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Faq
Here to answer you
We have gathered all most popular question in one FAQ library.
Please choose a main question category and check most asked questions on this.
Accommodation
All the accommodation at New Life Portugal consists of ensuite rooms. Sheets, pillowcases, towels, and duvets are provided.
There are reading lamps, a refrigerator, sink, floor heating, and private bathrooms with warm showers in every room. Soap, shower gel, facial tissues, and a refillable water pitcher are also available for your convenience. Hair dryers are provided upon request.
Rooms are professionally cleaned twice a week. Sheets and towels changed once per week. We have standard rooms and premium rooms. The main difference is that premium rooms come with a balcony / terrace with a great view.
We have a room that is designed for wheelchair access. However, the terrain on the property is very hilly and some pathways have steep inclines.
Please get in touch with us to discuss your individual needs so that we can see how we can best support you during your stay.
Leisure and Recreation
Weekdays at New Life Portugal are filled with lots of pathway activities, but you will have plenty of time to explore the beautiful Serra Da Estrela region, especially on the weekends.
For an idea of the recreational activities available, please visit the activities section on our website.
We have a wellness hall with dumbbell weights, a workout bench, a rowing machine, a curved treadmill and a stationary bike with moving arms.
Yes, we have a team of massage therapists available from Monday to Saturday. Bookings are made at the Front Office.
Yes, there are many trails close to the centre, including some trails that are exclusive to New Life Portugal.
Please speak to our staff for more information or to get a map/directions.
Therapeutic pathways
Our program incorporates a secular version of mindfulness. However, our teachers come from a wide variety of traditions.
To quote Jon Kabat-Zinn, ‘Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.’
Then we will teach you! Newcomers to these activities are welcome. We have patient instructors who will guide you according to your level of practice.
New Life Portugal is not a primary treatment centre for addiction. We offer a ‘secondary’ level of care, which means that we do not assist with withdrawing or detoxing from substances of any kind, nor are we able to support clients with substance use issues who are in early recovery.
Guests are responsible for bringing all needed medications while travelling to New Life Portugal. There are pharmacies in the surroundings that might require a valid medical prescription in case of need. New Life Portugal cannot administer any medicals.
Relax & Discover program – The minimum commitment is 7 nights.
Reset & Rejuvenate program – The minimum commitment is 14 nights.
Reconnect & Heal program – The minimum commitment is 28 nights.
COVID policy
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- Cancellation with more than 2 weeks notice from the date of arrival, standard cancellation policy applies (you receive full refund minus transaction fees.)
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- If cancellation happens within 2 weeks of the date of arrival and is for a covid related reason and outside of the control of the client (eg.: flight cancellation, border closure, positive covid test, mandatory quarantine due to being a close contact), we can hold the full credit and rebooking for a later date is possible within 6 months. Acceptable evidence must be provided in the event of cancellation due to covid. Otherwise, standard cancellation policy applies.
- If there is a general lockdown issued by the government, which causes New Life to close, you may rebook for a later date within 6 months or receive a full refund (minus transaction fees).
We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment for all our community, including guests, staff, and visitors.
We closely follow Portuguese and EU public health guidelines and continue to monitor updates and changes to these, with additional significant safety protocols.
The following are New Life Portugal’s current primary required safety protocols. We actively evaluate and review these on a regular basis.
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- Rooms – We provide private, ensuite rooms for all guests.
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- Mask requirement – Masks may be worn at the discretion of the individual. All contractors and visiting service personnel will be required to wear masks.
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- Ventilation/air filtration – We have high-quality air filtration in all the main meditation halls and communal spaces.
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- Surface cleaning – Sanitising of all high touch areas will be done regularly and hand sanitising stations will be placed in convenient locations across our site.
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- Physical distancing – Cushions and chairs will be arranged to maintain physical distance in the meditation hall and main communal areas. Meal schedules will be designed to allow for physical distancing.
- Symptom check – All staff, guests and visitors will receive information on arrival to ensure clear understanding of guidelines and of COVID-19 symptoms. We ask that everyone periodically monitor their temperature and overall health during their time to help ensure the wellness of all.
Travel and Visas
Members of certain non-EU countries are able to receive a 90-day visa exemption stamp in their passport upon entry to the EU. Citizens of some countries are also able to apply for a 90-day Schengen visa.
We strongly recommend that you contact the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country to check the entry requirements and find out what visa you may need, as policies and requirements are subject to differ.
Further information about the Schengen visa for non-EU citizens can be found at the following link – https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/portugal-visa/
Food and Meals
At New Life Portugal we serve three buffet-style meals per day. The dishes feature plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins. The food is mostly vegan or lacto-ovo vegetarian, but meals also include light meat or fish option.
Dishes will be marked clearly to show if they are vegan, vegetarian, or contain meat or fish. We serve minimal processed foods and we harvest from our own biological garden.
