Retreat Directories: Should You List Your Retreat and Which Platforms to Choose?

When it comes to marketing your retreat, one question always comes up: “Should I use retreat directories?”

The short answer: it depends on your audience, your goals, and your retreat theme.

But before you list your retreat on any platform, there’s one essential step retreat leaders often skip.

Build the Foundation Before You Market

The most successful retreat marketing starts long before launch day.

• Clarify your retreat theme and WHY: What is the transformation or outcome you’re promising?

• Identify your niche audience: Who is this retreat truly for, and what do they most need?

• Craft consistent, clear messaging: From your retreat name to your landing page copy, your marketing should speak directly to your ideal guest.

Without this foundation, listing your retreat on directories (or anywhere) risks wasted effort—you’ll attract fewer of the right people, and you may blend into the crowd.

Think of directories and other platforms as amplifiers: they magnify the message you’ve already created. If the message isn’t clear, the marketing won’t work.

Who Benefits Most from Retreat Directories?

Retreat directories are best suited for:

• New retreat leaders looking for visibility beyond their immediate network.

• Retreats targeting international travelers, who are more likely to browse directories than find you through local marketing.

• Niche retreat leaders (yoga, meditation, plant medicine, wellness) whose offerings align with popular search categories on directories.

If you already have a large email list and established following, you might not need directories—but they can still be a useful supplement.

Why Use Them?

• Built-in audience: Directories are where retreat seekers go when they’re actively looking to book.

• Increased visibility: Free or low-cost listings can put you in front of thousands of potential guests.

• Credibility: Being listed alongside other retreats gives your offering legitimacy.

⚠️ Caveat: Directories should be used as part of a larger marketing strategy. They’re a visibility tool, not a replacement for building your own community and email list.

How Do Retreat Directories Work?

There are generally two pricing models:

• Commission-based: You pay only when someone books through the directory (usually 10–15%).

• Advertising-based: You pay a flat fee to list your retreat, regardless of bookings.

Some platforms also offer a booking system, while others simply redirect to your own site.

The Best Retreat Directories

BookRetreats

• Best for: Yoga and meditation retreats.

• Pricing: No listing fee; 15% commission on bookings.

• Features: Secure payment processing, simple setup, and reliable traffic.

👉 bookretreats.com

Retreat Guru

• Best for: Yoga, meditation, plant medicine, spirituality, leadership, and wellness retreats.

• Pricing: Free to list; 14% commission on bookings.

• Audience Fit: Particularly strong for Costa Rica and plant medicine retreats.

• Cons: Outdated design, limited formatting (e.g., can’t emphasize text, confusing “crossed-out” menu items).👉 retreat.guru

  
  

Retreat Finder

• Best for: Retreat seekers and leaders looking for venues.

• Pricing: Advertising plans starting at $30/month.

• Features: Retreat seekers can subscribe to niche categories and receive listings via email.👉 retreatfinder.com

Viazara

• Best for: Broad variety of retreats (wellness, adventure, spiritual, corporate, creative).

• Features: Comprehensive platform with expert reviews, detailed retreat descriptions, and direct connections to leaders and venues.👉 viazara.org

Directory	Pricing Structure	Best For / Audience	Pros	Cons
Viazara	Free to list (advertising-based visibility)	Broad range: wellness, adventure, spiritual, corporate, creative retreats	Wide variety of categories, strong discovery platform, supports venues + leaders	Smaller, newer platform—may have less traffic than bigger directories
Retreat Guru	Free to list; 14% commission per booking	Yoga, meditation, plant medicine, spirituality, leadership & wellness	Large user base (1M+ visitors annually), easy 3-step setup, global reach	Outdated design, limited formatting, “crossed-out” features may look negative
BookRetreats	Free to list; 15% commission per booking	Yoga and meditation retreats	Secure payment system, simple to set up, high trust with seekers	Commission fee, limited primarily to yoga/meditation niches
Retreat Finder	Advertising model starting at $30/month	Retreat seekers of all types; leaders also seeking venues	Affordable advertising, email subscriptions for seekers by category	No commission model—flat fee may not guarantee bookings, smaller reach

Bonus Resource: Sacred Ohms

While retreat directories connect you with participants, Sacred Ohms is a members-only platform that connects you with energetically aligned venues designed specifically for transformational gatherings.

What makes Sacred Ohms unique:

• Curated properties with intention: Each venue is selected for its ability to support healing, spiritual, corporate, and creative retreats, with niche amenities such as yoga shalas, Himalayan salt caves, and temazcales.

• Vetted community: Both Ohm Owners (venues) and Retreat Leaders undergo a thorough vetting process—including interviews and references—to ensure a respectful, sustainable, and intentional ecosystem.

• Ease of booking: The platform is designed to reduce friction for retreat hosts while helping venue owners grow their revenue.

• Aligned values: Sacred Ohms prioritizes honesty, quality, transparency, sustainability, and creating win-win outcomes for all involved.

By choosing a Sacred Ohms venue, you’re not only finding a space with the right facilities—you’re aligning your retreat with a property and a community that shares your values, amplifying the impact of the guest experience.

✨ Exclusive Note: Sacred Ohms members also receive 10% off services from The Retreat Marketer, adding even more value for leaders preparing to launch retreats with clarity and intention.

👉 Explore Sacred Ohms

Final Thoughts: Are Retreat Directories Worth It?

If you’re just starting out or want to reach a wider audience, directories can be a low-risk way to gain visibility. Commission-based platforms are especially appealing since you only pay when you get results.

That said, your directory listing should never be your only marketing strategy. Think of it as one piece of the puzzle, alongside email, social media, collaborations, and your own website.

And remember: directories only work if your foundation is strong—clear theme, clear audience, and clear message. When those elements are in place, directories can help amplify your retreat and attract the right participants.