When is It?

Sunday, March, 15, 2026 to Saturday March 21, 2026 

Where is It? 

Oaxaca, Mexico is a sacred land nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Native to the Zapotecs and the Mixtecos, this region is rich in history and home to a number of significant archaeological and spiritual sites. We’ll be staying in Oaxaca City, an artist’s paradise filled with galleries, museums, markets, an iconic botanical garden, and some of the best food in the world. Mole, tamales, tlayudas, and quesadillas with squash blossom flowers are some of the  regional specialties. We’ll spend six days and six nights  experiencing some of the best nature, art, culture, cuisine, and healing practices that this region has to offer. 

Who is Invited?

This retreat is open for new and seasoned writers of all genders, ages, and nationalities. We gladly welcome anyone looking to deepen their creative expression, regardless of your level of experience. Come solo or with a friend or partner. The retreat will be conducted in English.

Where are we staying?

We’ll be staying in a beautiful private villa in the heart of Oaxaca City.

Daily Themes

Every day will be dedicated to a different theme or element to guide us in our writing, exploration, and creative expression. 

Sunday: Ground & Relax. Arrive and check in to the villa anytime after 2 PM. We’ll have a delicious Mexican welcome dinner at the villa so we can relax, get to know each other, and set our intentions for the week. In the evening, Oaxacan musicians David and Adrianna will lead us in a therapeutic sound healing so we can unwind after a long day of travel.

Monday: Awakening the Artist Within. On Monday, we will wake up fresh and ready to ignite the inner creator. Our workshop will focus on awakening the muse, listening to your intuition, and opening yourself up to divine inspiration. We’ll practice poetry-infused yoga in the morning, set our creative intentions for the week, and spend the afternoon soaking in the magic of the city around us. 

Tuesday: The Past. On Tuesday, we’ll visit Monte Alban and reflect on the history of the Mexican land where we are staying.  We’ll dedicate our writing workshops to reflecting and writing about our personal history. Emily will lead the workshop on the Alchemy of Memoir and we’ll dive into the process of turning our personal experience into story. 

Wednesday: The Purge. As we reflect on our past, we may realize that some of our stories and limiting self-beliefs are better left behind. Local musicians David and Adrianna will lead us in a vocal activation workshop, designed to access our inner creative power through music and sound. We’ll also offer an optional Temazcal (a traditional Mesoamerican sweat lodge ceremony) for anyone seeking deeper purification and spiritual connection. 

Thursday: the Present. On Thursday, we’ll travel to the mountains and spend the day immersed in nature. We will let the Earth be our guide as we soak in the Hierve el Agua Spring, walk through the trees, and journal while overlooking sweeping views of the mountains and petrified waterfalls. Our workshop will focus on how to draw upon the natural world for inspiration, symbolism, and metaphor.

Friday: The Future. We will enjoy one last day in Oaxaca together with plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the city. Today’s workshop will be focused on our central theme—writing from the soul. In the evening, we will celebrate the end of our retreat with an integration ceremony so we can set intentions about how we can channel our creativity and stay committed to our projects when we go back home. 

Saturday: We’ll share one final breakfast together at the villa and then depart. 

Investment

We are currently offering an early bird special of $1600. 

The first six people to sign up will get a private room with a full-size bed at the villa. A discount is available for couples who want to share a room/bed. 

What is Included?

• Accommodation for six days/six nights in a private room in a beautiful villa.

• Mexican Welcome Dinner on Sunday.

• Daily breakfast, coffee, and tea at the villa.

• Daily workshops on writing and creativity.

• Yoga classes with live music.

• Sound healing.

• Welcome Gift.

• Drinking Water.

What is not Included?

• Flights to Oaxaca City. 

• Taxi to Villa (We will be happy to arrange your pick-up from the airport with a secure taxi service for an additional cost. We will try to coordinate group pick-ups to make this more economical)

• Outings and excursions. (These activities are optional and will have an additional cost as outlined below)

• Hierve el Agua ($25 USD entrance fee)

• Monte Alban ($5 USD entrance fee)

• Temazcal (TBD based on our group size but probably between $40 to $50 USD)

• Dinner (We will offer a daily breakfast/brunch but lunch and dinner will be on your own. We’ll suggest group dinner outings but these are optional and everyone is free to make their own plans. You can easily get by on $25 per day or less.) 

• Travel Insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! You can reserve your spot with a 50% deposit through PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. PayPal also offers additional options to pay in installments.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is recommended. Check out the options available through IMG to choose the plan that best meets your needs. 

There is always a risk of food or waterborne illness while traveling. If this happens, we will help support you getting the best treatment available and will provide translation services for you at the clinic. 

What is the cancellation policy?

The 50% deposit is not refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, you can transfer your deposit to someone else. 

Are we going to the beach?

We will not be going to the beach on this retreat but we will be visiting the petrified waterfalls and springs of Hierve del Agua. If you would like to see the sea, feel free to extend your trip and travel to the coast of Oaxaca by bus or plane. There is an overnight bus to Puerto Escondidio from ADO or you can book a flight from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido through Viva Aerobus. 

What is a Temezcal? 

A Temazcal is a traditional MesoAmerican sweat lodge ceremony. It's a sacred ritual practiced in a dome-shaped structure, often made of mud and stone. The dome is heated with volcanic rocks. The ceremony will be led by a local shaman who will guide us through traditional chants and rituals. 

The Temazcal is completely optional and is not recommended for people who have high blood pressure, have had a recent surgery/major operation, or are pregnant. 

Do I have to do all the activities?

All activities and outings are optional. Listen to your body and choose your own adventure. We do encourage you to participate in all of the writing workshops to make the most of your experience.  

As a note, we will be conducting our Thursday workshops at Hierve el Agua. While this outing is optional, it is highly encouraged to attend so you don’t miss the daily conversations and curriculum. 

How do I get there?

Book a flight to Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). Our villa is about a 20 minute drive from this airport. We will provide a secure taxi transport for an additional cost. 

Is Oaxaca safe? 

The U.S. government ranks Oaxaca a Level 2 travel risk and has no restrictions on visiting Oaxaca City. In general, the city is very safe but we recommend you exercise caution walking around alone at night. Also, be aware of pickpocketing and other petty crimes.

What should I bring?

We will provide a detailed packing list in advance of the trip. The weather in Oaxaca in March is pleasantly warm and breezy with average highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 51°F (11°C). However, it can get very hot during the day and a bit chilly at night. Plan to bring comfortable urban clothing for exploring the city, active wear for practicing yoga and walking in the mountains, a sweater or jacket for the evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit, and of course, a passport if you are traveling internationally.