Paul S
Google
I have been to Prana del Mar for three yoga retreats. The place is just incredible! The facility is beautiful -- high-end, spa-quality décor, lovely gardens, and a desert setting, just between the mountains and the sea, that will take your breath away. Views from the roof deck are fantastic -- I saw whales on two of my stays!
This is not Cabo San Lucas -- it's about 30 miles up the Pacific Coast and totally off the grid. They generate their own solar-powered electricity and have their own well for water, which gets re-used in the gardens. There are no Senor Frogs or Planet Hollywoods. In fact, there's really almost nothing, but tranquility and shear beauty.
The food is excellent; and, I'm from San Francisco, so that's saying a lot. Always fresh ingredients, lots of fruits and vegetables and some great seafood. Meat eaters will be disappointed though, as there is no meat on the menu.
The staff is super friendly. Erik, the owner, and Benja will bend over backwards to make your stay comfortable and get you anything you need. They can also recommend activities outside the resort, like horseback riding, surfing, snorkeling, sea kayaking, or shopping in artsy Todos Santos, which is nearby.
The only negative is that the beach at the property, while absolutely gorgeous and almost deserted, is not swimmable. It's great for long walks or horseback riding, but to swim in the ocean, you need to go about 30 minutes north or south.
You should also note that Prana del Mar IS in the desert. You may see things like bugs and mice. I had a few people on one of my trips freak out about that, but come on -- beauty like this has tradeoffs. It has nothing to do with cleanliness. These things live there. If you want to stay at the Ritz Carlton, go ahead. But that ain't no yoga vacation. If you've done yoga retreats in Mexico or Indonesia or South America before, you're probably used to this. And, Prana del Mar will rank among the best.