Where's Waldo?
From Portugal to Paradise: Finding Zen in Chacala, Mexico
Where’s Waldo? Remember the beloved character created by Martin Handford, brought to life in the 1991 animated series with Townsend Coleman, Jim Cummings, Brad Garrett, and Julian Holloway? That’s honestly how my travels have felt lately, bouncing from one place to the next, always searching for the next adventure, the next moment of wonder.
I believe we left off in Portugal, which was a wonderful place to be indeed. So wonderful, in fact, that I’m heading back in September.
But after Portugal, I went somewhere completely different.
Mexico.
My warm-weather bags were already packed, so the transition was easy. I landed back in Boston, stayed for four days, and then it was off to find my version of “Zen.” This trip was exactly what my body and spirit needed, a chance to reset and reconnect through yoga, nourishing meals, long walks on the beach, and early morning volcano sunrises.
I flew into Puerto Vallarta and took a hot, sweaty bus packed with fellow yogis, all of us masked and moving carefully through the era of testing, re-testing, and cautious travel. Safety first.
Eventually, I arrived in Chacala, a peaceful beach town tucked into a small cove on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Nayarit.
It was instantly clear why people come here to slow down.
Mar de Jade: A Retreat with a Mission
I stayed at Mar de Jade, a wellness resort founded by Dr. Laura Del Valle. Thirty years ago, she began this project as an inn designed to support young doctors, mainly from the United States, who traveled to the area to provide voluntary clinical services to the community.
Learning the story behind the retreat made the experience even more meaningful.
I had the chance to meet Laura personally and watch a video documenting how the retreat came to life. I was completely blown away by her vision, her perseverance, and the community effort that turned Mar de Jade into what it is today.
It wasn’t just a vacation spot.
It felt like a place built with heart.
The view from my room was the kind of calm you don’t forget, ocean air, soft light, and the quiet rhythm of a world that wasn’t rushing.
And then the retreat routine began:
Mystic Embrace: A Journey into the Jungle
One of the most memorable experiences was an excursion with Mystic Embrace, led by Alex and Alejandro, a newlywed couple who recently launched their guiding business. They were warm, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the land.
(Also, yes, they were adorable.)
Our destination was the Alta Vista Petroglyph Complex near Chacala, a sacred site where ancient stones sit along overgrown riverbanks and scattered hillsides. The petroglyphs are believed to be thousands of years old, created by the Tecoxquines.
It’s said these carvings were an attempt to connect with supernatural energy that controlled the seasons, harvests, and lives of the Tecoxquines.
And honestly?
You could feel something there.
There are about 50 known carved stones, with others likely still waiting to be discovered.
At one point, a rainbow appeared through a reflection in a photo I took, something I didn’t even notice in real time. It felt like the kind of quiet, unexpected magic you can’t manufacture.
Wild.
A Flute in the Jungle
One moment stands out so clearly that I know I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.
At the top, near a watering hole, I met a man dressed in a loincloth, not memorable because of what he wore, but because of the calm, gentle presence he carried.
He was soft-spoken, with leathery skin that suggested years of living close to the elements. He told me he and his dog had slept there overnight because it was a full moon, and they were ready to receive the energy it promised.
As we walked away, I was hanging back behind the group, and suddenly, he began to play a flute.
In the stillness of the jungle, the sound floated through the trees like a whisper.
It was haunting and beautiful; the kind of moment that makes you stop thinking and just feel.
The Road There Was Not Easy
The trip to Alta Vista wasn’t exactly simple. We traveled down long, winding dirt roads through old fields lined with mahogany, palm, and fig trees, bouncing along in a dusty van while learning about the plants and landscape along the way.
At one point, we approached what looked like a checkpoint.
A man stood in the middle of the road, allowing only certain vehicles to pass.
It felt a little sketchy, I won’t lie, but I trusted the young couple guiding us, and I reminded myself that sometimes the most meaningful places aren’t found on easy roads.
And sure enough, it was worth it.
Fun was had by all, and it naturally led to the next adventure.
Sunrise on the Volcano
The following morning began in complete darkness.
We took an early hike through the jungle in silence, moving slowly, listening to the sounds of nature waking up around us. The goal was simple: reach the top of a volcano before sunrise.
By the time we arrived, the sky began to change, soft light unfolding across the horizon.
And then the sun rose.
The kind of sunrise that doesn’t just look beautiful, it reminds you that you’re alive.
Back to Chacala
After the jungle and the climb, it was back to the soothing views and easy rhythm of Chacala.
Back to ocean air.
Back to stillness.
Back to the kind of peace you can’t rush, you can only arrive there.
And that is exactly what this trip gave me.
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