Blue-Green Belize Retreat

Who: YOU! With Julie Norman, Lisa Meranti and a few more incredible women 

What: A transformative yoga experience baked into a tropical adventure vacation

Where: Placencia Pointe Townhomes in magical Placencia Belize, Central America

When: January 18th-24th, 2027

Why: To practice, play and find our way to greater ease, peace, joy and purpose in our unique life journey

How: Connect 1:1 to get all the deets! Click HERE to schedule

NOTE: This is an intimate life experience so great care is taken to connect with each potential client and share as much as possible prior to registration.

Included With Registration:

• assistance with travel & excursion planning
• personal concierge services & local connections
• local transportation from/to Placencia airport & around village/peninsula 
• exclusive lodging on a peninsula with large private pool
• 1-2 prepared meals per day at condos (some catered by locals)
• personalized starter stash of snacks, beverages & easy DIY meal ingredients
• yoga, meditation & group healing sessions 
• Maya World Jungle Waterfall Excursion
• Ocean of The Heart Retreat Journal & Gift Box
• Guided book discussions w Lisa (book TBD)
• pre-retreat and post-retreat Zoom Sessions: meet & greet, prep for trip/set intentions, debrief

 

 On Your Own:

• travel to & from Placencia, Belize. Passport required!
• meals/snacks/drinks out or personally ordered in, spending money, optional add-ons (see below)
• excursions (0-2 of choice): boating to islands (cayes) for snorkeling tour & picnic, jungle hike & tour, spice/chocolate farms, horseback riding on the beach, butterfly exhibit, sea kayak, macaw migration (group decides on which to do closer to trip)

Optional Add-ons:

• Private Coaching Sessions with Julie: yoga, meditation, body image coaching, in-depth Triple Goddess Tarot reading
• Private Coaching Sessions with Lisa: yoga, meditation, Vitamin N (nature) Wellness Coaching
• Massage Therapy at our location with incredible local women

Retreat Schedule*

Monday Jan. 18th:

• Arrivals & Settling In
• Catered Welcome Dinner
• Sunset Yoga Nidra 

Tuesday Jan. 19th:

• Sunrise Sadhana (yoga & meditation practice)  
• Intention Setting Ceremony
• Community Brunch
• Tour of Placencia Village
• Free Time (sun, swim, private sessions, massage)
• Barefoot Bar Dinner Party w/ Garifuna Drumming

Wednesday Jan. 20th:

• Snack & Pack
• Out To Sea Adventure: Island hopping to sun, swim & snorkel 
• Catered Lunch On Moho Caye
• Community Dinner 
• Sunset Yoga Nidra

Thursday Jan. 21st:

• Sunrise Sadhana 
• Community Brunch
• Free Time (sun, swim, private sessions, massage) OR excursion
• Koi Sushi & Gelato
• Karma Karaoke at The Tipsy Tuna

Friday Jan. 22nd:

• Sunrise Sadhana 
• Brunch at The Shack followed by Beach Clean-up
• Maya World Water Fall & Riversdale Tour (Lost Reef Resort & Mango Reef Retreat)
• Catered Community Dinner 

Saturday Jan. 23rd:

• Sunrise Sadhana 
• Community Brunch
• Pack, Play, Rest Day
• Community Dinner
• Closing Ceremony

Sunday Jan. 24th:

• Goodbye Breakfast
• Departures

Meet Your Guides

Click over to the “About” page to learn more about Julie

Lisa Meranti, BS, 200hr RYT, Eco-Goddess Warrior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our retreat takes place at the lovely Placencia Pointe Townhomes. Each has a full kitchen, living room with outdoor dining area, rooftop palapa with panoramic view of the sea, village and lagoon, washer/dryer and a king and queen suite each with private bathrooms. There is standard electrical. Towels, linens, toiletries and hair dryers are provided.

King Suite: $3200. A spacious room, bed and bath all to yourself with easiest access to the pool.

Queen Suite: $2800. A smaller version of the king suite nestled into the verdant gardens on the lagoon side.

