Sweet Retreats terms and conditions

You can read our complete COVID Policy here.

BOOKING AT SWEET RETREATS

By completing an on-line reservation/payment, you accept these Terms and Conditions as a binding contract between Sweet Retreats on behalf of yourself and any other members of your booking. Sweet Retreats cannot accept your booking without a completed online reservation. Your spot at Sweet Retreats is secured and reserved by paying a minimum non-refundable deposit of $500 per guest. This deposit is non-transferable.  A written/emailed confirmation sent to you by Sweet Retreats means that we have accepted your booking. Please check carefully all the details of your booking before you make payment; after this we cannot accept responsibility for incorrect details.

Full payment of tuition is due by the due date sent in your registration email which is usually six weeks before the first day of the retreat or residency program you are registered for. It is your responsibility to pay your tuition on time and correctly without a reminder from us. If we do not receive your payment by the day it is due (as noted on your registration email confirmation), we may send you an overdue email. If we do not receive a response from the overdue email within 24 hours of sending it, your registration will be canceled and given to someone else. Any deposit and/or payments previously paid for that retreat/residency will not be refunded or transferred to any other programs. If you respond to the overdue email with a promise to pay, you will have 48 hours to pay your balance due plus a late fee of 10% of your balance due. If you do not pay in full on time, you forfeit your spot in the program or retreat as well as all payments made for it. No refunds, no credits.
Venmo and Zelle have daily and weekly sending limits. It is your responsibility to plan accordingly so that your payments are made on time. We may not send reminder emails, so you must remember to pay on time.

Last-minute bookings must be paid for in full at the time of booking.

We accept payment by Zelle or Venmo (for US domestic transfers). For international payments, we accept Wise or Paypal (a 3%-4.5% service fee must be added to all PayPal payments.) Please ensure that we receive the full amount for your retreat. It is your responsibility to cover any shortfalls in payments before arrival to your retreat. For example, if the transfer service (PayPal, Wise, etc.) takes a service fee from our receiving end, you will be responsible for paying Sweet Retreats the amount of the service fee taken. We recommend doing research on your payment especially for international payments before sending the payment. PayPal’s service fees are sometimes hidden from the sender. Wise’s service fees are always upfront before sending payments.

Bookings which have not been paid in full by the payment due date will be treated as a cancellation.

We may offer a discount to some students, or last-minute discount places – this does not affect the status of any guests who have previously paid the full price, and no discount will then become due to them.

EMAIL ADDRESS & TELEPHONE

It is vital that we have a valid email address. If you change this you should inform us immediately. We correspond by email. We also require a mobile phone so we can contact you during your stay.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES

You are free to arrive at any time on the first day. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you are required to contact Sweet Retreats by email or text the contact number which will be provided before you travel. On your departure day please be ready to check out of your room by 11am.

Room Check-In and Check-Out times are 2pm and 11am respectively.  Guests may request Early Check-In and Late Check-Out subject to availability.  If you arrive before check in time, you may leave your bag in our community area and enjoy the swimming pool and beach while waiting for your room to be ready.  If you are leaving after check out time, you may also leave your bags in the community space until you depart.

TRAVEL TO THE RETREAT LOCATION

Travel and airport transfers are included in the retreat price if you arrive/depart on specified dates to Puerto Escondido (PXM) airport.  If you wish to arrive early/depart late, and agree to pay the extra charges, or if you arrive/depart to a different airport, your travel to/from the airport is not included in your retreat.  In this case, we are happy to assist with arranging transport to or from the airport, but you must pay the taxi. Please contact us for more details.

 Passports, visas and health/medical requirements: you are responsible for ensuring that you have a valid passport and any necessary visas, as well as any necessary or required inoculations or other health requirements.

Please read our complete COVID Policy here.

COVID POLICY for all programs

All Sweet Retreats guests must agree to this policy.

 It is our first priority to make our programs safe, fun and sustainable.  We are taking this situation seriously by implementing safety policies for all of our programs.

