UPDATES:  [Posted Feb 17, 2016]

1)  In order to maintain an even balance of leads & follows, we are currently putting all single follows on a waiting list.  If you are a single follow, please continue to register and we will notify you ASAP as soon as a spot become available.  All leads and lead/follow pairs will continue to be accepted right away.

2)  Due to a generous donation by one of our participants, a single $200 scholarship has been made available for a 'non-novice' level solo lead to attend. Contact Ari ASAP if you are interested (Fill out a registration form, and in the comment section, say you are interested in the scholarship).  This post will be removed as soon as this spot fills.  

 Join us for a fun & fabulous:

Mexico Dance ADVENTURE Retreat!

APRIL 9-16, 2016

with acclaimed international dance instructor

Ari Levitt, MD 

  UPDATES:  [Posted June 10, 2016]

Registration for our 2017 retreat is not open yet, not to worry.  We are still putting together all of the logistics and details for the upcoming retreat, and should have this posted soon.  

PLEASE NOTE:  Some of the information you will see on this website is still from our 2016 trip (The SCHEDULE page, etc), and may not reflect the itinerary or costs for 2017.  We just want to give you an idea of what we did in 2016, and some of the magic that will be in store for you in 2017....

Be sure let us know your contact information on our CONTACT PAGE so that we can let you know as soon as registration opens.  We sold out in 2016, and anticipate selling out again in 2017 (space is limited to only 24 participants, and since many folks will be returning, it will be important to be informed of the registration opening dates...)

We look forward to seeing you there!

 UPDATES:  [Posted June 10, 2016]

Registration for our 2017 retreat is not open yet, not to worry.  We are still putting together all of the logistics and details for the upcoming retreat, and should have this posted soon.  

PLEASE NOTE:  Some of the information you will see on this website is still from our 2016 trip (The SCHEDULE page, etc), and may not reflect the itinerary or costs for 2017.  We just want to give you an idea of what we did in 2016, and some of the magic that will be in store for you in 2017....

Be sure let us know your contact information on our CONTACT PAGE so that we can let you know as soon as registration opens.  We sold out in 2016, and anticipate selling out again in 2017 (space is limited to only 24 participants, and since many folks will be returning, it will be important to be informed of the registration opening dates...)

We look forward to seeing you there!

  "Mexico Dance-Adventure Retreat" is the ultimate in  dance adventures -- a truly incredible blend of travel, play, & learning! 

The week is specifically designed for dancers who not only want to experience the tropical beauty & splendor of Mexico's Pacific Nayarit coastline, but who would also love to do so in the company of a fun group of like-minded fellow dancers & travel-adventurers!

During Mexico Dance Week, we use the seaside village of Chacala as our veritable playground -- relaxing, taking in the casual vibe, exploring the region's natural beauty, enjoying unique local dining & dancing opportunities, attending dance classes together, and spending a portion of each day engaged in some kind of fun outdoor 'adventure'.  This might include snorkeling, swimming, or boogie boarding on a local beach; exploring the petroglyphs at Altavista; hiking or horseback riding to "Las Cuevas" beach; soaking in the local hot springs; visiting the weekly "La Penita" market; dining & dancing to live music at the local restaurants & on the beach. 

The dance classes will be Latin flavored (salsa, cha cha, rumba, merengue, and tango, PLUS optional blues, swing, fusion, ballroom and other styles at the groups discretion) with an emphasis on connection, fun & playfull combo's, and effortless partnering.

There are also numerous fun activities that you can do on your own, from relaxing on the beach, birding, enjoying a morning stretch on the huge Palapa-covered deck, engaging with the wonderful people who live here, swimming in the calm bay, taking a yoga class, soaking in the ocean-view, infinity-edge pool, enjoying a margarita with toes in the sand, learning spanish with a local tutor, or volunteering for a few hours at a local school.  The sky's the limit! 

 Join us for an incredible  

Mexico Dance Adventure!

 Bien Venido a Todos!

