Through my lens: A week on the Goddess Retreat

Sandra Zatezalo - Golden Heart Wellness Retreats and Ashton Arca- Salt + Mane Salon

Hello sweet friends!

I am so excited to write and share my personal retreat experience. So many of you have been waiting for this, and I appreciate the push to write about it! For those of you who follow along on social media, Salt + Mane will now be offering yearly women’s retreats in Tulum, focused on wellness, sisterhood and self discovery. These retreats are available to the amazing women in our salon community, and I am over the moon excited about it! I will co-facilitate these yearly retreats with our host and leader, Sandra Zatezalo.

For several years, I had wanted to go on a women’s retreat but it didn’t feel quite right to seek one out. Here I’m spilling all the tea — how I discovered this opportunity, the details of a soul stirring, week long journey, and how the universe conspired to bring it all together just so I could pass it on to you! I’ll start off by introducing our retreat host Sandra, and then we’ll get into the dreamy details!

Meeting Sandra Zatezalo, Retreat Leader and Host

Last year, I met retreat leader Sandra Zatezalo at a beautifully curated event in Encinitas. My husband Noah and I were craving a little weekend escape, so we spontaneously made the trip down for the weekend. We arrived with open hearts, knowing no one, but feeling ready for connection and fresh energy. Sometimes, there’s real magic in stepping out of your bubble—you never know who you’ll meet.

At this event, the host had coordinated a cooking class followed by a farm-to-table dinner. We began the evening with a breathtaking sound bath led by Malorie Lindquist, founder of Withinscape—she truly takes the experience to another level. (If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend making a trip down for one of her events!) Follow her on IG here.

After the sound bath, everyone gathered in the warm, welcoming kitchen for the cooking class. When it was time to eat, we all took our seats at the outdoor tables, and Noah and I found ourselves across from Sandra. From the moment we met, the three of us instantly connected. I was drawn to her positivity and felt such a pure, radiant energy from her—it was like she glowed from the inside out. As we chatted and shared our stories, I learned that Sandra had been a Vogue cover model, beginning her modeling career at a young age. She’s been a wife, a mother to three, and with her children now grown and out in the world, she devotes herself to leading women’s retreats across the globe.

When she began speaking about her retreats, I could see her eyes light up with passion. That quiet longing I’d always had to go on a retreat suddenly felt like it had found its answer. I had waited for the right opportunity to come to me... and wow, did it show up!

Manifesting The Goddess Retreat

Sandra went on to describe an upcoming retreat she was hosting at her home near Tulum. The moment she mentioned it, my heart skipped—I was instantly excited. I had visited Tulum back in 2021, just after COVID, when Noah and I spent a week exploring the beach zone. I fell in love with the energy, the architecture, and the dreamy, laid-back vibe of the entire place.

One spot that especially captured my heart was a boutique hotel called Azulik—an incredible, treehouse-like structure crafted entirely from natural elements. It felt like stepping into another world. That space left such an impression on me, it actually became a source of inspiration when I created Salt + Mane.

“Reclaim your Goddess” was the theme of her upcoming retreat, an adventure promising to be soul nourishing, full of sisterhood and self discovery. Sandra was so kind to share photos of her home in Puerto Aventuras, the stunning cenotes she takes her groups to, and then mentioned that the retreat ends with a visit to Azulik for a Cacao Ceremony… my jaw practically hit the floor. I had always dreamed of swimming in those crystal blue cenotes, they looked magical in photos (and wow are they breathtaking in person!) THEN when she mentioned stepping inside of Azulik —I felt the pull, an instinct so strong: this is it. GO.

Two hours into the conversation I still couldn’t get enough, but the event had come to an end. It played on my mind as we drove back to the Airbnb and Noah told me, “you NEED to go!” As someone who gets anxious about me traveling alone, especially to Mexico, he felt completely confident in Sandra’s ability to keep me safe. I trusted her completely and had no question in my mind that this would be an experience of a lifetime.

Booking my spot on the retreat

After returning home, I went back and forth, torn about whether to make the investment for myself. Like so many of us right now, I’m on a budget, and the thought of spending that kind of money made me anxious. One thing that helped ease the decision was knowing the retreat was all-inclusive. For my room choice, the total for the retreat came to $2,800, and to make it more manageable, I set up a payment plan through Affirm. I chose a monthly payment of $239 for 12 months, which felt much more achievable. This approach meant I could invest in myself without putting a strain on my finances. Everything was covered except my flight, and there were no hidden costs or surprise expenses. (I did bring a lil cash for shopping though!) Aside from Affirm, Sandra also offers personalized payment plans too.

