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About this trip
Join me for Yoga Retreat to Yelapa Mexico!
Partial scholarships available!
Register by March 15 and receive an early bird discount!
After March 15th double booking will be $2300, and a single room booking will be $2600
$1900 partial scholarship price for double occupancy spaces also available!!!
This is both a yoga experience and a cultural adventure.
Start the summer with yoga, meditation, mindfulness, rest, renewal, play time, nature, community, camaraderie, and delicious 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 themselves. The retreat center offers amazing 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!)! The staff are gracious and friendly.
Pura Vida Wellness Retreat center is a 5 minute walk to Playa Isabelle, a beautiful beach where you can swim or bask in the sun. It's a 10 or 15 minute walk to the village, and the main bigger Yelapa beach.
The Village of 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.
June in Yelapa is considered the end of the dry season. We may get to experience a bit of tropical rain, fireflies and rainbows! It is very warm in June, and so is the ocean averaging 83 degrees! Perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking!
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.
Nestled in the southernmost cove of the world's 7th largest bay, lies the peaceful village of Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico. Although there is a road which leads to the pueblo, it is most easily accessible by boat. 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, and soak up the sun.
Tentative Itinerary
Yelapa/ Pura Vida Retreat Schedule 2024
SATURDAY Night Welcome Dinner Puerto Vallarta- 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
New Year meditation and intention
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 at Pura Vida
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 and 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. We will provide very specific instructions on making your way to your transportation. Please book a hotel for the Saturday night stay. We have some rooms reserved and can also make recommendations.
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, Feb 24, 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
Your 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 expense is covered by your retreat payment. We will be meeting at 6 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. These two meals are not included in the vacation 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 their cooking. 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. Brad's one of a kind Back Country trip. A true cultural experience! Everyone who has gone on this day long trip has given great reviews! This trip costs $150 per person and there is a 4 person minimum. =
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 for the best rate. 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; 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/
What’s included
- 6 nights lodgingPura Vida is our home for the week. It is located right on the beach in a jungle setting. Most rooms are open air with ocean views. All rooms have comfortable beds and private bathroom/shower
- Most mealsour welcome dinner in PV is included, as well as most meals in Yelapa. there are two lunches where you have lunch on your own in the village or at the beach.
- Daily Yogano Yoga experience is necessary. We have morning and evening yoga sessions. Yoga includes accessible physical practice, pranayama (breathing practices), and yoga philosophy dharma talks, yoga Nidra
- Waterfall HikeA guide will lead us through the back country of Yelapa to a waterfall,. time for swimming and enjoying a packed lunch Hike is of moderate difficulty
- Water TaxiYour round trip Water Taxi ride to and from Yelapa is included
- Tip for staffThe $50 tip per person for the Pura Vida amazing staff is included
What’s not included
- Air Fair to?from Mexico
- taxi from/to airportThe cost for your taxi service is not included, however we do have someone to meet you when you arrive and help you get a taxi if you'd like this support.
- first night stay in PVWe will provide options for booking your stay in Puerto Vallarta. Please try to stay by Los Arcos Pier
- extra excursionsThere are extra excursions offered like snorkeling, or Brad's back country trip. These are paid for separately
- MassageThere are amazing massage and Watsu therapists at Pura Vida!
Available Packages
partial scholarships of $400 off is available for anyone that can really use the financial break! Message me with questions!
The double occupancy rooms are lovely and unique with two comfortable double beds. Beds have bug nets.
These rooms are private and mostly open air with ocean views. There are some enclosed options with air conditioning and two jungle view rooms. Ocean view is first come first serve, as well as rooms with air conditioning if that is what is preferred.
All rooms have privater bathrooms and showers.
Sign up with a travel partner or we can room you with another retreat goer.
The single occupancy rooms are all unique and beautiful, mostly open air with ocean views. There are a couple of single occupancy rooms that are enclosed with air conditioning.
Ocean view and air conditioned rooms are first come first serve.
all rooms have a private bathroom and shower.
The double occupancy rooms are lovely and unique with two comfortable double beds. Beds have bug nets.
These rooms are private and mostly open air with ocean views. There are some enclosed options with air conditioning and two jungle view rooms. Ocean view is first come first serve, as well as rooms with air conditioning if that is what is preferred.
All rooms have privater bathrooms and showers.
Sign up with a travel partner or we can room you with another retreat goer.