     Thank you for your interest in attending our upcoming "Mexico Dance & Adventure Retreat"on April 1-8th, 2017, in Chocala, Mexico.  Chacala, situated on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, just above Puerto Vallarta, is a beautiful and tranquil locale in which to immerse yourself for a week of dance, play, exploration, food, & community.  With it's quaint "fishing villiage" resort town atmosphere, shops, restaurants, businesses, and beaches, it is not only a gem in the crown of Mexico's villiage resort towns, but also truly represents a wonderful microcosm of Mexican culture. 

     This week, we are privileged to have Jae Gregory, the co-founder and designer of "Casa de Tortuga", join us for our Mexico retreat.  She is a wonderful resource for all things local in Chacala, and will be organizing our music and dance evenings in town.  What a special treat!

     Our "dance-adventure" program is a very unique concept, and quite different from other more traditional dance camps you may have attended.  It's the perfect marriage of bringing people together who not only love to dance, but who also love exploring new parts of the world in a small group setting, and in the company of fellow dance enthusiasts.  In Chacalas, we'll be taking advantage of local music and culture, using it as a backdrop for new adventures, new experiences, and great dancing!  It's truly a Mexican 'dance-adventure"!

     In our dance classes, which will only take up a small portion of the day, our intention is to explore Latin dance themes (of course, this can change based on group consensus when we get there.  This is the beauty of having a small group to work with where we can easily tailor the agenda to the desires of the participants!)

     The rest of our day will be spent doing some kind of fun group activity.  You can see a list of the kinds of activites available to us at the bottom of our schedule page.

     In the evenings, we will be venturing out for dining & dancing in the local communities.  Jae knows the area well and will be arranging our evening agenda with the local restauranteurs and community members.  We'll also have one day free for a deeper exploration of the region -- ie, traveling to Puerto Vallarta, visiting other nearby towns or villiages, or simply relaxing and enjoying the beauty and tranquility of this beautiful coastal setting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

This will be a fabulous week, with lots of fun connecting, dancing, & learning!  I hope you can make it.  Plase feel free to invite the members of your dance community to attend, as well as anyone else you feel might enjoy a unique experience like this!   

• To learn more about the resort town of Chacala CLICK HERE
• To learn more about getting to Chacala, CLICK HERE
• To learn more about our retreat venue, the "Casa de Tortugas", CLICK HERE
• To look at our tentative schedule for the week, CLICK HERE
  

  MESSAGE FROM JAE GREGORY:

Welcome!  

We’re so glad you’ll be visiting Casa de Tortugas!  Here are a few advance tips to make your stay more enjoyable. 

For the adventurer who likes to dance, and the dancer who likes adventure:   

This is an amazing spot for those looking for true Mexico.  Chacala is a small, mostly fishing village of around 500 residents, very authentically Mexican.  Most residents do not speak English. Most fish or work locally. There is a lovely active community of ex-patriots who’ve called Chacala their home for many years.  You’ll find the residents and community friendly, welcoming, and safe.  The lovely bay is considered one of the best in Mexico, calm enough for swimming, rarely a crowd.  The beach has received the clean beach certification, a rarity in Mexico. 

You can walk a circuit of the entire town in 40 minutes.  The streets are paved with stone or left natural (You will not be able to walk in heels here, so leave them at home and let your feet be comfy)  You are safe walking at night. Visitors are invited to town activities, no one is a stranger long. 

It’s especially appealing to singles, couples, and families, and for some reason, those needing healing, as there can be an almost spiritual feel, especially at Casa de Tortugas. 

Chacal vs Puerto Vallarta:

Please be warned that Chacala is NOT for those looking for the kind of isolated, sanitized, time-share style experience that you might find in places such as "Cabo" or "Puerto Vallarta".  It is NOT for those who don’t want to interact with local Mexicans.  Here, you will hear dogs barking and roosters crowing, see trucks selling fruit off the back, watch kids walking to school.  There is a scooter that delivers fresh tortillas each day.  Constantine, an icon of the villiage, walks all around town each morning delivering her fresh squeezed juices,.  There is a a fish market selling fish and shrimp caught that morning practically in front of our door. It’s utterly charming.  

