Mindfulness & Yoga Escape in the Colombian Jungle

The retreat is held at Senda Loto, a meditation center in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, about five minutes from the entrance to Tayrona National Park. It's the sister location to La Casa de Loto, which has been running for over a decade. The grounds are surrounded by jungle, with a river nearby, and the design is meant to help your nervous system settle – think open-air common areas, gardens, and a yoga shala.

Each day follows a similar arc. Mornings start with Hatha yoga and pranayama to wake up the body and steady the breath. After breakfast, there's study and free time before a guided meditation at noon. Afternoons are completely open – you can rest, read, swim, or wander down to the river. In the late afternoon there's another guided meditation, followed by dinner, and then an optional silent sit before noble silence begins at 9pm. The retreat includes a day of mindful walking in Tayrona National Park, led by a local Kogui guide, which offers a different kind of presence – moving slowly through the jungle, paying attention to each step.

The teaching is rooted in the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, but you don't need to know anything about that to come. Pema's approach is practical and accessible. He leads the meditation classes, answers questions, and creates a space where beginners feel comfortable. The group is small, so there's plenty of individual attention. Reviews often mention how calm and clear-headed they felt afterwards, and how the simple rhythm of the days made it easy to let go. This isn't a fancy wellness resort – it's a retreat center, and that's exactly what makes it work.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation and mindfulness classes - Daily pranayama classes - Periods of sacred silence - Pre and post retreat support - Luggage storage - Parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Massages (available at an extra cost) - Airport transfers