Personalised Attention to Heal, Reset and Expand
RETREAT SUMMARY
Feeling tired, stuck, or ready for a reset?
Reconnect with your natural energy in the heart of the Andes, surrounded by lush mountain landscapes, quartz-rich earth, and the timeless wisdom of holistic healing.
This is your retreat, your rhythm, your journey. We meet you exactly where you are and tailor your experience to what you need most in this moment. Whether you crave adventure or stillness, deep exploration or simple relaxation, your days can weave together yoga, breathwork, meditation, forest walks, nourishing food, and time to simply be. And if you feel called to explore further, you can choose to dive deeper into tantric practices, opening new pathways to self-awareness, connection, and embodied presence.
Step away from the demands of everyday life and create space to release tension, reconnect with yourself, and explore what might be holding you back. Let the fresh mountain air, mindful movement, breath, and sound support your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Your life is yours to shape. Whether you see life as divine or simply full of possibility, the way you meet each moment influences the reality you create. Come as you are, reconnect with what matters, and leave feeling more grounded, inspired, and alive.
Refugio Zen, Santa Elena, Colombia
Our retreat centre is is nestled in Santa Elena’s lush mountains, less than an hour from Medellin’s hustle-bustle and hip culture. Since 2024 we’ve been transforming this acreage, establishing permaculture gardens, herb spirals, food mandalas, a clay pond, fire circles and a slowly evolving food forest. Meditation spaces around our farm invite to pause, reflect and slow down.
Around us the fresh smell of pine from the Arvi National Park mixes with the sweet scent of flowers which this region is famous for. Adjacent forest paths take you to creeks, waterfalls, cozy cafes and small, traditional villages.
All of our vegetarian meals are cooked ayurvediccally with organic and homegrown ingredents where possible, accompanying your well-deserved get-away to reconnect, rejuvenate, evolve, and expand through the unsurpassed healing powers of Pachamama, Mother Nature.
RETREAT Experience
Your Mountain Sanctuary: Yoga, Nature & Nourishment
Imagine waking up in your cozy mountain cabin, opening the door, and breathing in the fresh, pine-scented air as the majestic Andes unfold before you.
Welcome to a place where you can slow down, reconnect with yourself, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
Daily Yoga & Meditation · Nourishing Food · Intimate Setting · Immersive Nature
Begin your mornings with energising Vinyasa Flow, explore different types of breathwork and meditation, and unwind with gentle Yin Yoga before dinner. Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice or simply find space to breathe, our welcoming setting invites you to reconnect with your body, mind, and inner balance.
Nourish yourself from the inside out with wholesome, homegrown and locally sourced meals, prepared with love using ingredients from our permaculture gardens. Discover the wisdom of Ayurveda and learn how mindful eating and simple daily rituals can support your journey towards greater health and wellbeing.
Experience life on a living permaculture farm, surrounded by lush mountain vegetation, birdsong, and the rhythms of nature. Wander through the nearby Arví Regional Park, discover crystal-clear streams and hidden forest trails, or simply spend a peaceful afternoon beneath the avocado trees in the company of our free-roaming chickens.
For those curious to explore deeper layers of connection, we also offer optional tantric practices to nurture presence, self-awareness, and a more intimate relationship with yourself and others.
Whether you come to deepen your yoga practice, restore your energy, explore holistic wellbeing, or simply escape the pace of everyday life, this is a space to slow down, reconnect, and nourish yourself on every level.
All of our vegetarian meals are cooked ayurvediccally with organic and homegrown ingredents where possible, accompanying your well-deserved get-away to reconnect, rejuvenate, evolve, and expand through the unsurpassed healing powers of Pachamama, Mother Nature.
Daily Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation & Organic Food from our Permaculture Gardens
Dates
One of many advantages of a private retreat that not only can you chose your own dates, but also the length of your stay. We recommend a minimun stay of two nights and welcome individuals and couples of all genders and pronouns.
The retreat will be custom tailored to your needs. Not only all, but also all of you is welcome.
Get in touch vie Email or WhatsApp (+57 313 two four five 0865) to check our availability.
