About this trip

Join me for a Yoga Retreat in Yelapa Mexico!

The first 10 people to register receive a $300 discount off the full price!

Edit- The early bird first 10 spaces sold out!

*Next 5 people to register receive $200 off the full price!

This is both a yoga experience and a cultural adventure. 

Enjoy a winter getaway with yoga, meditation, mindfulness, rest, renewal, play time, nature, community, camaraderie, and delicious healthy food in this authentic Mexican village south of Puerto Vallarta.- just a water taxi away from Puerto Vallarta! Pura Vida, a beautiful hillside, jungle, retreat center overlooking the ocean. Practice yoga everyday! Awaken to Awe.  It truly is a one of a kind experience.   

Pura Vida is a non-denominational, spiritual, health-focused wellness retreat center in a tropical paradise called Yelapa in Mexico. Our beautiful accommodations are in a jungle setting right by the ocean, for those seeking connection with nature, community, and your own heart.  The retreat center offers amazing healthy food, a gorgeous beachfront infinity pool, watsu hot tub, and ocean views galore. The rooms are mostly open air, with some enclosed air conditioned room options. Almost all the rooms have an ocean view. Two rooms have jungle views. Ocean views, and rooms with air conditioning are first come first serve. The retreat center is unique and beautiful, with lots of stairs (131 to be exact!)! 

Pura Vida also offers massage, watsu massage , and facials. These services are extra.

The staff are gracious and wonderail. 

Pura Vida Wellness Retreat center is quarter mile, 5 minute walk to Playa Isabelle, a beautiful beach where you can swim, snorkel, or bask in the sun.  It's a 10 or 15 minute (almost a mile) walk to the village, and the main Yelapa beach.

Yelapa is full of uneven paths and lots of stairs! There are no cars in Yelapa!  Pura Vida retreat center has many stairs leading to different rooms, the yoga platform and the dining area. 

Cancellation Policy-

Unfortunately there are no refunds. However if there is a waitlist for this retreat and we can fill your space you will receive a full refund minus an $200 admin fee. 

*We strongly suggest trip insurance for unforeseen circumstances! If you need to cancel last minute to to illness or another emergency trip insurance can cover your travel and lodging expenses. Check policies for Covid coverage.

Magical Yelapa

Magical Yelapa! 

Yelapa is a village that is owned and managed by its indigenous people, which makes it very special. Yelapa may not actually be an island, but you do have to get here by boat. The local community has refused to permit roads into town and are active in preserving their way of life. In doing so, they have managed to create an oasis truly unlike any other. It’s quaint, and charming, and real. With pristine beaches, spectacular views, mouth-watering food, and a flare for adventure, Yelapa will transform your vacationing/retreat experience. February in Yelapa is during the dry season. Temps average upper 70s to lower 80's during the day and cool off to lower 70's at night. It is also Humpback Whale season! The whales come into the bay to have their babies and are often seen spouting, splashing and breaching!

Yelapa, takes people back in time enhancing the feeling of “getting away from it all” and invites participants to remember the simple life. Pura Vida Retreat Center offers a sacred space deeply connected to nature for yogi’s to enjoy. Enjoy beautiful views of  the ocean from the venue each day. Please visit  https://www.puravidaecoretreat.com/  to see more information and photos of your beautiful retreat center.

https://www.yelapa.info/

Nestled in the southernmost cove of the world's 7th largest bay, lies the peaceful village of Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico. Yelapa's tranquillity is ideal for a laid-back vacation. The beach is covered in  golden sand, and is a superb place to swim or parasail.  Or simply relax in one of the numerous beach chairs, or hammocks and soak up the sun. 

Tentative schedule

SATURDAY arrival and Welcome Dinner Puerto Vallarta- We have travel support for your arrival if you choose to use it. The taxi cost is not included. The first night spent in Puerto Vallarta is at a hotel of your choice (preferably in the Romantic Zone) which is also not included in the retreat cost. We do have recommendations for hotels to stay at with different price options .

We meet at Fajita Republic at 6pm for a a brief check in, orientation, and a delicious meal. We will review the logistics for meeting the next morning to take the water taxi. This dinner is included in your retreat package and kicks off your retreat!

SUNDAY -Transitioning From Hotel to Boat: Please arrive on time!

We will meet at Dee’s Bakery by the pier at 9:00 am and start boarding the boat at approximately 9:45 am. There is time for great coffee and fabulous muffins at Dee’s. 

Boat to Yelapa:

The boat will take about 50 minutes to reach Yelapa from PV. 

If you need to arrive later than the group or leave earlier than the group, you will need to pay for your boat taxi ticket.  Our group private boat is included in the price of your retreat. 

Our Arrival in Yelapa:  

The water taxi takes us to the pier in the center of the village. Water taxi goes on to drop off the luggage which will be transported to your lodging at Pura Vida.

We will be met by our guide on the village pier for a tour of the village. There will be plenty of time for lunch, yoga, and settling in that afternoon.

