Vision The Year Ahead
Baja Retreat
WELCOME
We can’t wait to be immersed
in the beauty of Baja with you
Location: Loretto, Sea of Cortez, MX
Temp: Historically Highs in the mid 70’s and Lows in the 40’s
Trip Dates: January 17th - 24th, 2026
Below you will find:
Important dates, deadlines, and links
Questionnaire. This is one of the most important things. Please allow around 10 minutes to fill this out and make sure to send it in asap.
A checklist including important tasks + a packing list with important information about gear and what to bring
Details about the trip, including itinerary and travel information
Retreat life and considerations to help you get the most out of your retreat experience
Communication and safety, including info about how loved ones can stay connected
Waiver
Quick Access
Dates &
Deadlines
Leading up to the retreat there will be important dates and deadlines to pay attention to. We will be sending out reminders through email as we go.
Reach out anytime with questions
Zoe’s phone number: 818-661-8164
Group Connection Calls - ZOOM LINK
Call #1: TBD
Call #2: TBD
Call #3: TBD
Call #4: TBD
Dec. 17th: Questionnaire Due
Dec. 17th: Gear requests (you will add what you need to the questionnaire)
Jan. 17th - Jan. 24th: Our wonderful kayaking adventure
Forms To Fill
Retreat Questionnaire
The Questionnaire is very important, it provides us with medical information, gear necessities, and food preferences. In addition, we incorporate a lot of your answers into our planning, so please take the time to fill this out, it makes the trip all that much better. Thank you!
Please complete ASAP but no later than Dec. 17th
Upcoming Group Connection Calls
As we move closer to our time together, our circle is already beginning to take shape. To help us find the most accessible moments to gather on Zoom, please take a moment to complete the calendar poll. Calls will last between 1-1.5 hours.
Select all of the time options you are available, even if they are not your preferred times. This helps us choose call windows that accommodate as many women as possible.
Each call will be recorded and linked below, so if you can’t attend live, you will be able to watch the replay and stay connected to the flow of our preparation.
Gear Overview
We will be checking the weather the week leading up to the trip.
Water Temps: The water temps range from high 50’s to low 70’s.
ALL requests for gear must be made no later than Dec. 17th
Overview
After arriving in Loreto on the 17th and meeting with your guides, you’ll be provided a boat bag (in which you’ll repack your main clothing and gear that evening in your hotel room), a small personal dry bag (for incidentals), and a mesh bag (for snorkeling gear).
If you’re uncertain whether to bring an item on the packing list, we recommend bringing it. There will be enough boat bags to fit all gear on the list, and all gear will be transported by the support boat between campsites.
Extra baggage, clothing, etc., that you don’t need while on the retreat will be stored securely in the local office and storage facility, locked up, and ready to return to you on the final day once we come off the water.
Valuables like a passport and a wallet go with you. In the event you have an emergency requiring you to return to the United States, your passport is required, so having it with you gets you where you need to go as soon as possible.
What’s provided
All meals while out on our adventure
Sunshade and chairs for use during the day and mealtimes
Small library bag with books about birds, fish, and natural history books about the area
Fiberglass double and fiberglass/plastic single kayaks, lightweight paddles, PDF/s, spray skirts, pumps, paddle floats, and paddling jackets.
1 or 2 person tents (upon request)
Sleeping bag (upon request)
Sleeping pad (upon request)
Light wetsuits and snorkeling gear (you’re welcome to bring your own)
Snorkeling Gear
Most people feel comfortable snorkeling in full wetsuits earlier in the spring when the water is cooler.
We have light wetsuits (sizes XS-XXL) consisting of short Farmer Johns (sleeveless, to the knee) plus a wetsuit jacket to wear on top. Some people may be more comfortable in a full-length or thicker wetsuit. You can also bring an extra pair of yoga pants and wool socks to wear underneath the knee-length wetsuit and fins. If you know you are more comfortable in a warmer suit, you are welcome to bring your own.
We will also have masks, snorkels, and fins available. If you are an avid snorkeler and have your own gear, please feel free to bring it.
Camping Gear
Sleeping bag: lightweight, compact, with stuff sack. If you sleep cold, bring a bag rated to approximately 32° F. We can provide this upon request
Backpacking sleeping pad: we can provide this upon request
Packing Overview
We will be checking the weather the week leading up to the trip.
