What to pack for a wellness retreat in Puerto Rico: a checklist

A general checklist so you can pack without stress. It is not the retreat’s official list; that is confirmed to accepted guests:

This page is general guidance to help you start preparing. It does not say what the property provides or what is in your room; those details are confirmed in your acceptance email.

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 are unsure about a specific item, ask us once you are accepted and we will work it out with you before you close your suitcase.

The retreat includes mobility coaching, and the US Physical Activity Guidelines (ODPHP) say any amount of physical activity has some health benefits. You do not need special gear. Think about what lets you move, stretch and sit on the floor without feeling restricted.

Pack two or three comfortable, breathable outfits, a light layer for cooler hours, and closed, comfortable walking shoes. If you have shoes you already use every day and trust, those beat a new pair you have not broken in.

Swimwear and something to dry off with can come in handy on an island with beaches nearby. Whether the property supplies towels is something we confirm with you, so do not assume it either way.

Río Grande sits next to El Yunque National Forest, a rainforest. That means strong sun, humidity and showers that arrive and pass quickly, even on a day that started clear. November is also still inside the Atlantic hurricane season, so check the forecast before you leave.

Pack broad-spectrum sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a light rain jacket. A small waterproof pouch protects your phone and documents. Insect repellent is a common, sensible item for a tropical island.

In the heat, drink water often; a refillable bottle helps. If you feel dizzy, confused or nauseated, or your skin is hot and dry after time in the sun, it can be heat stroke: call 911. Read more about heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

This is the most important part of the list. Bring everything you take, prescription and over-the-counter, in the original container with the pharmacy label. It makes each medicine easier to identify and to review with the doctor.

Plan enough for your whole stay, with a few extra days in case your trip home is delayed. Keep medications in your carry-on, not your checked bag, so they are not lost if the airline reroutes your luggage.

Write down each medicine, the dose and when you take it, along with your allergies. A photo of that sheet on your phone is a useful backup. For more detail, read about traveling to Puerto Rico with medications.

If you take a medicine that needs refrigeration, or you are unsure how to transport something, ask your pharmacy or your own doctor before you travel.

The retreat includes a physician assessment with Dra. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, and lab work when it is clinically appropriate. If you have recent records, bringing them can save time and give her more context.

You do not need to haul a whole file. A short summary works: your diagnoses, surgeries, current medications, recent lab results if you have them, and the name of your own doctor. If something changed recently in your health, say so on the application.

This does not replace your own doctor: the retreat is wellness, not treatment, and your own doctor stays in charge of your care.

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 acceptable ID to fly: the TSA requires adults 18 and older to show valid ID, state IDs that are not REAL ID compliant have not been accepted since May 7, 2025, and a US passport is accepted. If you are not a US citizen, US entry rules apply.

Also bring your flight itinerary, a payment method, and an emergency contact’s details. To plan your flight from your city, see how to travel to the retreat from US cities.

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.

A few small items make the week more comfortable:

You do not need exercise equipment or formal clothes. Leave behind anything you will not use, valuables you could not replace, and work. Light luggage makes the trip and the transfers, which are included, easier.

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

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:

To see what a day is like, read what to expect at the retreat. To get to know the area, read the guide to El Yunque and Río Grande. For everything about the first cohort, go back to the wellness retreat in Puerto Rico.