Tranquilo...
A retreat from the stresses of life
in the heart of México's
Yucatán
TRANQUILO is an economical, health oriented Retreat Centre located in the capital city of
Mérida, in the tropical region of the Yucatán Peninsula. We are a group of yoga and meditation
practitioners who moved to Mérida to build a life that was more simple and less
cold. It worked! You're welcome to join us as a guest. It's an ideal place to relax, retreat from
the stresses of life, collect your thoughts, and have fun. Here is Mérida on the map:
Mérida has long been a favourite base for independent travelers who love the tropics. It is as
well a popular fieldwork post for students of anthropology, biology, Spanish and Mayan
languages. Mérida has also recently won the honor of becoming the American Continent's
official CULTURAL CAPITAL for the year 2000 (in the continental competition held between cities
throughout North, Central, and South America).
Rates & Services
We offer three options for accommodations: a traditional guest house facility, a spa, and living within the
home of a Mexican family. Click on accommodations to view photos and fees.
Our retreat packages include one of the above accommodation options, plus two gourmet vegetarian meals, an
insight meditation class (90 minutes), and a hatha yoga class (60 minutes) per day for an additional
$30 per person. Swedish massage and Shiatsu treatments are also available.
Charter and commercial flights to Mérida are available from many large U.S., Canadian, and
European cities. Charter flights in particular can be quite inexpensive, although not always
easy to find. It pays to shop carefully and book early. Some travellers to Mérida prefer to fly into
Cancun (where it is almost always possible to find an inexpensive charter flight). From Cancun
Mérida can also be reached by first class bus in four hours at a cost of less than $30 round trip.
Something About Our Culture
Modern Mérida was founded in 1542 by Spanish colonists who built it over the remains of
an ancient (12th century) Mayan city. Since that time, Mérida has been the cultural center of
the region. Today the city is fortunate to be the host of several public and private universities,
natural and social science institutes, Spanish and Mayan language schools, museums, and
even a grand 19th century European theatre. Mérida is also the point of entry for exploring
the ancient Mayan world -- historical sites and archeological zones such as the Ruta Puuc
and the pyramids at Chichén Itzá and Uxmal. We will help you arrange any tours or special
activities that you would like.
Mayan culture and language is seen and heard throughout the city. Our neighborhood, for
example, is called Itzimná, (pronounced EET-ZEEM-NAH.) "Itzimná" is the name of the
greatest of the Mayan gods, the god of creation. The neighborhood of Itzimná was originally
a self-contained village. Because it is close enough to the Gulf to enjoy its breezes, many
Meridians built their homes here. Although the neighborhood has retained the charm and
quiet, peaceful quality of a village, Mérida continued to grow around it. Now, only a short
walking distance away is Paseo Montejo, an avenue right out of Paris, lined with master-
pieces of French architecture, the finest restaurants and shops in the city, and beautiful
shade trees. Public transportation is easily accessible and cheap. From the house, a 10-
minute bus ride brings you to the core of the city, the Plaza Central, which in classical
Spanish tradition is the center of social, economic, and religious life. Here you will find a
variety of things to explore, such as the oldest Cathedral constructed on the American
Continent, or the 17th century, "Palacio Municipal;" outdoor concerts, displays of the
works of Mayan artists and designers, flea markets, antique shops, and much more.
You will also find innumerable cafés, restaurants, and night clubs in Mérida, where, if you
like, you can join locals in their favourite sport, good conversation. You will find Yucatecans
of all ages, with a variety of interests and points of view who will be eager to engage you in
conversation, using what they know of your language and teaching you as much as you would
like to learn of theirs. Although the official language is Spanish, most Yucatecans understand
and speak some Mayan.
Beach, Climate & Other Attractions
Yucatán's geography and tropical climate differ from the rest of México, more closely
resembling that of our neighbors, Florida or Cuba.
Mérida is situated nine meters above sea level. Twenty minutes from the house is the 18th
century port of Progreso, where the Gulf of Mexico joins the Caribbean Sea. Unlike heavily
trafficked tourist areas such as Cancún, Progreso is a beach community enjoyed almost
exclusively by native Yucatecans. The only months of the year that the beach is very busy
are July and August, when, the tradition here is for everyone to take the month off from
work and spend it at the beach. Nightlife in restaurants and bars along the beach, however,
is lively throughout the year. Very inexpensive buses leave Mérida every half-hour for the
beach .
A variety of ecological attractions draw naturalists, scientists, and others to the region
throughout the year. Among these the most popular are the large flamingo populations of
Celestún and Rio Lagartos, the systems of underground rivers and caves used by the
Maya as well as national parks
More Links of Interest
Mystery of the Maya Website:
http://www.civilization.ca/membrs/civiliz/maya/mminteng.html
Your host, Richard Wright,
is a Ph.D. psychologist, formerly
on staff at University of Toronto.
Richard's main work interests lie
in the areas of Insight Meditation,
Stress Reduction, and Holistic Health.
He offers workshops on these topics
to interested guests.
If you would like to schedule a stay, or you would just like some more information,
please call, fax, or e-mail Richard at:
Tranquilo Retreat Centre
Calle 58 Nº 301-A, entre 25-A y 27, Colonia Itzimná, C.P. 97100
Mérida, Yucatán, México
Tel/Fax: (52) (99) 27-9634 E-Mail: mexicanretreat
Visitor Number: