La GraciaSpiritual Residency &Meditation Retreat Center
Learn MoreAbout
La Gracia exists for those who feel the call for inner work.
Rooted in Buddhism and in harmony with other faiths and traditions, we welcome any sincere practitioner who is ready to engage deeply with their path.
La Gracia is a gathering place for spiritual practitioners to come together in dedication, resolve, and vitality, creating a supportive environment for mutual growth.
The spiritual culture of La Gracia is based upon sincerity and humility, providing a safe environment to ground one's being and open one's heart. Our community emphasizes finding what is true within one and aligning with one's heartfelt integrity. We actively practice to deepen understanding of ourselves, of others, and of nature. We cultivate gratitude and appreciation for what is wholesome, and clarity of conscience towards what causes harm. It is in this spirit that we meet ourselves, and one another.
La Gracia offers both Spiritual Residencies and Group Retreats.
La Gracia is sustained and kept alive through the practice of gift economy and generosity.
Gallery
The Center
La Gracia is a sanctuary located in Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Our facilities are designed to support contemplative practice and community living. The sleeping accommodations are simple by design, inviting you to spend your time outside the room for practice. The center provides shared gender-segregated sleeping accommodations, though we give private rooms whenever there is the space.
The center features 5 spaces for gatherings:
- Meditation Hall 1 (120 m²)
- Meditation Hall 2 (90 m²)
- Garden (90 m²)
- Writing Lounge (60 m²), a communal area for writing projects and spiritual reflection
- Black Box Theater (60 m²), equipped with soundproofing, air conditioning, stage lighting, sound system, and projector
An equipped communal kitchen, with refrigerator, cooking utensils, dish ware, and basic cooking essentials.
It offers WiFi connection through Telmex and Starlink.
It is located just steps away from restaurants, shops, artisan vendors, and Bahía Camarón.
Offerings
From July through late November, La Gracia is hosting Residential Stays where practitioners can come for any length of time, offering an environment for self-directed individual development within a supportive community setting. Ajahn Tejassī will be residing at La Gracia during this period and offering spiritual support for those who are interested.
Residential stays are intended for practitioners who are in a process of cultivating their spiritual life, whether that be through their meditation, contemplation, or projects such as writing or art.
We emphasize Mindful Speech at our center but also honor practitioners if they wish to live in silence.
Group Practice Schedule at La Gracia
Led by Ajahn Tejassī
Residents are required to participate in at least one practice period a day.
- 5:30am – 7:00amOne Hour Dawn Meditation, Thirty Minute Qigong & Standing Meditation
- 2:00pm – 4:00pmAfternoon Walking and Sitting Meditation
Community Service
Residents at La Gracia will be assigned cleaning services to be done daily, these range from thirty minutes to one hour.
Food: Practitioners take care of their own food during residential stays, there is a market nearby and food can be stored and cooked in the communal kitchen.
(please note Residential Stays are also available during the Artist Residency)
Apply NowJhāna Retreat
September 16 - 27, 2026
Heart-Opening Retreat
September 30 - October 11, 2026
These retreats offer a structured container including:
- Sitting Meditation
- Walking Meditation
- Dharma Sharings
- Qi Gong
- Mindful Eating and Rest
- Communal Service
- Group Circle
- Basic supportive additions such as Hatha Yoga, Breath-Work, and Yoga Nidra
There is an $15 USD charge for food per day during the retreats, prepared by volunteers.
Apply NowDuring August, La Gracia will host a self-directed Artist Residency, open to artists of all disciplines. This residency supports participants in strengthening sincerity within their craft, revivifying the source of creation within them, and honing sensitivity of mind and body as a foundation for meaningful creative work.
Food: Artists take care of their own food during residential stays, there is a market nearby and food can be stored and cooked in the communal kitchen.
Apply NowCalendar
Full residential period
Residential Stays
Self-directed spiritual development
July – late November 2026
Use the arrows to view each month's offerings.
August 2026
Aug 1 – 31
Dharma Arts Residency
For artists of all disciplines
Aug 26 – Sep 6
Vipassana Meditation
S.N. Goenka tradition
Generosity
La Gracia operates on the principle of the gift economy, or dāna. Rather than traditional fee-for-service transactions, the center offers its residential stays and group retreats as an act of generosity.
This is not a "free" service; it's a move from "what do I get?" to "how do we support each other?", it's a conscious shift from entitlement to reciprocity, a deep transition from marketplace thinking to community responsibility.
Why We Offer Our Residential Stays and Group Retreats on the Gift Economy
Practicing dāna keeps us in alignment with the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, which has relied on the principle of mutual generosity for over 2,600 years.
This model acknowledges that an environment of deep spiritual development and sharing of wisdom is priceless. By operating on the gift economy, we ensure that our offerings remain accessible to all practitioners, regardless of their financial means.
Moving away from a transactional model allows us to foster a "relational mindset." This strengthens the bonds within our community and grows the inner happiness that comes from being truly connected to one another.
We aim to create a culture of gratitude where financial choices become a spiritual practice. We invite our guests to make decisions based not on "What is the minimum I can pay?" but rather, "How does my heart move me to act?"
The most frequent question practitioners ask is, "How much should I give?" At La Gracia, there is no right or wrong amount. The practice is to turn inward and give what feels right for your unique circumstances.
The Market Lens
Consider what you might pay for similar services in the "market economy"—such as a spiritual retreat in the west or a night at an AirBnB. This provides a baseline for the tangible costs of providing the space and support.
The Center-Support Framework
This lens honors the collective energy it takes to sustain La Gracia as a living sanctuary. Your contribution supports the utilities and the ongoing care of facilities. It also helps provide support for the teachers and facilitators.
The Self-Reflection Lens
Look honestly at your own financial situation, tune in with your spiritual inspiration & material capability, and offer what feels good and appropriate for your unique situation.
The Practice Lens
View the act of giving as a spiritual exercise. It strengthens the "letting go" muscle and allows you to experience the immediate joy of generosity. As the habit of giving takes root, the tightness and illusion of scarcity fades, gradually replaced by a lived experience of more ease and abundance.
Sustaining The Sanctuary
Your generosity provides the lifeblood that allows this sanctuary to remain open. We encourage you to consider your gift as an investment in the center's continuity and as support for those who follow in your footsteps.
ContributeWhat To Bring / Know
As part of retreat practice, guests follow the Five Precepts. These guidelines support a shared atmosphere of clarity and respect within the community.
- Refrain from killing any living being
- Refrain from taking what is not given
- Refrain from sexual activity
- Refrain from lying
- Refrain from intoxicants
Guests stay in segregated gender lodging, with bedding provided and no housekeeping, encouraging care for both personal and communal spaces.
Depending on occupancy, you may have a room to yourself.
Arrival
Arrival is self-guided and intentionally simple. Before your stay, you will receive a door code and detailed instructions for accessing the center. Each room is secured with its own password-protected lock. While we do not offer airport pickup, clear directions are available in the "Getting Here" section.
Parking
Due to the narrow road leading to the property, there is no on-site parking; options may be found in the surrounding streets of Zipolite or on Calle Bugambillias. Please note that La Gracia cannot take responsibility for towing or lost or stolen items.
La Gracia invites a lifestyle of simplicity and awareness. Comfortable, loose, and modest clothing is recommended.
- Towel
- Hats
- Flashlight
- Reusable water bottle
- Essential medications
- Meditation shawl
Bedding and eco-friendly soap/shampoo are provided.
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner. La Gracia provides bio-digestible wash kind to the aerobic digesters.
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Chemical fragrances, cologne, scented candles, or synthetic incense. La Gracia is perfume-free.
Health preparation is essential when joining a retreat in this natural setting. Guests should arrive with all necessary medications for the duration of their stay and are strongly encouraged to carry health insurance and relevant medical information. While the environment supports well-being, we are not equipped to provide medical care; if needed, guests may be asked to seek attention in nearby Pochutla, approximately 50 minutes away.
