Sober Sanctuary
A Soulful Retreat
Yelapa, Mexico
March 1st-6th 2026
A soulful, substance-free retreat in the lush coastal village of Yelapa, Mexico.
Join us March 1st–6th for six days of nature immersion, yoga, sound healing, sweat lodge ceremony, nourishing food, and deep connection.
This retreat is open to anyone on a sober path—through recovery, personal choice, or curiosity—seeking rest, renewal, and real community.
Check out more information below
Retreat Offerings
Daily Breathwork & Meditation
Daily Movement Classes
Temazcal (Sweat Lodge)
Hiking and Sight-Seeing
Sound Healing
Boat Excursion
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Healthy Cuisine
Bonfire
Creative Expression Class
Retreat Overview
| Sanctuary: A Soulful Retreat in Yelapa
Join us for a deeply nourishing sober retreat in the heart of Yelapa—a car-free, jungle-meets-ocean village tucked along Mexico’s Pacific coast. This is a retreat for anyone walking a path of sobriety—whether through recovery, personal choice, or curiosity—seeking connection, healing, and renewal in community.
Over six days, we’ll immerse ourselves in nature, share nourishing meals, and drop into soul-centered practices that reconnect us to what’s real and essential.
Together, we’ll:
🌿 Sit in circle and share
Have 2-Twelve Step Meetings Daily
🔥 Enter the sacred heat of a traditional temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremony
🌊 Swim in warm ocean waters and jungle waterfalls
🧘♀️ Move, breathe, and rest through daily yoga and meditation
🔔 Receive the calming and balancing benefits of sound healing sessions
🍽️ Savor vibrant, fresh meals prepared with love
🌙 Sleep in eco-friendly accommodations under the stars at Casa Isabel, a stunning oceanfront retreat center
This is a space free from alcohol and recreational drugs—where we can fully arrive in our bodies, deepen our clarity, and remember who we are beneath the noise.
All are welcome, whether you're in recovery, sober-curious, or simply ready for a reset. While not affiliated with AA, this retreat honors the power of community and connection in healing.
We believe in the medicine of nature, community, and presence. Come as you are. Leave grounded, inspired, and more connected to yourself and your path.
RETREAT INCLUDES:
Lodging at Casa Isabel
Daily 12 step meetings a day (2 a day)
5 Delicious Dinners
5 Healthy Breakfasts
4 Mindful Movement Classes
Sound Healing
Boating Excursion
Art Class
1 Sunrise Hike (3 or 6.5 miles)
NOT INCLUDED IN RETREAT PRICE
Airfare
Lunches
Taxi fare to and from the airport
Water Taxi to Yelapa
RETREAT LOCATION: Casa Isabel
The retreat will be held at the enchanting Casa Isabel, a lovely sustainable living villa situated beneath a lush jungle canopy on the hillside--close to the ocean and surrounded by the beauties of nature.
Casa Isabel is Yelapa’s oldest and most iconic guesthouse. Created over 53 years ago by Isabel Jordan who fell in love with Yelapa and its culture and made it a home for herself as well as a sanctuary for artists, healers and travelers from all over the world. Although Isabel has passed along, her spirit lives on through the people who knew her and still come to visit to share stories of their incredible experiences here.
Casa Isabel offers a variety of unique ocean-view accommodations, their privacy insured by lush shrubs and flowering vines planted many years ago by Isabel herself. Each casita has its own special charm and artsy details and is oriented around the original structure, Casa Central, which includes the five casitas surrounding the main kitchen and dining area.
Within this sanctuary, you'll encounter a harmonious blend of sustainability and innovation. Compost toilets, discreetly nestled within most rooms, embody a commitment to eco-conscious living, inviting guests to participate in a symbiotic relationship with the land.
It's important to note that Casa Isabel requires a certain level of mobility. The rustic charm of its design means there are several steps leading to the main living space, with no handrails to interrupt the seamless integration of architecture and environment.
Casa Isabel is not merely a destination; it is a catalyst for transformation. Here, amidst the rugged beauty of the landscape, you'll discover the opportunity for a total reset—a chance to recalibrate mind, body, and spirit in communion with nature.
YELAPA
Yelapa, Mexico, is a secluded coastal village nestled along the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean. Accessible only by boat, this charming destination offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. With its pristine beaches, lush jungle surroundings, and vibrant local culture, Yelapa is a haven for nature lovers, adventurers, and those seeking authentic Mexican charm. Yelapa exudes a rustic, off-the-grid appeal while still providing essential amenities and warm hospitality to its guests.
FOOD
The food in Yelapa is amazing and our caterers and chefs are equipped to work within the parameters of most food preferences and needs. Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy-free, Nut-allergy-friendly options will be available.
Breakfast
Most breakfasts will be onsite and will include:
Fruit, yogurt, granola, fresh juice, a traditional Mexican dish and/or a special order of the day.
Coffee and tea will also be available.
Lunch
Guests will have the opportunity to access their own lunches and snacks. This is great opportunity to explore the town and beach restaurants.
Dinner
Dinners will be a combination of both in town and catered onsite--depending on the day. A combination of meat, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy-free options will be available.
*Guests with food preferences, allergies, and/or special needs are encouraged to contact us prior to the trip so that we can communicate this to our chefs and caterers and to make any necessary adjustments and/or accommodations to the menus.
Boundaries & Expectations
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No drugs or alcohol: All participants are expected to abstain from alcohol and recreational drugs for the entire duration of the retreat.
