—The DÍa de los muertos
(day of the dead) Retreat—
A special yoga+cultural experience
w/ Willis Johnston
in southern méxico
San cristóbal de las casas, chiapas, Mexico
Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2025
The vibrant area of San Cristóbal, with its rich culture, exquisite food, artisan crafts, profoundly moving indigenous villages and their customs, and stunning natural beauty, offers an experience of Mexico
that forever transforms the heart.
This retreat is set against the backdrop of the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, celebrations. This uniquely Mexican tradition honors and remembers those who have passed, believing that loved ones return to visit during this time. San Cristóbal de Las Casas and its surrounding villages come alive with parades, ofrendas (altars adorned with vibrant flowers, photos, and favorite foods to welcome back loved ones), celebrations, gatherings, art, and more.
This retreat provides an opportunity to deeply immerse yourself in and understand this special celebration, while joyfully remembering those you cherish who have moved on.
This is a super inclusive retreat and a deep dive into the culture, art, food, and sights that have put Chiapas on the map as one of the MUST SEES of Mexico and the world.
Where We Will Dream
Our home base will be a beautiful hotel in the center of San Cristóbal, with garden facing rooms, gorgeous common areas, one of the town’s star restaurants, and a lovely space for our yoga practices. The hotel is situated in the heart of it all, so in your free time you will have the easiest access to all the shopping, sightseeing, and delicious dining your adventurous spirit desires.
Oh, the things we will do…
We will visit the impactful Tzotzil village of San Juan Chamula, known primarily for its church that is truly one of a kind. Inside the Church of San Juan Chamula, a unique blend of Catholicism and Mayan mysticism unfolds. Pine needles cover the floor, copal incense fills the air, and families gather for deeply personal rituals. Curanderos, or healers, perform rituals, while saints are venerated alongside Mayan deities. Photography is forbidden inside, respecting the community's sacred traditions. It's a powerful experience, revealing a vibrant fusion of faiths. After the church visit, we will have the option to visit a local healer’s home for a “limpia”, or cleansing ritual. We can expect to see the local cemetery, village square, and homes decorated for Día de Muertos.
From San Juan Chamula, we will continue on to the Tzotzil village of San Ándres Larrainzar for a textile demonstration. Larrainzar is renowned for its Maya textiles, woven on backstrap looms with intricate, symbolic designs. Vibrant colors, derived from natural dyes, bring to life motifs reflecting their connection to nature and cosmology. Skilled in embroidery and brocade, the women create traditional clothing that embodies their cultural identity. This textile work is a vital expression of Tzotzil heritage, preserving their traditions for future generations.
Another day’s adventure will take us to Amatenango del Valle, an indigenous community that is renowned for its women artisans who create exquisite pottery using ancient Mayan techniques. Working without a wheel, they hand-sculpt detailed animal figurines, notably jaguars and doves, often rich in symbolic meaning. Their pottery features intricate, hand-painted designs with natural pigments, reflecting their connection to nature and culture. This community-based craft, using locally sourced clay, offers a direct glimpse into living Mayan traditions. We will have a tour, learn about the process, and then enjoy a pottery workshop, where we will learn techniques from the women to build our own pieces of art.
Our third and final tour outside of San Cris will feature a private boat ride for our group through the Sumidero Canyon. This ride is a stunning journey through towering cliffs along the Grijalva River. Expect breathtaking views of the canyon's dramatic rock formations and lush vegetation. Wildlife sightings, while not guaranteed, often include crocodiles basking on the banks, spider monkeys swinging in the trees, various bird species soaring overhead, and iguanas sunbathing on rocks. Waterfalls and hidden caves enhance the experience, making it a memorable adventure. On the way back to San Cristóbal from the canyon, we will stop in the Pueblo Mágico of Chiapa de Corzo, for a little market shopping trip.
We will also have a very special 5-course dining experience on the 31st, complete with live music, and optional Catrina/Calavera face painting.
Not all WHO wander are lost…
While this retreat is full of exciting and interesting activities and tours, you will still have plenty of free time to shop, check out restaurants+cafes on your list, partake in other tours that call you, or just simply wander the city with an openness to whatever magic comes your way!
Culinary Delights
Enjoy daily breakfast at the hotel, a welcome dinner on the first evening, and a special 5-course meal experience on October 31st, celebrating Day of the Dead with cuisine and traditions.
This is a retreat with culture and exploration at its center. Even if you, a partner, or a friend do not want to practice yoga, all will have an UNFORGETTABLE time.
The magic you will experience…
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
—Roundtrip airport taxi transportation to/from San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas.
—6 nights stay in a sweet hotel with a star restaurant, bar, and access to the gym and spa at the sister hotel next door.
—Breakfast post morning practice daily.
—Welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.
—Special 5-course dinner on October 31st with live music and optional Día de Muertos face painting.
(The other meals are on your own so that you can get your grub on in this amazing food-lover’s destination)
—Daily Yoga practice.
—Day trip to Amatenango del Valle to visit the acclaimed women artisans known for their hand built
pieces made from clay, plus pottery workshop.
-Day trip to the village of San Juan Chamula to see the famous church where Catholicism and Mayan mysticism collide, with optional limpieza in a traditional healer’s home. This day will also include a trip to see
a Mayan textile workshop in San Ándres Larrainzar.
-Private boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon and stop in the magic town of Chiapa de Corzo.
—Group City tour through San Cristóbal’s streets and markets.
—Good people. Good Vibes. Human connection.
—Tips and Gratuities for house staff
Not included:
—Airfare to/from Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport (airport code TUX)
—Meals outside of the included breakfast, welcome dinner, and Oct. 31’s 5-course dinner.
—Tips for tour guides.
Expected group size: 15.
PACKAGE PRICES
🐣EARLY BIRD OFFER - TAKE $200 off any package if you deposit before June 1, 2025🐣
(all in USD)
—Shared double occupancy—$1,800 per person
(Couples share a bed, or two friends/fam members have two separate beds)
—Private single*—$2,200
*private rooms are limited in availability
all rooms have their own private bathroom
If you want a shared option, you must provide your roommate, or be okay with your room converting to a single
in the event that we cannot find a roommate for you.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of $500usd per guest is required.
Please email willisjohnston@gmail.com to confirm availability of room category+payment instructions.
Please specify room category at time of deposit.
Payments can be made through any of these methods (ordered by preference):
—Wise App is by far the most preferred method. Deposit here.
—Bank Transfer (inquire for info.)
—Zelle willisjohnston@gmail.com
—Venmo @Willis-Johnston (last digits 9295)
(friends + family to avoid fees—all fees will be at the expense of guest)
Any fees taken out by Venmo or other methods will be at the guest’s expense and applied to final balance.
Please choose friends and family options if asked.
Remaining balance due no later than Sept. 10, 2025.
The final balance is non-refundable.
**Due to the financial responsibility of the retreat host for booking and holding the property, all payments are non-refundable once paid. For this retreat, both the deposit and final payment are 100% non-refundable/non-transferable.
It is recommended that the traveler has a travel insurance policy in the rare event that cancellation on the traveler’s end is unavoidable (Squaremouth is a great way to find a good travel policy).
for any questions or inquiries please email
willisjohnston@gmail.com