Whispers of the Ancestors
Día de los Muertos Retreat
October 28th - November 1st 2026
// Oaxaca City, Mexico Whispers of the Ancestors
A Día de los Muertos ExperienceStep into the heart of Oaxaca for an unforgettable retreat woven with reverence, ritual, and cultural immersion. Timed with the sacred celebration of Día de los Muertos, this journey invites you to honor the thin veil between life and death through deep connection ~ with self, community, and ancestral tradition.
Spend five days immersed in the traditions of Oaxaca City during Día de los Muertos. Each day begins with tea ceremony and movement before we venture into the city to explore Oaxaca’s rich culture, enjoy two authentic meals, and take part in traditional rituals and ceremonies.
Cacao + Song Ceremony Connect to the gifts + ancient wisdom of Mama Cacao through meditation, song and prayer. We will share Cacao in our Opening and Closing Ceremonies to help us to center in our hearts and to sync with the great heartbeat of Life. Immerse in the energy of love and gratitude with this medicine from our Mother Earth. Let the frequencies of Song carry your intentions from your soul into the universe.
Temazcal Ceremony A temazcal is an ancient traditional mesoamerican sweat lodge for physical, emotional, mental, spiritual purification and restoration. Volcanic rocks heated on in an open fire are delivered into the temazcal where water infused with medicinal plants is poured to create steam. It is a ceremony of both personal and collective healing, where we sing, pray, and practice silence. The ceremony has 4 puertas (doors) honoring each of the elements. The temazcal symbolizes the womb of the earth, from which we are reborn.
Nourishing Movement Practices Each morning, Megan and April will offer a variety of awakening, balancing, and grounding movement meditations. Ready your body and being for our days full of cultural exploration.
The Way of Tea Each morning we will begin our day in tea ceremony. Offering a quiet return to yourself. Rooted in Cha Dao, this simple yet profound ritual invites you to soften, listen inwardly, and reconnect with the living world around you.
Oaxacan Cuisine Experience the incredible cuisine of Oaxaca City through curated dining experiences at some of the city’s best restaurants. Throughout the retreat, we’ll enjoy tasting menus that offer a delicious way to connect with the culture, flavors, and traditions of Oaxaca.
Living Funeral Experience The Living Funeral is a guided ritual that offers an opportunity to intentionally reflect on our own mortality—not as something to fear, but as a teacher. Rather than avoiding the conversation of death, this ceremony invites us to meet it with curiosity, recognizing that in acknowledging our impermanence, we often discover a deeper appreciation for life itself.
Boutique-style RoomsDesigned with modern touches and comfort, each room offers a private sanctuary to restore and rest. All rooms feature an ensuite bathroom.
Día de los Muertos TraditionsOaxaca City is renowned for its vibrant and spiritual Dia de los Muertos celebrations. The whole city honors loved ones who have passed on with elaborate ofrendas - altars in homes and public spaces. We will visit very special cemeteries, where families honor their ancestors for multiple nights with thousands of candles, marigold petals, songs and prayers. This powerful ritual offers a beautiful window into Oaxaca’s rich culture and the deep reverence woven into this sacred celebration.
Meet the hearts behind the experience
April Zanot
Movement / Meditation / TeaApril integrates many modalities into her teachings, blending Zen-inspired practices with India’s devotional traditions to nurture a way of living that is authentic to her. Living in Topanga Canyon, she shapes immersive experiences that blur the lines between body, spirit, and the shared spaces where we gather. Through yoga, dance, somatic inquiry, and the mindful art of pouring tea, April holds space for deeper layers of self to naturally surface.
Her approach is both instinctive and intentional ~ grounded in the belief that the body is not merely a vessel, but a living instrument of connection, memory, and meaning, bridging the seen and unseen.
Megan Kenson
Song / Movement / CacaoDevoted to the Spirit of Life, Megan passionately studies the body, mind, and energy. She guides others to unite with their Being through conscious movement + meditation. Her teachings invite a loving reverence for existence and participation with all of life. She offers a space to be sincerely present. There is invitation for investigation + insight, deep feeling, and authentic connection. She shares Dance, Yoga - Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Restorative - Classical Pilates, Sound Ceremony, Meditation, Cacao + Song Circles.
4 nights accommodation
Daily nutritious brunches
Fine dining tasting course menu dinners
Local artisan workshop excursion
Temazcal Ceremony + land-to-table dinner at Aguamiel countryside retreat
Opening + Closing Cacao Ceremonies
Daily movement classes
Daily tea ceremonies
Cemetery experience
Living funeral session
Transportation during the retreat
What’s included
Not included
Airfare
Airport pickup & drop off to and from the venue
Tips for restaurants / chefs / experiences
Accommodation outside of retreat dates
Traveler's insurance (not required, but recommended)
Payments
Payments are recommended by Venmo, Zelle, Check, or Cash
Credit Cards accepted with additional 3% processing fee which will be applied at checkout.
Venmo: @megankenson
Zelle: megankenson@gmail.com
PayPal: paypal.me/megankenson
*send ‘friends + family’ or will incur additional fee
Room 1: OFRENDA
Penthouse suite with view ~ a cozy, spacious room with a queen bed and its own ensuite bathroom and plenty of room to settle in. The shower is shared with just one other room.
Room 2: MARIPOSA
A cozy private room with a comfortable double bed, offering a peaceful space to rest and recharge. The room includes a private ensuite bathroom with a soaking tub, while the shower is shared with just one neighboring room.
Room 3: CEMPASUCHIL
Penthouse Suite with garden view ~ a cozy, spacious room with a queen bed and its own ensuite bathroom and plenty of room to settle in. The shower is shared with just one other room.
Room 4: LA CATRINA
A cozy, spacious room with a queen bed and its own ensuite bathroom and plenty of room to settle in. The shower is shared with just one other room.
A cozy private room with a comfortable double bed, offering a peaceful space to rest and recharge. The room includes a private ensuite bathroom with a soaking tub, while the shower is shared with just one neighboring room.
Room 5: SAGRADA
Room 6: COPAL
A cozy private room with a comfortable queen bed, offering a peaceful space to rest and recharge. The room includes a private ensuite bathroom with a soaking tub, while the shower is shared with just one neighboring room.
Reservation & DepositA non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to reserve your space. Your spot is not confirmed until payment has been received.
Payment TermsGuests may choose to pay in full or secure their spot with a deposit and pay the remaining balance by the specified due date. If a payment plan would be supportive, we're happy to work with you to create one that fits your needs.
CancellationsThe $500 deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances.
If you cancel more than 30 days before the retreat start date, any amount paid beyond the deposit will be refunded.