Deep Work with The Ancients Retreat, Oct/Nov 2022

Sacred Travel, Community Service, and Day of the Dead Celebration in Yelapa and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
October 31 - November 9, 2022

Spend a week in the rustic and stunning beach town of Yelapa, Mexico and two days relaxing in an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta: a majestic place with spectacular landscapes, blue skies and beautiful beaches. Take time to reconnect with your ancestors over Day of the Dead, participating in local Yelapa celebrations. Recognizing your past (and your ancestors) as a platform for your future, you will experience opportunities to heal ancestral wounds, shifting into empowerment, standing on the shoulders of your ancestors, and tapping into them utilizing spiritual resources. Immerse yourself in this gorgeous spiritual retreat setting with interactive programming led by Rev. Abigail Schairer. Enjoy local celebration and traditions during this sacred time and give back through a service project in the town of Yelapa. You will fall in love with this remote and heart centered community and come back refreshed, inspired, renewed, and connected to your Life and the life of those who made your life possible.

** Please note - Yelapa is a remote, indigenous community with no cars, banks, and no hospital. Travelers need to be in good physical condition as you will be walking everywhere in town, up and down hills and stairs and disembarking from the boat onto the beach. The community is flanked by jungle on one side and ocean on the other and is very hilly. You are advised to get your recommended vaccinations for Mexico.

PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beyond Limits or Foundation.
To sign up for the retreat contact our Registrar 206.527.8801 or Registrar@SpiritualLiving.org

What's the agenda and schedule?
Note: This is a tentative agenda. Times and activities subject to change.

October 31st: Arrival in Yelapa

• 5:00pm – Chartered boat taxi departs from Puerta Vallarta pier to Yelapa
• 6:00pm – Casa Check-in, unpack
• 6:30-8pm – Dinner together (included) at Rays restaurant, a local favorite

November 1st:

• Breakfast on your own
• 10:00am-12:00pm: Group Session and connection with your Sacred Ancestors. Emergency procedures, "get to know you" activity, share intentions and prayer partners.
• 12:00-3:00pm: Lunch on your own, Free Time
• 3:00-6:00pm: Dia De Los Muertos - Learn from a local the spiritual tradition and history of the local celebration. Group creates our own ofrenda (altar) for the celebration (see more here: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/a38055058/day-of-the-dead-rituals/).
• 6:00-7:00pm: Dinner on your own… enjoy the vendors at the local celebration
• 7:00-9:00pm: Enjoy the town festivities at the local high school. dancing, altars, and celebration of ancestors.

November 2nd:

• Breakfast on your own
• 10:00am-12:00pm: Group Sessions and Healing Ancestral Wounds. Lunch on your own.
• 1:30-4:00pm: Free Time
• 4:00-5:00pm: Tour Yelapa Museum
• Dinner: On your own

November 3rd: Yelapa Free Day

Activity Suggestions:
 

• Short hike to local waterfall
• Take a water taxi to Puerto Vallarta and spend the day there
• Horseback riding
• Long hike to further waterfall
• Get a massage
• Spend the day on the beach (and try the famous pie lady's pie! https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/this-surprising-beach-town-in-mexico-makes-the-worlds-best-pies/)

November 4th: Snorkeling

• Breakfast on your own
• 10:00am-4:00pm Group snorkeling Adventure (lunch included). Explore isolated beaches south of Yelapa, snorkel in some of the best spots, and enjoy some fresh made ceviche for lunch.
• Dinner on your own

November 5th: Yelapa Community Service Project Day

• Breakfast on your own
• 10:00am-12:00pm: Group Session and Spiritual Practice
• 12:00-1:30pm: Lunch on your own
• 1:30-5:30pm: Community Service Project (we could be painting benches or participate in a beach cleanup)
• Dinner on your own

November 6th:

• Breakfast on your own
• 10:00am-12:00pm: Group Session - Using the Past as a Platform for Your Future
• 12:00-6:00pm: Lunch on your own, Free Time
• 6:00pm-8:00pm: Dinner together (included) at the MiraMar Outside patio

November 7th: Departure from Yelapa to Puerto Vallarta

• Breakfast on your own
• 9:00am-11:00am: Pack up and say goodbye to our Miramar Hosts
• 11:00am-1:00pm: Lunch on your own
• 1:00pm: Check out
• 1:30pm: Chartered boat taxi departs from Yelapa to Puerta Vallarta pier
• 3:00pm: Check in to Hotel Barcelo’ Puerta Vallarta
• 4:00-6:00pm: Group Session
• 6:00pm: Dinner on your own

