New Years in Tulum – December 27 2013 to January 3 2014
New Year’s Writing Immersion Retreat in Tulum, Mexico at Shambala Petit
Arrive in Cancun (CUN) airport on December 27 2013 and meet our taxi to make the trip in Tulum at Shambala Petit, a phenomenally tranquil small scale yoga-centered hotel right on the sandy beach of south Tulum. You will be in good company — fellow writers, yoga practitioners, artists, and creative professionals needing a productive but relaxing vacation. We will ring in the new year together and on January 3 2014, you will be brought back to the Cancun airport to return home rejuvenated and more centered.
Is there a better way to spend a week in mid-winter?
Retreat Activities
- One-on-one manuscript guidance
- Enlivening interdisciplinary group critique
- Early morning yoga
- Direct observation painting instruction
- Delicious healthy local organic food
- Goal writing and wellness activities
- Creative writing discussion
For an idea of what your days will look like while you are with us at Shambala Petit, please select About Us from the above menu, and then click Sample Daily Schedule
The Retreat Center
Shambala Petit is a small ecologically-minded hotel and yoga retreat center on the beach in Tulum. You’ll only need to walk a few meters to dip your feet in the refreshing waves and for the entire week our discussions and yoga will be washed in the comforting sound of the surf.
Other Information (from Roberto at Shambala Petit)
You are staying in a beautiful natural habitat with a delicately balanced eco-system, which needs our help to be kept preserved.
We request that our guests use the waste bins provided to dispose of all toilet paper and feminine hygiene products; they must not be put in to the toilets. The waste bins are emptied daily.
Please don’t leave any food inside your Cabaña as this will attract insects and small animals. Coolers are provided to you upon request and kept outside your Cabana.
Our electricity comes from solar panels and a generator. Light is available 24hrs a day.
Please help us to save water by taking shorter showers and reusing your towels wherever possible. Our water is precious as it has to be delivered from a place away.
Laundry: please give your laundry to the hotel staff that will have it washed and dried at
a small charge.
If you want coffee or tea you can ask for hot water at the breakfast room. Bottled water, soft drinks, wine & champagne are also available at extra cost. Please ask any member of staff. All payments for beverages should be made in cash.
Your complimentary breakfast is served between 8:30am & 9.00am. After this time the breakfast area is closed.
If for any reason you may need a doctor, please advise our staff. We have a very good doctor 30 minutes from the hotel.
Our beach is very safe and secure; you can walk during the day or at nighttime without any problems. You will need a flashlight at night because it is very dark. The beach is cleaned daily and any litter should be disposed of in the bins at the hotel.
We want you to feel at home. Our hotel staff is very friendly and honest. For your added security, we ask you to bring your valuables to our safety box, located in the main office. The hotel cannot be responsible for any valuables and money left inside the Casitas.
Packing Suggestions
Comfortable Walking/ Biking Shoes / Flip-Flops.
Yoga Clothes or T- Shirts and shorts.
Bikini / Sun protection / Sarong / Sunglasses / A hat to protect you from the sun while walking or biking.
Personal toiletries / Medications/supplements / Water bottle / Flashlight / Sunscreen / Insect repellant.
Warm clothes or a shawl for cooler nights / A journal and pen or pencil / Good books to read while lounging in a hammock.
Camera to capture the amazing scenery of Tulum and perhaps a disposable underwater camera for snorkel and Cenote trips.
Eye pillow / Laptop (we have Internet wireless connection ) / IPod / Chargers / Map if you are planning to look around.
Please note: No blow dryers are permitted at the hotel, as they will blow our generators.
There is a supermarket in Tulum town approximately a 10-minute taxi drive from the hotel where you can buy sunscreen, toiletries (shampoo, conditioners etc.), insect repellant etc.
Reminder
Remember to reconfirm your flight and pack your passport, ID and flight ticket.
Questions & Answers
Q. Is it safe to travel to Mexico?
A. There has been a lot of press about violence in Mexico and while sadly this is the case in some border towns, Shambala Petit Hotel hosts retreats in the quiet and Beautiful Beach of Tulum, far from these non safe areas. It would be similar to comparing the violence you may find in Country in War with a smaller rural Mexico town. In fact the Today Show just voted Tulum the #1 International location to travel with children. We do recommend guests take normal travel precautions, but rest assured you will be far from the “border town” violence.
Tips, Gratuities, Gifts, Alms:
If you wish to leave a tip for the staff, …. The Hotel Manager will provide you with a envelope to collect the money on the last night of the retreat. We handle all of the normal tipping from dining rooms to luggage, etc. I find it easiest to collect the money before the group leave, then split the total between all the staff of the hotel that help to make happened your retreat.
Other Services we offer
Swedish massage & Thai massage are available with a reservation made at the main office. Price: $ 85.00USD for 60 minutes
We have kayaks, boogey boards and Snorkel gear that are available for you to use free of charge.
Local Attractions
Shambala can help you to arrange trips to any of the following locations.