Gift your relationship the same Potential you Invest in other Areas of your Life
Our couples retreat is perfect for you if…
– you are desiring to reconnect with your partner in a safe, guided space
– you and your significant other need tools to heal and repair parts of your relationship to move forward with trust, passion and love;
– you and your beloved want to take your relationship to the next level;
– both of you want to enjoy a variety of tailored yoga practices together;
– you are ready to let yourself be pampered so all you need to do is fully focus on enjoying each other;
– it’s simply time to disconnect to reconnect – and breathe. Deeply. Together.
Let Mother Nature Nourish You
Our private Retreat can help you
– deepen your yoga practice and feel strong, expansive and whole physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually;
– learn and experience more about the vedic traditions, namely yoga, tantra, ayurveda and vedic astrology;
– allow our organic, homegrown, Ayurvedically influenced cuisine to nourish and heal you;
– pick up holistic, embodied tools to take home and help you integrate your journey in a sustained way;
.
– find more clarity, joy and freedom;
– free yourself from limiting belief patterns and judgments;
– let go of what no longer serves you;
– reconnect with your full potential, stop holding back and give every moment the possibility to be the best of your life.
El Refugio Zen: Your Home in the Andes Mountains
A typical day
Pause. Heal. Expand. Renew.
You don’t drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Accomodation at Refugio Zen, Colombia
El Refugio Zen became our home when we were longing for land after having spent ten years at sea. The plan wasn’t to settle in Colombia, but the magic of this quartz supported land caught us unexpected.
Since moving in, we have created a mandala garden bed, plenty of veggie patches, planted 50 trees and 50 bamboos, designed a food forest, converted the hexagonal shed into a precious yoga studio; put love and plants into every nook and granny and are in the process of building a temazcal.
You will be accomodated in your own private cabin, with ensuite bathroom and incredible views as soon as you step into your own private piece of garden.
Whilst a small outdoor kitchen is at your disposition, all meals will be lovingly prepared for you during your retreat.
Temperatures are mostly warm during the day (around 20C) and slightly crispy at night (down to 10C), generally making for a great night’s sleep tucked away under your cosy blanky. The sunrises here in the land of flowers are completely somthing else.
because you deserve it
Cozy Mountain Cabin with Ensuite & Garden
Prices & Booking Conditions
Single Occupancy: 480,000COP/night
Double Occupancy: 650,000COP/night
See below for what’s included. A minimum stay of two nights is strongly recommended. Discounts apply to stays over a week.
Check in is at 4pm and check out after lunch. At times this can be flexible.
Booking is confirmed upon receipt of a 50% deposit via bank transfer (USD, Euros or COP). The remainder is due a week before the retreat or in cash upon arrival if preferred.
Our Food is our Medicine
because you deserve it
Food
Nourishing, Homemade & Ayurvedically Inspired
Food is an important part of the experience at our finca. All our meals are vegetarian, freshly homemade and lovingly prepared with Ayurvedic principles in mind. Whenever possible, we source ingredients from our own permaculture gardens and from local organic producers.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your stay. Breakfast and lunch are nourishing and generous — and there’s always more if you’re still hungry! In the evening, we serve a lighter meal to support restful sleep, gentle overnight cleansing and overall wellbeing.
Rather than following a fixed menu, we cook according to what is fresh, seasonal and available. You might find homemade amaranth waffles with our own berry jam and chia mousse for breakfast; a colourful green quiche with quinoa and seasonal salads for lunch; or a comforting Indian dal or Italian minestrone served with rosemary-roasted croutons in the evening.
Our food naturally reflects my own journey. Before settling here in the mountains of Santa Elena, I spent much of my life travelling and experiencing different cultures and cuisines. That love of exploration has found its way into our kitchen, creating a wholesome and colourful fusion of flavours from around the world, with a distinctly homemade and local touch.
Upon request we also cater for vegan, dairy-free, sugar-conscious, egg-free, low fat and possibly other needs. Just fill us in upon booking to make sure we can prepare what’s best for you.