November 8th: Puerto Vallarta Free Day

Activity Suggestions:
 

• Walk to the Zoo (11 minute walk)
• Visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens
• Horseback riding
• Get a massage
• Visit El Eden Waterfalls
• Spend the day on the beach
• Spend the day in the swimming pools

PLEASE NOTE: If you are flying out on Nov 9th, you will need to get a Covid Test on Nov 8th. The hotel offers PCR tests for $175 USD. This is not included in the cost of the retreat. Reservations have to be made in advance for the PCR tests.

November 9th: Puerto Vallarta Departure

• Breakfast on your own
• 9:30am-11:00am: Group Session - Closing, Reveal Prayer Partners, Share Gratitude
• 11:00-12:00pm: Lunch on your own
• 12:00pm: Check out

How Do I Get There?

TRAVEL BY AIR, LAND AND SEA TO GET THERE.

Yelapa is a 45-minute boat ride from Pier de los Muertos and a 30 minute boat ride from Boca de Tomatlan. The closest airport is the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport located in Puerto Vallarta (airport code: PVR). This airport has recently become quite popular, so allow a minimum of an hour to get through customs.

CAR TAXI TO PIER: There are taxi cabs in the airport ($30) or over the bridge across the street ($15) to Pier de los Muertos. We highly recommend you get a taxi ride at the airport as their prices are firm. Taxis across the street have variable prices and may quote you different rates. Always ask in advance what the cost is before getting in a taxi. Expect to pay double if you go all the way to Boca de Tomatlan. Cabs are everywhere and super easy to grab at the airport.

CHARTERED WATER TAXI TO YELAPA: We will have a chartered taxi from MiraMar waiting to pick us up at 5pm, on October 31st at the Pier de los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta.

WATER TAXI TO YELAPA: If you miss our charter, or want to arrive early, this is what you do: When you arrive to Pier de los Muertos, look for the Yelapa travel office with lots of Puerto Vallarta adventure advertisments outside. They are friendly, sell round trip tickets, and will store your luggage until the boat arrives. Here is a link to the water taxi schedule: https://www.yelapa.info/transportationnf1.html. Please note that the schedule changes frequently. Tickets are around $15 each way from Puerto Vallarta or around $8 from Boca de Tomatlan. If you miss the last taxi, you will need to spend the night at Puerto Vallarta. When you arrive, get off at the town pier (not the beach pier or on the beach). Tipping for luggage service is expected and appreciated. 50 pesos per large bag is appropriate.

What should I pack?
Pack light and plan to be casual.

Suggested items:

• Passport - required for travel to Mexico
• Cash – in Yelapa there are no ATMs or banks and credit cards largely not accepted (get your currency converted in Puerto Vallarta although most places will accept American dollars)
• Flashlights or headlamps
• Walking/hiking shoes
• Swimsuits
• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Beach shoes
• Comfortable clothing for warm weather and cooler evenings
• Camera
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Binoculars
• Toiletries
• Books and playing cards or games
• Upset tummy remedies
• Earplugs to block out fiesta nights during Day of the Dead
• Cell phones - there's cell service in Yelapa, check your plan for rates
• Journal
• Photos of ancestors for our Dia De Los Muertos altar
• First aid kit
• A positive attitude

Don't bring:

• Electrical adapters - you don't need them in Mexico
• Expensive jewelry - the ocean is fond of collecting wedding rings, fancy clothes, or shoes
• Expectations to work - the wifi is not super reliable
• Complaints

What is the cost?
The cost ranges from $1775-$1975 per person, depending on what rooms and bed. 

During the week stay in Yelapa, five Condos with 12 beds have been reserved for our group. All condos have ocean views and full kitchens and will be shared amongst our group of travelers. Each condo has a different room configuration detailed below. During last two nights in Puerto Vallarta, you will be spending your time at an all-inclusive resort, ending the trip in relaxation and luxury. 
If you'd like to share a double/queen/king bed with another Individual, each of you will receive $125 off your overall registration.

