Troncones Mexico Dances of Universal Peace

Welcome to “Deepening into Being” Troncones, Mexico!

Now that you are registered for the camp and hopefully your payment has already been made, we would like to suggest a few things that might make your trip and visit to Troncones more pleasant.

Troncones is home to about 500 people. There are no major grocery stores but there are convenience stores and family owned markets where you can purchase basic necessities. Restaurants and bakeries are also readily available in town.

Passports

First and foremost, please check your passports and make sure they haven’t expired. There is nothing more surprising than finding out that it has expired, and you don’t have time to renew it.  There are a few ways to expedite a new passport and with a little research you can find out how.

Travel

The Deepening into Being camp is February 5^th – 9^th. If you’re flying, you will be flying into the Zihuatanejo International Airport, which is located on Highway 200 a few miles south of Zihuatanejo. Troncones is about 41km north on Hwy 200.

Once you have booked your travel tickets to Zihuatanejo, please fill out this Arrival Information Form. This form will tell us when to expect you. The form allows for arrival by plane, bus or private auto. Then you can look at the Arrival Response Sheet to find people who are arriving in Zihuatanejo around the same time as you to begin to arrange ride shares to camp, if that is something you would like to do.
NOTE: You will only be able to view this sheet, no changes can be made. If you find that your travel information has changed, please fill out the Arrival Information Form again with your new information, then contact me to delete your original input at wayne.talmadge@gmail.com.

You should also make sure that ALL your luggage is identified with your name, address and telephone number in case of unforeseen incidents.

Before you land at the airport you will be presented with a Customs Declaration Form which will ask for your Name, Nationality, how many days in Mexico, etc. You must fill it out in Black or Blue ink. You will then present that to the Customs Agent at the airport.

Pesos

You should probably have some local currency when you arrive. I understand that credit cards are accepted at some of the restaurants and businesses in Troncones, but I don’t know how readily they are accepted through out Troncones. When you get pesos, you should get some in smaller denominations of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 peso notes or coins. There are several ways to acquire pesos:

• There are money exchange kiosks at the airport, but exchange rate may not be as good as what your bank at home may offer you.
• Most people opt to get some pesos at a bank prior to traveling. Most banks require that you have an account with them before you can order your currency. Check the exchange rate and admin fees for the best rate. It usually takes the bank several days to get your currency.
• There is only one ATM in Troncones. It is located 2 blocks NE on the main road coming into Troncones. The ATM’s in Mexico can be a little quirky and have a habit of running out of cash. So be prepared and bring enough with you.

To find out the current exchange rate, just google USD to Peso. The rate has fluctuated a bit since mid November and as of this writing (mid December) it is between 20 & 21 peso to the dollar. The trend seems to be doing down peso to the dollar. If you’re staying at Casa Norely they do prefer their payment in Pesos.

Transportation

Only approved Taxi’s are allowed on the airport premises. As you leave the airport you will find the taxis lined up outside of the main door. The cost to take the taxi to Troncones is about 1300 MEX. ($65 USD). Prices may have changed since last year. There are other transport services available, and you can find them at this link. (Taxi Services)

There are no buses that have stops in Troncones. However you can catch a bus in downtown Zihuatanejo. A taxi driver should know where the bus stops are. The bus will drop you off where the main road to Troncones meets Hwy 200. You need to find the bus that goes as far as LaUnion. Do not take a bus going to Pantla or Buena Vista as they won’t take you as far as Troncones. It is said that there is a van service from the junction of Hwy 200 and Acceso A Playa Troncones. It is about 5 miles into Troncones.

There are car rentals available at the airport as well:

• Fox Rent A Car has an office at the airport. You can find them at foxrentacar.com If you have to, search Locations > Mexico > Ixtapa Zihuatanejo.
• Europcar Renta de Autos Ixtapa Aeropuerto. They also have an office at the airport. +528002012084
• Find more options at Rental Cars

Lodging

If you have not yet booked your lodging there is a list of possible lodging and accommodations listed here. The accommodations at Casa Norely are full but Casa Escondida, where the retreat will be held, still has some rooms available. Please contact wayne.talmadge@gmail.com as soon a possible. Otherwise you will need to make your own arrangements using the information found at the lodging site.

Schedule

The Deepening Into Being Dance Retreat begins on Wednesday, February 5th and will continue through the week. The last dance will be the morning of Sunday, February 9th. The week will be based around the following schedule:

• Feb 5th (Wednesday) –
  • 1 pm – Gathering and check-in at the sala at Casa Escondida
  • 4:30 pm – Opening Circle and Dance .
  • Group Dinner – Dinner will be provided at Costa Brava but you will need to pay for drinks, please leave a tip.
• Feb 6th – 8th (Thursday – Saturday)
  • 9:30 am – Morning Dance
  • Afternoon Offerings as they arise
  • 4:30 pm – Afternoon Dance
• Feb 9th (Sunday)
  • 9:30 am – Closing Circle and Dance
  • Brunch – Food will be provided at Costa Brava but you will need to pay for drinks, and please leave a tip.

Camp Communication

If you haven’t already done so, please make sure WhatsApp is installed on your phone. This will be one of the ways that we will be communicating at Camp. It’s a wonderful tool that can be useful in so many ways.

Final Thoughts

COVID: If you’re attending camp, please be aware that Covid is still a virus that is going around. Pay attention to your interactions for the 10 days prior to arriving at camp and if you’re not feeling well, please take a Covid Test to be sure you’re not carrying it into Camp.

If you arrive at camp after traveling and you’re not feeling well, DO NOT JOIN THE CIRCLE. Please take a Covid Test and quarantine yourself until you know you feel 100% well and you’re Covid free. Then you may wear a mask or sit outside the circle and watch if you choose. If you can, please bring extra covid tests to donate to camp.

FRAGRANCE FREE: Some of the folks attending this camp are sensitive to fragrances. Most perfumes, essential oils, body lotions, suntan lotions and shampoos can keep some dancers from being able to stand in the circle. Let’s be conscious and loving, thanks.

REGISTRATION / FEES: Registration is open and you may register right up until camp begins on February 5th. Registration Fees can be paid right up until camp using PayPal Friends and Family, Venmo or Wise. If you’re paying by check, please mail checks to Wayne Talmadge, 216 Stevens Ave, Salmon, Idaho 83467 to be received NO LATER than January 28, 2025. If you must, you can pay with a check at the beginning of camp on February 5th. Just find Wayne when you arrive in Troncones.

NOTE: I am registrar for several camps. When paying by PayPal, Venmo or Wise PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH CAMP YOU ARE REGISTERING FOR. Otherwise I have to search each registration page for your name. Thank You!!

CANCELLATIONS / REFUNDS: If you choose to cancel, you may up to December 31, 2024 for a full refund. After that date we will return all except $125. Any cancellations after February 1, 2025 will not be refunded

I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the beach in Troncones, ready to eat, dance and pray together in the tradition of Samuel Lewis and Ruth St. Denis.