  • All of our programs continue to follow safety guidelines in terms of COVID and other infectious illnesses specifically by taking action to prevent spreading infection.
  • Our gym and community areas are open air, so we have plenty of air flow, space and sunshine. We have nature on our side, and a swimming pool!
  • Many of our accommodations are shared housing. Each participant can choose a private room or shared room. For participants who choose a shared room, they do so knowing that their roommate may at some point may get sick and may be contagious. We will do everything we can to support a healthy environment, but ultimately it is up to each person to do their part.
  • These rules will update according to the state of the pandemic at any given time.

PREPARE RESPONSIBLY FOR YOUR TRIP

Your responsibility before traveling to Casa Chango

  • Please be extra careful to keep yourself healthy and avoid possible contact with infected people for at least 1 week before your trip to Mexico. This is in order to lessen the chances of bringing COVID or any other infectious illness on the airplane and to our community in Mexico and at Sweet Retreats.
    • We take this seriously and don’t have a COVID exception to our cancellation policy. If a COVID infection prevents you from coming to your retreat, your registration will be cancelled in accordance with our current cancellation policy as explained on our terms and conditions page.
  • All participants are encouraged to get a COVID vaccine and/or COVID test and/or antibody test before coming to Casa Chango. 
  • Each participant is required to bring at least 2 home antigen test kits (at least 4 tests total because each set has 2 tests) to residency or at least 1 home antigen test kit (at least 2 tests total) to a week long retreat. These help us identify whether or not a resident has covid if they show any symptoms of covid or if someone in the program tests positive. You can find at home antigen tests at most drug stores in the US or order then online.
  • It is important that you plan ahead and take every precaution possible. We urge you research COVID thoroughly so you can be well informed of safety and what to expect if you do become exposed and/or infected.
  • Take extra care of your health before you travel. Boost your vitamin C, B, zinc and immune support such as garlic, herbs, and mushroom supplements. Eat healthy foods and refrain from drinking and smoking. Focus instead on hydration and electrolytes.
  • Put some money away as a buffer in case you get COVID during your trip. We suggest having a COVID emergency fund of about $800-$3000 USD.
  • We recommend that you purchase travel and/or health insurance that covers COVID related issues including testing, medical attention, emergency travel, and trip cancellation.
  • These rules will update according to scientific evidence of the state of the pandemic at any given time.

During travel:

  • Wear an N95 mask or equivalent AT ALL TIMES while traveling including in the airport, on the plane, in a taxi, bus, etc.
  • You can also wear a face shield to cover your face during travel. This can be an extra protection and can be very useful for when you are eating or drinking during travel.
  • Bring hand sanitizer and sanitize regularly during travel.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • If you have a long layover, stay safe and keep your mask on. If you have an overnight layover in Mexico City, consider staying in the POD hotel.

When you arrive:

  • Once again, boost your immune system with supplements – Vitamin C, B, zinc, garlic, herbs and other immune supplements will help your immune system fight the virus if you are exposed during travel.
  • Hydrate!
  • You will be fed amazing, healthy foods which will help a lot!
  • If you have chosen accommodation in a shared room and/or shared bathroom during your stay with us, you are doing so knowing that we do not have control of the actions of your roommates and neighbors. You are doing so at your own risk. If one of your roommates become sick, Sweet Retreats will not be responsible for finding or paying for alternative housing for you or your sick roommate. If you get COVID or any other transmissible illness, you may be required to move to an alternate accommodation on or off site. You may be required to pay extra for the private accommodation during your isolation period. See below.
  • Depending on the program you have signed up for, we will follow specific safety guidelines in order to prevent infections and spread. Read more about the specific safety guidelines for each Sweet Retreats program here.

For details about our specific COVID Policies for Retreats and Residency Programs, read more here.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations due to covid will be treated the same as any other cancellation.

Please note that Sweet Retreats are limited to a small number of attendees, to allow for a more personable, intimate experience.

All retreat purchases and reservations are non-refundable. No exceptions to this policy can be made for any reason, therefore holiday insurance with a cancellation policy to cover any such rare occurrence is strongly recommended.

You may cancel your Sweet Retreat provided that the cancellation is made by the person submitting the registration form and is communicated to us in writing.  Cancellation will take effect from the day that the written request is received by us.

Once registration is confirmed, no refunds will be issued if you cancel.  

  • Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
  • Cancel more than 60 days before 1st day of retreat:  60% of your tuition paid (not including deposit) can transfer toward a future Sweet Retreat within 18 months of cancellation.
  • Cancel  30-60 days before the 1st day of retreat:  40% of your tuition paid (not including deposit) can transfer toward a future Sweet Retreat within 18 months of cancellation.
  • Cancel up to 30 days before the 1st day of the retreat:  20% of your tuition paid (not including deposit) can transfer toward a future Sweet Retreat within 18 months of cancellation.

Once you apply your credit to another retreat, there will be no more credits if you cancel. In other words, if you cancel your registration for a retreat that you paid for with credit from a previous retreat, you will forfeit the credit entirely.

If you cancel, and cannot attend a future retreat, you may gift the amount of tuition paid to someone else toward a future Sweet Retreat within 18 months of cancellation.  

We will not be responsible for cancellations by guests, and will not be refunding/discounting for being late, leaving early, flight cancellation, travel delays, personal illness, family illness/problems, natural disaster events, epidemics, COVID pandemic or political unrest. If you cancel your attendance to a retreat for any reason, the cancellation policy will apply.
We strongly encourage you to have adequate travel insurance in place at the time of booking, to protect yourself against possible cancellation risks. Make sure your policy covers the full cost of the retreat fee, as well as unexpected cancellation, trip delay, losses and other risks. Please bring the policy with you in case of emergency.

Sweet Retreats holds no responsibility for missed and delayed flights or missed transfers. No refunds or alternatives will be made for any part of the Retreat not attended as a result.

Once your Sweet Retreat has commenced, no unused portion of your retreat will be credited or repaid in the event of cancellation by you.

Sweet Retreats reserves the right to cancel retreats with inadequate participant interest, in which case all money paid to Sweet Retreats will be refunded minus any service fees. Refunds will be made with either Venmo, Zelle, bank transfer or transferwise for non-US accounts/clients not including any service fees paid when the initial payment was made. In addition recipient of refund is responsible for any service fee charged by the 3rd party provider when refund is issued.
Sweet Retreats cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations.

Note about COVID cancellations

There are no COVID exceptions to this cancellation policy other than if the Mexico border officially closes at the time of the retreat/program, airports close, and ALL flights to and from Mexico are cancelled. Once registration is confirmed, NO exceptions will be made for confirmed registrants even if they have tested positive for COVID. Please take COVID prevention seriously for the period of time before and during your travel to Sweet Retreats. If you sign up for a retreat, it is your responsibility to be extra safe before your travels.

RIGHT TO CHANGES

Sweet Retreats reserves the right to amend booking dates. This may be due to several reasons, not limited to but including, war, adverse weather conditions, illness, riots and or matters concerning participants safety, operational circumstances such as damage caused by fire or storms, or the villa/s becoming unusable due to utility company work or lack of services, leaks, repair work or any other such reason. In these circumstances the booking may need to be adjusted accordingly. Sweet Retreats is not liable for any additional costs or losses that may be incurred by the client due to the change of booking. This includes, but is not limited to, any extra hotel reservations or car rentals, or the cost of non-refundable airline tickets. Situations may arise which make it necessary to alter the normal booking schedule. We advise that your travel insurance covers holiday curtailment.

Once a Sweet Retreats program has begun, all payments are final. If a Sweet Retreats program is interrupted by any reason beyond our control not limited to but including war, adverse weather conditions, illness, riots and or matters concerning participants safety, operational circumstances such as damage caused by fire or storms, any period of time lost during a Sweet Retreats program is lost to all parties involved. No refunds or credits will be made for time lost due to any of the above reasons. Sweet Retreats is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe space for guests, and will do everything possible to improve unexpected and undesirable circumstances.

Where a teacher or facilitator advertised for a retreat is not able to teach due to reasons outside our control, we reserve the right to replace them with another teacher or facilitator.

Due to teacher cancellations or any other situations outside our control, we reserve the right to make any changes to our retreats, programs, courses, or teachers.  Alternative arrangements will be offered, but we do not accept responsibility for any costs incurred, including airfare and travel plans.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is your responsibility that you arrange, or ensure you have appropriate comprehensive travel and health insurance. This to include cover for illness, personal injury and travel delay/cancellation. We assume that such a policy is in force before you depart. You should bring the policy with you in case of an emergency.

