🌿 Our Xaman Wellness Retreat Adventure
A quirky, spiritual, slightly chaotic sister‑trip story from Costa Maya
If you’ve ever booked an excursion thinking, “This looks relaxing,” only to realize you’ve accidentally signed up for a spiritual boot camp… welcome to the club. On my sister’s first Virgin Voyages cruise, riding high on a casino deal, I spotted something called the Xaman Wellness 90‑Minute Experience in Costa Maya.
And without telling her — because why ruin the surprise — I booked it.
This is the story of how we ended up with basil in our belly buttons, got startled by surprise shoulder massages, survived a heat room full of screaming strangers, and experienced a hammock massage that can only be described as “being launched into a new spiritual dimension.”
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🌴 Planning Your Cruise Excursions? Start Here.
Before we dive into basil‑in‑the‑belly‑button wellness rituals, make sure you check out my Tours & Excursions Hub— it’s where I break down:
the excursion partners I trust
how I choose between cruise‑line vs. independent tours
my favorite ports (and which ones don’t need an excursion at all)
real reviews from the adventures I’ve actually done
It’s the best place to start if you’re planning your next cruise and want to book smarter, save money, and avoid the “oops, what did I sign us up for?” moments.
🌺 Arrival: Meeting Our Xaman
We met our Xaman guide at the port, joining a small group of about 6–8 people. The walk to the retreat felt peaceful and jungle‑like, but my sister kept giving me that “What did you sign us up for?” look.
I just smiled. Because honestly… I didn’t know either.
🌿 The Basil Belly Button Ritual
We were led into a room with tubs of flowing water — already a vibe — when the Xaman began explaining the spiritual properties of basil.
Next thing we know, we’re instructed to place basil in our belly buttons to keep away bad spirits.
My sister and I tried so hard to stay respectful, but the giggles were uncontrollable. Nothing bonds sisters like trying not to laugh during a sacred ritual.
💧 The Tub Experience: Relaxing… After the Jump Scare
We climbed into the tubs, closed our eyes, and tried to embrace the moment.
Then suddenly — hands on our shoulders.
I was not expecting to be touched, so I jumped. My sister jumped. The whole thing felt like a wellness‑themed jump scare.
But once the surprise wore off, it was actually incredibly relaxing. Warm water, gentle movement, soft chanting… it was the calm before the chaos.
🔥 The Heat Room: A Spiritual Sauna (With Screaming)
Next, we entered a heat room — think sauna meets ritual ceremony.
Because of my high blood pressure, I sat near the door and stepped out when it got too warm. From outside, I could hear people screaming inside the room.
Not horror‑movie screaming — more like “this is very hot and I’m spiritually processing it” screaming.
My sister emerged looking like she had survived something profound.
🧖♀️ The Mud Room: Finally, Something Familiar
After the heat, we moved into a shower room where we were handed bowls of mud.
This part felt like a classic spa moment:
Rub mud everywhere
Let it dry
Rinse it off
We laughed the whole time, covered head‑to‑toe like two swamp creatures trying to achieve enlightenment.
🪢 The Hammock Massage: The Plot Twist
This was the grand finale — the hammock massage.
We climbed into hammocks expecting a gentle sway, maybe a nap. Instead…
The staff began lifting us with their legs, rocking and bouncing the hammocks like they were trying to spiritually catapult us into the next realm.
It wasn’t relaxing. It wasn’t predictable. But it was absolutely hilarious.
My sister and I could barely breathe from laughing. If enlightenment was the goal, we achieved it through comedy.
🌟 Final Thoughts (Featuring Me, My Sister, and Our Xaman)
Me, my sisand our Xaman
I love this picture of the three of us — me, my sister, and our Xaman — and honestly, it sums up this entire experience. We look relaxed, confused, spiritually cleansed, and slightly chaotic all at once.
Would I do the Xaman Wellness Retreat again? Absolutely. But only with a friend or my sister — someone who can giggle through basil‑in‑the‑belly‑button rituals and survive a hammock massage that feels like being launched into another dimension.
My husband and my boys? Oh no. They would kill me. They are far too serious for this level of spiritual chaos, and I love them too much to put them through it.
But for a girls’ trip? A sister adventure? A best‑friend cruise? This is the kind of experience you’ll laugh about for years — the kind that becomes part of your shared lore. And honestly, that’s what travel is all about.
👙 What to Know Before You Go
Here’s the practical scoop for anyone considering this excursion:
Wear a bathing suit — you’ll be wet, muddy, and in a hammock.
Expect touch — shoulder massages, hammock lifting, etc.
The heat room is intense — step out if needed.
Bring water — hydration is your friend.
This is not a traditional spa — it’s spiritual, quirky, and full of surprises.
Great for people who enjoy unique experiences and don’t mind laughing through the unexpected.
Not ideal for those who dislike surprises or being touched unexpectedly.
🌴 I Love the Costa Maya Cruise Port — Here Are My Other Adventures
Costa Maya is one of those ports I never get tired of. If you’re planning your trip, make sure to check out my other favorite adventures here:
Bacalar Lagoon — the most stunning blue water you’ll ever see
Kohunlich Mayan Ruins — a peaceful, less‑crowded ruins experience
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins — perfect for first‑timers who want history + easy logistics
These are some of my all‑time favorite excursions in the Western Caribbean, and they pair perfectly with the quirky chaos of the Xaman Wellness Retreat.
Here’s exactly how I book my shore excursions — the platforms I trust, when I book through the cruise line, 3rd party vendor, and diy.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Who This Experience Is For
The Xaman Wellness Retreat is:
weird
wonderful
relaxing in parts
chaotic in others
and absolutely unforgettable
If you love collecting stories, laughing with your sister, or trying experiences you can’t get anywhere else — this one is for you.
Would I do it again? Honestly… yes. But mostly because I want to watch someone else experience that hammock massage for the first time.
✍️ About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families, beginners, and retirees how to travel smarter using points, perks, and a whole lot of real‑life experience. She’s known for her honest cruise reviews, quirky excursion stories, and her signature “Stack & Save” method that makes travel hacking feel simple — even if you accidentally book your sister into a basil‑in‑the‑belly‑button wellness ritual.
When she’s not exploring cruise ports or testing out new adventures, she’s helping thousands of women learn how to travel better without the overwhelm.
