When the chill of winter seems to seep into your very bones and you find yourself yearning for warmth, sunlight, and a sense of joy, join us in Mexico for an experience that will rekindle your spirit. This is no mere escape—this is a return. A return to yourself, to what truly matters, and to a space for personal exploration and growth.
When the weather is cold and dark, and the social obligations of the holidays have piled up, life can feel pretty hard. Do you find yourself lacking energy and inspiration that dampens your mood and effects your relationships with family, friends and even yourself? If so, this is your invitation to pause and reset, to realign with empathy and grace no matter what life brings. By tending to your own well-being and honoring the cycles of change, you’ll rediscover the wellspring of vitality within you. From this renewed place, you’ll return to your life ready to engage wholeheartedly in the meaningful work you’re here to do, fully resourced and open to authentic joy.
This retreat offers a rich collection of practices and wisdom you can carry forward for years to come. You’ll cultivate presence, learning to respond to yourself with compasssion in every circumstance. You’ll deepen your relationship with the natural world, discovering ways to draw on its healing energy. By embracing the ever-changing nature of life, we’ll find our way back to authentic joy. Alongside this, you’ll create heartfelt connections with a community of like-minded souls who share your vision and enthusiasm.
Guided Nature Connection and Eco-Therapy
Hiking
Waterfall
Bonfire Ritual
On-Sight Beaches
Open time for relaxing and self-care
Self-Inquiry Practices with a licensed therapist
Traditional Mexican Sweat Lodge (Temeszcal) facilitated by local, indigenous healers
Ecstatic Dance Party with Live DJ
Our retreat unfolds in Yelapa, a charming and picturesque fishing village on Mexico’s southern coast. Renowned for its unspoiled beaches, lush jungle backdrop, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Yelapa is an idyllic sanctuary for relaxation and renewal. I chose this magical location not just for its stunning natural beauty but also for its warmth and accessibility—it’s close enough to reach with ease from the airport yet feels worlds away from the hustle of modern life.
Yelapa’s unique character adds to its allure. With no cars or paved roads, this walking town radiates a peaceful energy that invites you to slow down and breathe deeply. Surrounded by nature’s vibrant embrace and enriched by a strong connection to the local community, Yelapa provides the ideal setting for stepping away from daily stressors and reconnecting with yourself on a profound level. Here, you’ll find not just rest but renewal—a chance to rediscover who you are a midst the serenity of this extraordinary place.
Casa Isabel is perched on a lush hillside, offering a collection of five casitas and a main communal area, which houses the central kitchen and dining space. This unique retreat center embraces its rustic charm, and it’s important to note that it requires a certain level of mobility. The design, seamlessly integrated into the natural surroundings, includes natural building techniques with organic and unconventional designs.
The accommodations and yoga pavilion are open-air, inviting you to immerse yourself in nature while still enjoying comfort and privacy. You can witness the beauty of birds, butterflies, and even dolphins and whales gliding through the waters below.
The yoga pavilion sits high above the ocean, offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Banderas. Fully equipped with mats and props, it provides an ideal setting for yoga and meditation practices. Below the retreat lies a quiet beach just 50 feet away, where soft sand meets the gentle rhythm of the Pacific Ocean.
Each casita is uniquely designed with an artistic flair, embodying a sense of individuality and charm that sets Casa Isabel apart from modern resorts. This is not a cookie-cutter experience but an authentic encounter with Mexican culture and the natural world. The vibe at Casa Isabel is eclectic and deeply rooted in sustainability. Many rooms feature composting toilets – allowing us to practice eco-conscious living even when away from home.
Whether you’re practicing yoga with the sound of waves in the background or strolling along the serene shoreline, Casa Isabel offers a truly transformative retreat experience.
6 nights and 7 days lodging
Delicious and nutritious breakfast and dinner each day
Daily all-level yoga classes and mindfulness practices
Traditional Mexican Sweat Lodge (Temeszcal)
Ecstatic Dance Party
Hiking to a lovely local waterfall
Evening bonfire ritual
Beautiful on-sight beaches
Ocean swimming (the water is calm and warm!)
Free time for relaxation and self-care
Airfare to Puerta Vallarta (PVR)
Taxi from Puerto Vallarta airport to the boat dock
Boat taxi to Yelapa
Extra food, drinks and meals
Optional excursions and activities including snorkeling, massage and tour of Yelapa
Personal trip insurance
Casa Isabel takes pride in serving you healthy, fresh food that is primarily organic and plant-based. All food is vegetarian, with vegan options. Local fish, seafood and chicken can be offered by request. Dinners comes with dessert and agua fresca. Any allergies or food preferences can be accommodated with prior notice.
