📋 Bonus — Checklists & Templates

Pre-Booking Checklist

Before you transfer a single dollar, run through this:

• [ ] Retreat verified — Read reviews on multiple platforms. Check for recent negative reviews.
• [ ] Teacher credentials — Who is teaching? What certifications? How long have they been at this center?
• [ ] Cancellation policy — Full refund? Partial? Credit only? Get it in writing.
• [ ] What's included — Meals? Transfers? Excursions? Spa? Alcohol? Ask for a detailed list.
• [ ] Room type confirmed — Shared or private? Ensuite or shared bathroom? A/C or fan?
• [ ] Dietary needs — Vegetarian? Vegan? Gluten-free? Allergies? Confirm they can accommodate.
• [ ] Yoga style — Vinyasa? Hatha? Yin? Ashtanga? Make sure it matches your level and goals.
• [ ] Group size — 6 people? 20? 40? Smaller groups mean more personalized attention.
• [ ] Wi-Fi policy — Available? In rooms or common areas only? Digital detox enforced?
• [ ] Insurance required — Many centers require proof of insurance before participation.

Pre-Flight Reset Checklist

1 Week Before

• [ ] Confirm passport validity (6 months beyond return date)
• [ ] Check visa requirements and apply if needed
• [ ] Notify bank of travel dates
• [ ] Buy travel insurance (before booking flights, ideally)
• [ ] Download offline maps (Google Maps works offline)
• [ ] Set up travel eSIM or confirm roaming plan
• [ ] Print/copy important documents (passport, insurance, booking confirmations)
• [ ] Arrange pet/plant/house care
• [ ] Set out-of-office email
• [ ] Charge all electronics + pack adapters

1 Day Before

• [ ] Check in online for flights
• [ ] Weigh luggage (carry-on under 7kg/15lbs)
• [ ] Pack snacks for travel
• [ ] Fill reusable water bottle (empty for security)
• [ ] Download podcasts/audiobooks for flight
• [ ] Set alarm (with backup)
• [ ] Sleep 8 hours. Seriously.

Departure Day

• [ ] Arrive at airport 3 hours early (international)
• [ ] Keep passport, insurance, and booking confirmations in carry-on
• [ ] Wear comfortable clothes for long flight
• [ ] Hydrate. Avoid alcohol and caffeine on the plane.
• [ ] Do gentle stretches during the flight (ankle circles, neck rolls)

Post-Retreat Integration Checklist

Week 1: The Bubble

• [ ] Keep phone in airplane mode for 2 hours each morning
• [ ] Maintain one retreat practice (yoga, meditation, journaling)
• [ ] Eat one retreat-style meal per day
• [ ] Sleep 8 hours. No exceptions.
• [ ] Avoid major decisions. Your nervous system is still recalibrating.

Month 1: The Boundaries

• [ ] Audit calendar. Remove 20% of commitments.
• [ ] Set "sacred hours" — blocks of time where you are unreachable.
• [ ] Reassess job sustainability and alignment.
• [ ] Find local yoga studio or meditation group.
• [ ] Schedule your next retreat before you need it.

Month 3: The New Normal

• [ ] Track energy, not productivity.
• [ ] Practice saying "no" without explanation.
• [ ] Remember: the retreat was the reminder that you are allowed to rest.

The Retreat Budget Calculator (Quick Reference)

Estimates based on 2026 market data. Actual prices vary by booking platform and date.

Emergency Contacts Template

Fill this out and keep a copy in your carry-on and phone:

Thank you for reading The Slow Traveler's Retreat Playbook 2026.

May your next retreat be the reset you didn't know you needed.

— The Wanderlust Retreats Team