Joy & Recovery; a Be Here Now Retreat

Joy & Recovery; a Be Here Now Retreat is a seven-night yoga retreat in Quimixto, Jalisco, Mexico, led by Jennifer Bunder and Hannah Cantrell. It is held at Xinalani, an oceanfront retreat center just south of Puerto Vallarta, set between the jungle and the Pacific Ocean. The retreat is open to all levels and combines restorative and yin yoga with vinyasa flow, alongside time in nature.

What to Expect

The retreat is built around restorative and yin yoga, the slower, longer-held styles, with vinyasa flow for movement. Nature and adventure are part of the week too, so the days are not all spent on the mat.

Each retreat at Xinalani has its own rhythm, but days naturally move between practice, shared meals, ocean time and rest. The center's daily structure gives a sense of the pace:

- 8 AM: all-levels morning yoga by the ocean
- 10 AM: breakfast of tropical fruit, homemade pastries, Mexican favorites and lighter options
- 12 PM: free time to swim, relax by the pool, use the wellness area or book a massage
- 2 PM: lunch on the oceanfront terrace
- 5 PM: a restorative session, meditation, cacao or another mindful practice
- 7 PM: sunset over Banderas Bay, then dinner with local cuisine and homemade desserts

Your retreat leaders shape the specifics of the week, so the exact schedule may differ from this outline.

Your Teachers

Jennifer Bunder and Hannah Cantrell lead this retreat together, bringing the restorative, yin and vinyasa practice that shapes the week.

The Setting

Xinalani sits on the coast south of Puerto Vallarta, where the jungle meets the sea. Guests wake to ocean views and the sounds of nature, and the sunsets look out across Banderas Bay. Meals are fresh and seasonal, and the center takes care of the stay and the details, so there is little to organize once you arrive.

Rooms come in several categories, each with a private or shared terrace and views of the ocean and jungle:

- Beach Casita: the most spacious and private option, steps from the beach, with a king bed and its own plunge pool.
- Eco Chic Treehouse: an open-air stay above the jungle, with a private terrace and hammock. Air-conditioned and open-air versions are available.
- Deluxe Room: a cozy room suited to couples and solo travelers, with a king bed or two twin beds. Air-conditioned and open-air versions are available.
- Small and Big Palapa: open-air shared palapas with four or eight individual beds, the most accessible way to stay and a good fit for those who want to connect with others.

Before You Go

This retreat welcomes all levels, so you do not need an established yoga practice. You will be sharing the week with a community of people who came for similar reasons, with plenty of unscheduled time to make the days your own. Wellness treatments such as massage can be booked separately during free time.