I was nervous about staying in Pto Vallarta at a random hotel the 1st night (BTW, not necessary, but a nice option), I stayed in the romantic area and it was safe and charming. The boat ride over was amazing! I Ubered to Boca Tomatlan and then took the boat on arrival and for my return, I took the boat all the way back to Pto.. Vallarta. Either is fine, but I enjoyed the longer ride back. If you are more accustom to the Yucatan, this will open up a whole new world! It's like going to Jurassic Park! Pictures do not do it justice! The mountains, jungle and waterfalls are incredible! The facilitators, Anjay, Kosia, Chris, Pilar and Yvanna, were incredibly kind and spiritual AND affective!! And all of the folks from Yelapa that prepared our food, cleaned the rooms and carried luggage up 100 stairs were so amazing and really brought a sincere, kind feeling to the experience! The sessions were transformational! It seemed immediate for our whole group! We were a diverse mix so it was beautiful the way everyone supported each other!! The love between us and between the spiritual leaders was palpable at all times! My room was mostly outside. It took a courageous mindset to go to bed every night (it was unusually cold as well), but I wanted to be challenged in this way to grow and I'm glad I had the experience! BTW - You have the option for enclosed rooms. The food was delicious and PLENTY of it! You will not be hungry and I didn't miss wine at all! I would have to write a whole new review to explain how charming the town is...no cars, no roads, large cobble stone streets occasionally passed by horses, donkeys and ATV's . This was a very special experience I recommend to ANYONE! You WILL benefit, where ever you are in your life journey! Namaste…
First you must realize I went to Pura Vida Yelapa with ZERO experience in anything related to meditation or transformational journeys or yoga. As a physician and surgeon I was a SKEPTIC regarding anything related to 'inner energies' or any New Age hocus-pocus. The team at Pura Vida opened my mind, my heart, AND MY CHAKRAS!!!!!! Almost more important than our instructors was the amazing group of people who attended with me. I am NOT a fan of strangers. These folks became like family within a week. WOW WHAT A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE for me. Add to that the beautiful Pacific Ocean waves lulling me to sleep, delicious AND HEALTHY meals prepared by the women of Yelapa, hikes to waterfalls, watching humpback whales breaching from my room, meditating in the middle of a river. Then everyone continues to support each other through WhatsApp and Zoom meditation meetings. SIMPLY INCREDIBLE.…
Its hard to put into words what I experienced at Pura Vida but the best way I can describe it is - pure magic. I was terrified to travel alone and wasnt sure what to expect and my fear almost kept me from going. It was completely safe and easy to follow the directions to get there and they even have an option for someone to escort you if you are a nervous nelly like i was. My reason for going to Pura Vida was because I was in deep pain and desperate for some healing. If you are reading this and in need of healing/on a spiritual journey , GO. This trip and the people I met there has had a profound impact on my life and pulled me in a new direction of spirituality. I cannot thank Anjay, Chris, and Pilar enough for the tools and support they gave me during the week I spent there. I will never forget this experience, it was truly magical.…
This retreat is not for the faint of heart. Yes, the abundant and beautiful jungle setting is breath-taking, as are the constant sounds of waves crashing against a rocky shoreline. All of the staff became family to me, from Veronica at the juice bar all the way up the 135+ stairs to Lupita in the kitchen. Kate is an incredibly intuitive yoga instructor (ask her about flower essences!), Chris is a jungle cowboy with a tender and broadly open heart. Pilar is a mermaid with a healer's touch and so much wisdom. Kasia has some serious conductive energy along with a belly laugh that is so infectious. And Anjay offers a quiet and peaceful and humorous energy to the group that is grounding and validating. There are various modalities for offer--DO NOT skip getting any kind of massage with Marisol. She is incredible. I had a regular swedish, a deep tissue, and an exfoliant/body wrap treatment from her. Amazing. If the water calls your name, then you must do Watsu with Pilar. She is the gentle, playful, wise mermaid who will hold you and stretch you in the in heated salt water pool. Breathwork with Chris is extremely intense--and 100% worth it. Just keep remembering to surrender to the process. Additionally, reiki with Yvana was healing, ozone therapy will sweat out your toxins... but perhaps the best healing modality are the STAIRS. Maybe a bit daunting at first, but that burn in your buns makes it all worth it. Food is delicious and varied, plenty of teas, there is drip coffee, largely vegetarian but some fish. Don't forget to pack: organic bug spray (gnats get bad at dusk), a flashlight that isn't your phone (because seriously, put your phone down at night and have it on airplane mode for pictures the rest of the time), if you go in Jan/Feb bring a really warm layer and a hat (especially if you tend to run cold), reusable water bottle, small backpack, and most importantly, come with a readiness to S U R R E N D E R. The best gift Pura Vida gave me was a sense of wholeness and completeness. My heart broke open on this retreat (remember when I said this is not for the faint of heart?) and I let it happen (surrendered) and I left feeling the cracks starting to repair in kintsugi fashion... where the imperfections are, I can gild and fill them in with pure gold. My gratitude to Pura Vida and to the AMAZING group of other guests (who have now became my fam) is boundless. I'll be back. ♥️ ☀️ 🙏 *if anyone has questions about my experience, please feel free to message me*…
I went to Pura Vida looking to relax, maybe figure some things out, and get a tan. What I got was SO MUCH MORE. I met ten other amazing people who immediately became friends. Within a few days we had all developed a deep love for one another. I have never experienced anything like that before. We are all now planning to go back next year for round two! The food was great, the accommodations were amazing, and the activities both on the mat and in nature were mind-blowing. I cannot wait to go back!
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