Leave behind your to-do lists and worries and come rejuvenate and restore during Tracy’s Yoga & Meditation retreat.  Extended yoga and meditation, especially at one of the most beautiful places in the world, is a powerful way to recharge your batteries, soak up Colombia’s pristine coastline, experience present practices, and enjoy nourishing local meals in the company of new friends and family. 

The Yoga & Meditation Retreat offers of a blend of daily yoga practices designed to invigorate and uplift the body and mind, and practices to calm, soften, and restore. A combination of yoga and meditation will be held either on the beach or under the shade of a 100-year-old tree. All classes are designed to leave you feeling connected and grounded. 

Throughout the retreat you will also enjoy guided meditations, journal prompts, hiking, and a seva (or karma) trip to a local school. And we are sure to offer plenty of free time to enjoy the beach, and to simply rest, let go and re-discover what’s been missing. 

During time off you are free to bask in the sun, relax in a hammock with a book, take walks along the beach, and experience the healing and rejuvenating benefits of resting, nourishing, and listening to the body. Nearby is Parque Tayrona, the city of Rioacha, and the rivers that flow off of the Sierra Nevada, to enjoy a variety of places and activities that Colombia has to offer! 

Tracy’s Yoga and Meditation Retreat is open to all levels of practitioners, beginner to advanced. She is extremely aware of the time, effort, and money it takes to come not only on a retreat, and to South America no less! Therefore, retreat participants are invited to bring friends, families, and partners. Meaning, if one person signs up for the retreat and brings other people who do not want to partake in the yoga and meditation but wish to hang out at the beach and enjoy Colombia (because who doesn’t?!) they are welcome to come along. Those rates are in the add-on section when you are ready to book and reflect El Matuy’s daily charge

 El Matuy is one of the places that makes this area so special. Completely disconnected from electricity, it invites each guest to ‘check out to check in.’ Each cabana is equipped with candles for when the sun sets, and there are torches throughout the grounds to keep a well-lit area.

Offering rustic comfort and beach front views, El Matuy is a Natural Reserve. El Matuy chooses not to have electricity to help keep Colombia as green and eco-friendly as possible. But fear not, being sans electricity does not mean lack of comfort—the rooms are comfortable, spacious, and inviting, and there is electricity at the reception where you are able to charge cell phones and use the internet. Having no electricity of course means there is no A/C (Air Conditioning) in the rooms and that the showers do not have hot water. However, El Matuy’s geographic location, with the Sierra Nevada as its backdrop, provides a refreshing breeze and cool temperatures at night that will likely make you reach for the light blanket provided; and the cold shower will revitalize you during the hot Caribbean days!

The hotel is situated on a quiet white sand beach with close proximity to Tayrona National Park and the Palomino River, so if you are seeking some adventure – hiking, river tubing or exploring the jungle are all right in your backyard. 

If rest and relaxtion is what your longing for, there are plenty of hammocks and bean bags at your disposal, as well as loungers on the beach. Depending on the weather conditions, the open sea can at times be choppy. Luckily, El Matuy is a one mile beach walk from the San Salvador river, a calm body of water year-round.

To top it all off, prices include three delicious meals prepared under an open fire, and all the ingredients are either local, or from the hotel’s own farm. The meals are fresh and honor the local cuisine. El Matuy is the balance between mountain and sea, effort and ease, and without a doubt you will find its beauty magnetizing. 

Packing List

· An up to date passport and vaccinations

· Yoga mat and eye mask

· Lightweight, cotton clothes, include one long sleeve shirt and pants for sunrise and sunset, a light shawl, swimsuits, and a hat.

· Sunscreen

· Flashlight 

· Bug Spray

· Sarong for the beach

FAQS

Is Colombia safe?

Colombia has felt violence and insecurity in its past, however in the past 15 years it is safer than ever. Colombia's tourist surge is also increasing along with its safety. Time and again Colombia is voted as one of the best places to travel, as you can read in multiple publications such as in Lonely Planet and Outside Magazine.

It is still a developing country, so it is always advised to use your intuition for all situations. 

Do I need a visa?

If you hold a US passport, Colombian tourist visas will be given (for free) at the airport when you arrive. If you hold another passport, please check the visa requirements before departing for Colombia, you can use Project Visa as a resource.

Where should I fly into?

Tracy recommends flying roundtrip to the Cartagena airport (CTG). There will be one complimentary shuttle leaving the airport at 11:00 am on Saturday 9/14. After the blissed out week of the Yoga and Meditation Retreat comes to an end, there will be a complimentary shuttle taking people back to Cartagena on Friday (9/20) early morning. If possible, try to stay in Cartagena for the weekend, it’s one of Colombia’s most beautiful cities. Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage sited it is consistently ranked as one of the best cities to travel in the world.  

Are there other activity options close by the hotel?

There is absolutely optional adventures and extensions for your trip. Besides river floating/exploring and horse back riding, there are two other main trips you can add on.

Parque Nacional Tayrona: Located just 40 minutes away from El Matuy, this park is breathtaking. Covering 58 square miles of land and 6 different beachfront bays, there is something for everyone to enjoy. There are over 180 species of mammals and over 300 species of birds in the park, some indigenous to the region. Visitors can hike to see the ancient village of Pueblito, to catch a glimpse into the lives of the indigenous groups, Kogi and Arhuaco,  who still live in the area. 

The Cuidad Perdida (Lost City) Trek: This 5 day trek takes hikers through the Sierra Nevada mountains to what has been referred to as “Colombia’s Machu Pichu”. The city is believed to be one of the biggest groups of Tayrona’s indigenous communities. The tour consists of 3 days hiking up to the site and 2 days hiking down. The trip is moderately strenuous and includes about 4-5 hours of hiking per day. If interest in the Lost City trek, please contact Tracy who can help set up the tour after the retreat. 

What if I love Colombia so much and want to extend my trip?

Great idea! Colombia has so much to offer. You are welcome to stay as long as you would like (the visa is for three months) and Tracy is in connection with a well-reputable local tour company called Papayote Travel if you wish to extend your Colombia travels and desire local insight and guides. 

Deposit and Cancellations

$500 non-refundable deposit.

Remainder of balance due August 15th, 2019.

There will be no refunds or transfers issued after August 25th, 2019.