A 6-day retreat in the beautiful, mountainous state of Guanajuato, Mexico with twice daily yoga and local explorations. Discover the charming city of San Miguel de Allende, try your hand at cooking local cuisine, visit the birthplace of famous muralist Diego River, learn about native plants and sustainable agriculture in the region, and deepen your yoga practice in this vibrant epicenter of Mexican culture and cuisine.
You’ll wake up no-too-early for a refreshing morning yoga session before a tasty breakfast of healthful, local fare. Get out and explore San Miguel, and keep lunch light to save room for our cooking feast! In the afternoon, we’ll head to the market and learn the names of fresh and dried chilies, common herb and spice combinations, and seasonal ingredients before heading back to make a traditional, healthful meal together.
Typically there will be one to two classes daily and you may not want to hang out in your yoga clothes after practice. If it’s anything like our retreats you’ll be out adventuring!
Day 1: Sunday: Arrival
Arrive at the Leon-Silao Del Bajío International Airport (BJX) before 2:00 p.m. and enjoy your hour-and-a-half transfer to San Miguel de Allende. Settle into your room, get out and explore central San Miguel, and meet your roommate for the week. You’ll enjoy a delicious home-cooked Welcome Dinner featuring healthful, local specialties before we wind down in with a grounding evening flow.
Day 2: Market visit and cooking class
You’ll wake up no-too-early for a refreshing morning yoga session before a tasty breakfast of healthful, local fare. Get out and explore San Miguel, and keep lunch light to save room for our cooking feast! In the afternoon, we’ll head to the market and learn the names of fresh and dried chilies, common herb and spice combinations, and seasonal ingredients before heading back to make a traditional, healthful meal together.
Day 3: Guanajuato Day Trip
After morning yoga and breakfast, you’ll drive about 1,5 hours to the neighboring city of Guanajuato, the capital of the region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magical city is like going back in time, with small cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, and numerous plazas and colonial-era architecture. You can visit the Diego Rivera museum to learn more about this iconic artist of the 20th century who portrayed the entire social and political history of Mexico through art. Then the rest of the day is yours to explore. %Consider a snack at the local market, check out the Mummy Museum, or take the funicular up the hillside for panoramic views of this colorful city. We’ll depart back to San Miguel in the afternoon. Enjoy dinner at your leisure in town.
DayY 4: Community Partner and Tamal Making + Optional Wine Tour
After yoga and breakfast, the community partner Vía Orgánica will pick you up to head to their organic farm just outside the city. You’ll take a recorrido around the property to learn about sustainable agriculture in the region and its important role in the local economy and environment before we dig our hands into some fresh masa and learn to make tamales!
You’ll return early afternoon for free time in town or opt to take part in a special treat - a wine tour! You’ll head to an organic vineyard in the countryside to tour the vineyards and have a tasting of a delicious selection of wines while enjoying their gorgeous outdoor terrace.
Day 5: Cave Swim and Farewell Dinner
Wake up to yoga and your healthful breakfast then relax on the terraces before your mid-morning excursion: thermal cave pools! It’s a place you could really stay all day, relaxing in the different water temperatures. The rest of the day is yours to shop, enjoy, and relax. Consider visiting one of San Miguel’s many museums, or shopping in the local boutiques for mementos to take home. After the late afternoon yoga session, you’ll enjoy a fabulous chef-prepared farewell dinner at the B&B.
Day 6: Departure and optional regional excursion day
You will be offered a short, pre-travel yoga session before your departure back to the Leon (BJX) airport. You can leave any time today.
Or, consider adding one more day for a full day of regional excursions. First, visit the magical town of Dolores Hidalgo named after Father Hidalgo who uttered: “El Grito” - the cry that sparked the Mexican War for Independence in 1810.
You’ll get some shopping, taste the town’s favorite ice cream, and then continue on to the oldest winery in the state of Guanajuato. The day trip includes roundtrip transportation, local guiding, and wine tasting at two wineries (different than the one visited on Day 4). If you have the extra time, it’s not one to miss!
So you’ve decided to reward yourself for how hard you work and take some much-needed rest. You’ve booked an epic yoga retreat – a little mind-body wellness adventure if you will. Flights are booked and everything is set, and now you are excitedly awaiting a much-needed unplug and recharge. First of all, good for you! Start the yoga now and take a deep breath and focus on the amazing experiences you’re about to have!
But… maybe now you’re wondering what to pack for a wellness retreat. Careful packing will only add to the stress-free enjoyment of your time away! Aim to pack light. Furthermore, many yoga retreats will provide all the props like yoga mats, blocks, straps, bolsters, etc., which you need for your practice. But before you go, check what is and isn’t available at the retreat venue. If there aren’t mats, a good travel mat that rolls or folds is best!
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A YOGA RETREAT ABROAD
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Your travel insurance will cover you for cancellations, theft, and medical expenses in your destination country. We recommend Wanderwell a B-Corp Certified provider who can offer both Travel Medical and Trip Protection.
LUGGAGE TO USE FOR A YOGA RETREAT
You’ll know before you go whether a rolling suitcase is not going to be appropriate, for example if you’re hiking into a retreat in the jungle. In this case, a backpack duffle would be great! However, in most cases, a roller bag should be fine.
Now… Let’s get down to what's going on IN your bag. Most yoga retreats these days are 5-7 days, so we’re going to base our recommendations on that.
When it comes to toiletries, think carefully about what to bring. Many retreats take an environmentally conscious approach, and many retreat centers in remote locations might not be hooked up to mains drainage. So leave behind any products containing harsh chemicals. Opt instead for natural, eco-friendly products that won’t do any harm if they end up in the earth, the sea, or a river. They’ll be better for your body as well!
You will be served daily healthy breakfasts, one lunch, and three dinners featuring fresh, local fare with vegetarian and vegan options available.
The following meals are included:
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