I took a moment to reflect on how, as women, we often pour so much into others—whether it's our time, energy, or love—and how essential it is to also create space for ourselves to rest, recharge, and receive. We all need to fill our own cups.

Okay—let’s dive into the deets!

Girls trip!

My sweet friend Fallon joined me on this trip, and we shared a room together. (Appreciation post for Fallon—she’s a Goddess!) Sandra was amazing in helping us coordinate everything and answered all of our questions.

Next, we were on the plane, landing in Cancun. We met the rest of the ladies at the welcome bar, and then loaded into our shuttle. Before the trip, we had all chatted in a WhatsApp group, which made it so easy to connect at the airport. Everyone was so excited to meet each other, and the women were all incredibly sweet! The shuttle service held a sign that said “Golden Heart Wellness Retreat,” making it easy to spot them. From there, we ventured to Puerto Aventuras, to Sandra’s beautiful home, Casa Senara.

After about an hour, we arrived at the gates of Puerto Aventuras, a private, gated community nestled between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The sun was setting, so we couldn’t see much, but once we passed through the gates, we made a few turns off the main road and entered the most picturesque neighborhood with gorgeous artisan homes. I thought to myself— I could definitely live here! We parked at Sandra’s, and she greeted us in the driveway. I was in awe and so grateful to be there in that moment.

We took our luggage inside, and Sandra showed us to our rooms. I actually hadn’t seen what the room or beds looked like, so when I stepped into the bunk room, I was blown away. The bunks were luxurious—full-size beds, not twins. The ceilings were high, and the room was spacious and open. The bottom bunk was like a little boho haven, so cozy and inviting and there were cute little lamps so you could read at night. The beds had curtains as well. There were different room options with king and queen beds, but we chose the bunk room and shared it to ourselves.

We each had our own large closet, and there was a large shared dresser. I felt so comfortable and knew I’d sleep well. We also had our own private bathroom and balcony with seating and a table. On each of our beds, Sandra had left a welcome letter with our itinerary for the week, along with a bag of goodies—such a thoughtful touch that we all appreciated.

We ventured back downstairs to join the opening circle, where we chatted and got to know each other. Sandra had prepared a delicious warm meal for us. After dinner we all retreated to our rooms, our tummies and hearts full, eager for what was to come!

Exploring Puerto Aventuras

We woke up and headed downstairs. Breakfast was cooking, and I peered outside to the backyard. It was like stepping into a serene jungle oasis with a beautiful pool and patio where we could sit and eat breakfast. We joined the group on the patio for gentle yoga first, stretching out our bodies in the peaceful morning air. It was a slow, gentle start to the day. I’m not much of a yoga person but I actually really enjoyed it and my body felt relaxed. After yoga, we indulged in a fresh, vibrant breakfast—eggs, an assortment of fruit, chia pudding, pancakes made from scratch, and smoothies. It was a colorful feast for the senses!

From there, we walked into town to explore Puerto Aventuras. The roads were quiet, and most residents either walked, rode bikes, or drove golf carts. It was a short, scenic walk—beautiful and easy to navigate. Sandra also had several nice bikes we could ride anytime we wanted to go over to town. It was safe to walk alone, and the community was very friendly and family-oriented. They had a really cute farmers market going on and I was so excited to support their local artisans. There were so many beautifully crafted items here I could have filled an entire suitcase— I had to force myself to walk away!

As we were strolling through town, I heard dolphins playing in the distance. We rounded a corner and stumbled upon a dolphin habitat, which is actually the largest of its kind in the Riviera Maya. Another sweet surprise! Throughout the trip, we walked over to town several times to try local cafés, shop at boutiques, and of course, lounge on the beautiful beach. It wasn’t crowded which made it even better!

Some mornings, we’d head straight to town to grab delicious coffee at one of the cafés. We met the owner, Misty, and she was really nice. She even had a smoothie named after her—the Misty Morning—so of course, we had to go back and try it. I can’t wait to go back for the iced coffee; it was seriously the best I’ve ever had. Misty’s restaurant had also provided us with an amazing beach picnic on our retreat, another sweet surprise!

After our coffee run and beach time, we returned for our spa day. Sandra had coordinated massage therapists to come to the house, and each of us were treated to an incredible hour-long massage. It honestly felt longer than an hour. The massage therapist was so intuitive—I’d never felt such intention behind a massage before. At one point, she must’ve released some trapped energy in my body, because I ended up sobbing for a hot minute LOL. I couldn’t help but laugh, and she giggled along with me, assuring me that it happens often.

