A Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic

Mud oozed into my sandal, as I pressed my weight deeper, the thick wet soil oozed further between my toes. The cool sensation felt refreshing as the drenched ground enveloped my feet, mud squishing out the sides of my shoes. The Caribbean sun warmed my back as I bent down towards the ground, pressing my finger into the dirt with one hand, carefully placing the small seedling into the ground. Like a dance, the six of us shifted in sync down the raised garden bed, the two farm employees at the front, strategically placing plants while we followed closely behind, popping them into rain soaked soil, and carefully burying the roots with our fingers. The occasionally chicken clucking, the chatter and laughter of others in the distance, the undulating motion over the land, a meditative repetition that made for the perfect activity for a wellness retreat in the Dominican Republic.

The island rain shower quickly passed earlier in the morning and we had a chance to spend the day in playing in the dirt, learning about the hydroponic and permaculture programs that the farm has implemented over the years. Spending the day at Taino Farm was one of the many highlights of the trip. The merging of education in sustainable agriculture along with a community activity embodies the purpose of the trip. Purposeful Nomad, focuses on ethical experiences and community building rather than your typical island trip. It’s a chance for a group of women to get together from different places with a like minded goal, a way to hit the reset consciously and carefree. Here’s why my wellness retreat in the Dominican Republic was the perfect start to my year.

Finding Balance

Spending a week in the DR, I had the chance to find balance literally and figuratively. Yoga and meditation is a major part of the week long experience with Purposeful Nomad, so you have a ability to work on your practice or begin to find out why yoga is such a beneficial addition to your work out regimen. Yoga gave us a chance to show our poise on a board, taking to the sweet waterways surrounded by mangroves with a stand up paddle boarding session.

Not only did we have a chance to stretch our bodies, but we strengthened our minds, with great conversations in addition to having the liberty to take time to ourselves for relaxation. Nights were filled with stories and laughter and our group of 11 ladies found a balance with each other effortlessly.

Conscious Travel

Responsible tourism is a big part of choosing my location, trying to focus on making positive travel choices like I would make in my everyday life. What does that mean? Picking a company that has a bigger picture in mind, not just blindly choosing an all inclusive resort or picking a company based on budget alone. Doing just a little research to find that a tour package allows for a great trip while helping the greater good. Often on a Caribbean holiday we are whisked away to a resort where you learn very little about the island and the money you spend doesn’t always go back to the local economy. A trip with a company like Purposeful Nomad gives you the chance to leave knowing more about the Dominican in addition to having your meals and activities planned for you.

Finding Community

Large and small scale fellowship, we found community among the women adventurers and the greater DR community by being more in touch with locals. Frankie supplying us with local groceries, the musical stylings of Tito at breakfast and the rest of the staff at the Beachcomber were just a few of the faces that made our time more memorable. We stayed outside of Cabarete, so there was access to the busy tourist area but our hotel provided a quieter oasis out of town with an emphasis more on the local area.

Purposeful Nomad offers something unique from your typical wellness retreats, a sense of a community of women who have a passion in travel. As we all trickled out the last day, everyone came to the van to exchange hugs, some tears and well wishes. It was as if our group had known each other for years, even though we had only met a week earlier. From a handful of strangers to forever friends, it was a powerful representation of the mission of the tour. The trips connect you with the local community, your mini community within the tour group and then lastly within yourself, creating a rewarding adventure.

Finding Inspiration

Health and wellness was a priority, which for me is necessary. Like most women, we have a tendency to help everyone else before we help ourselves, so it’s a welcomed change for us to be nourishing our bodies and souls. Carlie, our yoga teacher and resident chef extraordinaire made sure we had nutritious food choices. As someone who is traveling full time, my food choices are not always the healthiest option, so having fresh food choices was such a treat. We had several dinners and lunches out with the group, which gave us all a chance to be more adventurous and sample some scrumptious local dishes.

I think the biggest take away was the concept of women empowering girls and our day spent with the girls at the Mariposa Foundation, a truly inspirational organization showing that girls are the most powerful source of change. On the island, most girls are living in extreme poverty and do not have assess to quality education programs. A majority of teenagers end up becoming pregnant or married before they are 18 and Mariposa Foundation has stepped in to offer a place for these children to grow and learn in a safe, loving and supportive environment. Our day spent at Mariposa gave us a chance to see education at a local level, interact with the girls and their communities as well as see a way to give back to the island on a larger scale. If that didn’t seem like enough, Mariposa has a coffee shop, Cabarete Coffee Company, that serves the tourist community, provides job opportunities for local Dominicans and has the best brownies I’ve ever tasted. The vision, change and achievements that Mariposa has been able to achieve is inspiring beyond words.

A Better Island Experience

I’ve been to the Caribbean a dozen times, a dozen different ways. By boat, by all inclusive resort, by solo budget & luxury travel, but a more engaging island vacation made for the most memorable one. I was a guest of Purposeful Nomad but as always, my opinions and thoughts expressed here are truly my own. Thank you to Purposeful Nomad for providing me with a wellness retreat in the Dominican Republic that far exceeded my expectations! Check out their other trips so you can experience your own purpose driven travel!