How to plan a yoga retreat on the coast of Ecuador (and why Ayampe is the place)

Some places seem made for slower breathing. Ayampe and Las Tunas are two of them. It's no accident that, for years now, yoga teachers from all over the world arrive for a week and stay for months. Here wellness isn't a seasonal trend: it's part of village life.

If you're a facilitator, a yoga teacher or just a group of friends who want a retreat of your own, this guide is for you. We'll cover what to look for in a venue, how to shape the day and what you can experience at PlayaMagma.

Why the coast of Manabí?

• Warm weather all year, with the sea between 21 and 27 °C depending on the season.
• Living nature close at hand: tropical forest, river, waterfall and beach within a few kilometers.
• An established international wellness community, with daily yoga, breathwork and meditation in the area.
• Real peace and quiet. Montañita is 15 minutes away for anyone who wants a party, but here you fall asleep to crickets.
• Easy to reach: 2.5 to 3.5 hours by car from Guayaquil.

What a good retreat venue needs

Hosting groups taught us that what matters isn't luxury but three things: privacy, a good place to practice, and logistics that don't drain the facilitator. The group should have the space to itself, the shala should have shade and airflow, there should be somewhere to cook or someone to cook, and everyone should sleep well.

A retreat day at PlayaMagma (sample)

• 6:30 · Meditation and pranayama in the shala as the forest wakes up.
• 7:30 · Dynamic yoga practice.
• 9:00 · Long breakfast with local fruit.
• Free morning: beach, surf, waterfall or hammock.
• 13:00 · Traditional Manabí lunch prepared by a local cook.
• 16:30 · Yin or restorative as the sun goes down.
• 18:30 · Temazcal ceremony or talking circle by the fire.
• 20:00 · Light dinner and silence.

What renting the whole farm includes

At PlayaMagma you can rent the entire property for your group: the cabins (all with A/C, hot water and a private bathroom), the yoga shala, the temazcal, the communal kitchen, the dining area with grill, the hammocks, the camping areas and eleven thousand square meters of forest. It's ideal for yoga retreats, holistic and spiritual retreats, corporate trainings, rituals and ceremonies.

A retreat isn't measured by what you do, but by how you come home.

Let's talk about your retreat

Every group is different and we like to design it with you: headcount, days, food, temazcal, outings beyond the farm. Message us on WhatsApp or see the Groups & retreats page. We'll answer personally, no endless forms.