Our Food Mandala next to our emerging Food Forest
because you deserve it
Inclusions
- Accommodation at Refugio Zen (half an hour’s drive from Medellin’s international Airport JMC) in your private cabin with ensuite and garden
- Three organic, vegetarian, ayurvedically influenced meals, dinner consisting of a soup to support a gentle cleanse
- Potable water and herbal tea
- Morning vinyasa flow & breathwork yoga class
- Pre-dinner yin yoga class and meditation
- A permaculture tour around the place upon arrival
- Plenty of nature walks in the adjacent forests
- Use of gym & ping pong table
- Silks for aereal yoga
- Reading nook
- Use of common spaces which include hammock, sofas, the use of the Maloka when not in use and plenty of meditation spaces throughout the gardens
- Parking
NOT INCLUDED
- Air-fares
- Transport
- Travel Insurance
International Retreat Leader
Experienced Yogini
Dedicated Tantrica
Ayurvedic Consultant
Vedic Astrologer
Your Yoga Teacher, Guide & Space Holder
For more than 20 years, Dini has been practicing yoga and the sacred healing arts, on and off the mat, counting over 5,000 hours of teaching experience. Her journey has led her deep into the worlds of Tantra, Ayurveda, Reiki, Vedic Astrology and conscious birth—traditions she weaves together to create spaces for awakening, healing and profound reconnection. In 2016 she developed her own Yoga Teacher Training which she still offers to intimate groups, both in English and Spanish, upon request.
A certified Vedic Astrologer, Ayurvedic consultant, Reiki practitioner, skilled Doula and passionate Tantrika trained in the temple arts, Dini sees the body, heart, mind and spirit not as separate parts, but as different expressions of the same living whole.
Her relationship with these ancient traditions began as a personal search. Growing up across seven countries, Dini experienced a life filled with adventure, movement and cultural richness, yet also a deep sense of lacking belonging. It was through yoga and the Vedic wisdom traditions that she gradually discovered something she had been seeking all along: a place of stillness within herself, a deeper trust in life and the freedom to experience life as something sacred.
Today, her teachings reach far beyond the yoga mat. She has shared her work with refugees and prisoners, corporate professionals, superyacht owners and fellow nomads—people from wildly different worlds, yet all united by the same human longing for connection, meaning and aliveness.
For a decade, raised her three children aboard their family boat sailing the seven seas. In 2024, their journey brought them to the mountains of Santa Elena, Colombia. Here, amidst the cloud forest and the ancient energy of the Andes, she is slowly transforming a family finca into a living sanctuary: a permaculture farm, yoga school and tantric retreat centre.
Dini speaks seven languages and feels most at home in the places where life is raw, wild and real—deep in nature, around a fire, moving to music, dancing ecstatically, twirling flames, sharing food, exploring intimacy or, like most Australians, surfing waves.
Her work is ultimately an invitation to remember:
To come home to the body.
To listen more deeply to the heart.
To reclaim pleasure, presence and vitality.
To recognise the sacredness already woven into ordinary life.
Dini believes that personal transformation is never truly personal. When we become more conscious within ourselves, it naturally changes the way we love, relate, parent, lead and participate in the world.
Her guiding mantra: Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Where Permaculture meets Yoga
Lose your mind. Come to your senses.
Fritz Perls
Reconnect with Spirit
“Beautiful, calming yoga retreat in the countryside”
“We loved this beautiful, calming, restful and healing finca retreat! The whole space allowed us to check-in with ourselves, rest, pause, and decompress from the wild world 🌎 Dini’s communication was amazing from start to finish, and we really felt at home in her finca the whole time.. getting to share some meals/time with the whole family; Dini, her husband Pablo, their 3 awesome kids and doggo. Dini accommodated an early check in as we arrived into Medellin on a night bus at the crack of dawn. We absolutely loved the availability of so many mindful moments in the place.. the farm views, the chickens, the forest, the garden and most importantly the yoga/meditation hexagonal space. We loved our little rustic outdoor breakfast bar/kitchen w/ stools and fresh bottled water (with an electric pump 🤓), the books scattered around the place, the vege/plant sanctuaries, the hammock, the deck, and enjoyed being private/separate in our cabin, but also pleasantly optionally included in the day-to-day authentic family going-ons! The food was absolutely amazing, every meal surprised us, and made with such love! Amazing coffee with cacao toppings. Standout touches – lovely hot shower, plant sanctuary, the private yoga sessions – calming + a workout & intimate yet expansive, Sacha the dog, the chickens. We arrived exhausted, fragile and disconnected from ourselves.. and we left feeling healed, connected to ourselves/each other and grounded/present! Would defo stay again!”