After the massage, I felt so relaxed and light. I really liked that our first full day was spent relaxing. We had the option to soak in the gorgeous clawfoot tub out on the secluded patio, filled with epsom salt and rose petals. I was so relaxed, though, that I ended up napping and skipped the bath—next time, I’ll definitely soak! The tub was surrounded by lush plants and trees, making it feel like a private sanctuary.

After the massages we snuck in more beach time, sipped margaritas at one of the cute restaurants, and then returned to the house for another mouthwatering, chef-cooked meal.

Ana Paula was our private chef for the week, and she made so many amazing meals. She didn’t gatekeep her recipes either, she was so sweet! We had vegan options, vegetarian options, and plenty of animal protein as well. A fresh variety of baked chicken, salmon, white fish, and steak. All week she served us incredible spreads, starting with soups made from scratch, delicious salads, vegetable casseroles, and ending with a delicious dessert each evening. We ate like Goddesses!

Cenote Park- aka “The Goddess Grotto”

We went through our usual morning routine—optional yoga, another delicious breakfast—and then packed up into Sandra’s van to head to the cenotes. We were all so excited. The cenote park was only about 10 minutes from Sandra’s house, and the company had this cute little hut off to the side of the road with no advertising—that’s when you know it’s gonna be good! So many cenote parks are over-crowded, with long waits, but not here. It was quiet and intimate. We waited for our guide, Clever, and then piled into a 4x4 truck to head deeper into the jungle. After about a 5 minute ride, we arrived and prepped to hike into the pools.

We quickly rinsed off in their showers— and honestly, they were nicer than I expected! They also had nice restrooms. The biggest rule was to make sure any bug spray or sunscreen was thoroughly rinsed off to prevent disrupting the delicate ecosystem. I didn’t even notice any bugs either, which was a huge bonus!

We walk through the beautiful paths to the first pool, “Raices” which means roots. Our guide spoke the Mayan language and taught us the history of these pools. The first pool had crystal light blue water, the color was nothing I’d ever seen before. There were roots sprinkled throughout the cave, it was amazing to witness this unique ecosystem. We all plunged into the water. It was refreshing, not too cold. We had plenty of space to swim — allowing us all to have a quiet moment. It was one to process, witnessing such otherworldly beauty that made you question your reality. How is this real? I had to pinch myself a few times!

We walked to another pool, this one more narrow, with water shades of turquoise and electric blue. This cenote had a short tunnel you could swim through, leading to an enclosed area where the sun was just peeking through the top of the cave. The water shimmered, the sun sparkled as it danced on the water. At this pool, I had an unexpected emotional experience. It had a different energy than the rest, it was otherworldly. Once we entered the cenote on the other side of the passage, it was absolutely UNREAL. It felt like we passed through a portal, into a womb of the earth.

When I tell you I couldn’t believe my eyes, it felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from.

Earth whispered, “hello” in so many ways. The sun trickling through a small opening, inviting you to revel in its warmth, in its spotlight. The itty bitty fishies that gently surround you in a circle, greeting you with the softest presence. I waited back in this cave after everyone swam out. I took a moment to be still and close my eyes. I tuned into my heartbeat, witnessing the moment of stillness, and a wave of emotion came over me. I slowly opened my eyes, embracing the wonders and small details of this cave. The moss, the coral, the sand, honoring how this magical place formed by an asteroid that hit the Yucatan 66 million years ago. I felt myself, in my full presence, alone in this cave. I remembered who I was. Not Ashton. Just my being, my spirit existing as one with these elements. The water, the sun, the roots, the air I breathed. We are created from these elements after all. I reconnected with the earth and my soul. I cried, overwhelmed with love and gratitude as my tears splashed into the crystal blue water. I surrendered everything and mama earth was happy to take it from me. I left feeling lighter, and my spirit recharged. This was my favorite experience during the retreat.

Sound Healing Tulum

The next day, we made a trip into the jungle for a sound ceremony. Known as “Sound Healing Tulum” on instagram, creators Joey and her husband Mitch have created a one-of-a-kind venue for all things healing. They discovered a cenote on their property, and transformed it into a healing space. When we arrive to their property, we walk down the cutest path with sweet messages sprinkled through the foilage. They have poured so much love into this sanctuary and it is very special to witness.

