yoga retreats featuring jungle, ocean, relaxation and adventure Belize Yoga Caribbean Hideaways Yoga Retreat January 5-12, 2019 Instructor: Martha Garrett Retreat Coordinator: Brad Wigh Students: Amy, Robert, Julie, Brigitte, Lisa, Jennifer, Molly, John, Wanda & Michael belizeyoga.com 1-812-783-9642 (voicemail) jessie@belizeyoga.com
Day 1: Saturday, January 5: Arrival Day Hidden Valley Inn 1:30-4:30 pm Shuttle from BZE to Hidden Valley Inn (12:45 pm and earlier arrivals) 4:30-7:15 pm Shuttle from BZE to Hidden Valley Inn (4:03 pm arrivals) 7:00/30 pm Dinner, orientation Day 2: Sunday, January 6: Hidden Valley Inn 6:00-6:15 am Meet in lobby for coffee/tea & walk to yoga platform @ 6:15 8:00-9:00 am Breakfast 9:00-1:00 pm Waterfall/hiking tour 12:00-2:00 pm Lunch (open) 4:45 pm Meet in lobby to walk to yoga platform 7:00 pm Dinner Day 3: Monday, January 7: Hidden Valley Inn 6:30-7:30 am Breakfast 7:30 am-4:00pm Caracol Mayan Ruins & Rio on Pools Tour (picnic lunch) 7:00 pm Dinner Day 4: Tuesday, January 8: Hidden Valley Inn 6:00-6:15 am Meet in lobby for coffee/tea & walk to yoga platform @ 6:15 8:00-9:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am-4:30 pm Free Time or optional tours 12:00-2:00 pm Lunch (open) 4:45 pm Meet in lobby to walk to yoga platform 7:00 pm Dinner (can checkout after dinner)
Day 5: Wednesday, January 9: Hidden Valley Inn and Naia Resort & Spa 6:00-6:15 am Meet in lobby for coffee/tea & walk to yoga platform @ 6:15 7:45-8:30 am Breakfast 7:30 9:00 am Checkout 9:00 1:30 pm Transfer to Placencia (includes stops for shopping) 1:30-2:30 pm Lunch at Naia Resort & Spa 7:00 pm Dinner Day 6: Thursday, January 10: Naia Resort & Spa 7:45-8:30 am Breakfast 8:30-3:30 pm Sailing & Snorkling Tour with lunch 7:00 pm Dinner Day 7: Friday, January 11: Naia Resort & Spa 7:45-8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am-4:30 pm Free Time or optional tours 12:00-2:00 pm Lunch (open) 7:00 pm Dinner (can checkout after dinner) Day 8: Saturday, January 12: Naia Resort & Spa 7:30-8:30 am Breakfast & checkout 8:45am & 9:45am Transfers to Placencia airstrip to coordinate with departures: 9:40-10:10 am Flight from Placencia to BZE International for 1:00 pm and earlier departures or 10:40-11:10 am Flight from Placencia to BZE International for 1:30 pm and later departures
What to Bring Packing Suggestions: Passport and any additional documentation as required by your nationality Sunscreen/aloe Any medications you may need Hand Sanitizer Sunglasses Hat Insect Repellent Toiletries, including shampoo Reading material/journal Reusable water bottle Daypack or satchel for tours Sturdy closed-toed hiking/walking shoes Waterproof/quickdrying hiking shoes or hiking sandals Beach shoes/flipflops Supportive swimsuit for snorkeling tours, canoeing, cave tours Strap to retain eyeglasses/sunglasses during adventures Lightweight long pants for hiking Layered, lightweight clothing Lightweight yoga clothing Yoga mat if you are not renting one from Belize Yoga Motion-sickness medication if you require for flights, boats or land transport Laptop or tablet (optional--there is free (slow) wifi in the main lodges) Camera, waterproof camera for snorkeling (optional) Battery-powered alarm clock or watch Lightweight water-resistant jacket and/or umbrella Flashlight Spending money (No ATM access during retreat--us cash accepted everywhere) Eye mask and earplugs if you have trouble sleeping in new environments Items provided for you: Snorkel gear, beach towels
Tour Preparation Clothing/Items for Waterfall Hike Guided Waterfall Hiking WEAR: Lightweight clothing Comfortable, closed-toed shoes (can wear in waterfall pool or bring another pair) Hat/sunglasses Sunscreen BRING: Water--lots Insect repellent Swimsuit for waterfall swimming (can change before waterfall or wear under clothes) Camera (optional) Hand Sanitizer (optional) Backpack for water, camera *Towels are provided