You should ensure that your insurance has the relevant cover for you to participate in aerial classes, fitness activities, nature excursions, and any other activities that may be included in the retreat you have chosen.

PHOTOGRAPHY

We will at times take photographs during retreats for our website and promotional material, including adverts. You agree to have your photograph taken. If you are sensitive about this, please let the retreat manager know this when you arrive.

Sweet Retreats retains all copyright licence rights and exclusively owns all photographs and material displayed on its website. This information may not be copied or used for any other purpose.

GUEST POLICIES

We do not allow loud music and try to maintain a peaceful resort. However, we have no control over noise that may be generated by our surrounding community. On occasion our neighbours or others on the beach may have a celebration which we must tolerate or embrace.

Sweet Retreats guests must be respectful and must not engage in offensive, illegal or immoral acts. Should this be a situation or should a guest become a nuisance to staff at Sweet Retreats, then we reserve the right to ask a guest to leave our premises or suspend their activities if it is appropriate to do so, without any compensation.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

We are responsible for providing the services listed on our website, where it is within our control. Sweet Retreats cannot guarantee that all items listed on our website will be functional at all times, however all endeavours will be made to rectify any problems as soon as we possibly can. We reserve the right without prior notice to withdraw any part or all of the facilities available, and to make such changes as may be necessary. Furthermore, it is agreed by you that the owners/operators of the retreat/s are not the guardians of any customers safety and they, individually or collectively, cannot be held liable in any way for any occurrence, which might result in illness, injury, death or other damage, loss or theft to the customer, his property, or his family, heirs, or assigns. The liability of Sweet Retreats is limited to a total of the booking price irrespective of the title/claim.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Any valuables left at the property are the guests’ sole responsibility and neither Sweet Retreats nor the staff can be held responsible for any loss or damage of personal property. Casa Chango/ Sweet Retreats are not responsible for any lost or stolen items during your stay.

LIABILITY/YOUR HEALTH

All aerial, yoga, exercise and any other retreat activities are undertaken at your own risk.

For your own wellness and safety, you must comply fully with all and any health and safety regulations introduced by Sweet Retreats. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically, mentally and physically fit and able to use our facilities and participate in any of our retreat activities, including aerial arts, fitness, acrobatics, yoga and swimming. Customers who have injuries or mental or physical illnesses are advised to seek doctor’s advice prior to attending our retreat. Sweet Retreats is not liable for any injuries you may contract during a retreat.

If you have any health conditions, including mental health conditions, you will need to inform Sweet Retreats of these.

 Sweet Retreats accepts no liability for loss, damage, injury or illness while you are on holiday with us, or for any travel costs to or from the retreat site.

MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH TRANSPARENCY POLICY

At Sweet Retreats, we cohabitate, encourage healthy lifestyles, and create a community in which we are able to support each other. We do not tolerate shaming or judgement in any way. All residents MUST be up front with Sweet Retreats about their mental and emotional health from the moment they apply for our programs and throughout their time staying with us. If a participant experiences mental or emotional disorders, traumas, etc, they may be required to provide proof of support in the form of regular therapy sessions, medications, or other forms of support outside of our programs and community.

It can be extremely beneficial to engage in regular therapy sessions to support mental and emotional health. We recommend the Better Help app to receive online support at home and while traveling. More details here.

During their stay with us, participants are living in a community that respects privacy and functions as a group. If a participant needs personal space away from the group while staying here, that is respected. The participant must check in with another community member at least once per day to let us know they are safe and taking care of themself. If the participant completely retreats from the group, Sweet Retreats reserves the right to enter their room to make sure they are ok and/or contact their emergency contact. Our intention is always respecting and caring for each other. Communication is key.

DRUGS, MEDICINES & ALCOHOL POLICY

Sweet Retreats encourages a healthy lifestyle. Occasional enjoyment of legal substances is permitted.

All residents are required to inform us if they take any medications, the names of the medications being taken, and whether they are prescribed by a physician or someone else. Sweet Retreats does not tolerate the abuse of any drugs or medicines (legal or not). Daily use or abuse of substances that may result in altered states and/or affect other participants’ experiences will not be tolerated. If a resident breaks this drugs & alcohol policy, they will be required to leave without refund or credit. If you are considering being a participant in one of our programs, and have a dependent relationship with drugs or alcohol, Sweet Retreats will not be a good fit for you at this time.