General information:

1. You’ll fly into the Puerto Vallarta Airport. We’ll arrange shuttles or group rental cars to get to Chacala. 

2. Banks close at 4 p.m., and there is nowhere to exchange money in Chacala.  If you’re arriving later than 2 p.m., consider changing some money at the PV airport while waiting for your luggage. It does not usually have the best exchange rate but is very convenient.  

3. There are no real grocery stores between Nuevo Vallarta and Chacala, though there are many fruit stands and very small “tiendas” in Chacala where you can buy basics. Many people like to stop at the Mega store outside Nuevo Vallarta on the way to Chacala for essentials.  It’s a very large (mega, even), American-style grocery store.  We’ve found that it’s helpful to buy milk, sunscreen, repellent, and if you wish, some snacks and breakfast juices and foods.  While water is available for your use at Casa de Tortugas, you may also want smaller bottles of water for sinkside tooth brushing or to carry with you each day. 

4. 2 packs of coffee and creamer are provided for your stay so you may want to purchase coffee at Mega.  Filters are provided for you.  

5. There are ATM’s in the Mega.  

Directions and Check-in:

It’s easy to get to Chacala. 

Directions – Hwy 200 to the Playa Chacala road. As you come into town, you’ll take the third left turn (the first is a simple dirt road you might miss) where the blue signs are tipping a bit – Playa and Zona hoteleria . At the end of that short street you’ll take a right.  In a very short distance that road will Y and head uphill, take the left Y.  Just past the red church at the top of the hill, take a left at the preschool sign.  In less than a block, you’ll take a right at the tree in the road. Casa de Tortugas is at the end of that very short side street on the right  

Before you leave:

1. Make sure your cell phone has an International/Mexico plan.  Verizon service now works in much of Chacala, and the most recent package was only $2 a day to add on service in Mexico.   

2. There is wifi at Casa de Tortugas, but it can be hit or miss.  Internet cables are provided for a high speed internet connection in the rooms.  

3. Transportation – There is a van service to and from Chacala operated by Arturo.  (phone number to follow)   

4. Food and water in Mexico – don’t drink the water.  Bottled water is provided, and you may want to purchase a few of your own bottles to take along.  Some people take grapefruit seed extract (GSE) before their vacation so they can take advantage of the local fare without concern. We’ve never experienced any stomach problems here, but if you have a sensitive stomach you might consider it just in case. 

5. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent. The insects vary with the seasons but are usually very moderate.  As the sun begins to go down some biting can begin, so wear protection or avoid being outside just then if you are particularly vulnerable. 

6. For your planning purposes, be aware Puerto Vallarta is one hour ahead of Chacala. Chacala is on U.S. Mountain time. 

7. If you prefer to pack light, laundry service is available for $3 per garment.   

Chacala Activities to look forward to or plan in advance:

1. Sun-bathing on the lovely beaches, swimming in the calm bay, paddleboarding, surfing at nearby beaches, bird-watching in the virgin jungle, fishing from either the rocky point or out of local boats, horseback riding on the beach or through the jungle, boat tours to deserted beaches.  

2. Boating and fishing – local guides offer boat rides, fishing trips, whale watching in season, snorkeling excursions, and exploring isolated beaches. The boat dock is 5 minutes from Tortuga.  

3. Whale watching – you can see whales breach from nearly every room and patio at Casa de Tortugas, usually January – March.  You may also see Sea Turtles and Dolphins. . 

4. Surfing – a secret surfers paradise - check out nearby Caletas – a left break world-renowned by the experienced surf community for advanced surfers.  

5. Petroglyphs near Alta Vista – nearly 2000 years old, site offers explanatory signs in Spanish and English. Arturo,, a Chacala resident is ready to be your guide.  

6. Learn Spanish on the beach - Trini’s Escuela de Espanol (Spanish Immersion Program) – offers group or individual Spanish instruction using an immersion model for very reasonable rates.  

