Puerto Rico

Sweet Waters, Soft Landings

April 9th - 14th, 2026

Sweet Waters, Soft Landings is a six-day, five-night immersive retreat in Puerto Rico created for queer people of color. Curated by Lesbifriends Travel in collaboration with Oshun Swim School, the retreat blends adult swimming instruction, aquatic healing, cultural immersion, and restorative community in a private beachfront villa.

This experience is about more than swimming lessons. It is a space for reconnection with water, land, and one another, grounded in care, confidence, and celebration.

Oshun Swim School, founded by Chandrika Francis, is dedicated to supporting Black and brown communities in reclaiming ease, joy, and safety in the water. With trauma-informed teaching and an emphasis on confidence and connection, Oshun Swim School has become a leader in reshaping our relationship with swimming and aquatic play.

Photos are examples; actual room may vary slightly based on availability and accommodation alignment.

The Accommodations

Our retreat home is a spacious beachfront villa in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. This modern villa offers direct access to the beach, sweeping ocean views, and a private pool. With multiple bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, each guest enjoys privacy while still being part of a close-knit community. The villa also features airy common spaces for group gatherings, an outdoor terrace for sunrise reflections, and walkability to the local area. It’s the perfect home base for a week of rest, reconnection, and renewal.

NOTE: ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Day One

ANCHORED ARRIVALS

We’ll begin with a warm welcome at our private villa, taking time to settle in, enjoy light refreshments, and icebreakers while we meet one another. Our first gathering will be an opening circle and intention-setting ritual, grounding us in water and community before a gentle dip in the pool or ocean.

The evening closes with a beautifully prepared welcome dinner by our private chef.

Day Two

COURAGE IN THE CURRENTS

Our first full day together centers on building comfort and confidence in the water. Morning swim lessons will be tailored to different levels, followed by safety practices and trauma-informed support to ease us deeper into the experience.

The afternoon allows free time for journaling or quiet rest before we come together again for an immersive wellness activity and a shared community dinner.

We’ll close the evening with our signature Game Night! Everything from card games to Taboo to Jenga will be available. This is your opportunity to let loose and show us your competitive side.

Day Three

FLOW STATE

This day invites movement and joy. We’ll begin with swim lessons and mindful play, opening our bodies to freedom in the water.

The night will wind down with a Bioluminescence Kayak Tour, a time for glowing sights and reflection under the stars.

Day Four

SALT, SUN, AND SELF TIME

The midpoint of the retreat is a spacious free day.

Guests may choose to rest at the villa, stroll the shoreline, or explore Puerto Rico at their own pace. Optional excursions will be available for those craving adventure, while others may simply savor the chance to do nothing but breathe, bask, and be.

Day Five

COMMUNITY OVERFLOWING

We return to the water in the morning with either a swim session or a reflective practice, then shift into service with a community project, such as partnering with a local nonprofit or engaging in a beach clean-up.

After an afternoon of leisure and integration, we’ll gather for a celebratory closing dinner prepared by our chef, honoring all we’ve shared and learned together.

Day Six

GENTLE LANDINGS

Our final morning begins with a circle of gratitude and one last swim to release and renew. We’ll share a farewell brunch before departing, carrying with us not only new skills but deeper connections to water, culture, and community.

What’s Included✨

  • Airport Pickup & Drop Off

  • 6 Days 5 Nights in a Private, Beachfront Villa

  • Daily Breakfast, plus 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners

  • Private Ground Transportation to Activities and Excursions on the Itinerary

  • Daily Swim Lessons and Aquatic Activities led by Oshun Swim School

  • Trauma-Informed Coaching and Water Safety Support

  • Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

  • Cultural Immersion Activity

  • Community Service Project

  • Sightseeing

  • Lesbifriends Swag Bag

  • On-ground team to ensure you have an amazing time!

What’s Not Included

  • International Flight

    Your Flight from your Home country to Puerto Rico and your flight back Home is not included - but we can help you figure both out.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is mandatory for all Lesbifriends Travel trips and a great way to protect your investment. We offer a free, no-obligation quote for basic coverage through our preferred provider, Allianz—just select this option when registering. You’re also welcome to purchase your own policy from any provider. Some credit cards include built-in travel insurance if you pay for the entire trip with that card but be sure to check their terms to confirm your full trip cost is covered.

  • Any Applicable Vaccines

  • Meals not Mentioned

  • Personal extras

    Additional tours and excursions not included in the itinerary

  • Tips and gratuities

    You are responsible for all tips and gratuities, including those for accommodation staff, meal service (even for included meals), drivers, tour guides, and other service providers. We recommend budgeting $100–$200 for gratuities to ensure you can tip appropriately throughout your trip.

Pricing

Payment Plans Available - All Listed Prices Are Per Person

Please review the booking terms and conditions and frequently asked questions section before booking a package.

