Vipassanarte presents · Vipassanarte's first retreat of the year
Wolf Moon (January full moon) · silence, yoga & art to begin the year
A 5-day / 4-night retreat of yoga, Vipassana meditation and artistic development in the cloud forests of the Sierra Sur, Oaxaca, closing with a full moon ritual and ecstatic dance.
Sierra de Oaxaca · Photo: VGM32B, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Daily hatha and yin practice and meditation guided by the Vipassanarte team, with music therapy.
Insight meditation, walking meditation and recommended silence for most of the retreat.
Choose your own field (music, writing, drawing/painting, photo/video or movement) and get one-to-one guidance. For artists, students and everyone curious.
Five days to begin the year with peace and inspiration, in a Zapotec village of the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca. Each day weaves together yoga, Vipassana meditation and artistic development in the field you choose (music, writing, drawing/painting, photo/video or movement), with one-to-one guidance.
Silence is recommended for most of the retreat, but it is not strict: you can always speak with teachers and helpers. Afternoons are free to explore the cloud forest, its streams and the village at your own pace, close to the living Mesoamerican culture of the region, including a traditional temazcal.
We close under the full moon with the Full Moon Ritual & Ecstatic Dance: a night of free movement, alcohol-free, in the spirit of the retreat.
Five days of silence, practice and making — to begin the year with peace and inspiration.
San Sebastián Río Hondo is a small Zapotec village in the pine-and-oak forests of the Sierra Sur, about 3 hours south of Oaxaca City, in the Copalita river basin. Streams, small waterfalls and forest trails surround the village; nights in January are cold (approx. 5–10 °C) and days mild and dry. We stay in simple, ecological earth-and-wood cabins with fireplaces.
San Sebastián Río Hondo, district of Miahuatlán, Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, Mexico. Altitude approx. 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level (INEGI, locality 203470001). The exact venue address will be shared with registered guests.
| From | By road (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Huatulco airport (HUX), the closest airport | approx. 105 km · 2–2.5 h |
| Oaxaca airport (OAX) | approx. 140 km · 3–3.5 h |
| Oaxaca City | approx. 140 km · approx. 3 h 15 min |
| Puerto Escondido airport (PXM) | approx. 170 km · approx. 3 h |
| Puerto Escondido (town) | approx. 165 km · approx. 3 h |
| Mexico City | approx. 600 km · 8–9 h (most guests fly to OAX, HUX or PXM) |
Driving estimates: OSRM (router.project-osrm.org, OpenStreetMap data, no traffic), queried Oct 21, 2026; Oaxaca City time per Casa Maitri directions (casamaitri.com). Mountain roads are often slower.
| 06:00 | Dawn yoga |
| 07:00 | Vipassana meditation |
| 08:30 | Breakfast in silence |
| 10:00 | Artistic expression in your chosen field · 1:1 guidance |
| 13:30 | Lunch in silence |
| 14:30 | Free time: forest, streams, village |
| 17:00 | Sunset yoga |
| 18:00 | Vipassana meditation |
| 19:30 | Dinner · evening by the fire |
Daily schedule (days 2–4) · subject to change
Arrival & intention
Travel from Oaxaca (OAX/city) around midday · 17:00 opening circle · 18:00 gentle yin at sunset · 19:00 dinner · 20:30 short meditation; silence begins
Silence & roots
Full daily schedule · art lab begins
Earth & fire
Daily schedule · traditional temazcal in the afternoon
Expression & full moon night
Daily schedule · silence ends at dinner · 19:30 group art sharing · 21:00 Full Moon Ritual & Ecstatic Dance, into the night
Full moon (06:17) & integration
06:00 dawn meditation at the full moon (06:17, Mexico City time) · 08:30 breakfast · 10:00 integration circle · 11:30 departure
Schedule subject to change
In the spirit of Vipassana, silence is recommended for most of the retreat, but it is not strict. You may always speak with teachers and helpers. Every afternoon is free to explore the forest and the Zapotec village at your own pace.
For travelers who love Mesoamerican culture, yoga and personal-growth retreats. All ages and genders welcome.
We close the retreat under the full moon with the Full Moon Ritual & Ecstatic Dance: free movement, no alcohol, on the full moon. Thursday Jan 21 from 21:00 into the night, followed by a dawn meditation on Friday Jan 22 at 06:00 (full moon at 06:17, Mexico City time). Schedule subject to change
Original Vipassanarte music accompanies the retreat practices. Listen to a selection from each album here.
Serene ambient for breathwork and seated meditation.
First Breath
Stillness
Inner architecture: long pieces for deep concentration.
Coastline Dorian Drift
Pacific Foam Arc
Eight paths, eight tracks: waves, trees and silence.
