Sun | Sea | Peace Retreat
Puerto Morelos ~ Yucatán Peninsula ~ Mexico
March 21st - March 28th 2026
with Mary Bue e-RYT 500
March 21st 2026 - March 28th 2026
Join us to ring in the new season, from winter to spring
feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin
and the kiss of sweet sea breezes
from the beautiful Yucatán peninsula of Mexico.
Welcome to the charming sea village of Puerto Morelos, home to soft white sand beaches, shimmering turquoise waters, delicious food, and a slower pace to pause, contemplate, move, meditate, and refresh.
Friend special ~ Bring a friend or loved one and you’ll each enjoy $1o8 off our retreat package! Register by February 7th
Sun | Sea | Peace Retreat invites us to ring in spring on the Gulf of Mexico the day after the vernal equinox in the dreamy, colorful, bustling village of Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun.
Music wafts in from the seaside stages, hummingbirds grace the hibiscus searching for nectar, pelicans dazzle and splash with their daily fishing routines. We, too, shall have daily rituals to set our intentions in motion for spring, building our resolve & capacity to increase the peace in ourselves and the world.
Enjoy gentle and soulful yoga practices, meditations for peace, and sonic blessing serenades. Your host, singer-songwriter + yoga guide Mary Bue will weave in practices intending to promote peace within and without: mindful movement, soothing breath techniques, slow flow yoga asana, meditation, Yoga Nidra, and ancient mantras for the heart, compassion, protection, and well being.
Additional add ons may include experiencing Puerto Morelos and the shimmering turquoise waters of the Gulf with a private sail on a sunset cruise, sipping a citrus-mint mocktail or a margarita from the open bar, a sizzling fajita dinner in the works, eyes peeled for dolphins, silvery jumping fish, and once again that incredible dance of pelicans diving for their dinners.
And for those who would like, we’ll visit a traditional Mayan village and women’s cooperative Muuch Kaab and learn about their beautiful embroidery techniques, as well ancient, sustainable beekeeping methods for Melipona bees (stingless!) ~ plus an opportunity to shop their gorgeous, handmade soaps, lotions, salves, and their hand-harvested medicinal honey. Afterwards we’ll take a dip in a pristine Laguna or cenote, or paddle a kayak around the still, deep waters if you’d prefer!
Everything is optional - your rest and rejuvenation is wildly supported and encouraged on this yoga travel experience.
On your free time in the afternoons, you may choose to add a massage with a local practitioner (Martina’s Oasis is highly recommended just a few blocks away, or at Unico Beach Club across the street). You might enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving in the world's 2nd longest reef just 200 yards offshore which has recently been made into a national park reserve. And/or just have a book, a journal, your watercolors and sketchbook handy and do some cloud watching. Always, leisurely walks on the beach, dips in Villas Shanti’s private pool, and delicious cuisine catered by Dora, owner of John Gray’s Kitchen can be our anchors.
Two bustling beach clubs across the street from our villa offer beach chair + umbrella rentals as well as yummy eats and live music almost daily in the afternoons — great spots to watch the waves rolling in as well as the local troubadours with their guitars, vendors with spicy nuts, jewelry, and vibrant beaded, embroidered handicrafts, as well fantastic dancers and drummers in Mayan regalia as they roam the beach with their jingle-jangle anklets, staffs, feathers, weaponry and powerful prayers to the ancients (tipping encouraged). And of course ~ just grab your own blanket and pick a spot on the soft, white sand wherever it suits you.
Puerto Morelos is located just 20 minutes south (and a world away) from Cancun as it has avoided most of the expansion that's happened in the area in the last 20 years. From Minneapolis, a quick four-hour flight to Cancun plus a 30 minute taxi brings us to the door of Villas Shanti and this wonderful tropical paradise. As a guest, you will enjoy your own small apartment (single or double occupancy with two queen beds) each with a kitchen, bathroom, and small private patio or deck overlooking the pool.
Your guide Mary Bue is a seasoned retreat host and spiritual aspirant, and aims always to brings peace, love, and a little rock and roll.
