Guides
What to expect at The Health Initiative’s wellness retreat in Puerto Rico
Here is what to expect at the wellness retreat: it runs 5 days starting November 15, 2026, with 10 places, held at a hacienda in Río Grande, Puerto Rico. It is open to everyone and held in English. This page covers in general terms a typical day, where you stay, what you eat and what to pack. Details that are still provisional are confirmed in your acceptance email.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Pay now, then choose your time right away. Full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more ahead.
See the cancellation policy
You can cancel for a full refund or change the time up to 24 hours before your visit. Within 24 hours you can't cancel and there's no refund. If you don't join in the first 10 minutes, there's no refund.
If you choose a time less than 24 hours away, it can't be cancelled or changed.
If the clinic can't see you, for example because of a technical problem on our side, we refund you in full.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting before or during travel: call 911
- Dizziness, confusion, nausea or hot, dry skin after time in the sun can be heat stroke: call 911
- A recent change in a health condition, or a new medicine, before you travel: talk to your own doctor first
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In short
The key facts for the first cohort. This page is a general description, not a schedule or a promise of specific activities; the full schedule is shared with accepted guests:
- Length: 5 days starting November 15, 2026
- Places: 10
- Where: a hacienda in Río Grande, Puerto Rico; the exact location is shared with confirmed guests
- Who: open to everyone
- Language: the retreat is held in English
- Price: US$4,500 per person
- Applications close November 5, 2026
A typical day
A typical day, not a fixed schedule (we share the full schedule with accepted guests): gentle morning movement such as gentle stretching and mobility, breakfast together, a medical or education session, free time or an island activity, dinner, and an evening meditation, with phones kept away during sessions and meals.
Getting there and arriving
Arrive on November 15, 2026; the retreat lasts 5 days and you depart after the last one. Airport transfers are included, and we confirm arrival and departure details with accepted guests.
Puerto Rico is a US territory. According to USAGov, US citizens do not need a passport to travel between the US and Puerto Rico. You still need valid ID to fly: the TSA requires adults 18 and older to show acceptable ID, state IDs that are not REAL ID compliant have not been accepted since May 7, 2025, and a US passport is accepted. The TSA describes a fee-based option (ConfirmID) if you arrive without acceptable ID, so check with the TSA before you fly. If you are not a US citizen, US entry rules apply.
Where you stay
Simple, comfortable lodging at the hacienda. Room details, including whether rooms are shared or private, are confirmed in your acceptance email.
We do not publish the property’s name or address. The exact address is shared with confirmed guests.
What you eat
Fresh, home-style meals built around whole foods, with Puerto Rican flavors. Tell us about allergies and food preferences on your application.
Meals are included in the price.
Who leads the sessions
Sessions are led by your mobility coach, your meditation and breathwork guide, and your nutrition guide, alongside Dra. Diana Nieves Castro for the medical side. We introduce the team to accepted guests.
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a general practice physician licensed in Puerto Rico, provides the medical care.
Outside the sessions
Examples of what the area offers and what the days may include: a walk in El Yunque rainforest, time at Luquillo beach, a gentle stretching session, and relaxed evenings outdoors. The activities for your cohort are confirmed with accepted guests.
Río Grande sits next to El Yunque National Forest. Read more in our guide to El Yunque and Río Grande and, for the calm-and-attention side of the week, the yoga and meditation retreat guide.
Your medical time
A physician assessment with Dra. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, and lab work when it is clinically appropriate. She provides all the medical care at the retreat.
The doctor decides which labs, if any, make sense for you after she assesses you. We do not promise specific tests or results, and the retreat is wellness, not treatment: your own doctor stays in charge of your care.
What to pack
Comfortable clothes for movement, swimwear, sun protection, a light rain jacket, walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, and any medications you take. We send the full list with your acceptance.
If you take medicines, read about traveling to Puerto Rico with medications.
Access and dietary needs
Tell us about your mobility, dietary or other access needs on the application, and we will work with you on what is possible.
Reserving your place
You apply first. If you are accepted, you reserve your place with a deposit.
A deposit reserves your place. The amount and terms are confirmed in your acceptance email.
Talk to us first if
Some situations just need a conversation before you apply, so we can plan your week safely. They are not a list of people who cannot come. Talk to us first if you:
- Are pregnant.
- Had recent surgery.
- Have a condition that is not stable or that changed recently.
- Had a recent hospital stay.
- Have mobility needs we should plan around.
- Are concerned about the island’s sun and heat: drink water, use sun protection and read about heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Keep reading
If you are wondering whether the retreat is a fit, read is a wellness retreat right for me?. For what the price covers, see what a wellness retreat includes and costs. For everything about the first cohort, go back to the wellness retreat in Puerto Rico.
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical day at the retreat?
Do I need to be fit to come?
What should I pack for the retreat?
Is the retreat held in English?
Do I need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?
How do I reserve my place?
Can I skip a session?
Is meditation safe for everyone?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-10 · Updated: 2026-10-11
Sources (4)
- Do you need a passport to travel to or from U.S. territories? (USAGov) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-10)
- Acceptable identification at the TSA checkpoint (TSA) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-10)
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: top 10 things to know (ODPHP) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-10)
- Meditation and mindfulness: effectiveness and safety (NCCIH, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-10)