We are greeted by Joey and the musicians, Charlotte, Kit and Jorge. They created a peaceful atmosphere with their drums, and Charlotte sang like an angel. Throughout our visit, we all noticed several different birds singing. We were shocked to find out it was Charlotte all along, we had no idea! She shared with us that she grew up in the jungle and can mimic over 50 bird calls. She has a beautiful gift!

Once we are briefed to enter the cenote, we descend down the steps through the jungle and eventually reach the opening of the cave. There, we waited our turn to be cleansed by copal, a sacred tree sap the Mayans used in ceremony. It smelled so good!

After Kit cleansed us with the copal, he gave each of us a unique blessing. We were then invited to walk down into the lower part of the cave to a beautiful resting area for the sound ceremony. We got cozy, and they began to play. Kit played an Egyptian harp, and it was so ethereal and beautiful. The closest we’ll ever get to Enya! (IYKYK) The music took us on a journey, bringing up emotions in different areas of the body. Through different parts of the sound journey, I felt drawn to place my hands over my womb, solar plexus and heart center.

Kit began by guiding us through our breath, helping us relax and tune in. He briefly spoke about Mayan ceremony, explaining how they believed cenotes were portals to the spiritual realm. Ceremonies were often held in these sacred waters to connect with ancestors. Many cenotes remain protected today, with public access restricted to preserve their sanctity.

I quietly took a moment to invite my ancestors in during this ceremony. I’m very open to communicating, so I set the intention by letting them know I was ready to receive anything they wanted to share. It took time to quiet my mind and relax from the excitement of the possibility.

I had been quietly reflecting on my mother and grandmothers, letting my thoughts drift through the women who came before me. I was thinking about my great-grandmother Lillian. I met her as a baby but don’t remember her, and I found myself wondering what she was like.

In that moment, a voice gently rose: ‘What about us?’ At first, I was confused—Who? But the moment I acknowledged it, everything shifted. A vast, unseen presence surrounded me. I couldn’t see them, but I felt their spirits—undeniable, powerful, all-encompassing. It was the lineage. All the women. Their energy filled the space, and I was completely shaken. It rocked me in the most unexpected, profound way. I welcomed them, and their messages began to pour in. I was in complete disbelief—I couldn’t believe I had actually connected with them. The shock, the love, the gratitude… it was all so overwhelming. (Insert crying emoji)

There I was—tears streaming down my face at the bottom of a sacred cave, wrapped in the sound of the most breathtaking music. It felt surreal, like time had paused just for this moment. I kept thinking, How did I get here? How am I worthy of this? It was one of those rare, soul-stirring experiences that changes you forever.

At one point, Kit came over and fanned my body with a giant palm leaf. It helped me clear that overwhelming emotion, allowing something new to come through. Everyone had their own unique experience and enjoyed the beautiful music. A few of us shared what came up for us afterward, and we all agreed it was an experience of a lifetime. Kit checked in with us afterward and mentioned that many visitors describe a similar experience—feeling a deep connection with their lineage. Following the sound ceremony, we were allowed to take photos, swim, and just revel in the magic.

The Goddess Photoshoot

Sandra brought in a professional hairstylist and makeup artist for the day of our shoot. We were all so impressed with their ability to highlight each woman's unique features without overdoing it. They were both phenomenal. For the shoot we had total creative freedom, there were no limitations. Paige Harker, the photographer behind Future-Self Creative, connected with us before the trip. She set the intention for the photoshoot, encouraging us to truly be ourselves. Each of us chose a song for the shoot—something that made us feel empowered, feminine, sexy, or just whatever got us moving! Fallon chose a Pitbull song LOL (this is why I love her)

We met Paige in Tulum at the beach zone. She chose a spot to shoot, intimate with no one around. We parked at a cute beach front restaurant, they had great food and drinks, and a great DJ. We hung out and waited for each other to be photographed. We encouraged each other, and Sandra offered to guide us through the shoot with poses as she is the model guru! (Vogue cover model remember?)

This was truly the best and most wholesome experience. We hyped each other up, brushed away any self-doubt, and wow—everyone showed up in those photos, fully present and radiating self-love. One of the women almost opted out of the shoot because she didn’t feel comfortable, and I would’ve been so sad if she had passed it up. It was her time to shine—and she looked absolutely beautiful! She didn’t know how to pose or feel at ease in front of the camera. She was a retired kindergarten teacher who had spent her life devoted to nurturing children. So I thought to myself, how can she connect with her inner child? I asked if she felt drawn to any of the elements she used to play with alongside her students. I mentioned water and sand. Her eyes lit up and she chirped, “I love the sand!” So I encouraged her to just sit in the sand and just play. You could feel the relief wash over her, like a weight lifted. She chose to join in—and her photos were stunning! Incredible job Paige and Sandra. You really empowered and transformed all of us in that moment. How incredibly powerful women are, we are truly gifts to each other.