Yes, we have a state-of-the-art filtration system. Please bring a refillable water bottle with you.
We try our best to cater to a diverse range of dietary preferences. However, due to the large range of ingredients used in our kitchen, we are not able to guarantee that all our dishes are allergen-free.
If you have special requirements, please feel free to get in touch to see how we can best meet your needs.
Fees and payment
Please visit the Payment Information and Conditions page on our website for detailed information. These can be found here.
Staying at New Life Portugal
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- Casual clothes suitable for outdoor activities, meditation, and yoga
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- → May to September: light summer clothing with some layers in case of cooler evenings
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- → Autumn and winter: warm, waterproof clothes and shoes suitable for rain or snow
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- A rain jacket, umbrella, and waterproof shoes
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- A light, comfortable outfit you don’t mind getting dirty for working meditation in the garden/farm/outdoors
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- A swimsuit and flip flops for the pool and sauna
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- Sturdy shoes for outdoor activities, sports, and working meditation
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- A reusable bag for shopping
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- A refillable water bottle
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- Personal medications you might require, especially if you have a difficult-to-fill prescription (please make sure to check regulations about bringing prescription medications to Portugal)
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- Torch or flashlight
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- An alarm for the morning
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- Sunscreen
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- Insect repellent
- Enough cash for transport and basic necessities (there is no ATM onsite)
A key part of joining our community is practising noble silence. Every day of the week from evening until the morning meeting, we ask everyone to join in this practice.
The silence is very healing, and an excellent opportunity to slow down and observe what’s happening in our minds and bodies.
Noble Silence time is a chance to be free from the need to talk, listen, or communicate with others. If this is new to you, please ask for more advice from our meditation teacher.
During Noble Silence, we don’t need to expend any energy trying to connect with others. This includes things like writing to each other, joking without words, and using devices like phones. It is not a silence imposed by an external authority, but something we choose to allow for ourselves. By being part of this community, we each choose to take this time each night just for ourselves, and we respect others while they do the same.
Portugal operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50 Hz and Type C or Type F plugs. Please check your device for its supported voltage and use an adaptor and/ or transformer if necessary. If you are coming from outside of Europe we recommend coming prepared with these items.
Yes, smoking is allowed in designated areas.
Please see our section here on medications on the general terms and conditions.
We have two washers and two dryers for our guests to use with an extra cost. There is no need to bring your own detergent or fabric softener as these are built into the washers.
We have areas where devices are not allowed but besides those areas, you can use the referred devices as long as they don’t disturb others.
Surrounding Area
The closest medical centre is the Centro de Saúde de Gouveia.
Centro de Saúde de Gouveia
Phone – 238 490 400
Address – Rua Dr. Mário Gomes Figueira, 6290-370 Gouveia
Opening hours – 24 hours a day
Distance – 20 minute drive
There is also a doctor in Gouveia who speaks excellent English and who can do home consultations.
Dr. Luís Antonio Vicente Gil Barreiros
Phone – 968 579 796
Address – Urbanização Bela-vista Lote 26, 6290-368 Gouveia
Opening hours – Please contact the doctor directly for consultation hours or to make an appointment for him to visit onsite.
Distance – 20 minute drive
A bit further away are the Hospital de Seia and the Unidade de Saúde Local da Guarda.
Hospital de Seia
Phone – 238 320 700
Address – Av. Dona Alexandrina F. Albergaria 22, 6270-498 Seia
Opening hours – 24 hours a day
Distance – 40 minute drive
Unidade de Saúde Local da Guarda
Phone – 271 200 200
Address – Av. Rainha Dona Amélia 19, 6300-035 Guarda
Opening hours – 24 hours a day
Distance – 45 minute drive
Cligouveia – Clínica Médico Dentária de Gouveia
The dentist speaks a little English.
Phone – 238 491 50
Address – Rua 5 de Outubro 22, 6290-525 Gouveia
Opening hours – Monday to Saturday, 9.30am – 5.00pm
Distance – 20 minute drive
Mymedic Clínicas – Fornos de Algodres
Both dentists speak excellent English but the receptionist does not.
Phone – 271 701 444
Address – Estrada Nacional 16 Nº 131, 6370-148 Fornos de Algodres
Opening hours – Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 6.30pm
Distance – 25 minute drive
Farmácia Central
Phone – 238 745 252
Address – Avenida Vergílio Ferreira 2, 6290-121 Melo
Opening hours – Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 1.30pm and 2.30pm – 7.00pm.
Saturday 9.00am – 1.00pm. Closed Sundays.
Distance – 15 minute drive
Farmácia Feliz
Phone – 238 498 080
Address – Rua da República 5, 6290-518 Gouveia
Opening hours – Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 8.00pm.
Saturday 9.00am – 12.00pm. Closed Sundays.
Distance – 25 minute drive
