How to choose a wellness retreat: 12 questions to ask before you book

A wellness retreat is an investment of time and money, and there is no standard every retreat has to meet. Some publish everything clearly; others leave the important parts until after you pay. The best protection is a list of questions and the habit of asking for the answers in writing.

The twelve questions in this guide are grouped in four parts. After each one you will see how the retreat run by The Health Initiative (THI), the US 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates this clinic, answers it. We state only what is confirmed; the rest we share with accepted guests.

1. Who are the health professionals, and are they licensed? If a retreat promises medical care, ask who provides it, under what license, and where you can check. In Puerto Rico you can verify a doctor’s license. Be wary of vague titles such as “wellness expert” when health is involved.

*At our retreat:* all the medical care, including labs, is provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, a general practice physician licensed in Puerto Rico. The approach is a root-cause one in the style of functional medicine, led by a licensed physician: assessment, education, habits and coaching.

2. What does the retreat promise about your health? A serious retreat describes what it does, not what it fixes. Be skeptical of anyone who says a few days will fix a chronic disease. According to NCCIH, there is no good evidence that detox diets remove toxins from the body.

*At our retreat:* it is not medical treatment, it does not replace your own doctor, it is not a weight-loss program, and it is not mental health care. It is a break built around assessment, education and practicing habits.

3. Is there a health conversation before you go? A good retreat wants to know about your medications, allergies and conditions before you arrive, not on day one.

*At our retreat:* you apply online first and tell us what we need to know. If you are pregnant, had recent surgery or have a condition that is not stable, talk to us before you apply so we can plan safely.

4. What does the price include, in writing? “All-inclusive” should mean the price you see already contains every mandatory fee. The FTC’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, in effect since May 12, 2025, requires hotels and other short-term lodging to show the total price including all mandatory fees. It does not always cover a retreat package, but it is a good standard to ask for.

*At our retreat:* the price of US$4,500 per person includes lodging and meals; medical care and labs (a physician assessment and lab work when clinically appropriate); coaching and sessions in mobility, meditation and breathwork, and nutrition; and island activities with airport transfers.

5. What is not included? Ask about airfare, tips, taxes, optional treatments and travel insurance. What is not mentioned is often charged extra.

*At our retreat:* airfare is not included. Ask us about any other expense before you apply and we will answer in writing.

6. How big is the group, and how many staff look after it? A small group usually means more attention; a large one leaves more room to go unnoticed.

*At our retreat:* the first cohort has 10 places. It runs 5 days starting November 15, 2026.

7. What does a typical day look like, and how much time is free? Ask for the program. A retreat can be overpacked or nearly empty, and you want to know which before you pay.

*At our retreat:* we share the full program with accepted guests. In the meantime, what to expect at the retreat describes the general rhythm and what to pack.

8. What are the payment and cancellation terms? Get them in writing before you pay, including the deposit, when the balance is due, and what happens if you cancel or if weather disrupts flights, especially in hurricane season. A retreat that dodges this question is telling you something.

*At our retreat:* you apply first; if you are accepted, you reserve your place with a deposit. The terms are confirmed in your acceptance email, before you pay.

A deposit reserves your place. The amount and terms are confirmed in your acceptance email.

9. What follow-up is there when you get home? What counts is what you keep doing at home. Ask what you receive when it ends and who can answer your questions.

*At our retreat:* the ideal is that you take what you learned, and any lab results, to your own doctor, who stays in charge of your care. Before you apply, ask us what follow-up you can expect and we will confirm it.

10. What does it really cost, and what are you comparing? Divide the total price by the number of program days for a fair comparison, and compare what each one includes. Our guide to what a wellness retreat includes and costs explains what moves the price and whether it is worth it for you.

*At our retreat:* US$4,500 per person for 5 program days, with the inclusions in question 4. Applications close November 5, 2026.

11. Where is it, in what language, and how accessible? Ask about stairs, terrain, meals for allergies or special diets, and the language the program is held in.

*At our retreat:* it is held at a hacienda in Río Grande, Puerto Rico; the exact address is shared with confirmed guests. The retreat is held in English. Tell us about any mobility or food needs when you apply.

Tell us about your mobility, dietary or other access needs on the application, and we will work with you on what is possible.

12. Is it the kind of experience you want? A retreat with medical care is not a spa, and a spa is not a retreat with medical care. Compare honestly: medical wellness retreat versus spa or resort.

*At our retreat:* it is open to everyone, with no restricted cohorts. If you are unsure, the six-question self-check helps you decide. When you are ready, here is how to apply.