Yoga, Meditation, Peace, Rejuvenation
Our utmost intention for this week is rejuvenation, relaxation, increasing the peace in ourselves and the world … and having some fun! Everything is optional, with many opportunities built in for sacred rest and reflection. Again, you are most welcome to opt out of any excursion or practice to sit by the pool, stare at the sea, take a walk, or choose your own adventure ✨
Sun | Sea | Peace Retreat includes
2 Yoga workshops per day a day except on excursion days
3 Dinners & 5 Brunches catered by Dora from John Gray's Kitchen
Yoga Nidra / Mantra / Chanting / Sacred Sound Practices
The Ocean is one block away!
Optional add on: day trip to nearby Mayan village to learn about traditional embroidery, Lunch at Muuch Kaab Cooperative ~ learn about ancient beekeeping methods & opportunity to shop their handmade soaps, lotions, salves & cosmetics, Visit to Laguna or Cenote to swim & bask in nature
Optional add on: Private Sunset Boat Ride including fajita dinner + open bar (6 minumum guests)
Wonderful restaurants within walking distance
Charming town square within a mile’s walk on the beach or the road with fun shops, cafes, juice bars and more
Each room has private bathroom, drinking water, full kitchen, private patio or balconies
Retreat Details
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Villas Shanti has long been home to yoga retreats and is located just 1 block from the beach.
Accommodations include comfortable sleeping and living space, tiled floors, modern bath with shower, kitchenette, ceiling fans, AC and drinking water with rooms that overlook a beautiful courtyard and private pool.
There is a yoga studio for our practices complete with props.
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Sun | Sea | Peace Retreat Package includes:
2 Yoga workshops per day except on excursion days
3 Dinners & 5 Brunches ~ mostlycatered by Dora from John Gray's Kitchen + 1 Fajita dinner on the sunset catamaran night
Practices that may include Yoga Nidra / Mantra / Chanting / Sacred Sound
Wonderful restaurants within walking distance
Charming town square within a mile’s walk on the beach or the road with fun shops, cafes, juice bars and more
Rooms with a small kitchen and outdoor space to sit
Purified Water Jugs in each room
AC room
The Ocean is one block away!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Day trip to nearby Mayan village to learn about traditional embroidery. Lunch at Muuch Kaab Cooperative ~ learn about ancient beekeeping methods & opportunity to shop their handmade soaps, lotions, salves & cosmetics, Visit to Laguna or Cenote to swim & bask in nature
Private Sunset Cruise including fajita dinner + open bar
Snorkeling by boat ~ Approx $35/person + tip
Bodywork by Marina, or at Unico Beach Club across the street. Other options for massages along the beach as well.
Beach chair rental at Unico Beach Club or The Diving Bar across the street
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NOT INCLUDED
Flights to Cancun
Transportation to Villas Shanti from Cancun international airport. We can help arrange for a reasonable fee - see below. If you would like to coordinate flights and taxis with other guests, we can connect you as guests register.
The taxi prices Cancun Airport to Villas Shanti:
1-3 people: $65 usd
4 or more: $20 usd per person
Villas Shanti to Cancun Airport:
1-3 people $50 usd
4 or more: $15 usd per person
Meals outside of the villa. 4 dinners and 5 brunches are included in our package (one fajita dinner on the catamaran). There are many beautiful restaurants within walking distance and grocery stores. Your room provides full kitchen and refrigerator should you choose to cook.
Travel insurance (Mary highly recommends AIG Travel Guard)
Medical care (get that travel insurance!)
Tipping is much appreciated ($5/day recommended for housekeeping), villa maintenance staff, taxi drivers + tour guides
international phone / internet fees your provider may have
Passport or visa fees if you plan to stay longer
Optional excursions ~
Day trip to nearby Mayan village to learn about traditional embroidery. Lunch at Muuch Kaab Cooperative ~ learn about ancient beekeeping methods & opportunity to shop their handmade soaps, lotions, salves & cosmetics, Visit to Laguna or Cenote to swim & bask in nature
Private Sunset Cruise including fajita dinner + open bar
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MARY BUE ~ Singer Songwriter, Yoga Instructor (YACEP e-RYT 500), co-founder of Yojita Yoga Teacher Training (RYS)
Mary Bue is a songwriter, international retreat guide, yoga teacher + yoga school co-founder based in Minneapolis. Named Best Songwriter of 2020 by City Pages, her music touches upon archetypal themes of the human condition: love, loss, survival, dreams, and the natural world. A longtime student of yoga and psychology, Mary weaves symbols, stories & visions into her songs + teachings. Oft-crass yet joyous, her creations explore consciousness with compassion & concern for this beautiful & challenging world. Mary released her 9th album The Wildness of Living & Dying in February 2025.
