Last updated on January 11, 2024
Look at our smiling faces, the sunny days, the stories of lands afar. People often say how wonderfully happy we look – and we are, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have our moments. We drown in piles of work, become irritable with those around us and get overwhelmed by the very fact of life – you know those ‘Oh my god, how are we breathing?, Why is a chair called a chair? and ‘We’re on a spinning planet’ type moments? Around about then it’s time for an intervention – a walk in the park, a favourite movie or, if we’re lucky, the new favourite, which we’ll christen Avatar Therapy.
Here’s introducing the latest in therapeutic techniques…
It starts with a walk through the jungle…
…past peeling trees and turquoise waters…
…until you reach the secret beach – your own private Pandora.
Look for the rocks tinged with blue and you’ll find the muddy treasure you’ve come for.
It’s time to begin your transformation to Na’vi. Dip your hands in, slather it on, and let the blue potion draw out the tribal within….
…until you have your very own clan.
Those with beards will look especially good.
Battles are an inevitability once the inner warrior is unleashed…
…while other more peaceful members tend to attract beauty and butterflies.
We find that a jumping shot (or 100 failed tries) adds to the therapy’s benefits.
And of course a handstand always helps.
Once the mud has dried, it’s time to dip in the ocean, shed your Na’vi skin and bask in your newfound softness – or search for crabs like Christoph.
Of course, all good clans need a fire-maker.
And finally time to head home, glowing from your Avatar therapy and unable to talk about anything but how luscious your hair feels.
Thank you to the lovely Shannon at A Little Adrift for some of the excellent photos of Steve and I.
How to get to the mud beach
To get to the mud beach, you have to go via Las Lomas. You can’t get there via San Pancho because there are private properties that block the way.
It’s been brought to my attention that some people have been trying to go through the private properties without permission. San Pancho is a beautiful, friendly place, so please treat it and its people with respect. Worse, I’ve also heard that people have been leaving trash on the beach and destroying some of the habitats, which is frankly heartbreaking. So, if you do go there, please be respectful, collect your litter and leave no trace.
Read more San Pancho tips
We lived in San Pancho for six months and fell head over heels in love with town. We’ve written an extensive post of all our San Pancho tips. We called it 54 Reasons to Love San Pancho.
Oh wow, it really does make you look like you’re from Avatar!! It looks like you had great fun. That beach is gorgeous, too!
It was! We could barely believe it when we found it!
That looks like so much fun, and totally therapeutic! How did you find this secret mud bath?
A friend told me about it, but I didn’t make it there until a few months later. Wish I’d have gone before – I’d have made it a weekly visit!
Love the epic jumping shot! What a lovely day all around, and so glad organized us all to go to the secret beach on Pandora 🙂
So pleased to have you with us 🙂
These are some great photos and you both look like you’re having so much fun 🙂 My favourite photo has to be the last one though (despite all the amazing mud faces haha) – it just looks other-worldly!
Mmmm, I love that photo too. Higuera trees are my favourite.
These photos are hilarious!
Seriously day-dreaming of Mexico because of you and all the other bloggers there, selfishly spamming my news feed with lovely photographs… joking. Please continue. It is like my crack during this final exam period…
The joy of living vicariously…
Excellent! Pleased to be of help during the dreaded exams. We won’t stop posting, but they’ll be taking a different direction now as we head to Europe and Bali!
Mhmm, I love this! Mud therapy is the best! It warms your entire body and your skin feels amazing afterwards. Looks like you guys had a blast!
We did. I wish it was available everywhere (for free)!
Shannon your photos are phenomenal!!!!!! Wow, how much fun!
So much fun!
ha ha, I love it! Where were these taken? Brilliant stuff. I might go and try it in central London! 😉
We took them in San Pancho at a little beach hidden in the jungle. It can be accessed via Las Lomas. The best way to find it is to ask around in town – it’s not an easy find! Sorry not to say they were taken on the little beach on South Bank!
Classic photos. You guys seems to be having a lot of fun on the sand. The one where everyone is in the air expect one is amazing.
Thanks! We tried for that photo SO many times!
What a great stress reliever!
Yep – we’re going to miss having that at such easy access!
That looks like epic fun – apparently peliod is meant to be great for fertility. Twins anyone?
My dad was a twin too so I’m already likely to have twins — not 100% sure I want to increase that likelihood further!
Avatar Therapy? Heh very smart title! I loved reading this post, it is so vivid and so alive with all the great shots and I can feel the motion through them. Those smiles are truly great. Now I really want to try this!
You should! It was wonderfully invigorating!