Residencies & Retreats
our residency program: The Apogeo Guest House work fellowship
Apogeo Guest House hosts several residencies for international and local artists, worldbuilders, and changemakers who are interested in contributing a creative and dynamic offering to our community.
Fellowships are for week-long blocks, and last between 1 and 6 weeks. Fellowship residencies only occur during Active Season, but you may apply at any time (in other words, applications have a rolling submission deadline). We encourage applying as soon as our Active Season dates are announced, since Fellowship spots tend to fill up quickly.
We believe that each human can be an artist, artfully orchestrating the design of their own life. To that end, we do not limit our Fellowship program to any one discipline or creative field. Our past Fellows include chefs, poets, photographers, writers, musicians, textile designers, massage therapists, activists, playwrights, yoga teachers, meditation leaders, and herbalists. Before applying, learn more about some of our past Fellows and their respective offerings to our community.
Outside of providing a creative offering to current guests and/or a more permanent offering to the Apogeo Guest House space or community, we encourage Fellows to spend the rest of their time working independently on their proposed project or research, resting, and enjoying the beauty that Nicaragua has to offer.
Please see below for additional information.
If you’d like to sponsor a Fellow, please reach out here.
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Provide the opportunity for artists, worldbuilders, and change makers to contribute an offering to our community in exchange for reduced lodging for their stay
Create an ongoing dialogue and relationship between the contributing artist, our community of guests, and Nicaragua as the canvas
To continue to learn from and strengthen the Apogeo Collective community of artists, creatives, and change makers that gather and create together at Apogeo Guest House
Provide the contributing artist a space to retreat and rest
Provide the contributing artist a space to slow down, which in turn provides more mental space for creation
Provide the contributing artist a non-judgmental space for creative development and research
To further the process of interdisciplinary exchange and “community consensus,” one of the key pilars of the Apogeo Guest House mission
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During each Active Season, there is space for 1 Fellow (or 2 Fellows in a shared room) to stay at a time. There are typically 6 weeks per each Active Season, and Fellows can stay from 1 to 6 weeks. If you’re interested in booking for a portion of the Active Season and contributing as a Work Fellow, the minimum stay and contribution for Work Fellowship exchange is one week, but guests requesting stays over 2+ weeks will be given priority.
Please note: Work Fellows are typically not needed during Open Season, but if you have a particular project to contribute to the space, we are open to receiving your proposal. Please note that some of the amenities listed below will not be available during Open Season.
Fellows will:
Stay at Apogeo Guest House during Active Season
Contribute peace and positive energy to the space
Be 18+ years old
Not required but definitely a plus: have a basic proficiency in both English & Spanish
Provide between 1-2 classes, workshops, seminars, or hands-on learning or creative experiences for Apogeo guests each week (depending on desire and capacity), and/or: contribute something long-lasting to the Apogeo Guest House space or community (for example: one Fellow built out our onsite herbal apothecary)
In exchange, Apogeo Guest House will offer Fellows:
Welcome and orientation to Apogeo Guest House
Their own private room (The Jicaro Room) with shared access to a bathroom right outside of their room. Partners and collaborators are welcome to apply together (please fill out one application but specify that it is for two people).
Unlimited access to an open air studio in a converted open-format garage with a long work table that can be accessed day and night.
With the nightly Fellowship rate, Fellows have access to the same amenities that all other guests have access to, including:
Welcome arrival beverage
Complimentary Wi-Fi
ComplimentTry filtered drinking water
The option to add-on a daily breakfast package with complimentary AM coffee & tea
Access to the outdoor pool and communal outdoor areas
In-room and poolside snack & beverage options for purchase
Assistance with travel information + airport and town transportation + private airport shuttles (though guests are responsible for covering their own transportation costs)
Eco-cleaning services
Organic bathroom amenities
Laundry service available for purchase
Fresh room linens, pool linens, and beach blanket for your stay
An organic cotton bathrobe to use during your stay
Full body massage treatments available for booking
Access to yoga mats for your movement practice as well as games, beach activities, and some art/coloring supplies
Onsite assistance for help with activities and reservations for exploration of the surrounding area
A small gift shop with local goods for purchase (seasonal availability)
Complimentary parking upon request
Regular programming offerings such as communal dinners, yoga, and fitness classes (as available)
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If you’d like to sponsor a Fellow, please reach out here.
The reduced lodging rate for the Work Fellowship exchange is $450 per week ($65/night) or $400 per week for 3+ weeks. For pairs or couples (2 Work Fellows sharing the same room), the rate is $550 per week ($275 per person, per week).
Upon application acceptance, we ask for a written confirmation of attendance and a non-refundable 50% deposit of your lodging cost. Your lodging balance will be due one month prior to your arrival date.
We are happy to offer payment plans for all accepted Fellows.
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How do I get to Apogeo Guest House from the airport?
We suggest flying into either Managua, Nicaragua (MGA) or Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR).
Apogeo is ~2 hour drive from either airport and we can arrange for private airport transfer (or you’re welcome to arrange for a public airport shuttle to SJDS).
Or you can easily rent a car from MGA airport and drive to Apogeo Guest House using Google Maps. Unfortunately, you cannot rent a car from LIR because you cannot drive across the border (but you can still rent a car in town once you arrive to Apogeo if you’d like a rental car for your trip).
We offer complimentary parking for your vehicle onsite but a spot will have to be reserved with us in advance of your arrival.
How do I get around once I arrive?
To navigate to and from the property, the various beaches, and the town of SJDS, many of our guests use a combination of walking, using the Apogeo shuttle services, and hiring taxis from our preferred list of driver partners. There are plenty of options for transportation while onsite. You are also welcome to rent a car at MGA airport (we recommend getting a 4x4), and we are happy to provide complimentary onsite parking. We also have an onsite ATV available for a daily rental (pending availability).
See here for other FAQs.
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Fellowships are for week-long blocks, and last between 1 and 6 weeks. Fellowship residencies only occur during Active Season, but you may apply at any time (in other words, applications have a rolling submission deadline). We encourage applying as soon as our Active Season dates are announced, since Fellowship spots tend to fill up quickly.
To apply to the Apogeo Guest House Work Fellowship program, submit your application here.
retreats
Apogeo Guest House is the ideal location for your group retreat. Tucked in a gated community away from the hustle and bustle, the flora and fauna surrounding our Guest House helps cure screen-fatigue and city burn-out. Whether for a group artist retreat, a wellness retreat, or a business building + creative retreat, enjoy the laid-back ease of a beach town with the comfort of the eco-luxurious amenities offered at Apogeo Guest House.
For more intimate retreats, we offer our Guest House for up to 6 guests, with double occupancy in each room. But if you have a larger group, we have an additional overflow retreat location (just a 5 minute walk away from our Guest House) that has space for up to 12 additional guests with double occupancy in each room.
The most dynamic and creative team-building energy comes from a group that is well-rested, well-fed, and happy. Your hosts at Apogeo Guest House will create a unique and personalized itinerary based on the needs and goals of your group. From group day-trips to volcanic islands or thermal pools, to sunset yoga classes (pictured above), to team-building cloud-forest hikes, to guided market tours, to local cooking classes— there’s no shortage of activities to explore together. And nestled on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua, the town of San Juan del Sur is surrounded by over a dozen pristine beaches. Back onsite, indulge in the spectacular poolside ocean views at Apogeo Guest House while enjoying some of the best food and beverages that the town has to offer.