Air Temps: Loretto Mexico has an average of highs in mid 70’s (could get hotter) and nights can get cold with lows in the 40’s F (could get colder).
PARTICIPANT CHECKLIST 👇
Click the link below for the PDF
PACKING LIST
Please read through carefully, all items are included to make your trip as comfortable as possible. You will also have an opportunity to ask any questions about gear and packing during our group calls and can post questions to our group text thread which will get started about a month before the trip.
Overview
When we head out into nature we are in the elements. The ocean can have a wide range of weather from sunny to rainy, all within a single day. But with the right gear and mindset, it can make for a great adventure.
We recommend using a layering system so you can add clothing to stay warm, or delayer as needed.
Important Items
Passport
Wallet and pesos for walking/shopping around Loreto
Pesos for tipping local guides (suggested $200-$300 USD)
Insurance card, travel insurance info
Copy of passport
Flight itinerary, confirmation number, tickets
Zoe’s phone number somewhere other than your phone (818) 661-8164
Cell phone & charger
Clothing
Footwear
1 pair running or light hiking shoes for walking. Closed-toe shoes with ankle support are recommended to protect your feet and ankles from loose rock, cactus, etc. when walking along the coastal desert
1 pair Teva-type sport sandals, neoprene booties, or water shoes for walking over rocks getting in/out of water. Sandals without a heel-strap and flip-flops are not recommended
1 pair of sandals for beach post-paddling. Sandals with toe protection can be helpful
Socks: 1 for hiking, 1 for evening, 1 quick-dry pair for under snorkeling fins
Tops
1 thin Capilene (quick-dry; not cotton) shirt for padding
1 lightweight (UPF suggested) long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
3-4 shirts: 1 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve, 1 tank top, 1 sleep shirt
1 fleece (non-cotton) sweatshirt that will be your warm mid-layer
1 warm (down or synthetic) jacket for chilly nights
1 waterproof/water-resistant jacket in case of wind &/or rain
1 warm hat or beanie (preferably fleece or wool)
Bottoms
Shorts: 1 quick-dry for paddling, 1 for hiking
1 pair of lightweight pants (comfortable, non-cotton; light hiking pants work well) for sun protection
1 pair of warm pants (fleece or non-cotton warm pants for the evening)
1 pair of non-cotton long underwear bottoms
Swimsuit
1 pareo or sarong (to use as a blanket/towel and more)
Bandana (for napkins, sunglasses cleaner etc.)
Underwear
In-Town Clothing
2 days of casual clothes for travel days and evenings in Loreto. These will remain with the luggage in storage while paddling. It’s nice to have a fresh set of clothing ready at the end of the trip.
Sleeping Gear
Travel pillow or Pillowcase (you can put your puffy jacket and clothing inside to make a pillow)
Earplugs (if sensitive to sounds while sleeping or needed for swimming)
Anything else that helps you sleep, like medication or an eye mask
Sun Protection
1 sun hat with tie-down strap secured by a barrel lock
One pair of paddling gloves (biking gloves will do)
Sunglasses with retention strap
Waterproof reef-safe sunscreen: learn what makes something reef-safe
Lip balm SPF15+
Personal Gear
Insulated mug for tea or coffee (double-check back in on this)
Wristwatch (if you don’t want to look at your phone)
1 one-quart insulated water bottle
Head lamp (with a second red bulb preferred—doesn’t blind others) and extra batteries
Battery or solar-based charger for electronics (we will have our phones on airplane mode)
Pen and paper for journaling
Glasses or contacts
Eyeglass cleaner or wipes (to remove salt at end of day)
Anti-fog drops for snorkel mask (nice to have but not required)
Personal Care/Toiletries
1 small bag for toiletries and medications
Prescription and over-the-counter medications you require. Motion sickness pills if needed.
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Biodegradable saltwater shampoo and soap (Sea Suds or Camp Suds work best)
Face wipes
Baby wipes
Feminine hygiene products as needed
Bug spray: Some trips are bug-free, but some trips have mosquitoes and sand fleas (also known as no-see-ums). A long-sleeved shirt and pants are your best defense, but bug spray is recommended.