PET & SERVICE ANIMAL POLICY

On some occasions participants may be permitted to bring their pet or service animal to Casa Chango. Each participant must get permission from management before planning to bring their animal. In order to maintain a safe and clean space for all of our participants, we take this policy very seriously.
Some restrictions may apply including:

  • $250 USD Animal fee is required
  • Pets are not allowed in dorms or shared rooms.
  • Written agreement of responsibility for your animal and to follow all rules and guidelines which include:
    • Animal must be socialized with other animals including dogs, cats, chickens, farm animals, and humans.
    • Animal cannot be left in participant’s room alone.
    • Animal is not permitted on any furniture.
    • Animal is not permitted inside the gymnasium or dining areas, but can stay tied up in the shade just outside.
    • Animal must be on a leash in all community spaces.
    • Animal must be within guardian’s control at all times
    • Animal must be trained to obey guardian’s commands.
    • Animal must not bark, bite or invade personal space of any other participants.
    • Guardian must pick up after their animal daily.
  • If any of these rules are broken, participant may be asked to leave Casa Chango without credit or refund.

LOST AND FOUND

On your last day, please ensure you have packed all personal belongings safely before leaving the Retreat. Any items forgotten or lost will not be at the responsibility of Sweet Retreats to recover and return back to you.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and can change quickly and significantly. Sweet Retreats cannot be made liable for unpleasant or unsuitable weather conditions and no refunds or adjustments are made for such conditions. In the event of an extreme weather emergency, Casa Chango/Sweet Retreats management and staff will do our best to guide all participants to safety, but ultimately each person must take responsibility for their own choices and actions regarding safety. In the event of an evacuation before or during a program at Casa Chango, Sweet Retreats/Casa Chango is not responsible for any costs incurred to participants due to travel, flight changes, accommodations outside of Casa Chango, personal items, medical needs, or anything else.

CONSTRUCTION WORK

Sweet Retreats cannot predict construction plans in the area and therefore cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience. In the event of building works taking place by local authorities, private developers or neighbors, it is important to note that we are not responsible for such work and we are unable to stop such work taking place and we are unable to control the level of noise. Casa Chango/Sweet Retreats cannot be held responsible for any building works that take place during your retreat. No refunds can be given in the event of nearby construction.

FORCE MAJEURE

Means any unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our normal control, which the consequences of could not have been avoided even when exercising all due care. Such circumstances or events include, but are not limited to, war, or threat of war, riot, civil unrest, industrial disputes or strikes, unavoidable technical problems with the villa, transport, or closure or congestion of airports, terrorist activity, natural disasters, industrial disasters, fire, theft, flooding and adverse weather conditions. In the event of any of the above refunds or compensation payments cannot be made.

We are exempt from fulfilling our contractual obligations for causes that could not be anticipated and/or are beyond our control, including an act of God, act of man, act of government, and other impersonal events or occurrences. That being said, we have integrity and will endeavour to provide you with the services mentioned and hopefully exceed your expectations. Whilst all reasonable efforts will be taken to ensure this, it may be necessary in some circumstances, eg extreme weather or environmental conditions outside our control, to relocate guests to another resort or venue of similar standard in the locality. In such cases a supplement may apply.

PRINTING, TYPING, TERMS & CONDITIONS, CALCULATION ERRORS AND OMISSIONS

Sweet Retreats reserve the right to correct any printing or typing errors, omissions or calculation mistakes at any time. We also reserve the right to amend our terms and conditions that apply to your booking at any time and without prior notice.

PRIVACY POLICY

We will not knowingly give your personal information to anybody else (except where required to do so by authorities). We will retain your information and from time to time we may contact you with our promotional and Sweet Retreats related information.

CONTRACT, COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Sweet Retreats is confident that you will not have any cause for concern during your retreat. However if you should have any problems during your stay this should first be brought to the attention of the retreat manager.

If you are not satisfied with the local resolution, then, any further comments or suggestions should be put in writing, within 14 days of your return, specifying the problems to: SweetRetreatsdr@gmail.com