NOTE: There are 2 rooms/town home. All rooms single occupancy. 

What clients are saying:

My trip to Placencia, Belize was absolutely magical. One week of meditation, yoga and relaxation to restore inner peace with like-minded friends was a dream. Aside from the healing I so badly needed, I got to have so many fun experiences! I snorkeled, relaxed on a secluded island while eating traditional Belizean cuisine, and drank in the sun and the sounds of the water. I made life-long friends that I know I’ll continue to make memories with long after this trip.

I came home with sunburnt skin but with the feeling like aloe had been applied to my soul. Our whole idea was to heal the parts of ourselves that needed it, so we could come home and use the ripple effect to heal others that are suffering.

Thank you Julie Norman Yoga and Down DOGMA for such an incredible experience. Till next time, Namaste.

-Christine Smith, North Canton, OH

The Belize In You trip hosted by Julie Norman Yoga that I attended was absolutely transformative and exactly what I needed.  It was an amazing “vacation-vacation”, you know, the trip you’ve “always dreamed of” with tropical beaches and breathtaking, unusual sights…  Going far away to simmer in a little bit of variety and culture.  Julie has friendly relationships with the locals that created a true ‘taste of Belize’ and connection instead of just being ‘a tourist’.  The trip had the right amount of special activities, with plenty of time also to just unwind. But it was far more than simply a vacation.  It was an opportunity to connect with and wake up a part of you that is ready to take the next step.  Julie and Kristie created an atmosphere for our group of 8 women that was centered around fun, acceptance, trust, and open vulnerability. They help inspire you to feel comfortable letting the real you shine, and are a great energy to be around.  

-Anastasia G., Clinton, OH

“Julie is incredibly caring, organized and detail oriented. Our retreat began months before the actual trip when Julie held zoom meetings so we could all meet, connect and plan our travel together. This was so helpful and took a lot of the stress out of the process. The retreat itself was a combination of yoga and exploration of Belize. Julie led morning yoga session then afternoon field trips to enjoy the ocean, islands, rivers and jungle. The trips were amazing! Snorkeling, boating, hiking, river tubing, shopping, eating and playing in Placencia Village. So much fun packed into a week! Intertwined admits the fun were yoga and group meeting session to process our experiences, Julie is a compassionate, wise woman able to support me and every member of the group through various experiences. I highly recommend her retreats in Belize. They are filled with love, adventure and personal growth in addition to being lots of fun.”

-Kathleen P., Copley, OH

FAQ’s

Where is Belize? Belize is a small country about the size of New Jersey with a population of only 400,000. It’s located just below Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in Central America. It lies against the Caribbean Sea and has a gorgeous tropical climate.

What language is spoken there? English is the main language. Also Spanish and Caribbean Creole.

Is it safe? Yes. I’ve been there multiple times since 1999 with family and most recently with four groups of clients for retreats and a teacher training. There are safety warnings for parts of Belize City which is the case for most major cities in any country. I currently feel safer there than I do in the US! So much so my husband and I are building a home/biz there currently. 

How, and how much, to get there?  From NE Ohio it’s typically 2 domestic flights, one to Dallas/Ft.Worth, Houston, Atlanta, NC or Miami (depends on your airline) and then on to Phillip Goldstein International Airport in Belize City. Total flight time is about 4.5 hours. Round trip domestic flight averages $600. Once in Belize you’ll take a small commuter plane 25min to arrive in Placencia. There are two of these commuter airlines: Tropic Air and Maya Air. Both are great though we’ve always gone with Maya. Average round trip cost is $300/flight. Another option is getting a shuttle or renting a car. The drive is about 2.5-3.5 hours depending on your route. The longer drive goes along the Hummingbird Highway and has stunning views. Average cost for shuttle is $75 (group)-$150(private) one way. We will assist you with setting up and booking all your travel arrangements.

Can I drink the water? Yep! No problem with the tap water. You do have to throw used toilet paper in a trash can rather than flush due to the sensitive plumbing at sea level.

