Arrival & First Impressions
Location and Design
SHA Mexico is tucked away on a beautiful, private stretch of Caribbean coastline – a place where the jungle meets the sea and everything just feels calmer. One of the standout features is the private beach, which feels wonderfully untouched. Just offshore lies the world’s second largest coral reef, so the water is as clear and inviting as you’d imagine. I spent time just sitting at the end of the private pier, watching the waves and letting my mind settle – it’s the kind of spot that makes you exhale without even thinking about it.
The design of SHA is modern and luxurious, but not in a cold or clinical way. It feels warm and considered – natural tones, curved architecture, soft lighting – all of it designed to help you feel at ease. Interestingly, the building’s curves were inspired by the human genome, which ties in beautifully with SHA’s focus on personalised health and longevity.
All the suites have breathtaking sea views and are incredibly comfortable. I stayed in a Superior Suite with the largest terrace – perfect for yoga at sunrise or just soaking up the view with a cup of tea. (If you're thinking of going, definitely ask us about free upgrade options!)
The Team
What really stood out to me at SHA Mexico was how genuinely caring and attentive the team is. From the moment I arrived, I felt looked after – not in an over-the-top way, but with a calm confidence that instantly puts you at ease.
The doctors in particular struck a brilliant balance between professionalism and personal connection. They weren’t just there to deliver diagnoses or tick boxes – they really took the time to understand me: my lifestyle, my medical concerns, even the things I wasn’t quite sure how to articulate. Far from being brusque or clinical, they were warm, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable. I felt like I was in safe hands, but also heard and seen as an individual.
Some people ask why the SHA programmes include so many consultations, but after experiencing it for myself, I now see the value. These sessions aren’t just about getting a medical opinion – they’re about building a detailed picture of who you are, so that your health and medical wellness plan is genuinely tailored. That kind of attention is rare, and it made a huge impact on my experience.
Even beyond the medical team, every staff member – from therapists to restaurant hosts – carried that same energy of care, presence and purpose. It’s clear that SHA is more than a place to recharge – it’s a place where people truly want you to thrive.
The Food
One of the biggest surprises – and highlights – of my stay at SHA Mexico was the food. People often assume that healthy or detox-focused meals mean bland or restrictive, but that couldn’t be further from the truth here.
SHA offers three core menus as part of their programmes, each designed to support different wellness goals. The Kushi menu is the most intensive – typically used for deep detox and weight loss. Then there’s the Bio-Light menu, which still follows SHA’s nutritional principles but is less restrictive, making it a great option for gentle detox and rebalancing. Lastly, the SHA menu is the most flexible – still anti-inflammatory and designed around whole foods, but ideal for those who want a lighter touch while maintaining the wellness benefits.
After an excellent consultation with the on-site nutritionist (who really listened to my individual needs and preferences), we agreed I’d follow the Bio-Light menu – but with some tailored adjustments. Since I digest fish and seafood better than too much plant fibre, my meals often included high-quality animal protein, and it made all the difference. I felt nourished and satisfied, not deprived.
What followed was a stream of beautifully presented, seriously tasty dishes that felt like a treat rather than a “programme.” Each meal was thoughtfully put together – you could tell there was real care in balancing flavour, nutrition, and visual appeal. I genuinely looked forward to sitting down for every meal, and not once did I feel like I was missing out. And as a bonus? I left a couple of kilos lighter, which felt like a lovely added benefit rather than the main goal.
Wellness Facilities and Activities
SHA Mexico is beautifully laid out, and you can tell a lot of thought went into the design of each wellness space. The Spa is spread across multiple floors, each with its own focus. The second floor is dedicated to diagnostics and medical consultations – a little more clinical in feel, which makes sense given the high-tech equipment and in-depth testing that happens there. In contrast, the third floor, where the natural therapies take place, has a much more calming, nurturing energy – you immediately feel like you're in healing hands.
The gym is outstanding – spacious, light-filled, and stocked with the latest equipment. Whether you're a serious fitness enthusiast or just looking to stretch and move a little, it’s one of the best-equipped retreat gyms I’ve seen.
Because my programme was quite full, I didn’t get to take advantage of as many of the daily group activities as I’d hoped, but there’s a great variety on offer – from yoga and meditation to functional training and guided fitness sessions. I did sneak in a sound bath on my first evening, which was absolute bliss, and managed a couple of yoga classes that helped balance out the more medical aspects of the programme.
