THE MEXICO
writer’s retreat
immersive writing experience
FOUR DAY
FEBRUARY
6th-10th
the
EXPERIENCE
Is your life idling for a creative fire? Our writing retreats are designed to ignite your inner flame. We’ll use our human experience to craft essays, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Our days will be spent in a sprawling, beachfront and eco-friendly luxury property located on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Guerrero. We will be immersed in our writing practice, meditating, exploring the jungle, enjoying the secluded beach and connecting with our literary selves. We will also experience delicious meals and local flavors. You set the tempo here, time is all yours.
the
INSPIRATION
What can we learn from stillness, from taking a moment to see ourselves clearly, ask questions, and excavate our lives for stories? We will deep dive into our personal narratives, challenging you to think deeper, expand your creativity, and help shape the course of your writing life. We will explore our empathetic pathways. We will think about form not just as a craft tool but as an emotional one. We will leave the experience with a greater understanding of what makes a story, where to find them, and how to bring them to life structurally and emotionally.
the
INTENTION
When we say we write to live life twice, we mean it. We write to express something deep inside of us but also to savor every bit of this moment. To witness, to feel, to move so slowly we don’t miss the change of seasons, we stop and feel the earth beneath our feet, the leaves at our fingertips, the sea breeze against our skin. We are deeply inspired by the beauty of the natural world, like the great poets and writers before us. Writing that is rooted in place is writing that transforms, that’s why we travel, to enrich our narratives and change what is possible on the page.
LOCATION
the
MUSA is located in the state of Guerrero on Mexico's Pacific coast, in an area known for its natural beauty, relatively untouched beaches, and laid-back, rural charm. Why do we love it? Because it’s authentic, pristine, and really close to the towns of Zihuatanejo and Troncones, which are incredible local hangouts. This area is rich in Mexican traditions, and much of the culture in this coastal area remains authentic and unaffected by large-scale tourism. The local people are known for their hospitality, and you’ll find an emphasis on artisanal crafts, regional cuisine, and relaxed beach-town vibes.
The best thing about MUSA’s location on the Pacific coast is the combination of seclusion and natural beauty. Wake up to the sound of rolling waves a few steps away from your door, enjoy a solo beach walk at sunrise, commune with nature and let your inner writer find the peace to create work you’ve been dreaming of.
Don’t hesitate to fly in earlier or stay in a few extra days to explore this beautiful coastline.
WRITING SESSIONS
immersive
Our workshops are designed to unlock your creative potential, connect you with your authentic voice, and guide you on a journey toward yourself. Learning in a setting outside of everything you've ever known, surrounded by new perspectives, smiles, and life-changing experiences, is at the core of what makes our retreats so special.
We teach across genres, so every retreat brings new workshops to unlock your creative practice. This retreat will be led by our cofounder Erin Belair and novelist Tiffany Clarke Harrison, so you can expect some character-building deep dives, excavating for emotional truth, explorations in empathy, and so much more. The two worked as book coach and writer for over a year, forming a lifelong creative bond and crafting Belair’s novel Culling.
TOGETHER
our time
This is a sample schedule and a bird’s eye view of how we will spend our days. Every morning begins with silent morning pages and tea. There is ample time throughout your stay to work on your writing, rest, and explore. *Timing and workshops are subject to change.
6th— Arrival day. We officially begin at 5 p.m. with an Opening Circle and Welcome Dinner.
7th— Let's write. We will dive into the process with morning yoga by the sea and then two writing workshops to really get in the groove.
8th— Balance is everything. After morning yoga and a morning workshop, the afternoon will be free to explore, meet for one-on-one sessions, write, and simply be. In the evening, we will gather around a seaside bonfire for some dancing and magic.
9th— Make it sing. Morning yoga will set the intentions for the day, followed by a writing workshop and a long stretch of focused writing time. In the afternoon we will have a chat on publishing and an open Q+A. After dinner, we will celebrate our work and time together with an open mic session.
10th— Sweet goodbyes. We will close our time together with a morning meditation and closing circle before breakfast. Check-out and sweet goodbyes are to follow.
what’s included
Accommodations for four nights
All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
All writing workshops
Daily movement and yoga sessions
Arrival gift bag
Optional one-on-one sessions with leaders
Open mic night
3-month membership to The Practice
not included
*Airfare, alcohol, taxis, additional services
your
guides
erin rose belair
Erin co-founded Trust and Travel and has been running and teaching retreats since 2019. Facilitating experience is one of the deep passions of her life. She is the author of the lyrical essay collection The Blue Years, an MFA graduate, and a professor from BSU. Her short stories have been widely published and won awards with Glimmer Train and Narrative. She is in the final stages of editing and submitting her novel, Culling. She is a mother.
Tiffany Clarke Harrison is an Author and Author Mentor/Writing Coach. She graduated from Salisbury University with a BA in English with a creative writing concentration, and holds an MFA creative writing (Fiction) from Queens University of Charlotte. Blue Hour is her debut novel, and was listed on The Best Books of 2023 list by Vulture, and was a President Barack Obama 2023 Summer Reading List selection.
tiffany clarke harrison
Reservations & Rooms
We will be staying at both Casa Musa, the secluded, onsite villa designed for private groups and throughout Hotelito, their small boutique hotel. The rooms are designed with the natural environment in mind, think minimalist, eco-conscious, open plans with lots of light and large windows to let nature in. Some rooms offer breathtaking 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding jungle, others feature rooftop gardens and bio-pools. Choose your adventure.
Email erin@wetrustandtravel.com if you would like to inquire about booking a shared bed, payment plans, or other accommodations on the property.
getting
TO US
The closest major airport to MUSA is Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport, which is approximately a 2-hour drive from the property. This airport offers direct flights from several international and domestic cities, including Mexico City, Houston, and Los Angeles. After arriving at ZIH, you can either rent a car or arrange for a private transfer to MUSA through us. We’d also be happy to coordinate shuttles so that guests who arrive at the same time can travel together. The drive is scenic, following the Pacific coastline with views of both the ocean and the lush, jungle-covered mountains. Yes, you can definitely stop for tacos on the way.
FAQs
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There is wifi at the venue, but we do mind and follow intentional phone practices. We require no phones during workshop or at any meals. We request the rest of the week that you leave your phone in your room or only use it very intentionally. This decision has been made after years of retreats and our quest to be present during this experience.
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The closest major airport to MUSA is Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) which is approximately a 2-hour drive from the property. This airport offers direct flights from several international and domestic cities, including Mexico City, Houston, and Los Angeles.
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Private taxis and shuttles can be booked through us upon landing .
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Check in is at 3:00pm, check out is at 11:00am. The retreat officially starts at 5pm on February 6th.
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Citizens of the U.S., Canada, and most countries in the EU (including the UK, Germany, France, etc.) do not need a visa for stays of up to 180 days for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
If you are a citizen of countries like India, China, Russia, South Africa, or other countries not listed under Mexico's visa-free agreements, you will need to apply for a visitor visa before entering Mexico.
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Absolutely. The retreat is designed to ignite your creative potential, whether you have experience writing or not. Workshops are designed to nurture all levels.
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Yes. If you are traveling alone and book a shared room, we pair you with a roommate.