What’s the money like? Can I use my credit/debit card? It’s easy peasy. They take both U.S. and Belize currency and you can use your cards. Just be sure to alert your bank. There is even an ATM. The US dollar is double Belize so whatever is listed in Belize, the cost is half that in U.S. 

Will my cell phone work? Yep. If you have an international plan you don’t have to do anything. If not, contact your provider to buy coverage while you’re there.

What’s the health care situation? Do I need special vaccinations? Placencia is equipped with medical facilities capable of handling basic medical needs. The village has several clinics and pharmacies stocked with a wide range of medications. For more complex medical issues, the nearest hospital is in Dangriga, approximately a 1.5-hour drive or 15 min. flight. Most insurance companies cover medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury, this evacuation however, is to the nearest hospital in Belize. If you want to be extra cautious, there are companies like Global Rescue who offer short term evacuation services to bring you back home in an emergency. No vaccines are required and we’ve never done any additional. There are recommendations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Good to check with your insurance carrier on how things would be handled. Julie and Lisa are First Aid/CPR certified as active yoga teachers.

How fit do I need to be for this? It is recommended that you are in good health and able-bodied to attend. The condos have lots of stairs, we walk around a lot, there’s bumpy car and boat rides and depending on the excursions you choose, you’ll need to be up to the challenge. We can discuss any concerns you have on our exploration call to make sure it’s in alignment for you. 

How much are the excursions? Do I have to go? How do I book them? Excursions average $150 including tip. You don’t have to go on any or you can do all the things! We recommend 1-2 during your stay. The boat trip is a must and we’ll have the option to do that twice if enough folks are interested. We can discuss these on our call too!

How much are the private sessions? Massages are $100 U.S. then tip at your discretion. The women we have for massage are AMAZING! For private sessions with Lisa and I there’s a discounted rate of $50 U.S.

Is the food expensive? What’s it like? Not at all. Food prices average about 75% of U.S. prices. Beans, rice, fried plantain and stewed chicken are one of the traditional foods. Also seafood! Lots of yummy, fresh fruits and veggies. INCREDIBLE coffee and chocolate. We provided most meals and lean towards vegetarian and gluten -free. Our nutrition training enables us to accommodate special needs if advised ahead of time. We’ll happily make things work for you!

What do I pack? Should I bring my own yoga mat? Be ready for the heat! Think shorts, tanks, sundresses, flip flops, sunhat and sunglasses. Good water shoes or active sandals. A pair of good tennis shoes and whatever dressy cloths/shoes depending on your vibe. It’s super casual there but you are welcome to glam it up. Bring your meds, vitamins, skin care and any special foods if needed. We provide an extensive list and support each other in the packing process. Most folks just bring a carry on. And yes, please bring your own yoga mat. We will provide blocks, bolsters, straps and blankets. The condos provide all bedding, plenty of towels, hair dryers and basic toiletries. 

How much spending money should I bring? That depends on you. Do you like getting fancy coffee drinks most days? Are you a shopper? Do you want to load up on souvenirs? Do you drink alcohol? We suggest a minimum of $250 in addition to what you plan to spend on private sessions and excursions. There is the ATM as mentioned. It distributes Belizean funds but that can be traded back to U.S. at the airport or at Julie’s friend’s business if needed.

How do I officially register and can I do a payment plan? Book a call below so we can connect officially. If you are in then we require a $500 deposit due within a week of your verbal commitment along with a signed waiver. 50% of the balance (after deposit) is due by Sept. 1st  and the remainder by Dec. 15. We can accommodate some shifts in this pay schedule if necessary. Cash, check and Zelle only. Arrangements to be made directly once committed to attending. 

*schedule subject to change due to group preferences, weather, excursion availability. All changes will be discussed with clients prior to being made whenever possible

*waiver with full terms will be sent after verbal agreement to register. Your signed copy due with the deposit to save your spot.

*travel insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment. We typically use Allianz: www.allianztravelinsurance.com

 

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