A real highlight for me was the hydrotherapy circuit on the lower ground floor – a calming oasis with powerful water jets, steam rooms, saunas, and contrast showers. It was the perfect place to unwind after a full day of treatments and consultations.
My Wellness Experience
I did the Leaders Performance Programme, which is designed for people in high-pressure roles – the kind who are always switched on, juggling a million things, and rarely making time to pause. It’s not about pushing harder or squeezing out more productivity. It’s about learning how to perform well – with more energy, clarity, and emotional balance.
Like a lot of Type A people, I’ve always focused more on the physical side of wellbeing – things I can measure or push through. What I really liked about SHA’s approach is that it goes deeper. Yes, there’s plenty of cutting-edge physical support, but they also look at what’s going on mentally and emotionally – the things we often gloss over. I had sessions with a psychologist and coaching that helped me rethink how I deal with stress and overwhelm. It wasn’t heavy or overly therapeutic – just really useful, practical and surprisingly grounding.
The programme itself offers a wide spectrum of treatments – from diagnostics and medical therapies to IV infusions, cryotherapy, neurocognitive training, massage, breathwork and more. It’s a real blend of science, technology, and natural healing, and it’s all put together in a way that makes sense for you. You’re not just handed a list of things to do – it’s curated around what your body and mind actually need.
I was especially intrigued by the neurocognitive side of the programme. SHA includes this to help you retrain your brain – improve focus, regulate emotions, and create new mental habits that support better long-term performance. It’s fascinating stuff, and really helped me connect the dots between mind and body.
One of my standout moments? Smashing my personal record in the ice bath. My facilitator was incredible – calm, motivating, totally dialled in – and I actually felt like I went into a different mental zone. It wasn’t about the cold in the end. It was about realising that if you can control your mind, you can do so much more than you think. That moment alone made a lasting impression.
My Personal Highlights
• Waking up to those sea views – starting the day with sunrise, ocean air, and a quiet moment on the terrace was pure magic. It set a calm, grounded tone for everything that followed.
• Learning about targeted supplementation from Dr. Julia – she’s a brilliant functional medicine doctor and explained things in a way that was both practical and empowering. I left feeling much more confident about what my body actually needs.
• The Advanced Diagnostics Centre – incredibly thorough and high-tech. It’s reassuring to know that SHA doesn’t just talk about personalised wellness — they back it up with real data and insight.
Areas for Improvement
• The schedule can feel quite full-on – especially with a medical-focused programme like Leaders Performance. While everything was valuable, it would have been helpful to have a little more breathing space between appointments to rest, reflect, or simply enjoy the surroundings.
• Additional treatment recommendations weren’t always easy to action – during several consultations, doctors suggested extra treatments that could enhance my results. While there was no pressure to take them, I had some of these appointments toward the end of my stay, and there wasn’t enough time left to fit in the add-ons if I’d wanted to. A bit more flexibility or earlier scheduling could make this smoother.
I Would Recommend This Wellness Retreat To:
• High-performing professionals and business leaders who need a proper reset – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Especially those who push through stress and ignore early warning signs of burnout.
• Anyone feeling overwhelmed, run-down, or at a turning point – whether that’s health-related, lifestyle-driven, or simply a deep need for clarity and calm.
• People who want more than just a spa break – SHA is ideal if you’re looking for a results-driven experience that blends cutting-edge medical diagnostics with natural therapies and real lifestyle support.
• Wellness-curious travellers who might be hesitant about medical programmes but want to understand their body better and make meaningful, sustainable changes.
Insider Tips
Use the SHA app to stay organised – The SHA Mexico app is your digital concierge. You’ll find your full treatment schedule, activity calendar, and consultation details all in one place. Plus there is a section that stores all your medical results. It also sends reminders before appointments, which is incredibly helpful when your days are full. Check it each morning and again in the evening so you can mentally prepare and plan in a bit of downtime where possible.
Ask about suite upgrades – I stayed in a Superior Suite with the largest terrace, and it really made a difference. Having that outdoor space for early morning rituals or just soaking in the sea views added so much to the experience. We may even be able to secure a free upgrade for you.
Bring light layers and activewear – The temperature can shift between air-conditioned spaces and the warm outdoors. And even if your schedule is full, you’ll want comfy clothes for movement sessions, walks, or lounging at the hydrotherapy area.
Why Wellbeing Escapes?
