Have you ever dreamed of starting your own yoga retreat center—but felt overwhelmed by not knowing where to begin? You’re not alone. When Remy and I started our retreat center, Eden on the Chocolata in Nicaragua, we had no guidebook, no experience—just a vision and a whole lot of heart. We learned everything the hard way: through trial and error. In this blog, we’ll share the key steps we took, the lessons we learned, and how you can start your own retreat center, too.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Vision
Every successful retreat center begins with a clear, heartfelt vision. Ours was born during our world trip: we imagined ourselves living in a tropical paradise, sharing our passions for mindful and healthy living.
To clarify our vision, we asked ourselves three essential questions:
1. What kind of place do we want to create?
We envisioned a sanctuary close to nature, where people could disconnect from daily stress and reconnect with themselves. A space for rejuvenation, deep rest, and community. We dreamed of offering healing practices like yoga, breathwork, and ceremonies, paired with nourishing food and an inspiring atmosphere.
2. Why do we want to do this?
Our year of traveling awakened something deep within us. We were humbled by nature, transformed by yoga and silent retreats, and inspired by the simplicity of living with less. We realized that happiness comes from within—and we wanted to create a space where others could come to the same realization.
3. Who is this for?
We wanted to build a retreat center for conscious travelers—people who crave deeper self-awareness, value connection, and want to be inspired to live more intentionally. People who are open to learning, growing, and embracing transformation, all while enjoying a meaningful holiday experience.
This clarity helped shape our mission: To inspire people to live more consciously, connect deeply, and keep growing.
We wrote down our vision, shared it with our friends and community, and welcomed their feedback. That feedback helped us refine and strengthen our plan.
Step 2: Choose the Right Location
When it comes to how to start a retreat center, location is everything.
We knew we wanted a tropical setting. After exploring the world for over a year, we got the chance to volunteer as managers at an ecolodge in Nicaragua. That experience allowed us to live in the region for six months and truly feel into the lifestyle. While we hadn’t planned to stay in Nicaragua, something shifted when we arrived in San Juan del Sur. The vibrant community, surf beaches, and natural beauty felt like home.
Then we found Eden—a small Airbnb with three bungalows and a big rancho. The moment we saw the ocean view, we just knew. We could visualize it all: the yoga deck, the pool, the extra bungalows, the garden. It felt like Eden had been waiting for us.
Tip: Spend time living in the area you’re considering. Volunteer, connect with the locals, and see if you can imagine building a life there.
Also decide: do you want to build something from scratch, take over an existing business, or buy a turnkey retreat center that’s already thriving?
Step 3: Funding Your Dream
One of the biggest obstacles people face when starting a retreat center is money. But here’s the truth: if your vision is strong, you’ll find a way.
Remy and I sold everything we had in the Netherlands—our house, our business—and used that to get started. We shared our vision with everyone we knew. When people sense your passion, they often want to help or support you in unexpected ways.
Write a solid business plan, define your unique selling points, and share your story. Know that building costs will almost always exceed your initial estimate—often double! So be sure to create a financial buffer.
And remember: you don’t have to start big. Start small and meaningful. Perfection can come later.
Step 4: Understand Legal and Financial Aspects
If you’re planning to build your retreat center in a foreign country, don’t underestimate the importance of legal and financial advice. Even though I have a legal background, local laws and procedures were confusing.
We were fortunate to have the support of the ecolodge owners we volunteered for. They introduced us to a trusted lawyer, builder, and accountant. Building a local network is invaluable.
Step 5: Build Your Dream Team
At the start, Remy and I did everything ourselves—teaching yoga, cooking meals, doing the shopping, entertaining guests. It was exciting, but clearly unsustainable.
As Eden grew, and especially after our son was born, we began to step back and delegate. We made sure that every team member understood our vision and had clear roles. In quiet seasons, everyone had to be flexible—our maintenance guy would clean, and our yoga teachers would cook. But even then, everyone had clear tasks.
Creating a committed, motivated team aligned with your mission is essential to running a retreat center that thrives long-term.
Step 6: Be Willing to Grow (Even When It’s Hard)
Perhaps the most important lesson we’ve learned about how to start a retreat center: you must be willing to adapt, again and again.
We survived a political crisis and the pandemic. Both times, we were forced to get creative—and each time, Eden emerged stronger. During lockdown, we improved the property, held our own ceremonies with our close friends and wrote a life book to reconnect with our personal vision.
When times got tough, we returned to the Netherlands temporarily to work and support our Nicaraguan team financially. Why? Because we believed in our mission. And when you truly believe in something, you’re willing to do the hard stuff.
Final Thoughts: Your Path to Owning a Retreat Center
If there’s one thing we want you to take from this: baby steps are okay.
We used to believe that hard work guarantees results. But what we’ve learned is that flexibility, resilience, and faith are just as important.
Eden will never be “finished”—and that’s exactly the point. Growth is our core value. Some of our biggest challenges turned out to be the most transformative moments. We’ve learned not to label things as good or bad. Everything is part of the process.
And now, after years of growing Eden, raising three children, and evolving ourselves, we’ve come to a new chapter. Eden is ready for her next stewards—new visionaries ready to carry her mission forward.
If you’re serious about starting your own retreat center, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Or, check out our selected list of Top 5 Retreat Centers for Sale to begin your journey.
Ready to start your dream retreat center?
Your journey begins now—with one small step. If you would like to come and experience the magic of Eden book here.