When we arrived at Yemaya Island Hideaway and Spa on Nicaragua’s Little Corn Island, it reminded me of my younger backpacker days roaming around the islands of Thailand and Indonesia. An unspoiled coast with natural beaches, little cottages tucked away behind the coconut palms. No big resort complex with sprawling concrete structures, just some unobtrusive buildings that look like they belong there.

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Once we looked inside those little bungalows though and sat down in the restaurant with an exotic smoothie in hand, it was clear that this is no shoestring travel place. Launched by a Mexican hotelier with experience running low-impact beach resorts in Tulum, Yemaya is a yoga-centered retreat meant for people who want a true getaway for unwinding, but without giving up good food and comfort.

Yemaya lounge

The journey to Little Corn Island will certainly make you feel like you’ve left the world of stress and hurry behind. You take a prop plane from Managua to Big Corn, then a very simple ferry boat with wooden benches across the water. Once you get to the island, it’s five minutes around the bend on another small boat to reach the spot where Yemaya is located.

cottage at Yemaya NicaraguaBut what a spot it is! The restaurant and lounge are on a small promontory , with the color-shifting Caribbean sea in three directions. The cottages are spaced along the rest of the property, most having a view of the water and none more than a minute’s walk to the beach. Behind all that are a huge open-air yoga platform, a large organic garden, and support structures for composting and laundry. Paths lead from here to the rest of the island: there are no roads or cars on Little Corn.

That organic garden is the centerpiece of the cuisine here, combined with fresh seafood caught by island fisherman and Nicaraguan items coming from the mainland, like local cacao and coffee. The menu changes daily according to what’s fresh and available and is written out on a chalkboard. Sure, there’s always a vegetarian dish, but it’s not all super-healthy and low-calorie. The extensive smoothie menu probably puts your local joint to shame, with loads of fresh ingredients and a few health booster items in the mix depending on your tastes and needs.

If there’s a dieting yoga enthusiast with a partner that’s neither, this place still works. There’s a full bar, plus a slate of activities available, including snorkeling and kayaking. Rooms are attractive and comfortable and if you must, you can still get online here to make sure the world is still turning without you. This is a laid-back, healthy vacation resort that is secluded, private, and oh-so-casual. If you can’t truly relax on this little Nicaraguan island with no cars, you’ve got a problem.

We uploaded a video tour of Yemaya, so see how this collection of bungalows looks from the water as you’re getting there, from the beach, and then in the bungalows. That big expanse of wood decking in the jungle you’ll see part of the way through is the main yoga platform. It’s big enough to accommodate everyone staying at the resort even if it’s completely full.

As you’ll notice though, a huge draw here is the glorious Caribbean Sea you can see from any of the balconies of the rooms (which are all independent cottages) as well as the main building. That open-air main one has views on both sides and functions as the restaurant, lounge, smoothie stop, and bar. Yes, you can load up on antioxidants and vitamin-enriched all-natural smoothies, but your spouse can get a glass of wine or a vodka tonic if he/she is just along for the ride.

That’s part of the beauty of Yemaya. You can slim down, get limber, and shed your stress through your actions, or you can just let the sound of the waves, a hammock, and a few cocktails do it if you want. They’re not going to judge you. Either way, you’re going to eat very well with fresh ingredients and have the kind of photos that will make all your social media followers drool.

See our full Yemaya beach resort review here.