Eloin Kelly, New Zealand/Ireland, 2025
“Amazing short yoga retreat”
“I loved everything about the 2 night yoga retreat. Dini and her family were super welcoming and I felt at home right away. The food was absolutely delicious and fresh. A nice change to all the Colombian food that I had been eating. The vinyasa yoga in the morning was the right mix of challenging and relaxing. And I am definitely converted to the yin yoga in the evenings. Will take it up when back home. The property itself is lush, with a nice big terrace and a hammock to chill in. I also loved the chickens. One of my favourite things to do was the hike/walk through the forest. It felt like being in a fairytale forest. Big thanks to Dini for an unforgettable 2 days.”
Monique R., Germany, 2025
“The perfect getaway for slowing down”
“During our long journey through South America we were ready to slow down. Dini offers the perfect opportunity for this. The stay at the Finca but in a private house was wonderful. The house is small but cozy and has a lovely warm shower. It was very nice to hear/learn something about permaculture and we found it very nice to see how Dini is so passionate about it and enjoys it. The food was really delicious. We were surprised every time by the variety and freshness of the food. The surroundings in the mountains are incredibly beautiful and relaxing. In between lessons you can walk and/or hike here. On our last day we also went to Santa Elena, this is a small village that you can easily get to by bus. Nice to end with. The yoga lessons were well tailored to our needs, we really liked that. The variation in the lessons is also very good. Due to the hustle and bustle of traveling and our lives at home, we not only needed to slow down but also to connect with ourselves and with each other. Since Diny is trained in tantra, this was very convenient for us. We were able to sense it for a moment and then made the choice to do a session. This was a really great experience. We both got a lot out of this session and have taken a number of exercises from it into our daily lives. We really enjoyed the hospitality of Dini and her family. The retreat gave us new healthy calm energy and we grew closer to each other. Dini, thank you very much again for this wonderful opportunity.”
Fadou, Holand/Morocco, 2025
“Excelente retiro en un lugar espectacular”
Dini es una excelente persona e instructora de yoga. Las clases fueron adaptadas a mi nivel de yoga y necesidades. También disfrute mucho conocer más sobre la finca y la permacultura. La comida también fue deliciosa y saludable. El lugar respira paz y tranquilidad. MUY RECOMENDADO!
Silvia Rojas, Colombia, 2024
“Mil gracias divinas. Ya tienen un Refugio aquí en Santa Elena que les espera cada vez que necesiten un ‘time out’ y pausar un momento de las locuras de la vida. Apreciamos muchísimo sus lindas energías y historias que compartimos. Aprender y crecer siempre es mutuo y acelera cuando nos juntamos. También quedamos muy impresionadas de sus largas caminatas que disfrutaron y sus baños en los ríos helados!!! Hasta la próxima. Con amor y gratitud. Namaste 🙏”
Lina P., Germany/Colombia, 2024
“La intructura de yoga; La paz que se siente en el lugar; Sensación de estar en casa; La atención; El paisaje del lugar; Las clases de yoga; El amor con el que me atendieron – todo perfecto.”
Nina, Colombia/Germany, 2025
“Un moment hors du temps”
“I found Refugio Zen quite accidentally at a very vulnerable time in my life. A time when a LT relationship was becoming an illusion. A time when I needed to feel validated and valued. A time when I was consumed with a stressful and demanding career. A time when I needed to recalibrate and reconnect with my inner center. I am a yoga teacher and a practicing yogi. When I signed up for the retreat, I did not know what to expect. But, upon arriving on this Colombian finca, I felt immediately at home. I found a sacred space that allowed for resetting of my mind and body. I had an instant connection with Dini who embraced me and guided me on a path of self discovery; to reset my nervous system, find inner peace and wisdom. It was a unique experience in finding healing powers, strength, clarity and transformation.”
