Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ for EVERYONE

Still have questions? Drop us a message: hola@somosretreats.com

  • Oaxaca has its own airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Xoxocotlan (OAX) It’s a 25 minute drive fro the CaSa. There are direct flights from IAH, DFW, LAX, TIJ.

    Some guests find it cheaper/faster/easier to fly to Mexico City and then catch one of the 15 daily flights to Oaxaca which take 40 minutes. We are happy to help you find a good route but will not book flights for you.

  • Airport pickup is included in your Retreat and we will meet you no matter what time you arrive on the day the Retreat starts. Please don’t worry if your flight is delayed as we keep in touch through our WhatsApp group during your journey.

    If you arrive before the Retreat Date we can help you arrange transportation pickup but often cannot do it ourselves as we are with guests.

    Drop Off: We arrange with a trusted driver but the cost is not included (350 MXN which is about $18 USD)

    CAR SEATS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED FOR AIRPORT TRANSFERS

  • Check in is at 3pm and check out is at 11am. Your Retreat officially starts with dinner at 5:30pm (or when you arrive) on day of arrival.

    We will pick you up and offer you options on where to wait while the CaSa is cleaned.

  • We currently have 4 bedrooms. 4 half baths and 3 full bathrooms.

  • The CaSa is a SMOKE FREE ZONE. We do not allow smoking anywhere including on the terraza or the balconies.

    Oaxaca is also a smoke free city. You are not allowed to smoke walking down the street - you will be fined.

  • All of our produce is cleaned using either iodine drops or white vinegar. We never serve any food which has not been properly sanitized. This is common practice in all of the restaurants and street food carts too.

    Additionally we buy our produce at the Abastos Market where produce is freshest, locally grown and chemical free.

  • We provide fresh water for drinking and cooking. There is plenty of it in the CaSa so please stay hydrated.

    If you are out and about then be aware that locals do not drink tap water and as such your water or iced beverages are safe.

    Oaxaca is a state with a water shortage. We are fortunate at the CaSa to have a good flow of water however we still ask that you are mindful of how much you use. We provide buckets in the shower which we ask you to fill while you wait for hot water to flow. We use this to water plants and mop floors.

    The water at the CaSa is solar heated which means it will be much warmer in the afternoon than the morning.

  • We ask for your dietary requirements and allergies at the time of booking and check in again to make sure nothing has changed before your arrival. Our menus are created to take in to consideration your dietary needs. We do not make our food spicy but salsa Matcha is always available.

  • The CaSa does not have a machine for guest use.

  • We have an indoor pool which is solar heated so the temperature varies depending on how much sun there is. Half of the pool is open to the sky which keeps the CaSa lovely and fresh. We will provide you with towels for the pool during your stay

    Children who are not potty trained are not permitted in the pool. (Shock fee $75 USD for accidents)

    The pool is enclosed and locked with a hotel grade locking system and a self closing gate.

  • The CaSa has the fastest WiFi connection available and a mesh system to push the signal across the property.

  • The best way to take out money is via an ATM but ALWAYS decline the exchange rate offered by the ATM (The rate is terrible!)

    There is an ATM at the airport if you need money right away.

    Most places accept cards but markets and local spots will ask for cash.

    Tipping here ranges from 10-20% with 10 being the norm.

    Spending money varies by person but here is an idea of what things cost (in MXN as not all guests are from USA)

    Taxi to/from CaSa: $150

    Meals: from $100 - $2000 depending on restaurant… average cost of dining out is $250 per person including a drink.

  • No. We take a $700 non refundable deposit to hold your spot and the rest is in 3 payments, 120, 90 and 60 days before your arrival.

  • Favorite sunscreen as it can be hard to get here.

    Swim suit (long sleeved is good for Hierve al Agua)

    Warm Layer: Oaxaca is warm but the CaSa is open to elements so can be chilly in the morning.

  • Oaxaca is a very safe city but as with any city you should take regular precautions:

    Keep money in front of you and not on your back in a backpack.

    Take a taxi if you’re walking around deserted streets at night

    Keep your phone hidden in market places.

    Crime is rare against tourists but pickpocketing can happen if your stuff is out of sight.

FaMily Retreats FAQ

These questions are specifically for those attending our family Retreats.

Still have questions? Message us at hola@somosretreats.com

  • We have an amazing group of women who care for the children during your stay. You can learn more about them here

  • We have a ration of 1 Nanny for 2 children for kids aged 5 and under. For older children we adapt as necessary but they are NEVER left alone no matter their age.

    If you would like a dedicated nanny for your child please let us know when you book.

  • We do not have a minimum age for children. Our youngest guest was 6 months old and we have hosted 16 year olds also. We adapt our itinerary to make it fun for the children no matter whether they are infants or teens.

  • The CaSa does NOT have a television

    We do not allow screens from 9-5 when the nannies are with the children. They provide entertainment through crafting, swimming, stories, playing, visits to playgrounds etc.

    If your child needs some down time during the day (with your permission) they are of course allowed to use screens in their room.

    This policy has been made with a lot of thought and intention. It only takes one child on a screen to bring all children flocking. They shun activities and lose interest in anything the nannies are offering. Parents have very different approaches to screens and as such they can be a source of conflict. We want the kids to be engaged and having fun - you’ll be surprised with how well they do without them.

    As with any policy there is flexibility to incorporate the best interests of the child/ren.

  • We stock the CaSa with fresh, local fruit, tortilla chips, yogurt and cheese. This is offered as a snack between meals.

    We do not offer any processed snacks/bars as we simply don’t have access to healthy options.

    If you have brought snacks from home with you let the nannies know and they will be happy to give them to your child/ren.

  • We know that kids can be picky. We have also found that picky eaters do well when they are around other children at the CaSa. We do our best to make plates appealing to kids and Chef Rosa is great at getting to know the childrens likes and dislikes and feeding them accordingly. We have plates with compartments so that items don’t touch.

    We prefer to let children try what is on offer before offering typical kid food. If they do not like their food then we have pasta, mac n cheese, quesadillas etc always on offer as a back up plan. We even make our chicken nuggets from scratch. We promise we won’t let your child go hungry!

    We are not able to cater to individual likes and dislikes as this would become overwhelming for the chef.

  • We have pack and plays, high chairs, kids plates, cups and utensils. There is a baby bath available on request. We have a playroom for younger guests and plenty of games and puzzles for the older ones too.

    If you are nursing we even have a boppy for your use!

    For the pool we have an abundance of googles, pool noodles and floaties. No need to bring your own!

  • We have 2 strollers and 3 car seats for your use during your stay. All of our car seats are forward facing.

    For airport pickups we cannot guarantee that there will be a car seat on offer. If you want to be sure of this you will have to bring one from home.

    Legally car seats are not required in Mexico and often taxis do not have the clips or even belts to secure them. We do our best to find taxis who have seat belts but be aware that sometimes it is out of our control.

  • Absolutely. All of our pricing is based on one adult, one child but there is an option to add guests at the end of the booking process.

    We decided on this pricing structure as as a SoLo Mother I was tired of being penalized for not having a partner and being charged more. So we start at one adult, one child and go from there. Children costing less than adults.

  • If your child is under a year then we do not provide any blankets - please bring a sleep sack for them.

    We recommend long sleeved swimming suits to keep the sun off skin at Hierve al Agua as they ask us not to use sun screen.

    As to diapers, wipes etc - all are available here.