An off-grid adventure of wildlife encounters, nature-based expressive arts, and true connection to the land and culture
Connect with the extraordinary nature, wildlife, and culture of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula on a regenerative, eco-arts retreat specifically for highly sensitive people and introverts.
Learn nature-based expressive arts and indigenous knowledge from the retreat’s founder in a remote, bio-diverse habitat of desert and sea.
Immerse yourself in the heart of Mexico with mindful cooking and cultural adventures with our local guide partners.
Gaze into the eyes of a gentle giant gray whale in its natural habitat, the coastal lagoons of Magdalena Bay.
Meditate atop the natural dunes and nurture with yoga that embodies the flow of the sea and stillness of the earth.
Extend your stay with an optional add-on tour to snorkel with sea lions at Isla Espíritu Santo.
This retreat is for you if you welcome the chance to disconnect from some modern amenities in order to truly connect with the land and people of Mexico, while living in accord with principles of conservation, zero waste, and sustainable travel.
We’ve curated a truly special itinerary with some of the most amazing guides who truly care about the environment and its inhabitants, including you.
Please read our Yoga International Retreat Agreement for full terms & condition.
Trip Postponed by MNR Retreat, LLC.
In the event that a retreat must be cancelled due to a COVID-19 related reason, MNR Retreats, LLC reserves the right to postpone said retreat. In this case, 100 percent of all payments, less any non-refundable, non-transferable fees including but not limited to airline, train, bus, entrance tickets or permits purchased by Company on your behalf for the previous booking, will be applied toward the same retreat on future dates.
Trip Cancelled by Participant
-More than 90 days before retreat start date, receive a refund of your trip payment, excluding your deposit.
-60-89 days before retreat start date, 75 percent of any payment previously made may be applied to another retreat, excluding your deposit. You will forfeit 25 percent of the price of your retreat, excluding the deposit. Example: If your retreat cost is $2500 with a $500 deposit, and you’ve paid in full, $1500 may be applied toward a future retreat.
-15-59 days before retreat start date, 25 percent of your payment previously made may be applied to another retreat, excluding your deposit. You will forfeit 75 percent of the price of your retreat. Example: If your retreat cost is $2500 with a $500 deposit, $500 may be applied toward a future retreat.
-If you cancel 14 days or less before retreat start date, you will forfeit your entire payment.
La Duna Centro Ecológico is a remote, peaceful ecology center with a mission “to inspire the protection and restoration of the natural community through collaboration, scientific research, ecological practices, spirituality, and art.” La Duna sits on a quiet coastline of desert dunes where you can listen to nature’s whispers and gaze upon the star-laced night sky. The center is off-grid, 100 percent solar-powered, and built upon principles of truly sustainable travel.
Eco-Casitas: La Duna offers 8 simple desert eco-casitas with stone floors, stucco walls, and thatch roofs modeled after homes native to the region. Each casita can accommodate up to two people with either a queen or two slightly smaller than twin-sized beds. Each casita comes with solar-powered lamps, mosquito nets, and a side table.
Bathroom Facilities: La Duna offers shared bathrooms with two dry compost toilets, two showers, and two sinks (all separate). Hot water for showers is available, but we ask guests to keep their shower time short to conserve water and ensure enough hot water for everyone.
Solar Electricity: 100% of La Duna’s electricity comes from solar panels and there is electricity from 7am-10pm in the main areas (main palapa, kitchen, bathrooms, dining room, and kitchen). La Duna has solar lamps in each room that are not connected to the main system, so after 10pm, rooms and the toilets have illumination. There is a charging station for phones in the main palapa area. There is no WiFi on site any cell service is likely to be spotty or non-existent.
*You will have access to Wifi on Days 4 & 5 when we go to the Pacific Coast to see the gray whales, as well as a night of a few more amenities in your accommodations.
Baja Sur is a unique destination for nature and wildlife lovers—where ancient desert meets incredible sea life. Nature encounters with whales and sea lions contrast with hiking and horseback riding through quiet deserts and canyons. Rich Mexican culture lives just north away from the overdeveloped lands of Los Cabos.
La Duna Centro Ecológico is located 40 minutes from La Paz and less than 3 hours from Los Cabos International Airport, so you may fly into either of these two airports.
