Frequently asked questions

We recommend bringing:Comfortable clothing for meditation and yogaA shawl or blanket for sitting in cooler mornings/eveningsA refillable water bottlePersonal toiletries. Please, bring only biodegradable products.A flashlightAn open heart and willingness to be in silence

Most of our retreats take place in the beautiful Karuna Retreat Center, in the Monchique mountains, Algarve, Portugal. Karuna, which means compassion in Sanskrit, is built with so much love and pure intention to support us in the journey of discovering Stillness within our hearts. The astonishing natural surroundings provide a tranquil and inspiring setting for deep practice. For more information, please check https://www.caveoftheheartretreats.com/portfolio-collections/retreat-venues/karuna-retreat-center

Traveling to Karuna retreat center is straightforward. The nearest airport is Faro International Airport (about 1 hour away), with frequent flights from many cities in Europe and the UK. Lisbon is also an option, about 3 hours by car, train or bus. Please, visit our specific page for detailed information, on Karuna Retreat Center

Our silent retreats are guided in English, which is accessible for most international participants.

Cave of the Heart offers retreats in different venues. Most of them take place at the beautiful Karuna Retreat Center in the Serra de Monchique mountains, Algarve, Portugal, Europe. This peaceful location is easily accessible from Lisbon, Faro, and major European cities by plane. Visit our section on Karuna retreat center for more information.

Please inform us in advance of any allergies, medical conditions, or specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

You can view upcoming retreat dates and register directly on our website. A deposit is usually required to confirm your spot. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.

We encourage participants to stay for the full retreat to maintain the group energy and personal process. If you anticipate a scheduling conflict, please contact us before booking.

We provide nourishing vegetarian meals prepared with so much love. Our menus are designed to support meditation and well-being, using fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Yes, participants join us from all over the world. Many of our guests come from Western Europe (Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.) as well as North America and beyond. There is usually quite an international group joining our retreats.

Comfortable clothing for yoga and meditation, a shawl or blanket, a refillable water bottle, a flashlight and a journal if you would like to take notes. All mats and props are provided.

Karuna Retreat Center is nestled in the peaceful Serra de Monchique mountains in the Algarve, Portugal. Despite its serene, remote setting, it is easy to reach by air from major cities in Portugal and Europe. ✈ By Air Faro International Airport (FAO) – The closest airport, just about 1 hour by car from Karuna. Many low-cost airlines fly directly from major European cities (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, etc.). Lisbon Airport (LIS) – Located about 3 hours away. Lisbon is well-connected internationally, with frequent trains and buses to the Algarve. 🚉 By Train from Lisbon From Lisbon (Oriente or Entrecampos station), take the direct train toward the Algarve. Get off at Santa Clara-Sabóia station, which is the closest train stop to Monchique. The journey takes about 3 hours. From Santa Clara-Sabóia, the retreat center is around 45 minutes by taxi. We can assist you in arranging a pre-booked taxi to meet you at the station. Please be aware that a pre-booked taxi is needed since it is very unlikely to find taxis in this train station. 🚉 By Bus from Lisbon From Lisbon, you can take a bus to Portimão (about 3 hours). Then a taxi will take you to us. 🚗 By Car From Faro: Drive west on the A22 motorway, exit at Portimão/Monchique, then follow signs toward Monchique. Then take the road to the right after passing Caldas de Monchique (if you turn before, the GPS might take you through some dirt roads). Karuna retreat center is about 10 minutes into the mountains. From Monchique: 15 minute drive along a paved road. 🚕 By Taxi We can share with you the contact of a local taxi driver who speaks English and can pick you up at Faro, Portimão or Santa Clara Saboia. We will share more information shortly before the retreat starts. 🌍 Travel Tips We encourage carpooling between participants where possible — it’s more sustainable and a nice way to connect before entering silence. If you’re arriving from abroad, consider flying into Faro for convenience, or into Lisbon if you’d like to explore Portugal’s capital before or after your retreat. For guests traveling from other parts of Europe, Faro has a wide range of direct flights.

How to Get to Retiro do Bosque – MindeRetiro do Bosque is located in Minde, in central Portugal, approximately halfway between Lisbon and Coimbra and close to Fátima.There are several easy ways to reach the retreat centre:From Lisbon AirportThe simplest option is to take a Bolt or taxi directly from Lisbon Airport to Retiro do Bosque in Minde.The journey takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on traffic. A Bolt is usually considerably more affordable than a traditional airport taxi, although the price varies depending on demand and the time of day. As a general indication, you can expect a Bolt to cost approximately €60–€90, but we recommend checking the current price in the app when you arrive.Another option is to take a bus from Lisbon to Fátima and then continue from Fátima to Minde by Bolt or taxi.By Bus to FátimaFátima is the closest major transport hub to Minde, and there are regular buses to Fátima from many Portuguese cities, including Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and other destinations.You can check bus connections and timetables here:FlixBus – buses to FátimaCheckMyBus – compare bus timetables to FátimaRede Expressos – bus timetables and ticketsOnce you arrive in Fátima, you can take a Bolt or taxi directly to Retiro do Bosque. The journey from Fátima to Minde is relatively short.From Other Portuguese CitiesIf you are travelling from another part of Portugal, it is often easiest to first look for a bus connection to Fátima.Once you arrive in Fátima, you can take a Bolt or taxi directly to Retiro do Bosque.If you are unsure about the best connection from your city, please contact us and we will be happy to help you find the easiest route.Sharing RidesTo make travelling to the retreat easier and more affordable, we will create a WhatsApp group for all participants before the retreat.Participants will be able to use the group to coordinate arrival times and share Bolt, taxi or car journeys to Minde.Sharing a ride is often a convenient way to reduce travel costs and make the journey to the retreat centre easier.LocationYou can find the retreat centre directly on Google Maps:Retiro do Bosque – Google MapsImportantWhen planning your journey, please make sure that your final destination is:Retiro do Bosque – Minde, PortugalWe recommend arriving with enough time to settle in before the retreat begins.If you have any difficulty finding the best route, please contact us before travelling and we will be happy to help you organise your arrival.

Yes. Three nourishing vegetarian and vegan meals per day are included in the retreat price, prepared with care by the Karuna Retreat Center team. Fresh spring water from a natural source on the property is also available throughout.

Feel free to contact us, we are happy to support you.info@caveoftheheartretreats.com

Retreat prices vary depending on the length and format. All prices include accommodation, three meals per day, and all teachings and yoga sessions. Our prices are quite fair and adjusted, so that meditation can become accesible to everyone. We also offer low-income discounts — please contact us if cost is a barrier. Visit our retreats page for current pricing.

Our retreats are primarily taught in English. We also offer retreats in Spanish and German. Guided meditation recordings are available in English, Spanish and German. If you have questions about language, please contact us before booking.

Our retreats can fill up, particularly the shorter formats. We recommend booking at least 6 to 10 weeks in advance to secure your place and plan accordingly. For the 10-day retreat and the Arunachala Pilgrimage, we recommend booking as early as possible. For our online offerings, you can book more spontaneously.

Yes. We believe that financial limitations should not prevent anyone from joining. Please contact us directly to discuss options.

The retreat is designed as a continuous immersion and leaving mid-retreat is generally discouraged, as it disrupts the process for you and other participants. If you are considering this, we ask that you speak with one of the teachers first. In cases of genuine emergency, arrangements can always be made.

You arrive in the afternoon, and the evening is spent together, going through the retreat guidelines as a group. Noble Silence begins the next morning, the first full morning of the retreat, with a short consecration, and ends after the last meditation on the final day.