Digital Nomad Retreats · 7 days · Popoyo, Nicaragua
How to Become a Digital Nomad: The 7-Day Retreat in Popoyo, Nicaragua
A beginners’ retreat with Greg Miceli at Esc – Digital Nomad Village. Seven days to see every realistic way to earn online, test the two that fit you best, and leave with one clear plan, without giving up the income you have today.
What it is
A digital nomad course you do in person, in a week
The 7-Day “How to Become a Digital Nomad” Retreat isn’t about whether you can work remotely. Thousands of people do. It’s about finding the one way that fits you, and proving it with a real test before you change anything about your life.
You stay in the village, eat on site and work from the coworking space. Each morning is a workshop with Greg, each afternoon a hands-on lab where you build something real, and each evening the group eats together. On Day 7 you present your plan and go home to build it alongside your job.
- 8 nights: arrive the day before Day 1, leave the morning after Day 7
- Room, three meals a day and the coworking space included
- Daily yoga class or gym, and a free group beginner surf lesson on Day 2
- A 20-minute 1-on-1 with Greg on Day 1 and a 15-minute decision chat on Day 6
- Your avenue booklet, templates and a recommended course to continue at home
Want to keep going after the week instead of going home? See the 30-Day Digital Nomad Bootcamp.
The 7 days
Map, tour, test, decide, commit
Day 0 · Arrive
Settle in
Check in from 2:00 pm, a welcome drink, an informal dinner and an early night. No programme today: you’ve travelled.
Day 1 · Map
Your Freedom Number
Work out the monthly income that would safely replace your job, the four ways money moves online, and the skills you already have that people pay for. A 20-minute 1-on-1 with Greg, then a welcome dinner where you share your story.
Day 2 · Sell skills
Remote job, freelancing, virtual assistance
The fastest money online: getting paid for what you already know how to do. Lab: a remote-ready LinkedIn profile and your first offer. Evening: fireside chat with a working nomad.
Day 3 · Teach and create
Online teaching, coaching, content
Get paid for what you know and how you explain it, or build an audience that brings work to you. Lab: record a 60-second video and draft an offer. Evening: group dinner and mixer.
Day 4 · Build assets
Blogging, digital products, e-commerce, AI and automation, remote sales
Things you build once that can earn while you sleep, plus the tech and sales roles that grow fastest. Lab: money, runway and how to get paid from abroad. Evening free.
Day 5 · Test drive
Try your top two for real
Lock in your top two avenues, then two 90-minute sprints, one per avenue: a gig published, a pitch sent, a lesson booked, a post live. Plus the nomad toolkit. Evening: beach shuttle and a cultural evening.
Day 6 · Decide
Score it and choose one
The questionnaire reveal, the Avenue Scorecard and a 1-on-1 decision chat with Greg. Labs on visas, insurance and admin, and on wellness and burnout. Evening: alumni panel or Founders’ Dinner.
Day 7 · Commit
Your 90-day plan
Your 3-minute presentation, decision gates for days 30, 60 and 90, course enrolment, accountability pairs and graduation. Farewell dinner at El Tigre.
Day 8 · Depart
Breakfast and check-out
Go home with your plan, your booklet and your partner. Staying for the month? You carry straight on into Week 2 the next morning.
Every day
A day on the retreat
Not included: massages, extra surf lessons and board rental. Ask reception.
You leave with
- Your Break-even and Freedom Number
- Every income avenue seen, with a lab for each
- Your top two avenues tested for real
- One chosen avenue and a 90-day plan
- A recommended course, your avenue booklet and templates
- An accountability partner: a 15-minute call every week for 90 days
- A graduation certificate
The Esc golden rule
Nobody quits their job because of this retreat. You keep your current income until the thing you build has earned more than your Freedom Number for three months in a row. Income figures in the programme are rough beginner ranges, not promises, and nothing in it is legal, tax or financial advice.
Who it’s for
Is the 7-Day Retreat right for you?
A good fit if you…
- have a job or a skill, and want to work from anywhere without gambling your income
- have read about digital nomads for a year and still haven’t started
- want a structured week with a leader, not another list of ideas
- can bring a laptop and give the programme your full day
Probably not for you if you…
- already work remotely and just want a productive stay: see our coworking packages
- want a holiday with a few talks on the side
- plan to quit your job on the flight over
Frequently asked questions
When does the 7-Day Retreat run, and what does it cost?
The first dates and prices are being finalised. Call reception on +505 5503 1484 or send us a message through the contact page, and we’ll tell you as soon as they’re set.
Do I need to quit my job to join?
No, and we’d rather you didn’t. The whole programme is built around keeping your current income while you test and build a new one on the side.
What should I bring?
A laptop, charger, plug adapter, power bank and headphones with a mic. Before you arrive you’ll get a short checklist and a profile questionnaire, and we’ll ask you to list five skills people pay you for.
What’s the difference between the 7-day and the 30-day?
The 7-day gives you the full picture, a tested direction and a plan, then you go home and build it. The 30-day Bootcamp keeps you in the village for three more weeks to build your chosen path with guided help from your teacher. See the 30-Day Digital Nomad Bootcamp.
See all retreats on our digital nomad retreats page, or host your own retreat for a team or group.
Want to be first to hear the dates?
Send us a message and we’ll tell you the dates and price as soon as they’re confirmed. Our reception team answers 24/7.
Esc – Digital Nomad Village, Astillero Road, 1.5 km west of Puente Nahualapa, Guasacate, Popoyo, Rivas 48500, Nicaragua.