Personal responsibility extends to belongings as well. While rooms are secure and a device deposit service is available, there are no lockers on site, and guests are responsible for their items within a culture of mutual trust.
Technology is present but intentionally minimized. WiFi is available through fiber and Starlink, yet guests are encouraged to unplug and deposit devices for the duration of their stay. During residencies, limited communication with family or essential responsibilities is respected, with clear contact pathways provided in advance. Silent hours are observed from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am, and any necessary calls should be taken with earbuds and care for the shared environment.
Water at the center is mineral-rich, filtered, tested, and safe to drink from any tap.
Conservation is part of the practice: all systems are water-efficient, and wastewater is repurposed for irrigation, which is why only the provided biodegradable products may be used.
Food arrangements vary depending on the type of stay. During residential stays, guests have access to the kitchen and prepare their own meals, while some guided retreats include simple breakfasts and lunches at $18 USD per day. No alcohol is permitted while staying at La Gracia. We do our best to accommodate dietary needs when communicated in advance.
ATMs in Zipolite (at Sabor a Mar Restaurante, Hotel Playa Zipolite, and Azul Profundo Coworking) are occasionally empty. It's a good idea to get cash before you need it. There is also a Santander ATM in nearby Puerto Ángel. Few local restaurants and shops accept cards.
Zipolite is known for its free-spirited, open culture, including a clothing-optional beach. This is the wider context you are stepping into by staying here. Consider whether this atmosphere feels comfortable to you before applying.
Bringing your Dhamma practice into a free-spirited surrounding culture asks for a certain steadiness, and a willingness to hold your own boundaries with clarity.
There is a more family-oriented beach environment with standard swimwear norms ten minutes away by public transportation in San Agustinillo or Mazunte.
Though our space is surrounded by tropical vegetation and sits just five minutes from the Pacific Ocean, we are located in a tourist town alongside local hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Because of this setting, there is a human imprint and energy around us.
There is a hostel adjacent to our center. While La Gracia is a contemplative container, the hostel is more porous to the surrounding culture of Zipolite.
La Gracia is immersed in a living landscape. Mosquitos may appear at dusk or after rain, and insect nets should remain closed. Scorpions, snakes, and tarantulas are part of the ecosystem—generally benign and mostly active at night—so walking mindfully with a flashlight is recommended.
The nearby Playa de los Muertos is powerful and unpredictable; red and black flags signal dangerous ocean conditions and should always be respected.
From Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM)
La Gracia is a 90 minute taxi. Lower cost: Take the camioneta 'Bajos de Chila' to G500 gas station (5-min, MX$20). Walk 10-min to Benito Juárez statue for minibuses to Pochutla. Ask for 'crucero de San Antonio' (1 hour, MX$60). Take camioneta to Zipolite (25-30 min, MX$30). Short walk to La Gracia.
From Huatulco Airport (HUX)
La Gracia is a 100 minute taxi due to current highway reconstruction. There are buses outside HUX that connect to Pochutla where you can find camionetas to Zipolite. From there, it's a short walk to La Gracia.
From Oaxaca City
Take a taxi or bus to Líneas Unidas bus terminal. Board the direct minibus to Zipolite. Travel time: approximately 4 hours. Cost: approximately 500 MXN. The minibus drops you about a 10-minute walk from the retreat center.
Tip: You can use Google Flights to track prices and set an alarm for when they might drop. Prices often decrease on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays.
Founders
Co-Founder
Maybel Ovalles
Transdisciplinary artist, facilitator, professional coach and practitioner dedicated to spiritual and creative awakening, interweaving dance, poetry and contemplative practice as paths of inner work. Co-founder of the Center for Art, Movement and Peace (CAMP).
Co-Founder
Ajahn Tejassī
Ajahn Tejassī has been a monastic for ten years, starting with a six-year apprenticeship in the Ajahn Chah tradition. Moving forward to join a heart-centered monastic community, he spent four years under the close guidance of his spiritual teacher in this life. Today, he serves as the spiritual guide of Heart-Path.
heart-path.org