Our standard
How we vet every retreat
We list 20–60 retreats globally. Every single one passes five criteria. Hundreds don't make the cut. Here's what we look for — and why.
Certified teachers with verifiable lineage
Every teacher must hold a minimum 500-hour certification from a recognised yoga institution — RYT-500, Yoga Alliance registered, or equivalent traditional lineage. We check. We ask for proof. We cross-reference with governing bodies.
Transparent, complete pricing
We ask operators for a full breakdown: what's included, what's not, what transport and flights realistically cost. If an operator can't give us a clear answer, we don't list them. Our retreat pages publish everything.
Women-friendly facilitation and capped group sizes
We assess how the retreat is facilitated for women specifically — the language used, the framing of practice, the group dynamic, and whether the teacher is equipped to hold space for women's specific experiences. Groups are capped.
Verified guest reviews — at least 12 months of feedback
We require evidence of at least 12 months of guest feedback that we can cross-reference. We read TripAdvisor, Google, Retreat.guru, Reddit threads, and wherever guests actually speak honestly. Fake reviews are disqualifying.
Direct knowledge — visited, interviewed, or operator-verified
Every listing falls into one of three categories: 🟢 Visited (our team has been in person), 🔵 Verified (we've spoken directly with the operator and confirmed facts), or ⚪ Researched (public-source editorial, no operator contact). We display this badge on every listing.
Our transparency badges
Every listing carries one of three badges so you always know the basis of our review.
Visited
A member of our team has attended this retreat. The review reflects direct, first-person experience.
Verified
We have spoken with the operator, confirmed facts, and reviewed materials. We have not personally attended.
Researched
This listing is built from public sources: the operator's website, guest reviews, and community forums. We have not contacted the operator.
What we reject
Retreats that can't verify teacher credentials
Operators with opaque or misleading pricing
Retreats with no trackable guest reviews
Operators who pressure us to change our review
Any retreat that doesn't pass all five criteria
Operators who pay for a better rating