FAQs
Getting To/From Mar de Jade Wellness Resort and Yoga Center, Chacala, Mexico…
The closest international airport to Mar de Jade is Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Airport code: PVR. All major US carriers (Alaska, American, United, Southwest, Frontier) as well as Mexican, Canadian and some European charter flights serve Puerto Vallarta. There are many daily non-stop and connecting flights from US, Canadian and Mexican major cities.
What Are The Ground Transportation Policies?
Transportation to/from Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco to Mar de Jade in Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico via a professional transportation company, is included in your retreat package. Transfers included in the retreat costs include (1) one-way from PVR to Mar de Jade in Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico and (1) one-way from Mar de Jade in Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico to the PVR. Please note: Check-in at Mar de Jade is on Saturday 4/05/2025 at 3pm. Check-out is on Saturday 4/12/2025 at 11am
Is There A Payment Plan?
Yes! When you register, you can either choose “pay full amount” or payment plan option. The payment plan is activated by paying the $500 Non-Refundable deposit. For your ease and convenience, payments will be automatically deducted from the payment method you set up when registering. If you would like to pay more than the scheduled amount at any time, you can manage your payments and payment method in your WeTravel account under PAYMENT SETTINGS.
Payment schedule is as follows;
Monday, October 21st, 2024
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
If you register after a payment date has occurred, the initial deposit includes previous payment amounts. At any time, you can pay your remaining balance in full.
What’s The Retreat Refund Policy?
The cancellation policy is firm. I strongly recommend that you purchase a cancellation/travel insurance policy to protect your investment: insuremytrip.com is a company that has a multitude of policies to choose from, including a “cancel for any reason” rider option (there are many other companies offering similar options). Typically, trip insurance must be purchased when you register for the retreat, not when you pay the final balance.
$500.00 per person serves as a deposit and is both non-refundable and non-transferable.
If cancellation takes place prior to Sunday, December 1st, 2024, any payments made will be refunded minus your $500 non-refundable deposit.
If cancellation takes place after Sunday, December 1st, 2024 and prior to Saturday, February 1st, 2025, 50% of the retreat payments paid up to date of cancellation will be forfeited plus the $500 non-refundable deposit.
If cancellation takes place after Saturday, February 1st, 2025, 100% of the retreat price will be forfeited.
If you wish to cancel, you must do so by emailing gigifred10@gmail.com OR yogawithheathersmith.com
What Documents Do I Need To Enter Mexico?
Immigration regulations require that you have a valid passport for travel to Mexico. If you have a US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand or European passport you will be granted a tourist visa once you arrive in Mexico and pass through customs. If your passport is from another country please check for any other visa requirements. Most tourist visas are issued for 30 or 90 days, however you can ask the immigration officer to make it for up to 180 days if you plan to stay longer in Mexico. Keep you tourist visa in a safe place, as you will need it upon exiting Mexico. If you lose your tourist visa you need to be at the airport 4 hours before your flight on your departure day and pay a $30 USD fine.
COVID 19 Policies and Procedures:
The COVID pandemic is a constantly evolving situation and protocols around guest/staff safety must be as well. Safety is a priority for all of us, and guests will be required to follow public health regulations from state and country departments at all times. Closer to the retreat those current guidelines will be sent to all participants and staff. In addition to following state and country guidelines, participants *may* be required to provide any or all of the following to Yoga with Heather Smith and/or Mar de Jade, depending on the current state of affairs:
Proof of vaccination and booster status
Negative covid test between 24-72 hours prior to arrival at Mar de Jade on April 5th, 2025
Failure to comply with any government COVID safety requirements, Mar de Jade protocols, or Yoga with Heather Smith COVID policies will result in your forfeit of the retreat experience, any costs paid to Yoga with Heather Smith, and any out-of-pocket expenses. COVID testing expenses will be at the cost of the retreat participant. Cancellations due to COVID still fall within the parameters of the general refund policy.
Money FAQ’s
What type of payment does Mar de Jade accept?
