We will be staying at Playa Viva, a beautiful luxury eco-beach resort  for 6 nights, 7 days. 

Playa Viva is a very special place! Read more about it below.

This Retreat is for you if:

- You want to experience a yoga retreat on a more remote beach in Mexico

- You love walking, running and playing on a private, mile long pristine beach

- You love doing yoga every morning (all levels) 

- You like to or are interested in singing and chanting (mantras & kirtan) every day 

- You like to meditate at sunset on the beach

- You are open to and excited about sharing a room with others

- You want to have a shared, communal experience with the group and the family-like community at Playa Viva

- You want to relax and nap around the pool or in a hammock in the coconut trees

- You're excited about being in/around Mexican culture and enjoy connecting with people in the local village

- You enjoy fresh gourmet meals prepared by local chefs made with local ingredients

- You'd like to go on ocean adventures - snorkeling, swimming, whale watch boats

- You'd like to hike up into the mountains with a guide and meet local families living off the land

- You appreciate nature and would like to explore the 200 acre preserve that Playa Viva is located on and stewards

- You're ready for a relaxing, healing retreat in a loving, consious, supportive environment with kind, authentic people all around and sacred activities to be immersed in every day

ABOUT PLAYA VIVA

Combining simple elegance with natural beauty and a commitment to improving the environment and the local community, Playa Viva is a sustainable boutique hotel located on the western coast of Mexico, just 35-minutes south of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH). Nestled between the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains near the village of Juluchuca, Playa Viva is situated on a mile of pristine and private beach.

The property’s nearly 200 acres includes an estuary, an Aztec archeological site, a turtle sanctuary, and a coastal forest and mangrove ecosystem, which supports an array of stunning wildlife. Playa Viva is close enough to the trappings of modernity yet still worlds away—providing immersion into the wonders of nature and escape to utter private relaxation.

Playa Viva enjoys a year-round semi-tropical climate with approximately 300 sunny days a year and temperatures ranging from 23 to 33 degrees Celsius (73 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season lasts from late July to late September or early October, with an average rainfall of 300 millimeters (12 inches) per month. During the rainy season, the surrounding countryside comes alive with verdant grasses and fragrant blossoms. Juluchuca transforms itself from a semi-arid zone into a tropical forest busting with wildflowers, butterflies, birds and more.

Playa Viva is located near the small village of Juluchuca on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in the State of Guerrero. A 35-minute ride from Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH), which is served by over 50 direct flights per week —half from Mexico City and the remaining flights from major North American airports including Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Denver and Calgary. As a hotel guest, you’ll receive complimentary airport ground transport when you book a stay of three (3) or more nights.

MORE ABOUT THE RETREAT

Daily Yoga, Kirtan, Chanting and Music

The retreat is open to all people and of all levels of yoga and kirtan experience. 

This retreat will help deepen your love and practice of chanting, bhakti, yoga, and ceremony in a majestic and elevating environment.  Led by Jaya Lakshmi, we will sing and dance our hearts open. We will rejuvenate, relax, and explore yoga as a practice of embodying spirit in a heart opening and devotional way.  Through daily meditation and chanting you will refine your perspective of these practices and yourself.  

Every morning there will be a Sattva Yoga Journey led by Jaya Lakshmi. This includes seated warm-ups, pranayama (breath exercises), asana (physical postures in sequence), meditation and a special kriya for the day (kriya = a coordinated sequence of pranayama, mudra, movement, meditation, and/or mantra for a desired effect) 

Each participant practices according to their ability. Loving care, attention and support for your experience will always be available.  This retreat is truly a gift to yourself!

Temescal

Playa Viva offers a traditional sweatlodge ceremony, called a Temescal.

Our group will be booked for one session.

Cacao Ceremony

A cacao ceremony is planned where we all sit in a circle, partake of local cacao and share stories, prayers and songs. 

Mantra Workshop

One afternoon we'll have a mantra workshop in which we explore/practice and discuss kirtan, Vedic mantras, their origins, translations, and benefits.

Massage and Spa:

When it comes to relaxing and pampering yourself, what could be better than a massage right on the beach? Playa Viva is always staffed with a masseuse, some of whom can provide additional spa services such as facials and specialty scrubs using locally harvested materials.

Services vary based on provider, so make sure to inquire about the spa menu when you arrive. Prices for massage are $110 for 60 minutes, $130 for 75 minutes, $150 for 90 minutes and $190 for 120 minutes.

Sample Day at the Retreat:

7am-9am: Yoga Journey

9:15am: Breakfast

10:30am-2pm: Free time or group activity

2pm-3pm: Lunch

3pm-4pm: Free Time

4pm-6pm: Afternoon activities (cacao ceremony, Chanting workshop, yoga, or meditation)

6:30pm-7pm: Sunset Music and Meditation

7pm: Dinner

All Inclusive Program Offers the Following:

• Lodging at Playa Viva with mile-long private beach and ocean sunset views for 6 nights 
• Three delicious home-prepared, locally sourced meals a day - vegetarian with fish options
• All classes and scheduled group activities (does not include boat, kayak or extra excursions)

Travel and Flight Details:

• What Airport do I fly into? – Zihuatanejo Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH). Ground Transportation to and from ZIH is included with stays of 3 nights or more. 
• Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico? Yes. US and Canadian citizens need a valid passport when traveling between the United States and Mexico. For travelers from other countries, please check for rules related to visa and passport requirements.

Insurance:

We recommend our guests to purchase Travel Health Insurance. We will ensure your stay is peaceful, safe, and lovingly guided, however it is wise that should you need immediate attention you have insurance for your own personal well being.

Registration, Cancelation and Refund Policy: 

Deposits:

Your initial deposit reserves the room and is non-refundable. 

In certain cases retreat host will offer to transfer the deposit to a future retreat or refund it fully if the room is reserved by another person. 

For payments made in addition to the deposit: 

If you cancel 120 days or more (4 months) before your retreat start date, 100% of your payment will be refunded.

If you cancel 119 – 70 days before your retreat start date, 75% of your payment will be refunded.  

If you cancel 40 – 69 days before your retreat start date, 50% of your payment will be refunded.  

If you cancel 39 days or less before your retreat start date, you can apply 30% of your payment to another retreat.  

Please note that Playa Viva must be paid in full 3 months (90 days) in advance before the retreat by the retreat host. This payment in full is non-refundable. That being considered, please understand that any cancellations after that time will be soley upon the retreat host to re-fill.

To visit Jaya Lakshmi's profile on We Travel and read reviews of previous retreats she has led, go to: https://www.wetravel.com/profiles/jaya-lakshmi