Step into a realm where ancient Mayan ruins meet the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Playa del Carmen, nestled along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, offers a captivating fusion of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Experience the extraordinary tropical beauty of Playa del Carmen, where the past whispers through cobblestone streets and the present sparkles beneath the Mexican sun.
Here Nicholas and his creative team of coaches and facilitators will help you deepen your awareness and connection to your truest self, enabling stronger, more authentic art and life.
This retreat is about causing a positive, life-enhancing shift in your thinking and, ultimately, your creative expression through finding the true you. The warm turquoise sea, music, connecting talks, and exquisite cuisine served beneath the shimmering stars are the perfect backdrop for this transformation.
We invite you to join us for this 8-day, 7-night retreat on the pristine shores of Playa del Carmen.
Enveloped by the calm, soothing sounds of the waves, you will be guided deeper into living a more aesthetic life—a way of being in the world that allows for greater well-being, true self-expression, and impact.
“It not only gave me the push I so needed to go to the next level, but inspired me, filled me with passion for making art and gave me new tools to create with. You helped me wipe the slate clean! And....I absolutely loved being in the presence of fellow artists.”
Megan, Art2Life Retreat Attendee
Each day there will be two 3-hour guided creative sessions. All your art materials will be included. In addition, there will be optional opportunities to work with our guest mindfulness and embodiment facilitators. There will be group surprises and delights experienced as the retreat unfolds to better facilitate your growth and transformation. Your days will be punctuated by long luxurious meals, starlit conversations with new friends, swimming, and restorative walks beside the sea.
Over the course of the retreat, Nicholas and his creative team will guide you through the Art2Life Practice, with an emphasis on discovering and clarifying your art/life-making. The emphasis of this retreat is to help you make your art/life a more aligned, congruent expression of who you are and especially who you are becoming. There are different room accommodations for this retreat. All air-conditioned rooms are next to or near a pool, and a short garden walk to the art tent and outdoor dining areas.
"It recharged my soul and took my ability to paint abstract to a new level. The day started by waking up at sunrise to the sound of birds chirping, and then a walk along the jungle path to be served a delicious breakfast. Painting commenced at 9:30am with a lesson. A long lunch break allowed us to nap, swim, go to town, or get a massage. Continuing to paint was always an option. Nick is knowledgeable, encouraging, and very entertaining. I would absolutely do this retreat again."
Karina, Art2Life Retreat Attendee
There are eight rooming options at Palmaia Resort. We have a limited number of each of these types of rooms, and as such, they are available on a first come, first served basis. Please also note that unless specified otherwise, all retreat accommodations are co-ed. Because Palmaia is an all-inclusive resort, all pricing is per person and not per room.
The cost breakdown for these rooming options is as follows:
SOLD OUT
Basic King SuiteSOLD OUT
King Suite Ocean ViewSOLD OUT
King Suite Ocean View with BathtubSOLD OUT
King Suite Swim Out with BathtubSOLD OUT
Premium Queen SuiteSOLD OUT
Premium Queen Suite Ocean ViewTo register for this retreat above, we require a 1/3rd payment of the total fee. The 2nd payment (1/3rd the full amount) is processed 30 days after your initial sign up date; the 3rd and final payment is processed 60 days after your initial sign up. All fees must be paid in full prior to the start of the retreat.
**Please be aware that all retreat prices are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance for all international travel and after confirming your spot it is encouraged to purchase a policy to protect your investment. If you need to cancel your spot and it is a covered reason you can file an insurance claim with the travel insurance company you purchased a policy from seeking reimbursement.
We strongly recommend you read our payment and refund policies and extensive FAQs for this retreat below!
Please note, due to the nature of the terrain of the resort, it is not recommended for young children or persons with limited or impaired mobility.
Anyone who is interested in realizing bigger, more meaningful art and life. Absolute beginners to professional artists are welcome. We help you become more you – through art. We help people realize their potential so they can have bigger, more meaningful lives. Please join us as we celebrate a process of inspiration, reclamation, and the journey of self-discovery through painting.
Palmaia Address: Palmaïa, The House of AïA —
Paseo Xaman-Ha, Lote 1, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R. México
Retreat dates:
October 30th – November 6th, 2024
Room check in time on October 30th: 3:00 PM
Room check out time on November 6th: 12:00 PM
While the check-in time at Palmaïa is 3pm, please note you are more than welcome to arrive earlier and begin enjoying the property while you wait for your room to be ready. On the last day of the retreat, should you have a flight departure in the late afternoon or evening, you are more than welcome to stay and enjoy the resort, as long as you are checked out of your room by 12pm.
We recommend flying into Cancun airport (CUN airport code), as it is the closest airport to Palmaïa taking about 45 minutes by car (cost is approximately $240 for private roundtrip transfers). You can also fly into Tulum Airport (TQO airport code) with a transfer time of 1 hour 40 minutes. Private airport transfers can be booked directly with Seek and Go by emailing them here: se*******@sa****.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>se*******@sa****.com.