This retreat is a substance-free container. We ask all participants to refrain from the use of alcohol and non-prescribed substances before and during the retreat to honor the shared commitment to sobriety and safety.
Optional Ad-ons
Therapeutic Massage
Treat yourself to a 60 or 90 minute deeply relaxing therapeutic massage from one of our licensed professionals.
Paddle Boarding in the Bay
During your free time, take the opportunity to explore the stunning waters of Banderas Bay on a paddleboard. Glide along Yelapa’s picturesque coastline, soak in the beauty of the lush jungle meeting the sea, and enjoy a peaceful moment on the water. Paddleboard rentals are available, allowing you to move at your own pace and fully embrace the tranquility of this tropical paradise.
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Acupressure
Acupressure is mix of reflexology and acupuncture. It is an alternative medicine that is based on the concept of life energy, which flows through "meridians" in the body and attempts to assist in the free flow of energy through these channels. Experience this healing modality with Beverly Taylor who has been practicing this work for over twenty years.
About Yelapa
We chose Yelapa as the location for our retreats because of its unparalleled beauty and peaceful energy. Surrounded by nature and with a strong connection to the local community, Yelapa provides the perfect setting for our guests to escape from the stress of daily life and connect with themselves on a deeper level.
Learn more about Yelapa by clicking the button below
Retreat Location
Casa Isabel
A fully sustainable eco-lodge in paradise. Surrounded by lush jungle and pristine ocean views, Casa Isabel offers a breathtaking getaway from both city and suburb life. Each room is mindfully and uniquely crafted--embodying the artistic gifts of its designers and the spirit of the land.
Find Your Room
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Your Hosts
Sammy Dean Kusler
Retreat Host, Sound Healing Enthusiast, Nature Lover
Sammy grew up on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington State and later made his way to Los Angeles after college in 1979. His first trip to Yelapa came just a year later, in 1980—and it was love at first sight. Years later, he returned with his partner to live full-time in Yelapa, where they co-managed a retreat center from 1995 to 2004.
Sober since October 1, 2006, Sammy now splits his time between LA and Yelapa, which he lovingly calls his “happy place.” A longtime member of a twelve-step recovery community, Sammy deeply values the transformative power of the program and the role it has played in his healing. He brings wisdom, warmth, and a steady, grounded presence to the spaces he helps hold.
Sammy believes in the healing power of community, nature, and living with authenticity. He is passionate about supporting others on their journey to wholeness and freedom.
Krystal Conniry
Yoga Teacher, Sound Therapist, Retreat Coordinator
Krystal believes in the power of presence and loves to witness people becoming more connected to themselves in an authentic and healing way. She is a practicing Yoga Teacher, Sound Therapist, and Healing Arts Enthusiast. She holds a Master's Degree in Conflict Resolution from PSU and enjoys learning why people and groups do the things they do and how to make the world a more peaceful and just place. Yoga continues to be a life-changing journey of surrender and transformation for her and she loves to share this gift with the world.
Krystal received her 200 YTT with Corepower Yoga in 2017 and became certified in Restorative Yoga and Yoga Sculpt shortly after. She has been teaching solidly ever since and is currently leading yoga and wellness retreats in Yelapa, Mexico. She finds inspiration from various yoga modalities and healing practices including Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Hot Yoga, Iyengar, Yoga Nidra, and others. This is reflected in her classes, which are approachable and lighthearted, while holding space for Mystery and the connection to one's more awakened self. It is an honor for her to be able to share something so dear to her heart and to encourage others on their path as they awaken into their own clarity and brilliance.
The Vision
My vision is to provide an inspiring and beautiful environment for the nourishment of mind, body and soul. My team and I offer a sacred space in a breathtakingly beautiful environment for all who wish to experience the benefits of intentional wellness, new and fun experiences, and healthy community.
I Believe...
in the power of nourishing experiences, healthy relationships, and in the immersion of nature as a medicinal act. I believe that taking time to fill one's cup is an act of honoring one's whole Self and the world at large. And that through these experiences we can make contact with our inner wisdom, which allows us to deal with life on life’s terms with an open heart and curious mind. Things begin to flow, we are able to let go of rigid structures and unwanted patterns and get into rhythm with the natural flow of blissful living.
SEE YOU IN PARADISE!
Gentle hikes to breathtaking waterfalls further rejuvenated our senses and deepened our connections. Every meal was a culinary celebration, from the delightful Isle Garden Café breakfast to the sweet treats at Cafe Paradise. Krystal, our incredible host, fostered an atmosphere of grace, wisdom, and love, where stories flowed freely and new friendships blossomed. As I prepare to step into 2025, I feel grounded and filled with renewed energy.
K.
This was such a wonderful experience. My heart feels so full of love and gratitude after this retreat. It was magical, transformative, powerful, fun and healing. I loved every moment. Getting to wake up to ocean views with whales swimming past, having yoga in the morning overlooking the ocean, having a good sense of community and connectedness in a safe environment and having space and time to work on myself internally was very healing. I feel much stronger, more capable and more relaxed after this trip. I now feel like I have a good sense of what my goals are for the year and how to help myself when life gets hard. I believe this retreat did more for me than many months of therapy could have. It was the perfect combination of scheduled activities and meaningful work and free-time/play. I can't say enough good things about it. Thank you, thank you!
M.
"I went in not knowing what to expect and left feeling supported, strong, and with some new knowledge about myself. There were experiences I wouldn’t have had anywhere else that I really loved. I have new friendships, and was so glad to see that part of Mexico, it was delightful. I said many times that the thought and care that went into planning each day was truly exceptional"
D. A.