admin Yoga retreats are popping up everywhere! Every yoga teacher and their brother are now offering yoga retreats. They are BIG business. As a retreat leader myself, I know what it takes to hold a successful retreat and what its costs and breakdowns are.
Yoga retreats are expensive. Top instructors earn top dollar. Other factors need to be considered:
What’s Included?
You won’t be as surprised if you need to pay an extra $200 or more for your food on retreat if you choose a retreat that includes all meals.
What are the Add-ons?
What are the activities included? Teachers often advertise “yoga with surf,” “yoga with horses,” or even “yoga with skydiving,” but these activities are optional. Add-on activities like horse tours, skydiving, or surf lessons will add up.
You can expect to pay $50 or more per add-on. Some retreats include them.
What is the expected tipping rate?
Some cultures and countries encourage tipping, while others don’t. It is always a nice gesture to tip your retreat center staff, especially if they have gone above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. According to the country, and at the instructor’s suggestion, $10-$20 is a nice extra per person per day that can be shared amongst the staff.
If you’re going to retreats in third-world countries or developing nations, especially in Central America, South America, or Asia, remember that your waiter, cleaning lady, and receptionist will likely earn between 80 cents and 3 dollars per hour, regardless of the color of their skin. If you leave a $10 tip, it could be the difference between a child getting new shoes to walk to school, a parent receiving medicine, or paying a mechanic to fix their broken motorbike.
What is the cost of a flight?
Often, the price of the retreat is very reasonable, but the cost of the flight is not. Recent clients told me they thought the price of a yoga retreat was very reasonable but that the flight cost was double!
Before you book, check the flight prices. It would be a shame if you had to cancel a yoga retreat due to the cost of your flight.
Do I need special gear?
If you are planning a yoga retreat that includes a hike to the top of Kilimanjaro, there may be extra costs, such as new rainproof clothing or hiking boots. Some of my clients had to purchase new bathing suits on my retreats, which included surfing. Their bikinis were falling off the waves.
Before booking, consider the clothing or equipment you will need for the retreat. Then, assess what you have. It’s not fun to feel exhausted before a trip.
Wiggle Room
You may want to buy souvenirs, go to a bar, or take a taxi. Budget for some wiggle space. I’d suggest $150 to 200 dollars for a “just-in-case” fund.
Retreats can be a wonderful experience. You’ll meet people with similar interests, form friendships that last a lifetime, and learn new things. They are what I do. Be informed.
My retreats, for instance, start at $500 and can go up to $3000, depending on the luxury included, location, activities, and what is included.
Every type of traveler and every budget can find a retreat. You need to look around. Enjoy the hunt and have fun!