Waves
Inside
Cello at sunset, the piece that accompanies the day's closing ritual.
Sunset Cello Ritual
USD 970
(17,867 MXN) · Founders rate (11% off): first 11 to book, until Dec 11, 2026
Regular USD 1,090 (20,078 MXN)
USD 1,201.50
(22,132 MXN) · Founders rate (11% off): first 11 to book, until Dec 11, 2026
Regular USD 1,350 (24,867 MXN)
USD 1,504.10
(27,706 MXN) · Founders rate (11% off): first 11 to book, until Dec 11, 2026
Regular USD 1,690 (31,130 MXN)
Founders benefit (first 11 people to book): 11% off the regular rate plus a Vipassanarte yoga kit as a gift: mat, blocks and elastic bands with the Vipassanarte logo. From person 12 on, or after Dec 11, 2026 (whichever comes first), the regular rate applies. The founders discount does not stack with the bitcoin discount. 22 places in total. Pre-sale and founders rate end Dec 11, 2026, even if fewer than 11 founders have booked; registration closes Jan 11, 2027.
Scholarships: we offer 2 scholarships covering 50% of the retreat price, for artists. To apply, send a 2–4 minute video by Dec 8, 2026 (shared link via email or WhatsApp) showing: who you are and your artistic field; a sample of your work; why you want to attend and what you would like to create during the retreat; and how you would share it with your community afterwards. Results by Dec 11, 2026.
Your place is reserved with a deposit of 33% of the price. The balance is due by Dec 18, 2026.
| Cabin | Founders | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| Shared cabin | USD 320.10 (5,896 MXN) | USD 359.70 (6,626 MXN) |
| Single cabin | USD 396.50 (7,303 MXN) | USD 445.50 (8,206 MXN) |
| Deluxe cabin | USD 496.35 (9,143 MXN) | USD 557.70 (10,273 MXN) |
USD 1 = 18.42 MXN.
Private executive transport (extra cost), round trip from Oaxaca airport (OAX) or Oaxaca City ↔ retreat: USD 85 (1,566 MXN) per person (reference price). Other routes (Huatulco HUX, Puerto Escondido PXM): quote on request.
Exchange rate reference: USD 1 = 18.42 MXN (Banxico FIX, Oct 20 2026).
Payment processing fees are paid by the guest according to the method chosen. The fee of each payment method is added to the total you pay, according to the percentage that method charges.
| Method | Approx. surcharge (approximate / confirmed at checkout) |
|---|---|
| Card (Stripe) | ≈ 6.1% + MXN 3 (international card with currency conversion) |
| PayPal | ≈ 4.45% + USD 0.30 (up to ≈ 8% if converted to MXN) |
| SPEI transfer (Mexican bank) | ≈ 0% (your bank may charge) |
| Wise | Wise's fee, shown to you by Wise before sending |
| Bitcoin | Network fee only; 8% discount applies |
Pay with bitcoin and get 8% off plus the Vipassanarte yoga kit as a gift. Bitcoin prices per person:
| Cabin | Bitcoin price |
|---|---|
| Shared cabin | USD 1,002.80 (18,472 MXN) |
| Single cabin | USD 1,242 (22,878 MXN) |
| Deluxe cabin, private bath | USD 1,554.80 (28,639 MXN) |
USD 1 = 18.42 MXN. PENDING: BTC/USD rate used at payment time
Fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). We offer private executive transport (extra cost) from the airport or the city on day 1; the mountain drive (Federal Highway 175) takes about 3–3.5 hours and is done in daylight only. USD 85 (1,566 MXN) per person round trip from OAX or Oaxaca City; other routes quoted on request. PENDING: meeting time
The retreat is confirmed with a minimum of 8 participants. If we don't reach 8 by Jan 11, 2027 (registration deadline), the retreat is cancelled and you get a 100% refund.
If the retreat goes ahead and you cancel, we refund everything except 15%.
Pre-sale ends: Dec 11, 2026.
Registration closes: Jan 11, 2027.
Bank transfers of all kinds (MXN or USD) and bitcoin. Prices are set in USD with an MXN reference.
Travel insurance is required.
No. All levels welcome.
English and Spanish (bilingual facilitation). PENDING
Shared and single cabins are rustic and ecological (some with outdoor eco-bathrooms). Choose the deluxe cabin for a private bathroom with hot water and heating.
Wi-Fi at the main house; cell signal may be weak. PENDING verification
Oaxaca is Level 2 ("exercise increased caution") in the U.S. State Department advisory, with no restrictions for the Sierra Sur. We travel in daylight only, as a group.
The Vipassanarte team: musicians and yoga and meditation guides.
Write to us to reserve:
WhatsApp: +52 55 3416 9162 · Email: [email protected]