WHAT IS PURE PILATES RETREAT?
We like to call PURE “A Retreat with a Purpose.”
Our getaway is designed to de-stress, empower, enlighten and teach, all while giving back to the host community via volunteering. Sustainable tourism is the heart and soul of each of our retreats and we’re delighted to introduce you to some of our favorite places on earth. We always make sure to support the natives and help raise social and cultural awareness by taking advantage of the local’s expertise via our cooking classes, volcano treks, snorkeling excursions, biking adventures, etc…
For our Isla Mujeres retreat, we’re supporting Amigos de Los Animales (Friends of the Animals) and Centro de Apoyo Psicopedayogico (The Little Yellow Schoolhouse). Toss in some hard-core snoozing on the beach, a couple of stout margaritas and the happiness you’re going to feel after a sunrise Pilates class, and you’ve got a slice of PURE nirvana.

WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS FOR THE PILATES CLASSES?
For more information on Matthew Zumann and Jennifer Golden Zumann, click here.

WHO IS FATCAKE?
Misty Tosh and Lisa Colangelo are just a couple of gals who make TV shows and movies, write about food, adventure and travel and organize Pilates retreats around the globe. You can usually find us traipsing the world, volunteering in remote villages and eating (and drinking) like natives no matter where we end up. Find our more about Fatcake at:
www.fatcakeproductions.com

WHERE IS THE RETREAT HELD?
Hosting our PURE Pilates Retreat is charming Casa Ixchel, a serene oceanfront inn on the east side of the island. The inn reverberates with calming energy and features a lovely oceanside swimming pool, a small chakra pool, and an underground steam room. You can see photos of each unique room at:
www.casaixchelisla.com

WHAT IS THE 6-DAY SCHEDULE LIKE?

Day 1—Arrival Day
Arrivals and check-in at Hotel (with welcome margarita, of course!)
One-on-One Core Evaluation with Jen and Matt

Day 2—Play Day
Sunrise Pilates Session
Breakfast at Casa Ixchel
Bike to Mayan Ruins & Snorkel Excursion
Sunset Pilates Session

Day 3—Learn Day
Sunrise Pilates Session
Breakfast at Casa Ixchel
Learn to Ride a Moped Workshop
Sunset Pilates Session

Day 4—Give Back Day
Sunrise Pilates Session
Breakfast at Casa Ixchel
Volunteer to teach children English at village school or befriend and save homeless puppies
Sunset Pilates Session

Day 5—Cook Day
Sunrise Pilates Session
Breakfast at Casa Ixchel
Mexican Cooking (and Eating and Drinking) Workshop at Casa Ixchel

Day 6—Departure Day
Sunrise Pilates Session
Breakfast at Casa Ixchel
Departure from Isla Mujeres

WHAT WILL I DO ALL DAY LONG BEFORE AND AFTER MY PILATES CLASSES?
The options are limitless! You’ll be feeling strong and empowered from your daily Pilates classes and all set to learn new skills such as riding a moped or mastering the art of native Mexican cooking. Your spirit will feel restored after gazing into the soulful eyes of a homeless puppy that you’ve helped find a home or sharing in the delight of teaching a curious child how to speak English. You’ll never forget snorkeling among hundreds of colorful fish in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean or devouring the ancient history of the Mayan’s when biking over to the island’s mythical Mayan ruins. Plan on returning home feeling as PURE and enlightened as humanly possible.

DO YOU THINK I’LL LOSE WEIGHT?
After invigorating Pilates classes, sun-filled activities and delicious, homemade Mexican food, how could you not drop a couple of lbs.?

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE FEE?
2 Pilates classes per day, breakfast each morning, an indigenous cooking workshop, a bike to ancient Mayan ruins adventure, a snorkeling excursion, a learn to ride a moped session, room fees and taxes, and a full day of volunteering. A one-on-one Matt and Jen evaluation is also included in the fee.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET THERE AND WHERE DO I FLY INTO?
Airfare generally runs around $350-$600 from the USA to Cancun. Check cheapseats.com, orbitz.com, or any of your other favorite travel websites. Keep in mind, there are no direct flights from Chicago (our homebase) and if you have the choice to switch in Mexico City or Houston, go with Mexico City, that way you clear customs before arriving in Cancun and can just scram out of the airport the second you land!

HOW DO I GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE ISLAND?
Once you exit the airport, you can either take a cab ($40’ish) or a shared van ($18’ish) to Puerto Juarez where you catch a ferry ($3.50) to Isla Mujeres. Ferries run every half hour until 11 pm. They are very comfy and it takes about 20 minutes to get to the island.

HOW DO I FIND THE HOTEL ONCE I’M ON THE ISLAND?
The Fatcake team will be standing by holding a PURE sign, so when you step off the boat, we’ve got you from there.

WHAT TIME IS CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT AT CASA IXCHEL?
Official check in is 2:00 PM on Feb. 12 and official check out is Noon on Feb. 17.

