Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of our most commonly asked questions. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, we’re always happy to help. Email yelapayogaretreat@gmail.com.
When and where is Root to Rise 2027?
Root to Rise is scheduled for April 11–17, 2027, at Pura Vida in Yelapa, Mexico. The retreat includes six nights. Guests should plan to arrive in Puerto Vallarta by April 10 so they are ready for the group transfer on April 11.
How much does the retreat cost, and how is my Room price determined?
The displayed cost for a Room or bed is the complete retreat cost for one participant choosing that accommodation; it is not a lodging-only price. Costs vary by Room, bed, occupancy, and approved arrangement. For example, Room 8 is currently listed at $2,700 for the Queen option and $2,900 for the King option. Review the Room Tour and speak with the retreat team for current availability and the exact cost of your preferred option.
How do deposits, Room selection, payments, cancellations, and transfers work?
The $400 non-refundable Early Bird Deposit reserves your place on the retreat and counts toward the 50% needed to reserve an Available Room; it does not reserve a specific Room. An Available Room is secured only after you select it through the personal booking conversation, bring your total paid to 50% of the complete retreat cost, and receive confirmation from the retreat team. The amount used to reach 50% is non-refundable. The remaining balance and any cancellation or transfer are governed by the published Policies page; a final payment is refundable only if the Room is successfully rebooked, and compassionate exceptions may be considered case by case but are not guaranteed.
Does paying a deposit reserve a specific Room?
No. A deposit secures a place in the retreat under the applicable deposit terms, but it does not reserve a particular Room. An Available Room becomes Reserved only after you select it through the personal booking conversation, bring your total paid to 50% of that Room or bed’s complete retreat cost, and receive confirmation from the retreat team.
What are the rooms like, and how do I choose one?
Pura Vida offers a mix of private and shared accommodations. Room features vary: some are open-air, some offer air conditioning, and bed configurations and views differ by Room. Review the Room Tour for the exact features and cost of each available Room or bed. Room selection is completed through a personal booking conversation and depends on current availability.
What is included in the retreat cost?
Your displayed Room or bed cost is the complete retreat cost for that accommodation choice, not a lodging-only rate. The approved program includes six nights at Pura Vida plus Yoga, Breathwork & Meditation; Delicious Local Cuisine; Sound Healing; Cacao Ceremony; Live DJ Yoga; Waterfall Hikes; Snorkeling; and Swimming. Use the What’s Included page as the final source of truth if the program is updated.
What is not included in the retreat cost?
Plan separately for airfare to and from Puerto Vallarta, your April 10 pre-retreat hotel night, personal shopping and snacks, smoothie-bar purchases, optional wellness services, extra excursions or boat trips, alcoholic or specialty drinks, travel insurance, and other personal expenses. We will confirm the final exclusion list before publication.
Can beginners attend Root to Rise 2027?
Yes. Beginners are welcome, and practices are designed to offer options and modifications. You are encouraged to move at your own pace, rest when needed, and communicate with Reva about injuries or concerns. Participation in any individual practice is optional.
What yoga and wellness practices are included?
Root to Rise 2027 is designed around daily yoga, breathwork, and meditation. Depending on the final schedule, practices may include Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, restorative yoga, Lunar Hatha Flow with live DJ music, meditation, and breathwork. The final class mix and schedule will be confirmed closer to the retreat.
What physical or mobility considerations should I know about?
No previous yoga experience is required. Pura Vida is built into a hillside, includes frequent stairs and elevation changes, and is not wheelchair accessible. Yelapa also has uneven walking surfaces, and some activities may involve boats, beaches, or jungle paths. Contact us before booking if you have mobility, balance, respiratory, cardiac, or other health concerns so we can discuss the setting and whether the retreat is a practical fit. Guests should consult their own clinician for personal medical advice.
Are meals included?
Yes. The retreat includes fresh, plant-forward meals prepared by Pura Vida’s local chefs, with dietary needs thoughtfully accommodated after confirmation with the retreat team. The program also includes designated meals at favorite Yelapa restaurants for an authentic taste of local Mexican cooking. Personal snacks, smoothie-bar purchases, meals bought independently outside the retreat plan, and specialty beverages are separate unless expressly listed as included.
Can dietary restrictions or food allergies be accommodated?
Tell us about allergies, medical diets, and dietary preferences before booking. We will confirm what the venue can safely accommodate and explain any limitations; submitting a request does not guarantee an allergen-free kitchen or complete separation. Guests with serious allergies should discuss their needs directly with the retreat team and bring appropriate medication and backup snacks.
What does a typical retreat day look like?
Each day will have its own rhythm. A typical day may include morning meditation or breathwork, yoga, shared meals, an excursion or workshop, restorative practice or ceremony, personal rest time, and an evening gathering. The detailed 2027 schedule will be released closer to the retreat and may shift because of weather, tides, transportation, or group needs.
How do I get to Yelapa and Pura Vida?
Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). Plan to arrive by April 10, 2027, and stay overnight in Puerto Vallarta before the retreat. The group transfer to Yelapa is planned for April 11, with return travel from Yelapa on April 17. Wait for the final arrival packet before booking a tight connection: the exact meeting point, boat time, luggage instructions, and earliest safe return-flight time must be reconfirmed for 2027.