Tulum Ruins:
Opens at approx. 8:00am and closes at 5pm. The compact site is beautifully situated on 12 meters high cliffs overlooking the sea. It is one of the best-preserved Mayan sites and the third most visited in Mexico. It is easy to walk around the ruins in an hour.
Cenotes:
Are natural groundwater pools, in many cases where sections of cave roof have fallen in to reveal an underlying cave system and the water flow. Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, and Escondido Cenotes are all within an easy distance of Shambala and are beautiful and unique places to visit. You can go swimming in Cenotes, snorkeling and if you are qualified and experienced; cave scuba diving.
Xel-Ha:
Website: (www.xelha.com) is a large, commercial water theme park situated along Highway 307 approx. 15 minutes drive from Shambala. The park is centered on a natural inlet and lagoon; featuring a river flow through rocks which mixes salty waters with fresh underground water currents. The inlet of Xel-Há is a natural aquarium with hundreds of tropical fish and flora. There is a turtle reserve, where research is constantly carried out to learn more about marine life and contribute with the ecological maintenance of the area. Underwater the limestone has been eroded into a myriad of small caves and grottos. A variety of water-based activities on offer, include snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming with dolphins. There are restaurants and themed cultural shows. The park is named after the site of Xelha, an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, part of which is located within the lands leased to the park.
Hidden Worlds Cenotes:
A smaller theme park based around Cenotes, which features sky-bicycle, Cenote, and canopy zips line, cavern snorkeling etc.
Biosphere of Siaan Ka’an:
Sian Ka’an means “where the sky is born” in Mayan and the biosphere covers an area of approx. 1.3 million acres with 62 miles of un-spoilt coastline. It is a natural protected nature reserve where you can go to view wildlife and take boat rides in to the mangrove swamps. The biosphere is a 2 and a half hour drive from Shambala.
Coba archeological site:
Around 1hr by car. is a large ruined city of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization based in the jungle. A portion of this massive and impressive site has been cleared from the jungle and restored by archaeologists and is now easily accessible to tourists. Come here to see huge the ancient ball courts Mayan temple pyramids; the tallest of which at 42 meters you climb to access amazing views of the jungle. Local guides are available at the entrance to the site, as well as bicycle rentals to get to some of the further ruins. A large lake at the entrance is also home to crocodiles and local guides can take you on to small purpose built jetties to view them. 2 fantastic Cenotes are also nearby where you can swim and snorkel if you bring your own equipment and towels.
Valladolid:
Is a small but bustling Mayan city situated approximately 90 minutes drive from Tulum. Many of the local townspeople still wear the typical Mayan dress and sell local handicrafts. The Caste War began here in 1847, and also the first signs of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The church of San Gervasio overlooks the main square and the town is a great place to try out typical Mexican food and get a genuine feel for the real Mexico. Dzitnup Cenotes are also close by.
Chichen Itza
Merida and Celestun are also an easy travel distance from Tulum.
What’s Included in the Retreat?
- Ground transportation to and from the estate from the airport (CUN)
- Room and board at Shambala Petit
- Tuition for all daily yoga classes, writing critiques, and wellness workshops
- Ethically-printed personal journal
- Wellness and Writing Immersion handbook filled with creative guidance and exercises
All-Inclusive Program Pricing
Total Price of program: $2169 $1648 (double room)
The total is split into two easy payments:
Confirmation deposit:$824
(Remaining payment: $824)
As always, we’ll get you to and from the airport (Cancun – CUN), the costs of yoga/breathwork and critique/workouts/writing instruction are included, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, use of facilities are included. Airfare is not included.
Additional cost for single room: $440
Applications will be reviewed the order in which they are received. Due to the appeal of the retreat offerings and the date/location, it is extremely likely that the course will fill up soon. If you are approved, you should be prepared to pay the first installment soon to ensure you retain your space or it will lose it to someone else. The first installment goes toward the total amount and reserves your space. All payments are nonrefundable. Please make both of your payments as soon as possible and come on a retreat with us!
If your application has been approved, you can confirm your spot at the retreat via Paypal. You do not need to have a Paypal account — all you need is a credit or debit card.
Payment Plan Option: Split the Cost Over Four Months
For participants unable to pay for the entire retreat at once, we offer a payment plan. After paying the deposit, you can split the remaining cost of the retreat over the next three months. We want everyone whose application gets accepted to be able to participate in this experience, and so we will be happy to use this payment plan option to make this retreat a reality for you.
Should You Apply?
If you can answer yes to each of the following questions, this retreat is a good fit for you:
- Do you have an appreciation for the unique traditions of other cultures?
- Are you seeking the edge in your writing?
- Do you strive for greater physical and emotional well-being?
- Are you excited to take part in a new and empowering routine that includes the options of daily writing, yoga, painting, appreciation of nature, and the warm community of creative people?
- Are you ready for focused time for rejuvenation, self-development and peace?
If your heart says yes to this experience, send your application while there is still space available.
How to Apply
The application process is the same, whether you’re applying for a retreat in Italy, Bali, or Mexico. If you are hoping to come on a retreat, you can apply by clicking here.