WILL I HAVE MY OWN ROOM AND HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST ME?
Different options are offered from singles to shared apartment style-scenarios. Costs are based per person (pp). Please see our budget friendly options and we can also pair you with a roommate, if you wish.

* Abundance -- budget-friendly rates will be offered at $1250/person if you’re willing to share
(must have 4 people to lock in price)
** Grace 1 -- budget-friendly rates will be offered at $1250/person if you’re willing to share
(must have 4 people to lock in price)
*** Grace 2 -- budget friendly rates will be offered at $1150/person if you’re willing to share
(must have 6 people to lock in price)

I’VE SIGNED UP AND PAID FOR MY TRIP AND NOW I CAN’T GO. WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
PURE Pilates Retreat will be happy to transfer the trip into someone else’s name.

I’VE NEVER DONE PILATES, BUT THE TRIP SOUNDS GREAT! CAN I STILL GO?
Of course! Our Pilates instructors will work within each individual’s comfort zone.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR MY TRIP?
The average high is 82 degrees in February and can sometimes get a bit cooler at night, so make sure you pack accordingly. It’s a very casual and carefree, laid back feel. Comfortable clothes are fine. Don’t forget a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat!

DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN EQUIPMENT?
No, PURE Pilates Retreat will provide your exercise mat and any other tools needed for scheduled activities.

DO I NEED A PASSPORT?
Yep! It usually takes six weeks from the time you apply, so make sure you do this immediately.

HOW DO I GET MONEY ON THE ISLAND?
There are ATM’s all over the place that will disperse funds in the local currency, pesos. You can also pay with American dollars at most establishments.

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITES OR VOLUNTEER?
No worries! This is your vacation and your retreat. It’s up to you as to how much or how little you’d like to do!

ARE THERE OTHER THINGS TO DO ON THE ISLAND BESIDES WHAT IS OFFERED?
Absolutely, you’re free to explore at your leisure, however, any additional activities outside of the PURE Pilates Retreat schedule will be at your own cost.

WHAT IS THE SHOPPING LIKE ON THE ISLAND?
You will find a plethora of tiny shops selling everything to $10,000 paper mache creations to affordable and beautiful Mayan jewelry. There are also a slew of traditional tourist shops in the tiny main village.

HOW DO I GET AROUND THE ISLAND?
You can walk almost anywhere and there are taxi’s buzzing about at all hours (most rides are $1 to $3). Many people choose to rent golf carts and whiz around the island in this fashion. Mopeds are also popular.

HOW EXPENSIVE ARE THE DRINKS AND FOOD AND WHAT’S ON OFFER?
The food is pretty dang cheap, especially if you stay away from the tourist zone and go with local cuisine. Of course, breakfast is included every morning at Casa Ixchel, and we’ve mapped out all the best restaurants, so you can explore all the homemade delights the island has to offer. Whether it’s a frozen strawberry daiquiri from cozy restaurant/bookshop Manana; a delicious taco from a secret, tucked-way loncheria; or a big platter of fresh shrimp ceviche from one of the islands cocteleria’s, you’ll be delighted to discover the cuisine of Isla Mujeres.
+Note: There are some PURE activities where cocktails are included. We believe in all points of relaxation—be it a heart-pounding Pilates session, a candle-lit, deep tissue massage, a good suspense thriller by the pool or a frothy, mint-laced mojito. Ideally, one right after the next!

I’M A VEGETARIAN, WILL THERE BE OPTIONS FOR ME?
Vegetarian food is abundant on Isla Mujeres and you’ve always got our good friends: Margarita, Mojito, Pina Colada and Daiquiri!

DO I HAVE TO SPEAK SPANISH?
Nope! Most folks speak a little, if not a lot, of English on Isla Mujeres.

WILL I GET SICK FROM THE WATER (I’VE HEARD THAT YOU DO IN MEXICO)?
Stick with purified water and bottled water, and you’ll be just fine.

DOES THE HOTEL HAVE INTERNET?
Yes, if you bring your own computer, there is free wi-fi at the hotel. We say leave that beast at home and utilize one of the many internet cafes in the village if you really must connect with the outside world!

WHAT IF THE WEATHER GETS CRUMMY, CAN I CANCEL?
Unless an Act of God happens and we’re not able to fly in and out of the island, we’re going!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE’RE THERE AND IT RAINS? WILL WE GET ANY MONEY BACK?
No, sorry. If there’s inclement weather once we’re there, we’ll make arrangements to do something different.

I’VE NEVER BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY. CAN I BRING HOME SOUVINERS?
Sure you can, just make sure there is nothing perishable.

DOES PURE OFFER RETREATS IN OTHER PLACES BESIDES ISLA MUJERES?
Of course we do! For 2008, we have a Tour of Mexico planned (Isla Mujeres in the Caribbean, Todos Santos in Baja and Yelapa on the Pacific Coast). For 2009, we’ve got an expedition to exotic Bali in the works.

READY TO SIGN UP?
Email misty@fatcakeproductions.com and we’ll get back to you with a reservation confirmation and payment instructions!