get the local report first. See what you feel like when you reach the good life and don’t forget to block off some chill time.
Our friends down south utilize the same plug and voltage as the United States and Canada. If you are coming from another part of the world, a plug adapter and/or converter may be necessary. Please note that our island location has their own power grid and hair dryers and similar small appliances are not allowed as they’ll (temporarily) blow the system. Take these few days to embrace the au-natural look and spend that would-be hair-prep time swimming, exploring, relaxing or expanding your practice.
Like all beautiful tropical location, yes, there are bugs. While we do recommend that you take a mozzie spray, the natural ocean breeze generally keeps these guys at bay.
Although we don’t recommend you book excursions ahead of time, you’ll want to think ahead a bit when it comes to packing. Treks and horseback riding will require close-toed shoes (ie, not flips or sandals) and a few pairs of long pants won’t go amiss. Your essentials will be your yoga clothes and bathing suit with the rest depending on your appetite for adventure. Quick dry clothes will work best and we will, of course, send out a packing list prior to departure. Remember, as noted above, leave those hair dryers at home!
Bocas has it’s own microclimate that can be quite different from other areas of Panama. The trade-off for some of the rains is also a green, tropical lushness that is unique to these islands. The average daytime temperature is almost always in the low to mid 80s with evening temperatures consistently staying in the low to mid 60s. The ocean temperature is also consistently, and beautifully, in the low 80s (nice!). November, December and January are the wetter months while September leads off as the driest month followed by October, February and March.