7. La Penita market – a weekly open-air market on Thursdays, in the neighboring city of La Penita – lots of shopping and dining options!   

8. See crocodiles up close and personal - visit the San Blas crocodile farm and mangrove swamp. 

9. Night life – we’ll be putting on dances at Casa de Tortugas, Mingos on the ocean, and Acelas upper deck overlooking the beach.  There may be a Cuban band one night at Mar de Jade, and we’re all invited to attend Karlas weekly rooftop party and dance.  

When you leave to go home:

1. Remember that Puerto Vallarta is one hour ahead and you can run into slow traffic on the road any day of the week.  It’s best to leave 4.5 hours ahead of your flight time.  

 Mexico Dance Adventure (April 9-16, 2016)

Dance Workshop Options:

Our choices for daily dance topics are quite diverse, as are the levels (from beginning to advanced).  Much will be decided by the group on location.  Class topics may include, but are not be limited to: 

• The Invisible Art of Dance Connection, Flow, & Energy
• Secrets to Effortless Partnering
• All Things Salsa (steps & combos, tricks, styling, connection, modern fusion)  
• Romantic Rumba (steps & combos, styling, connection, modern fusion)
• Fabulous Cha Cha (steps & combos, tricks, styling, modern fusion, etc)
• Fun with Merengue (steps & combos, tricks, styling, modern fusion, etc)
• The Art of Tango (steps & combos, tricks, styling, modern fusion, etc)
•  Bachata Made Easy(steps & combos, tricks, styling, modern fusion, etc)
• Intro to Kizomba (steps & combos, tricks, styling, modern fusion, etc)
• Lifts, Dips, & Garnishes to Embelesh Your Repertoire
• Musicality
• A Taste of Swing (steps & combos, tricks, styling, modern fusion, etc)
• Mastering the Blues  (steps & combos, tricks, styling, modern fusion, etc)
• Intro to Fusion (energy, flow, connection, and more)
• Fun with West Coast Swing

Adventure Options:

Our choice of group activities, dining locations, cultural activities, etc, can be fairly flexible.  Much will be decided by the group on location.  Activities may include, but are not be limited to: 

• Additional Specialty Dance Workshops & Classes, Extra Dance Practices
• Visit the fabulous Hot Springs! 
• Attend the "La Penita Market" (Thursday)
• Petroglyphs Trail Hike
• Fishing Tour
• Surfing
• Snorkeling 
• Whale watching
• La Penita market day
• Crocodile farm visit
• Acheological site visit
• Private beach trip & picnic
• Sayulita day trip for zip lining or surf school
• Evening trip to disco in Sayulita or Gauyabitos.
• Learn Spanish with a local tutor

Evening Dining & Dancing Options:

• Acelas Rooftop Restaurant (dining & dancing)
• Oceanfront Palapa (dining & dancing)
• Mingos Oceanside Open Air Dance Floor  (Saturday is "posole" day!). 
• Karlas Top Story Hot Spot (dance party with the locals!) 

Enjoy the magic of Chacala, where you’ll find a unique, almost spiritual feel, with instant warmth and connectedness. It may just transform you! 

 CLICK HERE to see a news reel about Chacalas. 

 CLICK HERE to read a blogspot about Chacalas.

 EVENING ACTIVITY OPTIONS, EXPANDED:

Our evening activity options can include a group dinner & dance at a different local venue for 4 or 5 of the nights.  Our actual itinerary will be decided by the group during the week:

* Tuesday:  A dance at Mingos, a simple open air restaurant which has a large polished concrete floor and is on the ocean.  They are famous for their Saturday posole day as well, so we might also combine a dance with that.   It’s in a visible spot so it's quite popular with the townsfolk.  

* Wednesday:  A town party at Villa deTortugas; the top level is large enough for dancing, the party happens on the 2nd level.  Jae hosts one of these every time she is in town and they are always a hit, 50 – 100 people. We may offer a dance lesson as part of it...   

* Thursday: Dance at the weekly town gathering.  Karla, who has been very active in the town for many years, hosts a weekly gathering on Thursdays on her rooftop for anyone who is in town.  It's a great place it to meet locals, and dance.  The locals will love it too…. 

* Friday:  A dance on Acelas upper deck.  Open air with a palm palapa cover, this restaurant is on the beach, actually on the sand, like many others here.  We can do this dance with or without food or bar, it's outr option.  Their Sarendeado, a local speciality of BBqd fish, is considered the best in town and must be ordered in quantity so might be nice to have a small buffet.

* Saturday:  A dance at Mingos, a simple open air restaurant which has a large polished concrete floor and is on the ocean.  They are famous for their Saturday 'posole' day, so that should be fun. 

 Flying into Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Mexico

You can get great discount prices for airfare using online search engines, particularly if you book your flight at low travel times (Sat-Sat).  You can shop and compare at:  

• www.tripadvisor.com
• www.CheapOAir.com
• www.Kayak.com
• www.Priceline.com
• www.Expedia.com 
• www.travelocity.com
• www.hotwire.com
• insanelycheapflights.com
• www.flyfrontier.com

Transportation from the Puerto Vallarta airport to the retreat

We will provide transportation from the Puerto Vallarta airport to "Casa de Tortugas" in Chacala

You should fly into Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) on SATURDAY, APRIL 9th, and try to arrive late AM to mid-day if possible as it is a 90 mile drive to Chacala and a one hour time change (later) from Puerto Vallarta.  Also, our driver will stop at the Big grocery store so that you can pick up food supplies, beer, wine etc. for your stay at good prices. 

For Your return flight,  DEPART ON SATURDAY,  APRIL 16th AND please try to book your flight from Puerto Vallarta to leave no earlier than 12:00 or 1:00 pm as you will have to leave Chacala about 3 hours prior to your flight.  Planning your flight later in the day is ideal if it works for you so you have one more morning on the beach!

Please let us know your airline, flight number, and flight arrival and departure after you book them. 

Chacala one of Mexico’s best kept secrets

The Chacala Experience

Activities in Chacala

The Beach

Boating

Fishing

Whale Watching

Surfing

Hiking

Birding

Jungle Ride

Shopping

Hot Springs

Nightlife

Chacala Restaurants

How to get to Chacala (if coming on your own)

An internationally aclaimed world-class dancer & instructor, Ari  is highly regarded for his fun, energetic, humorous teaching style which can't help but inspire his students with his own joy and love of dance. His clear, detailed attention to connection and partnership along with his ability to translate even the most complex dance movements and concepts into simple understandable instructions has made him one of the most highly regarded instructors in his field.  

 Ari has been teaching, choreographing, and performing social dance both nationally and internationally for over 25 years, including numerous workshops as special guest instructor to Stanford University, as founder and co-director of “Waltz Week in Vienna”, and as the founder and director of “New Zealand Dance Adventure”, "Harrison Hot Springs Dance & Spa Retreat" (B.C.), "The Swing, Rhythm & Blues Dance Weekend" at Villa Roma (Catskills, NY), and "Dancing with Horses" (Baltimore, MD & Victoria, B.C.).  

Ari's breadth of styles include swing, waltz, salsa, tango, Latin, lindy hop, ballroom, balboa, blues, fusion, WCS, and NC2S.  In addition, Ari is well-known as one of this country's leading innovators and instructors of "fusion" dance — a form of social dance which borrows elements from one style and blends them fluidly into another, as well as for his pioneering work in the field of wellness and dance therapy — using dance movement, balance, body awareness, and connection as modalities for diagnosing and treating individuals and couples.  In 2009, Ari introduced the first fusion waltz & swing workshops to Vienna & Europe. This year, he plans to include more such classes in their upcoming waltz week sessions. 

*Fun Fact*   When off the dance floor, Ari works as a physician and entrepreneur on faculty at Singularity University where he is one of the coordinators of Exponential Medicine, a world-renown program bringing top physicians, innovators, and investors together to explore how rapidly evolving, game-changing technology will impact the future of healthcare.  