Tentative schedule, subject to change

Sunday: 

11-12am: Arrive in Yelapa & Tour

12:30pm: Lunch at Pura Vida 

3-5:30pm: Welcome Yoga Class

6:30pm:  Dinner at Pura Vida 

Monday: 

8am:  Breakfast

9-11:45am: Yoga

12pm:  Lunch at Pura Vida

5-6pm: Gentle Yoga/Yoga Nidra

6:30pm: Dinner at Pura Vida

Tuesday :

8am: Breakfast

Boat Trip Option –no yoga if you take boat trip

9-11:45am: Yoga

12 pm: Lunch at Pura Vida

5-6 pm: Gentle Yoga/Yoga Nidra

6:30pm: Walk to Group Dinner at Eclipse /Entertainment, Meet at 6:15 at Pool

Wednesday

8am: Breakfast

9-11:45am: Yoga 

12-5 pm:  Lunch in Village/Free Time

5-6pm: Gentle Yoga/Yoga Nidra

6:30pm: Dinner at Pura Vida

Thursday: 

8am: Breakfast

9-11:00am: Yoga

11:30-4pm: Waterfall Hike packed lunch, Meet at Pool 11:30, Bring Pesos

FREE AFTERNOON

6:30 pm   Dinner out on your own/with yoga friends

Friday: 

8am: Breakfast

9-11:45am: Yoga

12pm: Lunch in Village/Free Time

4:45-6pm: Gentle Yoga/Yoga Nidra

6:30pm:  Dinner at Pura Vida

Saturday 

7:30am: Breakfast- pack before breakfast, suitcase ready 

Meet @ 8:45 am at pool for 9 am Boat To PV

Note: Saturday in PV offers a wonderful Farmer’s Market/Craft Fair. We can store our luggage in PV so there is time to explore. We recommend later flights (after 2pm) so you can enjoy this wonderful market and have enough time to comfortably get to the airport or your next destination.

Travel & Transportation

Get your passport EARLY!

If you do have a passport DOUBLE CHECK the EXPIRATION DATE

Please plan to arrive in Puerto Vallarta no later than 2 pm. It can take a bit to get through immigration and customs. We will have transportation for you to downtown Puerto Vallarta if you would like support. We will provide very specific instructions on making your way to your transportation.  Please book a hotel for the Saturday night stay. We have several recommendations of where to stay. 

On Sunday:

Boat To Yelapa:

Your private boat to Yelapa will arrive at the pier in PV and your group leader will guide you to the pier. The boat will take about 50 minutes to reach Yelapa from PV. 

Your Arrival in Yelapa: 

You will arrive in Yelapa at the pier in the center of the village. Your luggage will be dropped off by the boat at a beach closer to your lodgings, and will be waiting in your room for you.  Your leader will help you mark your luggage so we can appropriately deliver your luggage to the correct room.

You will walk through the village and out to your lodgings. Your luggage will arrive and be brought to your room. Then you can unpack, become familiar with your entire lodgings and settle into the schedule for your group on arrival day. 

We will depart Yelapa Saturday morning, at approximately 9 am. Schedule your return flight after 1 pm. There is a fabulous Saturday market that you will enjoy should you like to spend some time in town. We will arrange for luggage storage. https://www.facebook.com/olasaltasfarmersmarket/  link to Farmers Market

Travel tips

our PV Hotel: Please try to choose a hotel close to Los Arcos Pier.  This expense is not covered by your retreat payment. 

Dinner Saturday Night- We will have a group dinner and orientation. This dinner is included in your retreat package. We will be meeting at 6:30 pm at Fajita Republic.

Meals:

Be sure to let us know about your dietary needs in another form.  In Yelapa, there will be two lunches during our week will be on your own and one dinner.. These three meals are not included in the retreat fee. By that time you will know the village and easily choose where you want to eat. All our past participants have requested this chance to explore a bit on their own and in small groups. 

Dietary Requests:

The meals in Yelapa will be healthy and delicious. Our cooks have years of experience cooking for retreats and our groups have enjoyed the food at Pura Vida so

Much! The food is often one of people favorite things about the retreat! Yelapa is on the coast and not near a big city. Also, obviously, the choices in foods in this country do not match the abundance in the states. If you have specific dietary needs we want to know and can accommodate.

Many more details (packing list, money exchange, etc)  will be provided after registration.  

Excursion options

Pura Vida offers these experiences:

1. Boat trip to Majahuitas Beach - great snorkeling, walk and rest on a pristine beach or hike to the waterfall- approximately 2-3  hour trip - $30 per person, snorkeling gear provided.

2. Marietas Islands - great snorkeling, swim to Lovers Beach, ceviche on the boat, - 4 hour trip, $80 per person, 4 persons minimum.

3. more TBA

Prices for excursions may change by 2024

First night stay in Puerto Vallarta

These hotels are listed as suggestions for your PV stay. Please be sure to book far in advance since you are staying one night only on a weekend, they may not be available closer to the date. You can try booking through hotels.com.  Although I often find the best deals directly through the hotel websites. We have experience with all three. There are many more available. 

Los Arcos is the closest, 2 minute walk. We highly recommend this hotel for convenience and comfort.https://www.playalosarcos.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw07qDBhBxEiwA6pPbHi6Aq_XSIy2XuAwsxb3XGUx8zDOZpqG2FZc48RnNm4yXk1JQlJy2RhoCC2gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds 

Hotel Eloisa: 10 minute walk to pier; a less expensive option that is nice but not fancy. https://www.hoteleloisa.com/en 

Hotel Rio Malecon: 15 minute walk or take a taxi for $5 http://www.hotelrio.com.mx/# 

Mid range

Hotel Posada de Roger: close to pier and super cute; https://hotelposadaderoger.com/

This is the one my family and I use the most.