Retreat Testimonials

Don DeMercurio 

Director of LifeWorks Center for Personal and Organizational Health ~ Bringing Essence to Life Retreat Facilitator

"Retiro Maya is a beautiful, peaceful, private setting which naturally invites and supports spiritual work. Because it is relatively small and not one of the big chains, the energy is exquisitely calm and contained.The cabañas are simple and clean, nicely decorated. The meditation room is open on 3 sides, set up above the cabañas with a beautiful view of the ocean and it has roll down siding which can be lowered if it is windy or cool in the evening. Food is prepared fresh and is ample and tasty with a variety of vegetarian fare that everyone in my group enjoyed. All food is disinfected so that it is completely safe to eat all that is prepared without concern.

The beach is beautiful and private so that we were able to do our morning Qi Kung practices as well as walking meditation and movement exercises, etc on the beach. It was energetically powerful to be able to move easily and fluidly between the teachings in the meditation palapa to movement and meditation on the beach. The feng shui of the center invites and generates the experience of living in community. Lu is a gem ~ a serious seeker of truth, she holds the energy of loving kindness, peace and support for the work and does all that she can to accommodate the needs of the group. 

If you have the opportunity for Lu and some of the staff to join in your retreat you will find her energy and enthusiasm a welcome addition.It is evident when you walk into Retiro Maya that there are many loving, guiding forces which hold the sacredness of this land. Immediately upon entering you can see the stress drop from people's faces and once participants have a day or two to drop into the energy and relax their defenses the magic of the land begins to transform the hearts of everyone who stays there and the practices that you bring will deepen profoundly". 

Surya Chandra Das

Rolling Meadows Yoga & Meditation Retreats ~ Yoga & Meditation Retreat Facilitator

"I scheduled a yoga and meditation retreat at Retiro Maya in the winter of 2007 without seeing it, based on a glowing report from a retreat leader in Vermont.Any doubts I had were gone minutes after I stepped out of the taxi and felt the peaceful atmosphere of the place.The cabanas, yoga hall and dinning room are elegantly simple, constructed in the traditional Mayan style with curved walls and thatched roofs.The structures are far enough apart to create a sense of privacy, but close enough to create a feeling of community.Thankfully Tulum is still an 'electricity free zone', assisting us to all slow down and feel the beauty of the natural world.When the sun sets the only light comes from the moon, stars and candles. The white sand beach and turquoise of the Caribbean are on one side and the jungle is on the other.

Lu and her daughter Erika have a deep love and passion for creating a sacred space for spiritual work.They are both committed to their own journey of self-understanding and like good yogis, this is reflected in the way they care for the participants and the center.This is one of the few intimate places of peace and quiet remaining in the Tulum area.As Lu said to me, 'the bulldozers are coming this way, it's just a matter of time'. I recommend that you enjoy this precious little sanctuary while it is still here."

Elisa Novick, MSS

Thriving Planet Counseling and Educational Services ~ Godwork Meeting Retreat Facilitator

"Your place was beautiful we all felt safe, slept with our doors open to the wind, our belongings intact, everyone becoming more healthy and tan and radiant as the days went by. I could not keep from getting up every day to watch the spectacular sunrise, and then at the end of each day, to watch the moon over the water, getting larger every evening.The food was delicious, and I appreciated that you went the extra mile (kilometer) to provide Mexican dishes that I told you I liked.

 The staff was so loving and helpful] I especially hold dear the sparkling smiles of Rosa, the cook, Hilda, the housekeeper, Jesus, who radiates peace and sweet disposition and keeps the place so beautiful, and José Luis, our tireless and faithful busboy.Your energetic presence, answering without complaint a thousand questions I'm sure you've answered so many times before, lending your understanding of the local culture and politics, offering your wisdom and deep caring for the people, land, water and creatures who live there, participating with us when you could. In every way, you provide a wide embrace. We all appreciated the many creative details in the way the place was built and decorated, how you have rebuilt the dune environment and keep it so clean and your fierce protective energy trying to keep the area from over-exploitation by large corporate resorts.

The energy of Retiro Maya was clear and open to the high-level spiritual work we came to do. Our purpose was to create new, exquisite, coherent energy patterns of healing and thriving for our planet. It was easy] nothing to clear or fend off, only beauty and more beauty. Thank you for making the space for Dañiél Pool Pech, the wondrous Mayan masseur-healer-shaman to join us. It was a great blessing to have him there.I look forward to returning yet again this year to hold a workshop for personal, familial, and planetary healing and to offer private healing sessions". Sandi AgottiSandi Beach Yoga Retreat"In these last moments at Retiro Maya, I am asking myself what more could I want?I reach into the craving jar.I find it empty & myself full. Contentment is a sure sign that this yoga is working! And that Retiro Maya was just the perfect place for me to host my first ever retreat —As I knew instantly from the first click on your website. What I am more grateful for is the opportunity to be reminded to trust my instinct:-By the organic unfolding of consciousness in the group-From the ever loving embrace of this kind land and ocean-And again from this sweet feeling of contentment!Thank you for being here, for welcoming us, for joining us, and for all the extras.Your staff is amazing and kind, the food delicious, and the yoga room perfect!Can't wait until the next time!" 

Karen Holley

Yoga & Meditation Retreat with Surya Chandra Das Atendee

"I participated in a one week yoga retreat at Retiro Maya from 2/24 - 3/3/07. Our cabana was spacious, the bed was comfortable, the bathroom was partially open to the air with palm trees and plants around the bright red and yellow tiled shower. We enjoyed the candlelit nights, the star filled skies, and the powdery white sands. The daily maid service was appreciated.

Lu and Erika were wonderful hosts, a wealth of information about local cenotes, ruins, restaurants and shopping. The vegetarian meals included fresh squeezed orange juice every day, sliced cantaloupe, honey dew melon, papaya and pineapple at breakfast. Wonderful salads, Mexican pasta and tortilla casseroles, guacamole, rice and beans for lunches and dinners. Local fish or chicken could be ordered for an additional charge.If you are looking for a rustic, quiet, beautifully maintained retreat, with cabanas just steps away from the turquise water with trade winds rustling through the palm trees, I would highly recommend Retiro Maya".