 *Fun Fact*    Ari is innovating a new workshop concept in teaching wellness through social dance, and will soon be putting on one of the Northwest's first such themed dance camp. Look for more details later this year at www.rolluptherug.com 

Contact Us:

 Registration Trouble-shooting:

 Welcome to "Mexico Dance Adventure, 2016!" 

To Register: 

1. Complete the registration form below and click on the "submit" button at the bottom of the form
2. After you have registered, please click on the PAYMENT page to complete your payment using your credit card or paypal online, or by check or money order.
3. Having trouble using this page?     Click Here

 UPDATES:  [Posted Feb 17, 2016]

1)  In order to maintain an even balance of leads & follows, we are currently putting all single follows on a waiting list.  If you are a single follow, please continue to register and we will notify you ASAP as soon as a spot become available.  All leads and lead/follow pairs will continue to be accepted right away.

2)  Due to a generous donation by one of our participants, a single $200 scholarship has been made available for a 'non-novice' level solo lead to attend. Contact Ari ASAP if you are interested (Fill out a registration form, and in the comment section, say you are interested in the scholarship).  This post will be removed as soon as this spot fills. 

Leave Your Cares Behind & Unwind at "Casa de Tortugas"

During our retreat, we will be using the beautiful beach-side Casa de Tortugas as our home base and residence, with overspill as needed into other local B&B haciendas.  Casa de Tortugas is one of Chacala's most beautiful villas, and features:

• Six spacious rooms, which can sleep up to 15:

• King Suite (3 of these): each room has one king bed (sleeps 1-2), upstairs seating area, en suite open private bath/frig/safe/coffee maker in room/outdoor kitchen  (Pricing for the King Suites is $1725 for a single occupant; or $925/pp for two people sharing a room)

• Queen/Double:  one queen bed, one double bed (sleeps 2-4),  private bath, downstairs with large kitchen, living area, dining   (Please note:  for registration and payment, this room will be priced for two at $900 per person.  If you have more in your party, or if others join you, the pricing can be adjusted later:  $785/pp for three, $675/pp for four)

• Double/Double:  two double beds (sleeps 2-4), shared bath, downstairs kitchen, living, dining   (Please note:  for registration and payment, this room will be priced for two at $850 per person.  If you have more in your party, or if others join you, the pricing can be adjusted later:  $765/pp for three, $675/pp for four)

• Twin/Twin/Twin:  (for single leads only) large room with three twin beds (sleeps 3), shared bath, downstairs kitchen, living, dining  (Pricing for this room is $750 per person)

• A fully equipped house kitchen downstairs, and a small outdoor kitchen upstairs.  The house kitchen has basics such as olive oil, spices etc.  There is fresh drinking water available on site.
• A spacious rooftop 'palapa' with a spectacular sunset view of the ocean where you can watch whales breeching (a 'palapa' is a covered penthouse patio) 
• A beautiful pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens
• A beautiful oceanfront view just steps away from Chacala beach 
• The villa is surrounded by walls for extra privacy. 
• A spacious penthouse patio with a sweeping polished wood patio bar 
• Convenient off-street parking
• Wireless internet
• Casa de Tortugas is a non-smoking property

*PLEASE NOTE:  In the event that "Casa de Tortuga" sells out, we will be using the nearby "Casa Monarcha", "Villa Celeste", or "Casa Ohm" for additional housing.  Each of these residences has similar room offerings and has agreed to honor the prices above.  If your requested room is not available at Casa De Tortuga, we will work will you individually to arrange suitable housing at one of these other properties.

Near CASA DE TORTUGA:  Lovely Chacala Beach is just a two-minute stroll away in one direction, and the marina is a mere two-minute walk in the other.  In fact, everything in Chacala is within walking distance of Casa de Tortugas

Things to do in Chacala:  book tours for fishing, surfing, snorkeling, whale watching, "La Penita" market day, crocodile farm visit, archeological site visit, private beach trips with picnics, Sayulita day trip for zip line or surf school, evening trips to disco in Sayulita or Gauyabitos.

