The Picture Book Story of Casa Buena Art Retreat
Mexico, Riviera Nayarit, between Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan
Casa Buena rests between the tranquil fishing villages of Aticama and Santa Cruz, and is a scenic, twenty minute drive from historic San Blas, Nayarit. The back country in which we live hosts a deep creativity and unhindered beauty. We are surrounded by luscious mango and banana plantations. The air is sweet and dappled with salt from the sea.
Birds, gardens, wind chimes and fountains sing to you with spiritual beauty from every avenue of Casa Buena
Our hacienda style terrace is a perfect place to retreat, relax and be surrounded in tranquility. This is where most of our workshops unfold.
World traveler and professional photographer Dallas is responsible for beautiful gardens around the house and all the "behind the scenes" operations that make our retreats run smooth. A resident of this Mexican coast for more then 30 years, his love for this land and sacred space are astonishingly clear!
The charming terrace wraps around Casa Buena, offering a view of the rich gardens and sparkling ocean. It invites you to come for yoga, dancing, painting and personal meditatioof all forms.
Jane is your gracious hostess. A working artist, college art instructor, retreat coordinator and a guide to the magical places near by, she serves this seaside paradise with the colours of her Spirit’s palette. Casa Buena’s smallest and greatest treasures are here, vibrating with life because of her love for Beauty.
Stretch out or have a nap in rainbow hammocks which are plentiful at Casa Buena
Dining and living rooms are specious and colourful. Sit inside and enjoy the coolness on a hot day :)
Your bedroom offers mood lifting colours and story rich tapestries. We have ceiling fan in each bedroom
Spacious bathrooms with a hot and cold water are uniquely decorated with custom mosaics
With four fully functioning kitchens, you can create dazzling meals with us or on your own
Our amazing salt water pool will refresh you with silky waters. This is us on the day of pool inauguration :)
Besides the pool a beautiful palapa where you can relax or have a requlete dinner with friends
Our furry family are the best you could have. Although they are a tripping hazard at times, their love for humans is evident. They are getting attached to our guests oh so easily and go on withdrawal mode when they leave…every time!
Magnificent gardens with lush colour splashes of vibrant bougainvilleas, mosaic benches and fountains
If you take any of the garden paths, they all will lead you to a very unique Casita made entirely out of bottles.
With custom stained glass lighting fixtures and original artwork, this is our true Gem and a piece of an artwork itself.
Brandy is the only girl here besides Jane
Our private beach is only 100 steps away. Sometimes it is rocky, sometimes covered with pristine white sand. Ocean moves it every year and it is always a surprise when we come back in the beginning of a season
Our healthy food is deliciously prepared with fresh ingredients and always made from scratch.
The surrounding farms and villages as well as local friends, provide us daily with organic fruits, vegetables & eggs as well as homemade breads and tortillas. When you are here, you are our family.
Local restaurants offer freshest seafood could could ever imagine, as we live by fishing villages
Our neighbours’ smiles and acts of love encourage community building activities everyone benefits from. Just watch! Walking through plazas, beaches and front yards, new friendships shall surprise you.
Nearby fishing villages are full of authentic Mexican life with colorful laundries , chickens, boats, bikes and of course women sweeping constantly in front of their tiendas.
Abundance of shapes, colours and textures...a painting waits everywhere you look
Our own home grown Yin/Yang
Historical Port town of San Blas is only 20 min away.
There you can meet Huichol Indians who come from Sierra Madre Mountains with their bright beautiful artifacts, honouring the sacred tradition of storytelling through their art. You can buy them at the local market.
And if you happen to be in the right place at the right time... you see the most beautiful people in the most colourful outfits
This area is abundant with pristine beaches, birds of many species, fish, wales and other natural treasures of tropics
Colours, Colours, Colours… Everywhere! Mexicans are not afraid of colors🤣
At the mouth of the sea, lies the old marina of San Blas, always a good subject to paint or photograph
"La Tovarra" is an indian word for sweet water; the 8 mile round trip to the Jungle on a motor boat will take you trough an exotic tunnel of overhanging mangrove branches, where iguanas and tropical birds take refuge.
On the 2 hour tour you will see lots of birds, turtles and crocodiles leaving in protected natural environment. At the end, you can take a swing into the fresh silky waters of La Tovara pool
The second story of Casa Buena has pleasant sleeping chambers kept fresh and cool with giant windows which lend natural light to our fabulous studio space.