Get 10% off your entire trip if you pay in full at the time of the initial booking. Use discount code FULL during check out to save on your trip package. Please note that discount codes don’t apply to add-on options, and you can only use one code per booking. This discount code is only valid until January 10, 2026.

Double Occupancy

$3,100+

Deposit: $100

2 BEDS AND 2 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

Single Occupancy

$4,000+

Deposit: $100

1 BED AND 1 PERSON IN THE ROOM.

Double Occupancy

$2,800+

Deposit: $100

1 BED AND 2 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

Disclaimer

THIS TRIP ISN'T FOR EVERYONE

Understand that Puerto Rico is a self-governing island, and standards are not the same as the USA. 

  IT IS FOR YOU IF: 

  • You are open-minded

  • You enjoy eating, walking, and off-the-beaten-path ideas

  • You love to have a great time and are open to meeting others and accept the different personalities you will encounter

 THIS TRIP IS NOT FOR YOU IF:  

  • You have a tendency to bring first world expectations with you everywhere

  • You have a tendency to be negative or create a challenging atmosphere for those around you

  • You're not into trying new things or stepping outside of your comfort zone

  • You don’t like indigenous Spanish, African, and Taino food; that is what we’ll be eating every day

  • You have very specific and particular travel preferences and tend to criticize everything around you

  • You can’t easily walk up stairs; if you find walking tough, then this trip isn’t suited to you

  • You are looking for luxury; Puerto Rican standards are not the same as it is in the USA, however, if you keep an open mind, you will have a great time!

Important Information

Flights

Fly to and from Vieques Airport (VQS) and plan to arrive between 11am and 2pm local time.

Please keep that in mind when booking your flight time, also please share your flight itinerary with us as soon as you purchase your tickets so we can start coordinating ground transportation. 

You must provide your flight information to Lesbifriends Travel at least 30 days before the trip begins. We only provide airport transport if you arrive on the day the trip begins and depart on the day the trip ends.

You have the option to fly into Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in San Juan and take the ferry to Vieques. Please note: Transfers will only be included if guests arrive at Vieques Airport (VQS).

Entry Requirements

No passport is required.

You can enter with just a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license).

No customs or immigration process when flying from the mainland U.S.

Prior to Your Departure

Sign up for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) 

Money/Currency

The national currency of Puerto Rico is the United States Dollar (USD). Most establishments accept major credit and debit cards, though some smaller businesses may prefer cash. Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, there are no currency conversion fees when using U.S. cards. ATMs are widely available, but it’s still recommended to bring some cash for small purchases, tips, or places that may not accept cards.

Travel Insurance

Missing a vacation is bad enough. Losing the money you paid for your vacation is even worse. Lesbifriends Travel requires you to have travel insurance for any trip you take with us. Your premium is related to your trip cost, so you don’t have to worry about being over-insured. We want to make your travel experience seamless, so sign up and we will get a travel insurance policy for you or we can provide you with a no obligation quote. If you opt not to go with our preferred travel insurance provider, you are required to get your own and proof of insurance may be requested before the trip.

Payments and Payment Plans

Get 10% off your entire trip if you pay in full at the time of the initial booking. Use discount code FULL during check out to save on your trip package. Please note that discount codes don’t apply to add-on options, and you can only use one code per booking. 

All payments to Lesbifriends Travel are non-refundable and non-transferable. This is because Lesbifriends Travel has contractual agreements with hotels, airlines, and other vendors that will not allow us to obtain any refunds. This way we can keep our package prices low and allow you to make monthly payments on your vacation.

When you sign up for a trip, you are automatically signed up for monthly payments and your confirmation email will clearly note your due dates and amount. We suggest you put this payment plan on your personal calendar.

A $75 late fee will be applied to all payments made after the 3-day grace period. Your trip is subject to cancellation after two missed payments.

  • If you are traveling alone and do not want to spend the extra money for a single occupancy room, we are happy to match you with a like-minded traveler to be your roommate on this trip. We understand that the extra money spent in getting your own room takes away from the money available for you to splurge while on vacation.

    For that reason, we extend each traveler the option of having us pair you with a suitable roommate for no additional cost. Roommates are paired based on room selection and a potential roommate questionnaire if there are several solo travelers. Before the trip, you will be introduced to your roommate, with plenty of time for you to get to know each other before we reach our destination.

  • Do you know someone who is interested in joining our trip but has not been to a Lesbifriend event or trip? Here is your chance to save a little money while bringing them on a trip of a lifetime!

    For every traveler that you refer to our trip, you will receive up to a $150 ($25 cash, $50 current trip credit, or $75 future domestic trip credit, or $150 future international trip credit) referral bonus once that person pays in full. There is no limit to the number of people you can refer; the only condition is that anyone you refer has not already signed up with Lesbifriends.

    Be sure to tell your friend to enter your name on the registration form under “Who Referred You.”