Hotel Address: Palmaïa, The House of AïA
Paseo Xaman-Ha, Lote 1, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R. México

Retreat dates: November 6-13, 2026
Room check in time on November 6th: 3:00 PM
Room check out time on November 13th: 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. 

To book a private airport transfer, email Seek & Go directly at ge*********@*******go.mx. Please confirm the correct resort gate address with them when you book.

If you are booking your own transportation to the Resort, please check with Seek & Go for the correct address that brins you to the right gate at the Resort.

We recommend having around $300 – 350 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: 

• Dinner: Men are not permitted to wear shorts, flip flops or sleeveless shirts.
• Breakfast & Lunch: Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.

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.

Pack for warm, pleasant weather and bring a bathing suit. November sits at the start of the dry season in the Riviera Maya, which means sunshine, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures in the low 80s°F (around 28°C) during the day and the low 70s°F (around 22°C) in the evenings. We will be painting outdoors with shade and protection from the elements, so a light layer for the evenings is a good idea. All rooms are air-conditioned and Wi-Fi is 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:

• 8 days of art, exploration and life lessons
• Luxury eco-conscious resort located along the breathtaking beauty of the Riviera Maya
• Gourmet breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• Art2Life Retreat Art Kit 
• Pool and beach breaks in the Mexico sun
• Friendships made for a lifetime
• Private Online Community Group for Attendees

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 will provide you with recommended travel insurance upon reserving your spot. If you need to cancel due to an emergency or illness, you’ll need to work with the insurance companies for reimbursement–not us.

The maximum number of participants for this retreat is 65. The members of the Mayan Riviera 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 accepts cash.

Our retreats are designed as all-inclusive experiences for registered participants, and we keep the accommodations and spaces dedicated to those attending the retreat. This helps create a consistent, focused environment where everyone can fully settle into the creative process and shared experience.

Because of that, we’re not able to have spouses or additional guests staying in the rooms or participating in the retreat spaces.

That said, many people choose to travel with a partner who stays at a neighboring hotel and enjoys their own time in the area while the retreat is taking place.

All retreat participants will receive their very own Art2Life Retreat Art Kit!

Your art kit includes Art2Life high-quality fluid acrylic colors, gloss medium, panels, brushes in various sizes, a painting tray, tracing paper pad, sandpaper, steel wool, pencil, and an 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. If you are traveling to Mexico by plane, please note that your Art2life Art Kit MUST be checked as luggage; you cannot carry it onto the plane. 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 month before 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.