The women's retreat industry has exploded. And that's mostly a good thing — more women choosing themselves, more spaces being created to hold them.
But it also means the options are overwhelming. How do you know which retreat is actually worth your time, your money, and your trust?
Here's what to look for.
Start with the why
Before you search, get clear on what you're actually looking for. The right retreat depends entirely on where you are right now.
- Do you need rest and beauty? → look for a retreat with a slower pace, luxurious setting, plenty of free time
- Do you need to go deep? → look for skilled facilitation, somatic or ceremonial practices, smaller groups
- Do you need community? → look for a retreat that prioritizes group connection over solo experience
- Do you need all three? → that's most of us, honestly
What to look for in a retreat
Skilled facilitators — who are the people running this? What's their training, their background, their actual experience? A beautiful location with unqualified facilitation is just a holiday.
Small group size — the best retreats are intimate. You can't go deep in a room of 40 strangers. Look for groups of 8–16 women maximum.
A clear container — what is the retreat actually for? "Wellness" is not an answer. Look for a retreat that can articulate what it's designed to create and how.
Real testimonials — not just star ratings. Look for women describing actual experiences, specific moments, what shifted for them.
What's included — hidden costs are a red flag. A well-run retreat tells you exactly what's covered so you can arrive without surprises.
What to be cautious of
- Retreats that promise transformation without explaining how they create it
- Facilitators with no verifiable training or credentials
- Very large groups marketed as "community"
- Pressure tactics — urgency, scarcity, aggressive follow-up
- No clear refund or cancellation policy
Questions to ask before you book
- What does a typical day look like?
- How many women will be in the group?
- What training do the facilitators have?
- What happens if I need support during or after the retreat?
- What's the cancellation policy?
A retreat worth booking will answer all of these without hesitation.
Types of retreats to know about
Yoga retreats — movement-focused, often in beautiful locations. Great for physical reset and community. Depth varies widely by facilitator.
Wellness retreats — broad category. Can mean spa-focused or deeply transformational — read carefully to know which you're getting.
Transformational retreats — designed specifically for inner work. Usually involve somatic practices, ceremony, and skilled facilitation. These are the ones that change things.
Adventure retreats — combine meaningful experience (safari, hiking, cultural immersion) with inner work. The setting becomes part of the medicine.
What makes ASHA different
We run small, intentional retreats for women in Mexico, Morocco, and Kenya. Every retreat includes:
- Groups of 10–14 women maximum
- Skilled facilitation in yoga, sound healing, somatic practices, and ceremony
- All accommodation, meals, experiences, and transfers included
- A clear arc — from arrival to integration — designed with intention
If you're trying to figure out which retreat is right for you — ours or otherwise — reach out. We'd rather help you find the right fit than have you book something that isn't.