Escape Into Paradise at a Luxury Resort in Cambutal, Panama

Photo by Monique Pantel | The pool at Sansara overlooks the ocean and the southern Azuero Peninsula

Janel Phillips and her husband, Mike, always aspired to live and work near the ocean in a place where they could surf, practice yoga and continually grow physically, mentally and emotionally. Sounds like heaven—but for most, this pipe dream never becomes reality. But the Phillips made it happen: Just a few weeks after they tied the knot, the couple decided to leave Canada, jump into the unknown and risk it all to create a destination retreat resort in Cambutal, Panama.

Photo by Mike Phillips | World-class surfing entices surfers of all abilities along the black sand beaches of Cambutal

“I was a special-ed teacher and Mike was a former pro skier, building contractor and photographer, so we had no idea how to create a surf and yoga retreat,” says Janel. “All we knew was we had a shared passion to design something meaningful that would inspire others. After spending six weeks in Panama, we literally stumbled upon a little cowboy town of cattle farmers, massive waves and a beautiful stretch of beach, called Cambutal.”

Photo by Kristen Eldridge | Mike and Janel Phillips have poured their hearts and souls into creating a destination resort like no other

The couple fell in love with a piece of untouched land that had been owned by another couple who dreamed of creating a yoga retreat. “We were in the right place at just the right time. The owners decided to go in a different direction, and we stepped in to build our dream life,” says Janel. “It was the two of us—I completed all of the design and components, and Mike was the stonemason and general contractor. We hired a crew of local builders who supported us in building Sansara from the ground up, and still work with us in other capacities.”

Photo by Kristen Eldridge | The Buddha Bar Restaurant & Bar serves up locally sourced dishes

Fast-forward 11 years, and Sansara Surf and Yoga is a sought-after destination for the conscientious travelers to tap into their untouched potential, explore endless possibilities and foster meaningful connections. The resort offers a variety of activities designed to help guests connect with their inner selves and the natural world.

Whether you’re a yogi, surfer, adventure-seeker or wellness-inspired traveler, Sansara’s retreats are led by experienced instructors and are open to all levels. In addition to yoga and surfing, daily offerings include meditation, massage and hiking. The resort also has a pool, a spa and a variety of dining options, plus a lively bar that serves local favors.

Photo Monique Pantel | The vast offerings of yoga classes and retreats offer opportunities to open your heart, body and mind

To get a better picture of the caliber of events offered at Sansara, consider that it recently hosted a Brain Health Retreat with Dr. Annie Fenn, a physician, chef and founder of the Brain Health Kitchen, and Stacy Fisher, a certified personal trainer and health coach. The program was designed to help guests improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and boost overall brain health.

Other upcoming retreats include:

Ladyvana Panama with Ally Maz this November is a women-only yoga and breathwork retreat that will offer a deep dive into self-discovery, relaxation, sisterhood and healing modalities.

New Year’s Eve Retreat with MC Yogi and 10,000 Buddhas this December and January will celebrate the year ahead with inspirational yoga classes and uplifting energy healing under a blanket of stars.

Waves of Bliss Yoga Retreat in February will dive into the transformational practice of yoga and Bhakti yoga and explore the beauty of this remote corner of the world. From surfing to horseback riding, waterfall hikes to tide pools, this is sure to be a transformational experience.

Women’s Yoga + Adventure Retreat with Outshine Adventures in March will offer the space to connect with the rhythms of nature and the ocean through daily yoga practices and surf lessons, plus of-resort jungle hikes and eco-tours sure to feed your adventurous side.

The pristine black-sand beaches and lush jungle make Sansara Surf and Yoga the perfect destination to disconnect, relax and recharge your soul, says Janel. “Our kids are growing up here now, and we could not be prouder of what we and our Cambutal community have created,” says Janel. “I pinch myself all the time that we built this beautiful, unique life in this tiny little town at the end of the road … and we get to share it.”

For a complete list of upcoming retreats visit here.