Welcome to The Buena Vida Family!

We are thankful you are here.

Below you will find important information related to your Preparation Program and Retreat.

Please bookmark this link for future reference.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the team at [email protected].

Flights

Arriving Flights: Please ensure that your flight is booked to arrive in Puerto Vallarta:PVR International Airport on the first day of your Retreat. 

Please do not arrive to the property before 3pm.

Return Flights: Please schedule your departure from PVR no earlier than 12pm on the last day of your Retreat. 

For example, if your retreat is November 20-26, you would fly in on the afternoon of November 20, and depart on the afternoon of November 26.

Location

The November 20-26 Intensive Retreat will be held at Casa Itzamara.

Transportation to and from the airport to your villa/casa is included in your retreat price. 

If you are planning on coming to the area early, you will be asked to meet your group at the airport for group pickup at 3pm local time.

We will coordinate final transportation details in the WhatsApp Group Chat, closer to your retreat date.

Where to Meet for Airport Pickup

MEET:

All of the Retreat guests will meet at the Corona Cafe directly outside of the airport. 

Exit the glass doors the right, and you’ll find the outdoor Cafe. If you’re in a different terminal, just ask! It’s tough to miss.

Once you’ve found the cafe – pull up a seat, and relax. You’ve made it to Mexico!

 

PICKUP:

A driver from our staff will be waiting or you and your group at 3pm local time with a sign that says “The Buena Vida”.

We will coordinate any changes in pick-up time via the WhatsApp Group Chat, which we will create and invite you to join about a week prior to your retreat date.

There is wifi in the airport to use WhatsApp if you have issues or questions.

Menu

At Buena Vida Psilocybin Retreats, your meals are crafted daily by our team of chefs, offering delicious options free of gluten, soy, seed oils, and refined sugar. All animal products are free-range and hormone-free, with most produce sourced organically. Meals are served buffet-style so you can choose what suits your taste.

You can select from two meal plans: STANDARD (includes shrimp, fish, beef, pork, and chicken) or VEGETARIAN.

While we do our best to accommodate food intolerances, please note that we can only make adjustments for health-related allergies.

Money and Gratuity

US dollars are accepted locally, but exchange rates can vary widely. We recommend exchanging dollars for pesos at a U.S. bank before you leave or using an ATM at the airport.

Credit cards are accepted at some places, though cash is handy for taxis, gifts and smaller purchases.

For gratuities, you can tip the staff with cash at the end or through a credit card link we’ll provide during your retreat.

Typical tips range from $75 to $100 per guest for chef/butler staff and $5-$15 for massage therapists. Your stay will be filled with care, whether or not you choose to tip!

7-Day Prep Course

We’re thrilled to introduce the new Buena Vida Integration Program to enhance your retreat journey.

Access it on desktop here or through our app on the Apple Store or Google Play. Inside, you’ll find carefully curated lessons, videos, and journal prompts to help prepare for your retreat.

Some lessons cover foundational topics for first-time plant medicine users, while others dive into deeper spiritual tools you’ll find helpful. We suggest doing one lesson per day leading up to your retreat—this isn’t homework, just a chance for meaningful self-reflection.

The more you put in, the more you’ll get out. Enjoy the journey!

This program is available via desktop here, or as a mobile on the Apple Store or on Google Play

 

What to Pack

Mexico is casual, colorful, and easy! The weather is warm during the day and a bit chilly at night. Please check the weather for Punta de Mita, Mexico during your Retreat dates before you pack.

  • Sportswear
  • Sandals
  • Shoes for the ocean/walking
  • Small backpack/daypack
  • Eyemask/sleep mask for the ceremonies
  • Swimwear
  • Coral Friendly Sunscreen
  • Mosquito Repellant 
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sun hat or cap
  • Notepad/journal – important!
  • Any special/meaningful items for the altar: rocks, crystals, books, photos of loved ones, letters, coins, sentimental items, etc. 

Suggested Prep Resources

Books:

  1. “How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan
    This book explores the history, science, and therapeutic potential of psychedelics, especially psilocybin.

  2. “The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide” by James Fadiman
    A practical guide on using psychedelics for spiritual and personal growth, focusing on preparation and integration.

  3. “Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences” by William A. Richards
    This book delves into the spiritual and mystical experiences that can occur during a psilocybin journey.

Articles:

  1. “The Complete Guide to Preparing for a Psilocybin Journey”
    Published on sites like Psychedelic Science, this type of guide walks you through set, setting, and mindset preparation.

  2. MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)
    They often publish resources and research studies related to the therapeutic use of psychedelics, including preparation and integration techniques.

Documentaries:

  1. “Fantastic Fungi”
    A visually stunning documentary about mushrooms, including their medicinal and spiritual uses.

  2. “Dosed”
    This documentary follows someone using psilocybin for mental health and addiction recovery.

Podcasts:

  1. “The Third Wave Podcast”
    This podcast focuses on plant medicine, including psilocybin, and discusses preparation, safety, and integration techniques.

  2. “Psychedelics Today”
    Covers various aspects of psychedelics, including responsible usage, research, and tips for preparation.

Integration

Following your return, you will receive an email with information about your integration package. 

It will include 1 one-on-one call, a set of daily practices to help you take a look at what has changed since, what areas of your life still need conscious effort to produce change, and gauge your results. 

Important Links