After the photoshoot and some boutique shopping, we went down the road to Azulik for our Cacao Ceremony. It really resembles a giant tree house in the jungle. We took a unique path through the outdoor hotel to the ceremony area. It’s a gorgeous, semi-enclosed structure built from native trees, and natural coverings. The sun shines through to illuminate the inside beautifully. Mayans practiced cacao ceremony for heart connection, spiritual guidance and communal connection. They considered Cacao “food of the gods” and a gentle facilitator for emotional healing and self-awareness. We sat around in circle, and they began the ceremony. We were given cacao beans, and a delicious warm cacao elixir. This drink is made from raw, high-quality cacao beans and is often prepared with water or a plant-based milk, along with spices like cinnamon, chili, or vanilla. It is sometimes sweetened naturally with honey or agave syrup.

Soft music played, drums pulsing gently like a heartbeat, while voices rose in prayer to the ancestors. With each sip, we were invited to go deeper, to listen inward, and to honor those who came before us. The ceremony felt like a bridge between worlds—ancient and present, seen and unseen—all woven together in love and intention.

Following the cacao ceremony, we browsed the gorgeous boutique before heading off to dinner. Sandra made reservations at a beautiful outdoor restaurant on the beach. The service was excellent, they surprised us with a delicious hibiscus water they made in house. The food was fresh and vibrant, they brought out a variety of tacos, and they offered us a traditional mayan dish that was incredible. A live instrumental set by a local musician set the tone for the evening. Following our meal, they sent us home with dessert— brownies they made from scratch. They spoiled us! We traveled back to the casa and gathered for our closing circle. The next morning, we would be departing from the retreat and returning to our homes.

That evening, we gathered for a closing circle—a sweet and meaningful way to honor each other. Over the course of the retreat, we had truly bonded; we felt like family. We offered each other support, encouragement, and heartfelt advice. Sandra planned a beautiful activity where we each took a moment to honor one another. It was the perfect way to close out such a special experience. We all connected on social media and still check in with each other from time to time. I’m so grateful for the connection we shared.

The next morning, I spoke with Sandra. I expressed my deep gratitude for her and the care she put into including us in such a magical experience. I shared that I also held a vision of one day offering retreats for the Salt + Mane community. I asked if she might be open to collaborating, where I could come down once a year to co-host a retreat for our salon family. I told her how much I loved this theme and asked if we could recreate the same retreat experience for the salon. She was overjoyed that I had asked and offered to host us next year—in February of 2026. I couldn’t believe how effortless this was, and all I could think about was seeing other women experience the same joy we all did that week.

We sat down with excitement, and filmed a quick video recapping the retreat and announcing our future collaboration. Despite her busy schedule and other retreats around the world, Sandra was so quick and generous in helping bring this vision to life.

During our conversation, Sandra shared that one of the reasons she felt so excited to collaborate was because she saw how deeply I understood the heart of this mission. She said it was clear to her that I naturally create spaces where women feel truly seen, heard, and supported—and that kind of alignment doesn’t happen every day.

I returned home with a heart so full. For weeks following the retreat, I felt like I was floating in the clouds. Being in a space with positive women that share the same goal to uplift is so healing.

So with that, we are so excited to invite you on our exclusive Salt + Mane Goddess Retreat— February 2026. We have only 6 spots remaining. — If this calls to you, your spot is waiting here.

And if someone close to you comes to mind — a sister, best friend, or soul sister — invite her along! It’s the perfect opportunity to share a room, create memories, and experience the retreat together.

For those traveling from SoCal, we’ll have the option to fly out together from LAX, so no need to worry about traveling solo — I’ll be your personal travel guide every step of the way!

Upon joining, you will receive correspondence from Sandra and I to join our WhatsApp group, where you’ll meet the other retreat attendees. Paige Harker will also chime into the chat to talk about the photoshoot.

Stay tuned — my next blog will cover how to pack for a Mexico retreat so you’ll feel confident, prepared, and excited.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! I hope you’ll join us on our next journey to go within. For our upcoming Salt + Mane Goddess Retreat, visit this link to view accomodations and reserve your space. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any curiosities. Much love!!

Xo — Ashton