Yoga retreat Morocco Essaouira – experiences and best tips for a yoga trip to Morocco
Written by: Sini Hietaharju, Master of Tourism Research & Slow Traveller
Retreats > Yoga Retreat Morocco Essaouira
If you have been thinking about a yoga trip to Morocco, I can definitely recommend a yoga retreat with La Vida Surf.
In this article you will find more detailed information about the content of the retreat, the daily program, the atmosphere, the prices and the pros and cons of a yoga retreat.
At the end of the article you will also find useful information about traveling to Morocco, a useful mini-glossary and a packing list for a yoga retreat.
La Vida Surf – Information and experiences about yoga retreat organizer Lavidasurf
I have been to La Vida Surf's retreats three times and all experiences have been inspiring, diverse and suitably relaxed, but at the same time with enough activity.
La Vida Surf organizes six-day retreats from September to May in Essaouira, Morocco, a relaxed fishing and surfing town on the west coast of Morocco.
The language of the retreats is English, but your English does not need to be very good to stay involved in the retreat.
The group size of the retreats is about 10 people, and I think the retreat group has been a suitable size all times and I have met nice guys from Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy, among others.
The price level of the retreats is also good compared to many retreats in Europe and Morocco.
I would say the price level is a bit cheaper than an average retreat price (€€).
Retreat Center – a stunning yoga retreat in Essaouira, Morocco
La Vida Surf Retreat is located about half an hour inland from Essaouira in a magnificent villa.
Here, the villa has a wonderful setting for morning and afternoon yoga practice on the roof, where you can enjoy the sunrise and the sounds of nature while practicing, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The building is surrounded by a large courtyard where you can sunbathe on sunbeds during the day and take a dip in the lovely pool.
Inside there is also a relaxed lounge area and a small library where you can find interesting reading material.
There is also a dining room inside, where you can eat together for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You can choose between a shared room or a private room. The rooms are spacious and all have a shower, toilet and air conditioning.
Weekly yoga retreat – schedule at La Vida Surf retreat
A weekly yoga retreat schedule at La Vida Surf looks something like this. This schedule is from my most recent retreat, which I attended in March 2024.
A week-long yoga retreat in Essaouira, Morocco –What does a typical day at the retreat look like?
A typical day at a yoga retreat begins with waking up at sunrise.
However, this is not too early, as in March in Morocco, for example, the sun rises at eight o'clock.
MORNING PRACTICE
You wake up, get up in peace and drink some herbal tea, which is ready in the villa before the morning yoga practice.
Read also: Morning yoga benefits
The morning yoga practice starts at half past eight, including a warm-up and body awakening, sun salutations, mobility and balance training, and final relaxation.
CHECK ALSO: THE PERFECT MORNING ROUTINE - FREE 7 MORNINGS YOGA CHALLENGE
After this, you can get some more tea and maybe a few dates before the morning pranayama practice and writing in your journal.
So, bring notebook with you for the retreat, because this is a great opportunity to turn inward and write down thoughts, even if you don't normally do it.
The retreat's yoga teacher will guide the morning breathing and meditation practice, and after this you will be given a few questions to think about for the day.
This will make it easier to write in your journal and open up new perspectives on yourself.
After feeding your soul, it's time to feed your body with a wonderful breakfast.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast varies every morning and can include chia seed pudding with fruit, banana bread or Moroccan pancakes with fruit, honey and peanut butter.
After breakfast, you can enjoy some time reading a book or soaking up the sun by the pool.
WORKSHOP OF THE DAY
The program of the day will include either some kind of yoga workshop in the villa, time to explore Essaouira or enjoy a Hammam or surfing.
LUNCH
At two o’clock there is lunch time, which can consist, for example, of vegan curry with rice and a dessert made of nuts and coconut.
FREE TIME
In the afternoon, there is time to enjoy the sun and lay by the pool, read a book or take a nap.
AFTERNOON YOGA PRACTICE
The afternoon yoga practice at five o’clock is a calming yin yoga practice in the afternoon sun.
Supported by a bolster and relaxing under a blanket in asana, the soul, body and mind can relax from even subconscious stress.
MEDITATION
After the Yin Yoga practice, there is some time to digest the practice and meditate longer if you wish.