CLICK HERE to go to the Casa De Tortugas Webpage

 PLEASE NOTE:

Single Leads are needed to help take follows off of the waiting list!

Due to an initial lead/follow imbalance in registration, we will need to put all further single follows on a waiting list for the Mexico retreat (please complete the registration page none-the-less.  When a space opens up, we will be happy to honor the price that corresponds with the date you registered).   All single leads and lead/follow couples will still be admitted right away.  Our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this might cause.

Come on, leads!  We have follows waiting for you to get them in!

Join us for a fun & fabulous:

Mexico Dance ADVENTURE Retreat!

MARCH 17-24, 2019

with 

Ari Levitt, Jae Gregory, & Company! 

 UPDATES:  [Posted Dec 30, 2018]

1)  In order to maintain an even balance of leads & follows, we are currently putting all single follows on a waiting list.  If you are a single follow, please continue to register and we will notify you ASAP as soon as a spot become available.  

2)  All leads and lead/follow pairs will continue to be accepted right away.

Leads PLEASE sign up!   

We need you to take follows off of our waiting list   :)

 UPDATES:  [Posted Dec 30, 2018]

1)  In order to maintain an even balance of leads & follows, we are currently putting all single follows on a waiting list.  If you are a single follow, please continue to register and we will notify you ASAP as soon as a spot become available.  

2)  All leads and lead/follow pairs will continue to be accepted right away.

Leads PLEASE sign up!   

We need you to take follows off of our waiting list   :)

 UPDATES:  [Posted Feb 20, 2021]

In order to maintain an even balance of leads & follows, we are currently putting all single follows on a waiting list.  If you are a single follow, please continue to register and we will notify you ASAP as soon as a spot become available.  All leads and lead/follow pairs will continue to be accepted right away. 

 UPDATES:  [Posted Feb 20, 2021]

In order to maintain an even balance of leads & follows, we are currently putting all single follows on a waiting list.  If you are a single follow, please continue to register and we will notify you ASAP as soon as a spot become available.  All leads and lead/follow pairs will continue to be accepted right away. 

Our Chacala "Mexico Dance-Adventure" is the ultimate in dance adventures -- a truly incredible blend of travel, play, & learning! 

The week is specifically designed for dancers who not only want to experience the tropical beauty & splendor of Mexico's Pacific Nayarit coastline, but who would also love to do so in the company of a fun group of like-minded fellow dancers & travel-adventurers!

During Mexico Dance Week in Chacala, we use the seaside village of Chacala as our veritable playground -- relaxing, taking in the casual vibe, exploring the region's natural beauty, enjoying unique local dining & dancing opportunities, attending dance classes together, and spending a portion of each day engaged in some kind of fun outdoor 'adventure'.  This might include snorkeling, swimming, or boogie boarding on a local beach; exploring the petroglyphs at Altavista; hiking or horseback riding to "Las Cuevas" beach; soaking in the local hot springs; visiting the weekly "La Penita" market; dining & dancing to live music at the local restaurants & on the beach. 

The dance classes will be Latin flavored (salsa, cha cha, rumba, merengue, bachata, and tango, PLUS optional blues, swing, fusion, ballroom and other styles at the groups discretion) with an emphasis on connection, fun & playfull combo's, and effortless partnering.

There are also numerous fun activities that you can do on your own, from relaxing on the beach, birding, enjoying a morning stretch on the huge Palapa-covered deck, engaging with the wonderful people who live there, swimming in the calm bay, taking a yoga class, soaking in the ocean-view infinity-edge pool, enjoying a margarita with toes in the sand, learning spanish with a local tutor, or volunteering for a few hours at a local school.  The sky's the limit! 

 Join us for an incredible 

Mexico Dance Adventure!

              Leave Your Cares Behind & Unwind at the                   "Marina Chacala Villa Resort" 

(See photos at bottom of page)

During our retreat, we will be using three of the beautiful cliff-side villas at the Marina Chacala Villa Resort for our home base and residence.  Although each room in the three villas is unique and distinct, we have divided them into three general categories based on their size, view, location, quality, and access to the pool.  The prices below are based on double occupancy. Single, triple, and quad rooms are limited and may be available upon request.

