Overall Score 4.2
4.2/5
Run by a sweet mother-and-daughter duo, Mahakala Centre offers Yoga and Meditation retreats in unspoilt Montenegro. Nestled in the small village of Buljarica, overlooking the ocean, this retreat centre proposes to bring back happiness and health into everyday life.
Quietness and nature make this place a great getaway from city life and stress, where you can reconnect to yourself. Vesna and Marijana devote much attention to the eco-sustainability of this project, creating all the conditions for a healthy lifestyle in harmony with nature.
Courses & Classes
4/5
Mahakala regularly hosts weekly Eco Yoga Retreats (and an online retreat). You can practise different styles of yoga in the morning (both at the villa and on the beach) even if you have little previous experience.
After the vegan brunch, enjoy some free time to relax or explore the surroundings. In the afternoon you can join a creative workshop (such as painting, kirtans, dancing, sound healing, etc.) or a guided meditation.
After an early dinner, the day will end with an evening meditation or a gentle yoga class.
Location
4/5
Although in recent years Montenegro has gained growing popularity among travellers, its territory is still vastly unspoilt. Mountains, turquoise waters, slow-paced villages and typical Balkan traditions are the hidden gems you can discover here.
The retreat includes a boat tour along the coast with a visit to a tiny desert island topped with an ancient church and a marine cave you can swim in. A sunset meditation will take place on a stunning cliff near the centre which can be reached with a hike through the forest.
Food & Accommodation
4/5
Two daily homemade vegan meals are served at the centre, according to the intermittent fasting principles which are said to bring numerous benefits.
Both brunch and dinner are created by Vesna, a holistic doctor specialised in nutritional therapy. Fresh seasonal ingredients will boost your energy and mood.
Located on a steep hill 15 minutes from the beach, the eco-friendly villa features different accommodation options, including a dorm, sea-view suites and a private apartment.
Some rooms and the outdoor yoga shala feel a bit small and can be noisy during the high season.
Mahakala boasts a rooftop jacuzzi and an infrared sauna (for free) and extra SPA treatments.
Facilities
5/5
- Rooftop jacuzzi
- Infra-red sauna
- SPA
- Air conditioning
- Lounge area
- Picnic area
- Convenience store
- Medical assistance
- Dining area
- Kitchen
- Terrace
- Nature trails
- Eco-friendly appliances
- Saltwater filtration
- Organic sewage system
- Solar power
- Free airport shuttle
- Free WiFi (at certain times)
Teacher Training Courses
N/A
/5
No Teacher Training Course is available at Mahakala. However, it is worth mentioning the possibility to rent the venue for your own retreat or TTC. Prices in the medium and high season are quite high, though.
Value For Money
4/5
We consider the price of the retreat to sit in the medium-high range, however, the high quality of teaching matches up with the expectations. Vesna is a 770-hour certified Sivananda yoga teacher and a holistic doctor with knowledge of TCM.
The 100% money-back guarantee shows that Vesna and Marijana are fully confident of customer satisfaction. Rooms are not so spacious and only two meals are served per day.
Additional Detox & Wellness SPA treatments are medium-priced. The villa is beautiful and the free rooftop jacuzzi is a highlight.
Our Opinion
4/5
Mahakala’s retreat is a great opportunity to leave stress behind, replenish yourself with new motivation and relaxing energy. Montenegro offers numerous unexplored natural locations and Balkan traditions.
Healthy food prepared by an expert nutrition expert will nourish your body and soul. The rooftop jacuzzi is a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset! We believe the offer could be enriched with more courses/retreats and rooms could be bigger.
However, there is no doubt about the quality of the teachings and the overall impression of this retreat.