Housing Options:

Casa Manta Ray: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo:
https://miramaryelapa.com/casas/casa-manta-ray/

• 1 queen (shared room) - $1775 / shared bed $1650
• 1 single (shared room) - $1775

Casa Palmita: 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo:
https://miramaryelapa.com/casas/casa-palmita/

• 1 queen (own room) - $1875 / shared bed $1750
• 1 king (shared room with bunk beds) - $1775 / shared bed $1650
• 1 top bunk (shared room with king bed) - $1675
• 1 bottom bunk (shared room with king bed) - $1675

Casa Tijereta: 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo:
https://miramaryelapa.com/casas/casa-tijereta/

• 1 queen (own room) - $1875 / shared bed $1750
• 1 king (own room) - $1875 / shared bed $1750
• 1 bunk (shared room)
  • single on top - $1675
  • double on bottom - $1775 / shared bed $1550

Casa Marietas: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo:
https://miramaryelapa.com/casas/casa-marietas-1/

• 1 queen - $1975 / shared bed $1850

Casa Estrella del Mar: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo:
https://miramaryelapa.com/estrella-del-mar/

• 1 queen - $1975 / shared bed $1850

What's included:

• One week stay in a condo with ocean views in Yelapa
• Chartered boat from Puerta Vallarta to Yelapa and back
• Daily spiritual practice and programming
• Two dinners and one lunch in Yelapa
• A day of snorkeling - boat ride and all equipment
• All supplies for half day service project for the town
• A local guide for experiencing spiritual tradition and history of Dia De Los Muertos
• Two days at an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta (https://www.barcelo.com/en-us/barcelo-puerto-vallarta/) with meals included

What's not included:

• Airfare
• Travel Insurance
• Land Transportation to and from the airport to the dock/hotel
• Tips
• Most meals in Yelapa (although each casa has a full kitchen and the restaurants are inexpensive)
• Required Covid-19 Test to enter back into the United States (requirements subject to change)

Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy:
There is a $500 non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit due upon registration.

The balance, minus the $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit paid upon registering, can be paid in 1 lump sum or in 2 payments as outlined below:

• Due Sun, May 15, 2022: $750
• Due Sun, Jul 17, 2022: remaining balance

Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellations before 8/30/22 will result in the loss of the non-refundable, non-transferable $500 deposit. 
• Cancellations 8/30/22-9/30/22 will result in the loss of 50% of the amount of the package. 
• Cancellations after 9/30/22 will result in the loss of the full amount of the package. 
   

To sign up for the retreat contact our Registrar 206.527.8801 or Registrar@SpiritualLiving.org

Terms of Travel:
Seattle Center for Spiritual Living (“CSL”), a recognized 501(c)(3) religious non-profit, is arranging a tour for interested parties to Mexico on October 31-November 9, 2022. In the past CSL has had an arranged travel tour cancelled due to elevated security risks and pandemic restrictions. In today’s uncertain world it is possible that this trip may be cancelled due to circumstances beyond CSL’s control. CSL therefore asks that you consider and agree to the following before making a deposit for this tour. 

1. I am eighteen (18) years of age or older.
2. I am physically able to complete this travel.
3. I recognize that CSL is NOT a “seller of travel” as defined in RCW 19.138.021(6).
4. I understand that CSL is following the CDC's COVID-19 related recommendation for international travel and strongly recommends being fully vaccinated for COVID-19. In addition, CSL is following the Mexican government's requirements for entry. I understand that travel and entry requirements could change and I will not hold CSL liable for any impact due to related changes.
5. I recognize that circumstances beyond the control of CSL such as a pandemic, an act of terrorism, or the U.S. State Department canceling all American flights to or from Mexico might require a postponement or cancellation of this trip.
6. I realize that CSL is arranging travel directly through vendors in Mexico and will pay to the vendors necessary deposits from the funds I pay to CSL. The deposits might not be refundable in case of a cancellation no matter the circumstances.
7. I agree to hold CSL harmless if the trip is cancelled for reasons outside CSL’s control. Although I know that CSL will do everything in its power to obtain refunds on my behalf, I will not hold CSL liable for any refunds not received.
8. I agree that CSL shall not be obligated to refund any cancellation penalties imposed by the vendor with whom the services were arranged.
9. I understand that if CSL cancels the trip for its own convenience then I will be due a full refund.
10. I understand there is a minimum $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit due at registration.
11. By registering I am agreeing to the financial and time deadlines as spelled out above.
12. I understand that I am responsible for verifying the validity of my passport based on my individual arrival and departure dates, obtaining a visa in advance if required based on my individual nationality, and also understand that requirements for both varies by country.