Is Yelapa safe, and what precautions should I take?
Yelapa is a small coastal village reached primarily by boat, but no destination is risk-free. Use the same practical precautions you would elsewhere: monitor current travel guidance, keep valuables secure, stay aware of your surroundings, use a life jacket on boat transfers, and take extra care on stairs, steep paths, and uneven terrain. Bring insect repellent and suitable footwear. Reva and Michael will share retreat-specific arrival guidance and are available to help during the group program.
What passport, entry, or vaccination requirements apply?
Entry and health requirements depend on your citizenship, itinerary, and personal health. Bring a valid passport and check Mexico’s official requirements for your nationality before booking travel; do not rely on a blanket 180-day admission assumption. Review current CDC guidance and speak with a qualified clinician about routine or travel vaccines and medications. Requirements and health notices can change, so recheck them shortly before departure.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended because deposits and the amount used to secure a Room are non-refundable under the published Policies. Consider coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, travel delays, missed connections, medical care, and emergency evacuation. Review the policy’s exclusions carefully; insurance decisions and coverage are the traveler’s responsibility.
What should I pack for Yelapa?
Pack light and bring luggage you can carry over stairs and uneven paths. Recommended items include lightweight clothing, yoga clothes, a swimsuit, sandals, supportive walking or hiking shoes, a light evening layer, a small daypack, reusable water bottle, sun protection, insect repellent, personal toiletries, prescription medication, and your passport and travel documents. Bring a compact rain layer if the forecast suggests it.
What weather should I expect in Yelapa in April?
April is typically warm and comparatively dry in Yelapa, with hot sun during the day and milder evenings. Tropical conditions can still change, especially near the water and in the hills. Check the forecast before departure and pack sun protection, breathable clothing, supportive footwear, and a light evening or rain layer.
Do the rooms have air conditioning?
Air conditioning is available only in select Rooms; other accommodations are open-air and rely on natural ventilation and ocean breezes. Check the individual Room listing before choosing. Availability and Room status can change, so the current Room Tour and personal booking conversation control.
Can I attend alone, and how do shared Rooms or roommates work?
Solo guests are welcome. Rooms with multiple beds are shared inventory by default unless a different arrangement is approved. Tell the retreat team about roommate preferences, sleep schedules, mobility needs, and anyone you do not wish to share with. Matching is handled through a personal conversation, and a Room assignment may remain provisional while compatibility is reviewed.
What payment methods are accepted?
All retreat payments are recorded in U.S. dollars. The approved Policies page currently lists PayPal, Venmo, cash, and check. PayPal and Venmo transaction fees are added; there is no approved universal 5% fee. For the remaining balance, bringing USD cash to the retreat is the preferred option; if you are not bringing cash, the remaining balance is due by Friday, April 2, 2027, through an accepted method. Earlier payment is welcome. Confirm the method with the retreat team before sending funds.
Will I have Wi-Fi and cell service?
Wi-Fi is available in Pura Vida’s main common areas, but speed and reliability can vary, and Room coverage may be limited. Cellular service may also vary by carrier and location. Plan for intermittent connectivity and download important travel information before arriving.
Do I need to bring a yoga mat or props?
The current venue plan is to provide mats, bolsters, blocks, and blankets. You may bring your own mat or favorite prop if you prefer. We will reconfirm the available equipment in the pre-retreat packing message.
Can I bring my own food or snacks?
Yes. You may bring personal snacks, especially if you have specific dietary or medical needs. Packaged items are easiest for travel. Filtered drinking water is expected to be available, and additional smoothies or treats may be available for purchase. We will reconfirm venue food-storage rules and water details before the retreat.
Are massages, Watsu, or other wellness services included?
Optional wellness services are separate from the retreat cost unless the final What’s Included page expressly says otherwise. Availability, providers, times, and prices may change. Review the Optional Extras information and reserve or pay for services according to the instructions provided closer to the retreat.
Are gratuities included?
OWNER DECISION REQUIRED: The current FAQ says staff gratuities are included, while the approved nine-item inclusion list does not mention gratuities. Confirm whether core staff gratuities are included, which providers are covered, and whether optional tips for therapists, guides, or exceptional service remain discretionary before publishing a final answer.
What should I know about medications, medical care, and emergencies?
Bring enough prescription medication for the full trip plus reasonable delay time, keep it in original labeled packaging, and carry essential medicine in your hand luggage. Yelapa is a small, boat-accessed community, so access to advanced medical care and some medications may require travel to Puerto Vallarta. Review your health coverage, consider medical-evacuation insurance, and tell the retreat team about information they would need in an emergency. Call local emergency services when appropriate.
Who should I contact with a Room, payment, or accessibility question?
For retreat booking, Room, payment, dietary, or accessibility questions, email yelapayogaretreat@gmail.com. For direct or general questions for Reva, email yogawithreva@gmail.com. Include enough detail for a helpful reply, but do not send sensitive medical or financial information by ordinary email.
When will I receive the final schedule and arrival details?
The retreat team will send final arrival, boat-transfer, packing, and schedule details closer to April 2027. Because boats, weather, tides, providers, and group needs can affect timing, use the latest direct message from the retreat team rather than an older website screenshot when planning the final travel day.