Optional
Camera—in waterproof box or bag—and extra batteries
Waterproof case for phone (if using for photos around water)
Wetsuits: We provide shorty wetsuits, however, if you run cold and want to snorkel, we recommend bringing a full wetsuit since water temps can be brisk in the winter months
Snorkel, mask, fins: We will provide this gear, but you’re welcome to bring your own
Binoculars
Reading material
Logistics
FLying to Loreto Mexico
Accommodations
Sat. Jan. 17th Pre-Trip + Fri. Jan. 23rd Post-Trip:
Hotel Santa Fe will be our hotel for both before and after the retreat
This hotel is a 15-minute walk from town with a pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, and convenience store in the lobby. It is simple, clean, and convenient.
Orientation: We will meet the evening of the 17th with our local kayaking guide, Antonio, for an orientation.
Transportation
We’ll be offering a single group shuttle from the Loreto airport to our hotel on January 17th, and back to the airport on January 24th. Look for the person holding a Wild Minds sign when you arrive — they’ll be waiting to greet you and bring you to the hotel.
The pickup will likely be around 3pm or earlier, depending on when most participants arrive. (The earlier your flight gets in, the more time you’ll have to explore the charm of Loreto 😉).
If you’re unable to make the group shuttle, no worries — taxis from the airport are safe, easy, and cost about $25 USD. I can walk you through exactly what to do when you land, so you’ll feel confident and taken care of.
Please be sure to add your flight information to the logistics document so we can coordinate pickups smoothly. 👉 Logistics Document - Add your flight info here
Retreat Life
Opening To The Mystery
This retreat is an invitation to step away from the noise of daily life and open to the mystery of what’s possible. Out on the Sea of Cotez — with the rhythm of the tides and the vastness of the desert sky — we make space for what’s ready to be seen.
It’s a space for dreaming something new into being, and that kind of vision always asks us to let go a little. During our time together, you’ll be invited to reflect on what stories are ready to be released, and we will engage in ceremony to honor both the grief and gratitude for what has come before.
Being on retreat can also be a kind of natural detox. As we slow down, the comforts we often reach for — our phones, food, drink, or distraction — fall away. Often, what rises in their place can be emotional, surprising, or beautifully tender.
All of it is welcome.
Bring your grief, your rage, your hope, your joy — it all belongs. The practices we’ll share are designed to help you stay present with the full range of your experience and to uncover the wisdom within it.
This is how we open to the visions waiting to emerge.
Taking Responsibility for Your Experience
This retreat is a significant investment of time, energy, and money. Use that as motivation to show up fully and ask for what you need. If you’re struggling, if something isn’t what you expected, or if you need support, please let Zoe know. We may not always be able to meet every need, but we want to understand what’s alive for you and do our best to tend to it.
The more you allow yourself to be authentic, vulnerable, and willing to take emotional risks, the more this experience will offer you in return.
And remember: this land is powerful. It’s beautiful, wild, and deeply supportive. There’s a kind of magic that moves through this place, the kind that reshapes us quietly, from the inside out.
It’s going to be so good!
Contact Info And Safety
Communications/Cell Phone
You may not be able to access cell service on this trip so please plan accordingly.
We suggest putting an away message on your email with an extra day to give yourself time to settle back in and transition back after the retreat.
If you have a job or personal life where people may be calling and expecting a response, you can also leave an away message on your voicemail letting people know you are away on retreat.
If you have family who might worry if they do not hear back from you, it is nice to give them a heads up that you will be away on a wilderness retreat and won’t have cell service.
In Case Of Emergency + Letter To Loved Ones
We will have a Garmin in-reach with us on the trip which has limited texting capabilities for use in the case of an emergency. Here is a letter to loved ones with instructions for how they can follow along and reach us in case of an emergency.
Safety & Hazards
When we step into the wilderness, we leave behind some of the comforts (and conveniences) of modern life, including immediate access to medical care. This is part of what makes the experience powerful. It asks us to trust ourselves and each other in a new way. To slow down, listen closely, and move with care.
While illness or injury on retreat is unlikely, accidents can happen. Our trip leaders are trained in Wilderness First Response and CPR, and we carry satellite communication devices and first-aid kits to ensure we’re well prepared even in remote areas.
It’s also everyone’s responsibility to be mindful of our own well-being and to care for the group as a whole. Hazards may include animals or insects, changing weather (including sun exposure), terrain such as loose rocks, or improper hygiene. Taking precautions and tending to our collective health and awareness helps minimize risk
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