Tour Preparation Clothing/Items for Maya Ruins Caracol Mayan Ruins and Rio On Pools WEAR: Lightweight clothing Comfortable, closed-toed shoes (can wear in river or bring another pair) Hat/sunglasses Sunscreen BRING: Water Insect repellent Small amount of spending money (there are small gift shops at Caracol) Swimsuit for river swimming (can change into swimsuit at ruins prior to arrival at river) Camera (optional) Hand Sanitizer (optional) Backpack for water, camera *Towels are provided
Tour Preparation Clothing/Items for Snorkeling Tours Snorkeling WEAR: Swimsuit Hat/sunglasses Sunscreen (reef-safe sunscreen preferred) UV swimshirt (optional) BRING: Water Camera or waterproof camera (optional) Extra sunscreen Cover-up or dry shirt (optional) Money for tips (sailing crew/snorkel crew is not part of Naia) Beach towel from resort Snorkeling gear is provided, you may bring your own if you prefer.
FAQs (you may also visit www.belizeyoga.com/faq) Electricity: Same as the U.S. Our lodges create their own electricity and ask that you not use energy-hungry appliances such as hair dryers and electric shavers. Computer/camera chargers are ok. Internet & Cell Phone coverage: Wireless internet is available at the main lodge of both resorts--but is slow, so do not plan to conduct work or social media. Resorts are remote and cell phone coverage is spotty. There will be international charges for calls/data. Currency: Fixed rate of $1US=$2BZ. US dollars are used all over Belize, change will be given in Belize dollars. You do not need to exchange any money into Belize dollars. V/MC widely accepted, and you may use your credit card to check out at both resorts. Time Zone: Belize is on Central Time prior to March 8/Mountain time beginning March 8 Costs not included in retreat: Gratuities, alcohol, sodas & drinks not included with meals, laundry, phone, non-mealtime food or off menu ordering, spa, additional tours or transfers not included in package. How much cash should I bring? You will NOT have access to an ATM machine during the retreat. TIPPING: while tipping is completely discretionary and personal, we can let you know that based on feedback, most students generally tip in the $100-200 range throughout the week. You can tip in many different ways if you wish to tip individuals as you go (drivers, tour guides, housekeeping, etc.), you can do so directly with cash. You may also choose to bulk tip at checkout and the lodge can then divide amongst staff. Bulk tips can be done with cash or credit cards. Most students do a combination of the two, providing a bulk tip for general lodge staff, and then tipping directly to guides and anyone who gave extra special service. Your retreat package included a 10% service charge on meals and rooms that has already been provided to the lodges. SOUVENIRS: Most shopping locations will take only cash, others will also accept credit cards. Souvenir prices will vary widely, from inexpensive small items to the more expensive artwork, wood carvings, hammocks, etc. There are also some nice Belize Yoga shirts available ;) INCIDENTALS: You may pay for incidentals (alcohol, spa treatments, additional tours, etc.) with a credit card or cash.
Contact Info Arrival Info A Belize Yoga representative will greet you upon your arrival at Belize International airport. We will be monitoring for flight delays. Please contact Belize Yoga if you miss any leg of your flight or if you are on a different flight than originally scheduled. Prior to your flight, please be sure you have your passport and any additional documentation ready, and remember to check with your airline regarding baggage limitations, as you are responsible for any additional fees. Contact Info Belize Yoga: 1-812-783-9642* or +501-637-4109 (Jessie) or +501-632-9585 (Brad) Belize Yoga email: jessie@belizeyoga.com or brad@belizeyoga.com Hidden Valley Inn: +501-822-3320 Naia Resort and Spa: +501-523-4600 *This US phone number connects directly to voicemail, which is then emailed to us. For immediate assistance, please call one of our direct Belize lines.