An overnight escape to slow down, soften, and reconnect — just outside Mexico City

The Shelf Reading Retreat

This is a quiet, intentional pause — a soft place to land for 24 hours.

Surrounded by like-minded women, books, forest air, slow mornings, and homemade meals shared around a long table.

We’ll gather in the woods of Valle de Bravo for a day of gentle structure and deep rest — hiking, reading, sipping local coffee, and reconnecting with a quieter version of ourselves.

All you need to bring is a book, an open heart, and your presence.

What you’ll experience…

  • 1-night stay in a beautiful space in Valle de Bravo (glamping tents, shared dorms, or private rooms available)

  • Round-trip transportation from Mexico City

  • Guided forest hike through Valle’s lush landscape

  • Nourishing meals: lunch, dinner, breakfast, and light snacks

  • Book swap and spacious solo reading time

  • Bonfire circle with s’mores + optional wine

  • Morning yoga flow + sound bath to reset the body and mind

  • Closing circle to ground and integrate before heading home

    Most importantly: gentle structure, built around freedom — no obligations, just offerings

Nature is calling

Your 24-hour agenda

This retreat was intentionally designed to give you both structure and spaciousness — time to be held, and time to just be. Here’s a peek into the rhythm of our weekend: a blend of movement, stillness, shared meals, and quiet joy.

  • Leave CDMX at 8:00 AM. Arrive in Valle de Bravo around 10:30 AM, settle into your room, and ease into the space with fresh coffee and gentle conversation.

  • At 11:45 AM, we’ll head out on a guided forest walk — a grounding way to arrive in your body and the landscape.

  • A nourishing, locally sourced lunch will be served at 1:30 PM, followed by a book swap and quiet time to read, nap, journal, or simply do nothing.

  • Around 4:00 PM, we’ll host a casual book swap (bring one you love!), then leave the rest of the afternoon open for solo exploration or deeper connection.

  • Dinner is served at 6:00 PM, followed by a cozy bonfire with s’mores, optional wine, and guided conversation around the fire.

  • Sunday morning begins with a gentle yoga flow and sound bath at 9:00 AM — an invitation to return to yourself before the day unfolds.

  • After a slow breakfast at 10:30 AM, we’ll enjoy a final window of reading or rest, followed by a light lunch, closing circle, and departure by 3:00 PM. We’ll arrive back in CDMX by 5:30/6 PM.

Choose your accommodation

Sol Room

  • A spacious, sun-filled room with a queen bed, private bathroom, walk-in closet, and its own fireplace. This is the most luxurious room on site — ideal if you’re craving deep solitude, cozy comfort, and a touch of warmth at the end of the day.

Luna Room

  • A warm, grounding room with a double bed and its own private bathroom. This cozy space is perfect for seeking rest, comfort, and quiet — your own little sanctuary for the night.

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

Tierra Dorm

  • A peaceful shared room with just two single beds — perfect for those who want a shared experience. Great for friends!

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

Cielo Dorm

  • A soft, communal room with four single beds — our most social option, perfect for those who love shared energy, sleepover vibes, and spacious connection.

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

Glamping Uno

  • Cozy up under canvas with a friend or fellow guest — each tent includes two single beds, nestled in nature for a quiet and memorable sleep. Ideal for duos who don’t mind sharing space and love the idea of sleeping under the stars (with comfort!).

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

Glamping Dos

  • Cozy up under canvas with a friend or fellow guest — each tent includes two single beds, nestled in nature for a quiet and memorable sleep. Ideal for duos who don’t mind sharing space and love the idea of sleeping under the stars (with comfort!).

    This is the same as Glamping Uno.

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

Only 12 available spots!

About Jordan

I created The Shelf in October 2024 as a way to reconnect with my own reading practice — and to bring people together around something that felt intimate, creative, and grounding.

What began as a simple idea — let’s share our bookshelves — quickly turned into a growing community. Since launching, we’ve hosted 9 in-person swaps, each one full of thoughtful conversations, surprise reads, and the kind of energy that only books can bring into a room.

This overnight retreat is a natural next step. An extended gesture of what The Shelf is really about: slowing down, being seen, and letting our love of words, rest, and warmth bring us back to ourselves — and to each other.

Whether you’ve joined a swap before or are completely new here, you’re so welcome.

 FAQs

  • Yes, absolutely. Many of the women attending are coming solo. This retreat is designed to feel welcoming and easeful, whether you arrive with a friend or on your own. There’s plenty of space for both connection and quiet.

  • You’re not alone in that — and that’s the beauty of it. This isn’t a retreat where you have to be “on” or network. It’s a soft, slow experience where you’ll naturally connect through shared meals, quiet moments, and a mutual love for books and presence.

  • Yes. This particular retreat is open to women and femmes only, to support a sense of emotional safety and softness throughout the experience.

  • That’s totally okay — this retreat is less about how much you read, and more about creating space for slowness, reflection, and rest. Whether you bring a novel, a journal, a stack of poetry, or just want to sit in silence with your thoughts, you’ll belong here. There’s no pressure to perform or finish anything!

  • Yes — all meals will be nourishing, mostly plant-based, and made with love. We’re happy to accommodate common dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, etc.). Just let us know when you book!

  • Due to the nature of the retreat and limited capacity, all bookings are non-refundable. However, if you can no longer attend, you’re welcome to transfer your spot to another guest with prior notice.