Arrival + Opening Circle
Self-care (sunbath, swim, journal, rest, etc.), Guided Meditation and Nature Connection Exercises
Jungle Waterfall Hike (5 miles round trip), swimming, rest and meditation
Therapeutic Self-Exploration with Julie Barr and Temazcal (Sweat Lodge) ceremony
Community support counsel, self-guided afternoon (could include optional excursions), Evening Bonfire
Integration and Celebration with Ecstatic Dance
Departure
A treasure trove of tools and insights to craft your dream lifestyle.
Knowing how to be present with yourself and respond compassionately and skillfully.
A more direct connection to the earth and how to receive it’s healing magic.
Increased clarity and confidence in who you are and your joyful purpose in life.
Deep connections with a group of heart-based people who share your values and interests.
Incredible memories of your adventures and new friends.
“Sierra is such a kind, knowledgeable and reliable healer! I have known Sierra for over a decade and she is such a valuable resource to have if you are ready to optimize your well being!”
Sierra (RYT E-200, WFA) is a devoted yoga teacher, meditation instructor, and environmental enthusiast whose inspiration springs from community connection to each other and the natural world. She leads yoga workshops and retreats in breathtaking locations, weaving together eco-therapy, yoga, and travel to cultivate deeper self-love and a sense of environmental stewardship.
With over 25 years of yoga practice and more than two decades of teaching, Sierra’s approach is rooted in a rich blend of traditions. As a certified Yoga Therapist she pulls from Iyengar, Ayurveda, Tantra and Vipassana lineages. Her years of outdoor education include a Wilderness First Aid certification and nature-based therapy study.
Julie Barr (LMFT), a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in CA since 2002, with over 30 years of experience in community mental health and trauma responsive work, is dedicated to holistic work with every person she meets. In her current role as Director of Clinical Programs at Cancer Support Community, Julie embraces the value of group, community, and healing depth work to support people in all parts of their lives to handle health and mental health challenges that will inevitably arise. Julie is excited to bring this experience to the retreat.
Super Early Bird (ends 8/1/25):
$2100 double occupancy
$2300 single occupancy
Early Bird (ends 10/1/25):
$2250 double occupancy
$2450 single occupancy
Regular (ends 1/20/26):
$2350 double occupancy
$2550 single occupancy
Deposit (non-refundable):
$500
Exclusive discount for repeat retreat participants:
$100 off
Proceeds to Charity
A portion of the proceeds will go to the non-profit Cancer Support Community of the San Francisco Bay Area in honor of Cathy Wagner, my beloved aunt, who is fighting stage 4 cancer, and to all survivors, and those who have not survived.
Preferred Payment Method (after the initial deposit):
Venmo (@Sierra-Wagner-6)
Alternative Payment Methods:
Cash
Check
Through website
“Sierra is an incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, and passionate yoga instructor! Whether in group classes or private sessions, she has helped me relieve pain and develop a personalized daily practice tailored to my needs. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for deep, intentional support on their yoga journey!”
“Sierra is attuned to the needs of the class and changes things up accordingly. She is keenly intuitive in how she leads our group. She leads us through postures but also shares yoga philosophy with us. I am typically resistant to any form of organized exercise, but this practice and group has become a pillar of personal wellness for me. I come in feeling scattered and resistant to effort. I come out feeling calm, centered and ready to meet the challenges of the day. I also feel more connected to life. Sierra brings exceptional intelligence, creativity and love to her transformational leadership. I leave her events and sessions feeling changed for the better in cumulative, lasting ways. My energy is clearer, more centered and positive in response to her healing presence in my life. I highly recommend any and all of her healing services. She is truly an exceptional and inspired teacher. I’m so grateful to have her in my life!”
“I’ve been on two of Sierra’s Yoga Backpacking Retreats, and they were absolutely incredible! I went into both trips not knowing anyone, but Sierra made me feel so comfortable right from the start. She creates such a safe and welcoming environment that I never once felt out of place. Her yoga classes during the trips were such a highlight—they felt amazing after a long day of hiking and were the perfect way to unwind and reconnect with myself. The journaling and reflection exercises she guided us through were also so meaningful and added a deeper layer to the whole experience. Beyond all of that, these retreats were just so much fun! Sierra has a way of balancing adventure, connection, and personal grow, all while keeping things light and enjoyable. I can’t recommend her retreats and yoga classes enough—she’s an amazing leader, and I can’t wait to join her again!”