We recommend having around $200 – 300 for shopping, taxis to the nearest town (Playa del Carmen) depending on your desire to explore and for staff tips. The local currency is Mexican peso, but places do accept US dollars. Most places take credit and debit cards, but some small shops or vendors may only take cash. If you pay with USD you will receive change back in Mexican pesos. Tipping is preferred in Mexican peso, but USD is also accepted.
Palmaïa, The House of AïA is a secluded wellness resort with oceanfront swim-up suites, luxury jungle spa, and gourmet restaurants overseen by chefs trained in Michelin-starred restaurants from around the globe.
The locally sourced plant-based cuisine, secluded white sand beach, private terraces, infinity pools, and in-suite dining set The House of AïA apart from other luxury wellness retreats. The exquisitely designed oceanfront suites complemented by stunning ocean views, elegant décor, and holistic amenities are unlike anything else in the Riviera Maya. The all-inclusive vegan-friendly resort offers a level of seclusion often associated with far-flung island resorts and an atmosphere of tranquility you would expect from a yoga retreat. Attendees have the perfect opportunity to reestablish the connection between mind and body during the retreat enjoying the ocean and the vibrant jungle energy of the Riviera Maya.
Because this is an all-inclusive resort, there is a dress code for the restaurants on the property:
The House of AïA also offers guests access to the excellent Atlantis Spa, where jungle-inspired architecture blends seamlessly with modern design and tranquil treatment rooms. Guests can indulge in a number of spa treatments, including ayurvedic treatments, Temazcal ceremonies, steam room sessions, relaxing massages, and more.
Be certain to bring a bathing suit to enjoy the refreshing pools and the inviting ocean! On that note, please bring clothes suited for warm weather. Temperatures in Cancun in October are expected to be around the mid 80’s (around 30 degrees Celsius). Please note that we will be painting outdoors, albeit with protection from the elements! At Palmaia all rooms are air-conditioned and there is wifi available throughout the property.
For anyone sharing a room with an unknown potential snorer, we recommend bringing a pair of earplugs.
If you would like to learn anything more about the Palmaia Resort, you can visit their website at https://thehouseofaia.com/
Your retreat fee covers:
Palmaïa’s philosophy is “The Nourishing Biome” a unique food concept where everything you eat is designed for optimal health while providing a level of cuisine that is hard to match, especially at a resort. Chef Charly Garcia leads their team with the utmost respect for ingredients, processes, and ethics, attaining the maximum level possible of quality and taste in our food. Given the all-inclusive set up of the resort you can enjoy all the food and beverage outlets accordingly. Palmaïa is focused on plant-based cuisine, but also has comprehensive additional offerings by request. With advance notice, special dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Please note that all shared accommodations are co-ed, unless specified otherwise. The fees above cover full room and board. It does not cover shuttle transportation between Palmaia and the airport. Once you register for the retreat, we will provide more details on booking the shuttle service for you at an additional cost. Retreat participants are responsible for incidentals not included in the above price.
Spaces are reserved for those individuals who will be participating in the retreat. Please also note that this retreat is not suitable for individuals with limited or impaired mobility.
**Please be aware that all retreat prices are non-refundable.
We strongly recommend travel insurance for all international travel and after confirming your spot it is encouraged to purchase a policy to protect your investment.
If you need to cancel your spot and it is a covered reason you can file an insurance claim with the travel insurance company you purchased a policy from seeking reimbursement.
Thank you!
Approximately 70 participants are expected at the retreat. The members of the Mexico Retreat Creative Team will be shared upon your arrival. Rest assured, you will receive personalized attention throughout the event. The creative team, Art2Life Coaches, and facilitators that accompany Nicholas are highly curated to best achieve your art/life transformation.
Yes! There will be time available if you would like to explore the surrounding Riviera Maya area offering cenotes to swim in, beautiful Playa del Carmen or other activities. We recommend you bring cash with you for small incidentals, as many places will only accept US dollars or Mexican peso. The taxi costs around $10 to Playa del Carmen and only accept cash.
All retreat participants will receive their very own Art2Life Retreat Art Kit!
Your art kit includes a set of 21 Art2Life high quality fluid acrylic colors, gloss medium, twelve 12″ x 12″ panels, a set of 8 brushes in various sizes, a painting tray, tracing paper pad, sandpaper, steel wool, pencil, and a 2-pocket apron. While everything you need to make art is included in the kit, if you have special tools, favorite brushes or other art making supplies you’d like to bring, please feel free to do so.
One of the hallmarks of any Art2life retreat is the Art Kit. This kit is sent to every Art2life retreat attendee, and it contains everything you need to enjoy the retreat. If you are traveling to Haramara by plane, please note that your Art2life Art Kit MUST be checked as luggage; you cannot carry it onto the plane. To learn what each Art Kit contains, just click here. If there are art materials you would like to bring that are not included in the art kit, then we certainly encourage you to do so. The weight of the art kit is around 14 lbs.
Art kits are typically sent out 1 to 2 months prior to the start of the retreat (US residents only). For those attending the retreat who do not reside in the United States, we will be bring your art kit to the retreat.