DINNER
Dinner is served around 7:30 and it also varies daily.
One evening, a delicious traditional Moroccan dinner is served with tajine, salad, eggplant stew and fresh bread.
EVENING TEA AND RELAXING
In the evening, you can watch the starry sky on the roof, enjoy evening tea and socialize with other retreatants, or spend time in silence.
When night falls, you can go to bed in a peaceful room and be grateful for the day.
Weather in Morocco – consider this when going on a yoga trip to Morocco
Morocco is generally warm all year round during the day (19-26 degrees), but during the morning yoga practice the temperature can be cool (10-15 degrees) and it can be windy in Essaouira.
So, it’s a good idea to pack warm clothes for the mornings and evenings – ones that you can easily move around in and do yoga in.
You’ll find a more detailed step-by-step packing list guide here.
It rarely rains in Morocco, so apart from occasional drizzles, there’s little need to be prepared for rain.
So, it’s a good idea to bring both summer clothes and sunscreen for the hot temperatures during the day, and a sweater, wool socks and a windproof jacket for the cooler nights.
Food at a yoga retreat in Morocco
The food served at La Vida Surf's yoga retreat is vegan (except for the honey).
The food is also mostly naturally gluten-free, but you can still confirm this and report any food allergies you may have when booking.
You will be asked about these on a form before the trip and La Vida Surf can take any allergies into account.
Before traveling to Morocco, I recommend also reading these 7 tips for Gut health: Gut Health While Traveling
Each meal is slightly different and the food is prepared fresh on site before each meal.
The meals are a lovely mix of vegan delights and Moroccan dishes.
I think the meals are varied and delicious.
It is good to note that on the retreat you eat three times a day – breakfast at around 10:30, lunch at around 2pm and dinner at around 7:30pm.
I myself am used to eating 4-5 times a day at home, but I think you get used to this rhythm during the retreat and it is sometimes good for your digestion to have slightly longer breaks between meals.
However, if this is a problem for you, it is worth taking some small snacks with you or buying them in Essaouira, such as dried fruit, rice cakes, protein bars or nuts.
Yoga retreat in Essaouira, Morocco - Pros and Cons
PROS
- Sunny weather all year round
- Relatively short flight from many European countries
- Quite a liberal country
- Nice people
- This retreat place and experience is overall wonderful and high quality
- Low price point
- Visually stunning destination with Moroccan decor and handicrafts
CONS
- As a woman in Morocco, it is good to take into account things like covering shoulders and knees (although in touristy destinations it is not so much a problem, but desirable)
- It is worth learning a few basic words of French/Arabic, as English is not spoken very well
- Too hot in summer, I recommend traveling between October and May
- You will probably always be treated as a tourist, even if you have spent a longer time in the country
- Dry air quality and drought - use water sparingly
If you want to learn more about La Vida Surf's retreats, check prices and perhaps book your dream retreat, you can get there here:
Upcoming retreats at La Vida Surf on 2025
These 6 photos by La Vida Surf
Morocco as a travel destination
Morocco is a Muslim country and they speak French and Arabic.
However, I think Morocco is a liberal country.
However, there are a few things you should know before traveling to Morocco, and you can read the most important tips in this article:
Morocco Travel Guide
Useful things to know before traveling to Morocco
- Useful vocabulary
- Safety – things to consider
- Dressing in Morocco
- Money – price levels, bargaining, currency
- Weather – best time to travel
What to pack for a yoga retreat
- A comprehensive list so you don't forget anything essential
- What kind of clothes should you bring?
- What else do you need besides clothes?
WRITTEN BY
Hey there, I'm the Author
I'm Sini, an enthusiast in slow traveling, yoga retreats, travel as self growth journey and rubbing dogs.
This is your go-to slow travel corner of the internet.
I'm here to share my best travel tips, digital nomad thoughts and photographs from the journeys.
I happen to be kind of a professional in this as well, as I have my Master's degree within Tourism Research and both my master's and bachelor's thesis are about yoga travel.
I want to share the best knowledge of hidden gem retreat and mindful destinations, as well as some deeper, honest thoughts what digital nomad lifestyle actually is.
You can read more about me here.
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