All rooms have at least a twin, queen, or king bed, as well as a private bath, access to an open-spaced common area, a fully stocked common kitchen, a safe, and an outdoor palapa, as well as access to the common pool and cliff-side palapa (see photos below)

Jae will assign rooms on a first-come-first-served & needs basis, and in a way that can best accommodate the group's needs.  Your understanding and flexibility in this regard is most appreciated!    

PRICES:  

• The Three Room Categories Are:

• Salsa Suite (3 available):  

  PRICE: $1,595 per person double occupancy ($2,295 single occupancy) 

  
  

  Amenities:  Best quality and most spacious rooms with views, king-size bed, private bathroom, common kitchen & living spaces, access to pool.

• Tango Lodge (the majority of rooms are these):  

  PRICE:  $1,395 per person double occupancy ($2,195 single occupancy) 

  
  

  Amenities:  Better quality rooms with larger spaces, twin or queen-sized beds, private bathroom, common kitchen and living spaces, access to pool

• Lambada Lair (2 available):  [SOLD OUT FOR SINGLE FEMALES.  Spaces for single males still available]

  PRICE:  $1,195 per person  (triple occupancy, for single leads or single follows only). 

  
  

  Amenities:  Good quality smaller rooms, twin-size beds, private bathroom, common kitchen and living spaces, access to pool

  
  
• EARLY BIRD pricing is shown above. After Oct 30th, prices go up $100 in all categories

• Fully equipped common kitchens with all of your basic essentials and cooking needs, such as dishes, utensils, oil, spices, etc.  There is bottled drinking water available on site at all of the villas.
• Spacious common 'palapas' (a 'palapa' is a covered, open-air penthouse patio) with spectacular views of the central pool and/or ocean.  
• A luxurious central pool accessible to all of the villas and surrounded by a verdant lawn and lush tropical gardens.
• The property has a beautiful cliffside view overlooking the Chacala town & beach (the ballroom suites have ocean views as well)
• The villa is surrounded by walls & trees for extra security & privacy.
• Convenient on-site parking is available
• Wireless internet is available (though given it's Chacala, it may not alway see reliable)
• Access to the community's private beach and amenities (located a short walk or drive away -- see pictures below) include:
• A pristine, white sandy beach and palm grove
• Two large pools (for swimming laps or lounging)
• Tennis & pickle-ball courts (bring your own rackets & balls)
• Beach volleyball court (bring your own volleyball)
• An covered oceanside palapa for food and drinks
• Kayaks & paddle-boards (available for rent)
• lounge chairs and umbrellas
• The Marina Chacala Villas and Beachfront are non-smoking properties

*PLEASE NOTE:  In the event that the reserved villas sell out, we will be using the nearby homes for additional housing.  Each of these residences has similar room offerings and has agreed to honor the prices above.  If your requested room is not available at the Villas, we will work with you individually to arrange suitable housing at one of those other properties.

   Other Logistics:

Getting Around:  We will have a limited number of cars available for small groups or individual use to drive into town or to the private beach at Chacalitas.

In Town:  The Chacala town center and lovely Chacala Beach is just a 15-20 minute walk or five-minute drive away.  

Organized Guided Tours:  Please refer to the menu below for a list organized guided tours (and costs) that will be available to you during our stay.  CLICK HERE for a list of available organized tours

Things to do on your own in the region:  (you can organize your own group and use one of the cars if available).  Activities include beach-combing, sunbathing & lounging; oceanside dining; fishing, surfing, snorkeling, whale watching or bird-watching; attending "La Penita" market day; visiting  the crocodile farm; hiking to the petroglyph archeological site; private beach trips with picnics; Sayulita day trip for zip line or surf school; visiting the artist colony of Las Panchas; evening trips to disco in Sayulita or Gauyabitos, and more!