-La Paz International Airport (LAP) is located just outside the city of La Paz and is 40 minutes from La Duna.
-Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is at the southern tip of the peninsula and is 2.5 hours to La Paz or 3 hours to La Duna.
Here’s a map for your reference.
Arrival: Due to La Duna’s remote location and lack of cell service, taxis may have difficulty finding the location. We’ll provide a group shuttle to La Duna, which will leave La Paz on 1/28 at 2:00 p.m. We may offer more than one meeting point. One of these will be Aquamarina B&B.
Departure: On our last day, we’ll leave La Duna at 11:00 a.m. in a group shuttle and arrive to La Paz by 12:00 p.m. We will take you to a local clinic to obtain a COVID-19 test (at your expense) for return to your home country. Though the tests have a rapid turnaround (less than 1 hr), we recommend allowing at least 2 hours for results to be safe. You should plan your return flight so that it departs from La Paz after 5:00 p.m. If flying out of Los Cabos, we recommend you stay the night near this airport and depart the next morning (2/5). There are tests available in both airports as well but the cost may be higher.
We take COVID-19 seriously and will be following public health guidelines from our countries of origin and host country of Mexico, which we understand will continue to change by the time this trip takes place.
We request that for the safety of all guests and residents of Mexico that you be willing to abide by safety protocols put forth by MNR Retreats, LLC, our partners, and the Mexican government, including wearing a mask, if required or strongly recommended at the time of travel. For the safety of guests and residents of the host country, we require all travelers to provide:
As of September 8, 2021, Mexico’s land entry remains closed to non-essential travel, but air travel is allowed. Mexico does not require a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the country.
The U.S. requires a negative COVID-19 test for anyone traveling by air to the United States, including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, and regardless of vaccination status. All airline passengers to the U.S. must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three (3) calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the ninety (90) days preceding travel. It is your responsibility to obtain and tender any and all necessary documentation required by MNR Retreats, LLC, our partners, the Mexican government, and your home country, including but not limited to:
*Should your home country require a negative COVID-19 test for your return, as does the U.S., you should plan to allow time on 2/4 for testing and we will provide support in obtaining a test. The cost for this test is your responsibility and can range in price, but generally costs about $40.00-$50.00.
We strongly encourage and recommend that you take precautions in the ten (10) days prior to your retreat to reduce the risk of a positive COVID-19 test. Please do not make the journey to your retreat if you’re feeling unwell for any reason. We are not responsible for any delays or cancellations due to your lack of proper travel documents, including proof of vaccination, COVID-19 test results, and other documents that may be required by the retreat venue. We strongly recommend you purchase “Cancel for Any Reason” travel insurance to cover your expenses in the event you must cancel for any reason, including COVID-19.
Snorkeling Tour w/ Sea Lions at Isla Espiritu Santo
Extend your adventure and join us for a full day among the pristine waters and beaches of Isla Espíritu Santo, as we visit a sea lion colony, snorkel coral reefs, and encounter plentiful wildlife surprises along the way.
Included in this add-on excursion:
DATE: February 5, 2021
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (approximate)
COST: $140.00
Note the following before booking:
Answers to other frequently asked questions can be found at:
https://melissanoelrenzi.com/retreats-and-workshops/baja-sur-mexico-introvert-and-hsp-retreat/
Queen bed in a simple eco-casita with stone floors, stucco walls, and thatch roofs. Includes solar-powered lamp, mosquito net, side table, and weekly linens/towels.
Shared bathroom facilities offer 2 dry compost toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks.
Prices are per person.
Twin bed in a simple eco-casita with stone floors, stucco walls, and thatch roofs. Includes solar-powered lamps, mosquito nets, side table, and weekly linens/towels.
Shared bathroom facilities offer 2 dry compost toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks.
Prices are per person.
All guests will need to meet in La Paz by 2:00 p.m. A private group shuttle will transport us to La Duna. We will arrive around 3:00 and have time to settle in before our opening circle at 5:00. The circle will include introductions, intentions, and setting group agreements. We’ll share our first meal together, and after dinner, Melissa will guide a restorative yoga and nidrā practice.