ANSWERS TO YOUR
Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) is only a 3-hour flight from San Francisco or 2 hours from Los Angeles. From the airport it's a 20-25 minute taxi drive to the Los Muertos Pier and a 40-minute Water Taxi ride to Yelapa.
You can either fly into Puerto Vallarta a day before the retreat starts or fly in early enough the day of to take the boat taxi. We recommend taking the 3pm or 5pm boat. We will send you detailed logistics after you book your space. Getting to Casa Isabel is an easy, safe and very picturesque journey. Somebody from Casa Isabel will be meeting you upon your arrival in Yelapa. More details will be given at our pre-retreat zoom meeting.
The beautiful thing about these trips is that it draws people from all walks of life and from all over the country that have a shared interest in yoga, being in nature, and personal growth.
This is an all genders retreat and we put a lot of emphasis on creating an environment that feels supportive to all people, including those in the queer community and people of color and where we are deepening mindfulness and collective care for ourselves, each other, and the planet. Rest assured, this is a safe space for you to be YOU.
There will be one in-person meet-and-greet sessions via Zoom to allow you time to break the ice and meet the ones who will be joining you. This is a time to to connect with others, start building relationships, and share dreams and excitement about the upcoming trip!
If you are an introvert, don’t worry, we got you. The great part of being out in nature is that there is a lot of space! You will have time to be in silence, sit quietly in nature, and to cozy up in your personal room at night.
January is cool at night (60s) and warm in the daytime (70s and 80s). The waterfalls are full. Rain is unlikely.
It is required to have a passport valid throughout the length of your stay, so please check your expiration date. Entry visa to Mexico is free and valid for 180 days.
Payment plans are available. I’ll do our best to accommodate your needs, so let’s talk. Book an interest call.
If you would like to be matched with a roommate, please let us know, and we’ll do our best to pair you with someone else who is also seeking a roommate. Then you’ll have a chance to meet and get to know your fellow travelers during our pre-trip online gatherings.
In case there is no one to pair you with, your room will be considered a single, and an additional single occupancy supplement will be added to your retreat fee.
Because we intentionally keep our retreats small to foster deep connection and personalized experiences, our cancellation policy is designed to support both our guests and our team in sharing the responsibilities that come with unexpected changes.
Please be aware that all deposits and payments are non-refundable, regardless of the reason for cancellation—including unforeseen events such as acts of God, Covid-19, or natural occurrences. We highly recommend that you consider purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of unexpected circumstances.
If you find yourself unable to attend, we want to support you as best we can. With at least 30 days notice before the retreat begins, we are happy to transfer your deposit or apply it as a credit toward a future retreat with us.
We strongly recommend you protect your adventure retreat by purchasing a short-term traveler's insurance policy which covers baggage loss, accidents, and trip cancellation. Travel insurance picks up everything your regular insurance doesn’t cover. Sierra Laurel Yoga accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged or delayed property.
Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for any nonrefundable air and land expenses should you have to cancel your space due to family illness. It may also cover any emergency evacuation expenses should you become ill during the trip. Although every effort is made to ensure a safe trip, you should realize that in the event of illness or injury evacuation can be expensive. Please check your medical coverage to ensure it is adequate.
There are many travel insurance companies to choose from.
We recommend purchasing travel insurance when you purchase your air fair, but no later than a week before the trip. Purchasing early enough will provide you with a waiver of pre-existing conditions. Insurance acquired typically does not provide protection for pre-existing conditions.
This is a substance-free, to low-substance trip. There is a focus and emphasis on deepening your relationship with yourself and the land.. It is also an opportunity to expand your capacity to be with the ups and downs without turning to substances.
Ocean-safe sunscreen
Natural bug repellent
Refillable water bottle
Hiking shoes
Beach wear including swimsuit and sandals
Small flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
Your own yoga mat (if you like). We provide mats, straps, blocks, and other props.
Personal pharmaceuticals
Health care items and/or feminine products
Earplugs (in case you have trouble adjusting to the sounds of the jungle)
Eye mask (if you are in a shared room or sensitive to light)
Passport (you need a valid passport for at least 6 months before the expiration date to enter. No special visa is required.)
Journal
Massage and wellness treatments can easily be arranged through the Casa Isabel website
