Close your eyes for a moment and imagine you’re on a sun-drenched terrace, the ocean stretching endlessly before you.
A soft breeze carries the scent of salt and citrus, mixing with the rich aroma of warm cacao in your hands. You take a sip. It’s silky, spiced, earthy—nothing like the chocolate you know. You’ve just experienced the taste of cacao, a Mexican ritual drink once reserved for warriors, shamans, and emperors.
And now it’s part of a Villa Milagro retreat you’ll never forget.
The “Food of the Gods?”
Long before Europeans ever dreamed of chocolate bars, the Maya and Aztecs were sipping ceremonial cacao. They called it kakaw, and it wasn’t just a drink: it was a sacred elixir used in rituals, meditation, and even as currency.
These ancients believed cacao had the power to awaken the mind, open the heart and strengthen the connection to nature and the divine.
Unlike today’s sugary hot chocolate, traditional cacao is raw, unprocessed and packed with natural compounds that boost mood, clarity, and relaxation. It’s the perfect companion for deep meditation, a soothing massage, or simply taking a moment to breathe.
Cacao Or Chocolate: What’s the Difference?
If you’re picturing a rich, milky hot cocoa, think again.
Cacao is a raw, unrefined form of chocolate. Pure, slightly bitter, and bursting with natural goodness, it has been used for centuries in healing and spiritual practices. Blended with spices like cinnamon, chili, or vanilla, it transforms into a powerful, heart-opening elixir.
Chocolate, on the other hand, is what happens when cacao is processed, sweetened, and mixed with milk and sugar. It’s undeniably delicious, but it loses much of the magic that makes cacao such a powerful wellness tool.
Cacao Says “Mexico” Loud and Clear
It’s the perfect companion to our uniquely soothing retreats at the Villa Milagro. Those retreats, as our guests will tell you, are surprisingly indulgent experiences not just for your body but your soul.
Retreats with cacao bring our guests back to the Villa again and again.
Sunset Cacao Ceremony
So this is you: sitting in the warm glow of the setting sun, sipping rich, spiced cacao as the ocean hums in the background. Guided by an experienced facilitator, you set an intention, quiet your mind, and allow the cacao to enhance your relaxation and connection to the present moment.
Cacao & Meditation: A Journey Within
Cacao naturally enhances focus, making it the perfect companion for guided meditation. As you sip, you’ll feel a gentle lift—an awakened, peaceful clarity that helps you sink deeper into stillness and mindfulness. It’s not a drug: it’s a feeling.
Massage Meets Cacao: The Ultimate Relaxation Duo
How about sipping cacao before one of our famous open-air, deep-tissue massages? The results are pure magic. Cacao increases your circulation, relaxes the muscles and puts you in the perfect state of blissed-out surrender. Remind yourself: you deserve this!
A Cultural Experience for the Whole Family
Cacao ceremonies aren’t just for yogis and spiritual seekers. They’re for anyone—even the whole family–looking to immerse themselves in an authentic, deeply rooted piece of Mexican culture. Kids especially enjoy the rich, slightly spiced drink (touched with a few drops of honey), making it a fun and memorable experience for everyone.
Why Cacao Belongs in Your Next Retreat
Aside from being delicious, cacao is a natural mood booster. It contains compounds that promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance creativity. It’s also rich in antioxidants and magnesium—perfect for restoring balance in both body and mind.
But more than anything, it’s a sea-change moment.
It’s about slowing down, savoring the present, and feeling a deep connection to yourself, to the land, and to the ancient traditions that have been passed down for centuries.
Ready to Sip, Soothe, and Surrender?
Come join us at the Villa and rejuvenate your life. Forget for a second—if you can—that we’re located in the very heart of Mexico’s rich offerings of nearby shopping, natural beauty, cultural activities, fascinating day trips, onsite dining with your own private chef, and so much more.
Think of yourself in one of our famous retreats, surrounded by friends and loved ones, a warm ocean breeze on your skin, hot cacao in hand, completely at peace.
It’s not just a retreat. It’s a memorable journey into history, culture and deep relaxation.
Come experience the magic of cacao the way the ancients intended—only this time, with a front-row seat to the most stunning views in Mexico.
Book your warm cacao—and your dream suite by the ocean—today.
