What to Pack for a Week-Long Luxury Wellness Retreat in Mexico

Oct 15

5 min read

Confession: we spent years running an all-women’s backpacking company, which means we have strong opinions about packing. In the backcountry, every ounce counts and you carry your whole life on your back.

Good news! This is not that trip!

At Baja Soul Sanctuary, nobody is asking you to share a spork or ration your snacks. You’ll have a real bed, meals made for you, and a yoga pavilion a stone’s throw from the Pacific. But a few lessons from the trail still apply: pack layers, bring a headlamp, and leave the stuff you won’t use at home.

Here’s exactly what to bring for Baja Soul Sanctuary: A Mindful Women’s Retreat, with recommendations from Yandara, our beachfront retreat center in Baja California Sur, and a few tips from me, Sally.

Where You’ll Be Staying

Baja Soul Sanctuary is held at Yandara, an oceanfront retreat center just south of Todos Santos, where the Baja desert meets the Pacific. Think “glamping,” with the emphasis firmly on the glam. Guests stay in one of three cozy options:

Glamping cabanas with an en-suite bathroom
Glamping cabanas with shared bathroom facilities nearby
White canvas glamping tents

Every option includes a real bed (no sleeping pad wrestling, we promise), lights, electricity and the sound of waves to fall asleep to. Your stay also includes three meals a day, fresh and dried fruit snacks, tea, coffee and drinking water, plus use of the saltwater pool, the grounds and our private beachfront yoga pavilion.

Translation: no bedding, no towels, no camp stove. Just bring you and a few smart layers.

First, Know the Weather: Desert Meets Ocean

Baja is a desert, and deserts are dramatic. Days are warm and sunny, then the sun goes down and suddenly you’re very glad you packed that fleece. Evenings in late March and early April can dip into the 50s°F. Rain is very unlikely, so leave the umbrella behind.

Our number one guiding rule still stands: layers, layers, layers.

Clothing

Comfortable yoga clothes for daily practice and meditation (3–4 sets you can mix and match)
Shorts and tank tops for sunny afternoons
A swimsuit or two, because the pool and the beach will be calling your name
A lightweight long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
Warm layers for evenings: a fleece, sweater or down vest
Warm socks and cozy pajamas for cool desert nights
A scarf, wrap or shawl. The unsung hero of every retreat suitcase. Meditation blanket, sunset layer, beach cover-up, chilly-breakfast cape. It does it all.
A fun outfit for town. You’ll want something you feel great in for our day in Todos Santos.
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
A sun hat

Wellness and Yoga Essentials

Your yoga mat (optional). Professional mats and props are provided, so only bring yours if you two are inseparable.
A reusable water bottle. Drinking water is included all week. Hydration is self-care.
A travel mug for slow morning coffee or tea while the ocean does its thing
A journal and pens. Something tends to shift when you finally slow down. You’ll want somewhere to put it.
Personal comfort items like supplements, a favorite tea or a small object that holds meaning for you

Toiletries and Personal Care

Toiletries and feminine hygiene products
Reef-safe sunscreen and lip balm with SPF. The Baja sun does not mess around.
Sunglasses
Towels are provided in Yandara’s glamping cabanas and tents. Toss in a quick-dry beach towel if you’d like one just for the sand.

Leave the hair dryer at home. Yandara runs on solar power, so electricity is limited. Phones and small devices can charge, but hair dryers and straighteners are a no-go. Embrace the salty, sun-kissed, air-dried look. It’s very on-theme.

Practical Must-Haves

Passport (yes, we’re saying it twice in our heads too)
Travel medical and travel cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend every guest carry both for the whole trip. Boring? A little. Smart? Absolutely.
A flashlight or headlamp. Old guide habit, but trust us: you’ll want it for walking the grounds after dark. Your phone light works in a pinch.
A watch or alarm clock. There are no bells, so you’re in charge of your own time. How refreshing is that?
Chargers and extra batteries
A small day bag or foldable tote for the pool, beach and town
Some cash (pesos or small USD) for shopping in Todos Santos and for tipping. Tipping is very common in Mexico, and gifts for the kitchen and grounds staff are always appreciated.

What You Can Leave Behind

Bedding and bath towels. Both are provided.
Your laptop. Yandara encourages a digital detox and offers short Wi-Fi vouchers if you need to check in with home. Cell service is good, so you’ll still be reachable. Your inbox will survive a week without you. Probably.
Bottled water. Drinking water is provided.
Fancy resort wear. The dress code is “comfortable and a little sandy.”

Save Room for Todos Santos

One of our favorite parts of the week is our group day trip into Todos Santos, about 20 minutes from Yandara. This artsy Pueblo Mágico is packed with galleries, cafés, historic buildings and local shops, and we’ll spend a few unhurried hours wandering. Pro tip: leave some room in your suitcase. Nobody has ever left Todos Santos empty-handed on our watch.

The Real Luxury: Not Having to Think About It

After years of planning every meal, campsite and river crossing for our backpacking groups, we can tell you that the best trips are the ones where you don’t have to think. That’s what Baja Soul Sanctuary is built for:

Women-only retreat in a safe, supportive environment
Small group, with a maximum of 17 guests
Glamping accommodations steps from the Pacific
Three nourishing meals daily, plus snacks, tea, coffee and drinking water
Daily yoga, meditation and breathwork led by Melissa of Liminal Flow, with professional mats and props provided
Optional one-on-one sessions with Melissa for an additional fee
A group day trip to Todos Santos to shop and explore
Access to Yandara’s saltwater pool, grounds and beachfront yoga pavilion

Pack the list, zip the bag and let us handle the rest.

Ready to Pack Your Bags?

Baja Soul Sanctuary: A Mindful Women’s Retreat

March 28 – April 3, 2027

Yandara, Baja California Sur, Mexico

$3,700 USD

Reserve your spot today, or email us at info@waypointtraveling.com with any packing questions. Yes, even the “do I really need a fleece in Mexico?” ones. (You do.)

-Sally with Waypoint