Not sure how to pack for a yoga retreat? From our experience, we will walk you through what to take and what to leave behind!
Our Experience
In November 2021 we traveled to Spain alongside our mom for a girl’s trip. We spent a week laughing, eating tapas, sightseeing, hiking, practicing yoga, and kayaking. With such a vast selection of activities, we needed to ensure our packing list was in check.
We decided we would travel carry-on only since we didn’t want to waste time with large baggage or checked bags. Traveling carry-on only is not as hard as it may seem!
Once we arrived in Madrid, we picked up our rental car. I hadn’t previously driven in Spain but it was an absolutely beautiful drive passing through the millions of olive trees. If you have flexibility in your travel plans, we would recommend it. During our drive, we stopped by a small restaurant roadside which happened to have one of the best Tortilla Espanola we’ve had to date!
We drove from Madrid to Granada where we spent three nights before heading to Sayalonga for our four-night yoga retreat. We finished our trip with a night in Madrid before flying back home the following day.
Weather
While the south of Spain is known for its beautiful beaches and temperate weather, we were also spending time in the mountains, which meant it was beautiful and warm during the day and a bit chilly at night. If you are curious about traveling in northern Spain, be sure to read our post about the best of San Sebastián, Spain.
You’ll want to be sure that you check the weather at your destination as well as ensure that you have all the clothing necessary for your activities. For instance, we would be swimming, hiking, practicing yoga, and would need clothing for warm and cooler weather. Layering is a tip we would recommend. Even if you are going somewhere warm all year round, having a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt is nice, especially on the plane ride and after a long day of activity.
Full disclosure, despite checking the weather in the days leading up to our trip, we ended up underestimating just how cold it would be. We wound up purchasing adorable winter coats on our second day in Granada. When we reminisce about this trip we still joke that we went to Spain solely to buy cute new winter coats!
Considerations When Packing
There are a few items we would recommend leaving behind. For starters, hair styling tools and tons of makeup. When on a yoga retreat, take advantage of going makeup free! Depending on your chosen retreat, you may be exercising quite a bit. Don’t worry about looking your best and embrace the full experience.
That said, we still believe in taking care of our skin. Be sure to pack your skin care products to cleanse, treat, and moisturize your skin, and don’t forget your SPF! If you aren’t used to going sans makeup, consider a BB cream for light coverage. Having an eyebrow/eyelash tint can also help you to feel a bit more comfortable if you are used to wearing eye makeup.
Packing for a Yoga Retreat
Finally, our Airbnb in Granada had a washing machine that allowed us to pack light but still be able to wash our clothes when needed. Don’t forget to use your packing cubes to ensure your suitcase stays nice and organized. Below you will find our full packing list for our yoga retreat in Andalusia Spain in November. Be sure to check out our post Successful Packing With Diabetes if you are curious about what diabetes supplies Courtney packed for our journey.
Backpack (Personal Item)
- small crossbody purse with wallet, driving permit, sunglasses, and passport
- antibacterial wipes, personal cleansing wipes
- phone charger, backup battery, iPad
- toiletry bag/makeup bag
Carry-on Suitcase
- jeans
- 2 long-sleeved exercise shirts
- 4 leggings
- 4 exercise tops/4 sports bras
- mesh black shirt/black tank
- hooded sweatshirt
- cardigan set
- white tunic
- black joggers
- pajamas
- bathing suit
- socks/underwear
- laundry detergent
- hairbrush/hair ties/headband
- medicine/vitamins
- international adapters
- sandals/tennis shoes
Wear on the plane:
- Jean jacket/black leather leggings
- grey t-shirt and jean button down
- scarf
- grey booties
- neck pillow