Nadeje Halperin, US/Thaiti, 2024
“J’ai passé 3 jours au sein de cette maison et de cette famille et je recommande réellement de passer ces quelques jours avec elle. Au delà qu’elle soit très professionnelle dans ces cours de yoga, elle arrive à être à l’écoute, à nous laisser de l’espace et à comprendre nos maux et nos besoins. Elle a totalement compris pourquoi je venais passer ces quelques jours chez elle, et a réussi à me comprendre. Les cours de yoga proposés sont incroyables. Elle s’adapte à nos compétences physiques et nous corrige régulièrement. Et l’ambiance est vraiment chouette dans ce petit havre de paix. Toute sa famille est très gentille et ne semble pas être dérangée par notre venue. J’ai pu partager mes repas avec eux. Le fait qu’elle parle français est un réel plus, pour échanger mais aussi pour les cours de yoga et les soins additionnels. J’ai pu réaliser un massage reiki et une séance d’astrologie avec elle qui était hyper complet. en bref, je recommande à tout le monde de la connaitre, de connaitre sa famille et sa maison. C’est réellement un havre de paix, une petite maison du bonheur”
Chloe Collin, France, 2025
“I found immense growth in pranayam/meditation/practice first up in the morning. I feel I’ve dropped deeper in another level of understanding and awareness after this retreat. I feel there is SO much I haven’t uncovered within myself that needs to be released that I have either brushed off or just never addressed… but after the weekend it’s become so clear to me to make meditation a priority every day! The calling to connect with oneness, the universe.. has never felt so strong. Growing with sisters, pure goddess energy, amounts to nothing else. Like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Expansion and peace within.”
Mariah S., Yoga Teacher, Sydney Australia 2021
“Beautiful, private yoga retreat”
“The property is located in a peaceful area and the accommodation is equipped with all you need for a relaxed weekend. I felt very welcomed by Dini and her family. Most of the food comes from their own garden which is lovely and delicious! Dini is a very experienced yoga teacher and I learned a lot from her. The one on one teaching is great because Dini really focusses on your wishes/needs. I highly recommend this yoga retreat if you’re looking for a relaxed getaway from daily life.”
anonymous visitor, Netherlands, 2024
“Simplement super.”
Lena, France, 2025
Disconnect to Reconnect
FAQ
Can I join this retreat even without prior yoga experience?
Yes. One of the greatest benefits of a private retreat is that individual attention insures that both pace and level is exactly where you need it to be.
Can a couples retreat with you save my partnership?
One of Dini’s favourite is working with couples, as well as many other types of relationship constellations. Whilst we cannot put out any warranty on this, we can assure you that a couples retreat at Refugio Zen will bring more insight, clarity, depth and honesty into your most intimate connections. We have seen couples reconnect after many years, if not decades, of drifting apart. We have also seen participants come to a clear understanding that change is necessary and offered tools providing a peaceful transition into a different type of relationship.
Can I retreat alone?
Totally. In fact, spending time to nourish your self is not a luxury, but a necessity. Increasing self-love and -understanding will ultimately make you a better mother, father, lover, husband, wife, friend and person overall.
Will there be free time?
Absolutely. Your personalised schedule will provide you with self-study practices, as well as the time you need to integrate, relax, explore or simply be.
What is your payment and cancellation policy?
To secure your sport we need a 14% non-refundable deposit. The remainder of the retreat fee is due 30 days prior to the retreat.
In the case of cancellation before those 30 days prior, you can change the retreat dates in accordance with availability at Refugio Zen.
Can I request additional private session time with the instructor?
Yes, absolutely. Addional private sessions will be subject to availability and will be charged at a retreat-special hourly rate.
Allow yourself to be Nourished. Rejuvenate Physically, Mentally and Emotionally
If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.