During your stay at Mar de Jade, additional charges from the bar, spa, gift shop, laundry or phone service can be added to your room to be paid upon check out. Mar de Jade accepts US dollars, Mexican pesos, Visa or Mastercard. They do NOT accept personal or traveler’s checks or Amex.
Do I need to bring cash?
Yes, please plan on bringing cash for the following services which CANNOT be paid with a credit card: Additional excursions (such as snorkeling, etc), gratuities and buying souvenirs in town or at the local market. We recommend bringing approximately $300-$400 USD per person, for a 7 night stay. Safes are provided in every room for your convenience.
When and where should I exchange money?
Additional excursions can be paid in US dollars and almost everyone accepts dollars in Mexico, so you do not need to exchange too much money, with the exception of shopping at the Market place or buying things in Chacala. We recommend changing at most $50 – $100 USD for a week’s stay, this can be done at the airport, with the rest of your cash brought in US dollars. Mar de Jade does not exchange currency (only official exchange places can do this).
Where is the closest ATM?
There are no banks or ATMs in Chacala, the closest is in Las Varas about 15min taxi ride inland. We highly suggest you bring extra cash with you or use the ATM at the airport when you arrive. There is also an ATM and bank in La Peñita (about 30 min.) where there is a Thursday market. Most ATMS will give you cash in Mexican Pesos.
Is gratuity included or additional?
Gratuity is not included. Please consider leaving a gratuity for the Mar de Jade staff to show your appreciation. We suggest budgeting approximately $10-$15 USD per person per night in cash, which can be put in the general tip box upon check-out. The tip box gets distributed among all staff members (kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, etc). Tips are only accepted in cash (USD or Pesos). Gratuities for additional services are never included, these include: transportation from/to airport, excursion guides, massage and other spa treatments, etc.
FOOD FAQ’s
I Have A Special Diet. What Will I Eat?
All meals are included in your retreat package price, including buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meal service begins with Dinner on Saturday, April 5th and concludes with Breakfast on Saturday, April 12th. Meals are carefully prepared daily from scratch using fresh, local and organic produce and ingredients. Mar de Jade’s kitchen is happy to accommodate your dietary restrictions and food allergies, if given advance notice. When you register for the retreat, you can list your dietary needs.
Coffee, tea, fruit, bread, and stellar homemade organic peanut butter and mango marmalade beginning at 6:30am and available ALL day.
8:30 - 10:00 Breakfast.
1:30 - 3:00 Lunch.
6:30 - 8:00 Dinner
Will I Have Problems Because Of The Food And Water?
All raw foods are carefully disinfected and washed with purified water. Free purified water is available at stations throughout the grounds.
Will I Be Able To Wash My Clothes? Do I Need To Bring A Beach/Pool Towel?
Laundry service is available. Beach and Pool towels are provided by Mar de Jade.
Can I Use My Cellphone And Is Wifi Available?
As part of Mar de Jade’s philosophy, none of the guest rooms have telephones or TVs. There is a courtesy phone close to your room to the Front Desk if necessary, and a phone available at the Front Desk for guest use, the rate is 50 cents per minute for calls to the US and Canada and 25 cents per minute for calls within Mexico to landlines. You may charge calls to your room. If you have a phone card with a 01-800 number for dialing from Mexico you may use it at this phone.
Is there cellphone service?
There is full cellphone service provided by Telcel (the largest Mexican cellphone company). US companies that have roaming agreements with Telcel will usually get coverage, check with your provider for coverage and rates.
How can someone reach me in the event of an emergency?
In the event of an emergency, guests can be reached at the following number +52 (327) 219-4000.
Is there WiFi?
Free WiFi is available in the main dining room, guest lounge and bar area, there is no WiFi in the rooms. Please bring your own device as Mar de Jade does not provide computers. Mar de Jade’s Guest Services is happy to print boarding passes at the front desk for guests. Please note that because Mar de Jade is in a rural location, the internet connection can often be slow or without a signal. Danielle and I encourage all of you to unplug during your stay and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty!
For further inquiries, questions, insights, concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me directly at: yogawithheathersmith@gmail.com