Mary Bue is a registered yoga teacher (e-RYT 500), with foundation in the Viniyoga tradition, a breath-centered, flowing practice that believes in adapting postures to fit the whole person. She is a former yoga studio owner (Imbue Yoga) and has hosted 25 retreats internationally since 2019.
Mary received her 230 hour certification in 2009 at Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, WA by Tracy Weber, (student of Gary Kraftsow, student of T.K.V. Desikachar) and 300-hour certification in 2017 from Yoga Center Retreat (formerly Yoga Center of Minneapolis).
In 2020, Mary received an additional 200-hour certificate in Nada Yoga (the Yoga of Sound) from Nada Yoga School in Rishikesh India.
In 2024, Mary and her master teacher Tara Cindy Sheman co-founded registered yoga school (RYS) Yojita Yoga and have offered their first 230 hour teacher training multiple workshops, and so much more to come.
Bue has pursued continuing yoga education in prenatal yoga, yoga for anxiety & depression, pranayama, and 30 hour-certification in Trauma-informed Yoga with Firefly Yoga International, was a teaching assistant for Whole Life Yoga’s ten month long, 200-hour teacher training in 2010 and has also assisted in WLY’s “Yoga for Healthy Backs” Series.
Mary has her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with an emphasis on Transpersonal Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. She has received volunteer training in sexual assault victim advocacy from PAVSA and domestic violence victim support from DAIP.
As a wanderer-luster and experience junkie, she has worked in many types of jobs: as a clinical research assistant in a prison & hospital, an AIDS prevention outreach worker on the streets and harm reduction work in needle exchanges, as well as many hundreds of hours as a server, bartender and barista.
In her life as a musician Mary has toured in 40+ states, released 9 albums, been awarded multiple artist grants, honored to receive four Artist in Residence awards, and has served on the board and steering committee of the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival.
All of these experiences culminate in the guiding of Creativity and Yoga Retreats. Mary has led and co-led retreats in Bali, India, Malta, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Orcas Island in Washington, Taos + Ghost Ranch in New Mexico,
Mary is an avid runner (10 half marathons and two full marathons), nature lover and vegan. In her spare time, she enjoys playing music, cooking, writing blogs, poetry and in journals, painting, reading non-fiction and, obviously, traveling.
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INVESTMENT:
Single $2300
Double/Shared $1700 per person
$600 Deposit holds your place - balance invoice will be emailed within 48 hours.
Friendy special ~ Bring a friend or loved one and you’ll each enjoy $1o8 off our retreat package! Register by February 7th
Please note a 3% fee will be added for credit card payments on remaining balances unless paid for via options below:
Half payment due by February 15th
Balance due by March 1st
Non-refundable $600 admin fee for cancellations
TO REGISTER - SEND $600 Deposit (non-refundable) via CREDIT CARD link below
OR one of the following:
ZELLE: marybue@gmail.com
SEND A CHECK ~ (let me know you’ve mailed it)
Mary Bue - PO Box 17420 - Minneapolis, MN 55417
REFUND POLICY:
Non-refundable $600 admin fee for cancellations
Balance (minus deposit) fully refundable up to 6 weeks before retreat
Balance (minus deposit) half refundable up to 3 weeks before retreat
No refunds less than 3 weeks in advance of retreat***
** Foreign travel may require vaccinations for COVID-19. Please take into consideration before registering for this retreat that there will be no refunds for anyone who doesn’t get the potentially required vaccination for foreign air travel.
*** In case of extreme personal circumstances, we will consider full refunds less small administration fee on a case by case basis if your spot can be filled. Retreat may be transferred to another guest with permission from host, however it is not the responsibility of the host to find a replacement.
