Tranquil Escape: Enjoying Relaxation and Friendship at Natura Cabana

After our inaugural girls' trip to Santa Fe last year, Sheri and I promised to make our adventure an annual tradition. Since we both turn 40 in a few months, we decided on a trip to the Dominican Republic this year. Similar to our experience at Ojo Caliente, Natura Cabana was just as magical. When researching places to travel, ChatGPT was a huge help. I asked the AI engine, "What are resorts in the Caribbean similar to Ojo Caliente in price and ambiance?" Natura Cabana was the first recommendation provided.

Natura Cabana is an eco-friendly boutique resort nestled in Cabarete on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic—a tropical paradise along the Atlantic Ocean! It's located at the end of a residential neighborhood about 20 minutes from Puerto Plata Airport. Sheri and I enjoyed the resort's tranquility, quaintness, and beauty for 4 nights. To sum up how I feel about our trip, I feel extreme gratitude for finding such a magical place to visit with my dearest friend.

We arrived at Natura Cabana late Wednesday evening after a horrendous day of travel due to delayed flights, but I won't dwell on the travel debacle. The point is, despite our delayed arrival, the Natura Cabana team took great care of us. After I informed the resort staff of our changed arrival via WhatsApp, they promptly relayed those details to the transportation company they had arranged for our airport pickup.

Upon arrival, we were escorted to our cabana. (There are only 12 cabanas on the property. When I say this place is small and fabulous, I mean it!) After dropping our luggage, Victor, the hotel manager, gave us a tour of the grounds, showing us the pool, yoga temple, and spa area. We ended the tour at the resort's restaurant, where he seated us and the waitstaff took our dinner order. Exhausted from our travel, Sheri and I called it a night early, eager to refresh for the day ahead.

Day 2: Yoga, Massages, and Sunset Cocktails

Sheri and I woke up ready to embrace a day of luxurious relaxation. We walked to the restaurant, where I enjoyed their granola bowl with fresh fruit, while Sheri opted for their toast trio. (I had the toast trio the next morning, and it was scrumptious!)

After breakfast, we headed to the property's yoga temple. We were expecting a Vinyasa Flow class but experienced a sound yoga session due to a schedule change. This turned out to be an unexpectedly interesting experience; sound yoga was something neither Sheri nor I knew we needed. The instructor had us lie in shavasana, placing a metal singing bowl on our chests. As she tapped the bowls with a felt-tipped mallet, my body hummed, my mind filled with vivid thoughts of family, friends, and future travels. I felt an unusual sense of clarity, while Sheri described an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Others in the class recounted seeing vivid colors and experiencing almost out-of-body sensations, revisiting past places and people they had encountered.

Following sound yoga, Sheri and I lounged by the pool, surrounded by cabanas and lush vegetation, until it was time for our massages. I chose the Aether massage, where crystals were used to align my chakras before the full-body massage began. Heat radiated from the crystals as Magaly, my massage therapist, hovered her hands above them on my back. Once the massage started, her touch felt as if she had phantom hands—gripping firmly to release muscle tension, then transitioning into light caresses and finally disappearing altogether. I was so relaxed that I couldn't anticipate where her next touch would be. While the Aether massage was enjoyable, Sheri found her Earth massage to be revitalizing. After hearing her describe her experience with hot stones, I decided to indulge in the same treatment on our final day.

After our massages, we had a late lunch starting with a coconut tempura shrimp appetizer. For our main dishes, I savored tacos while Sheri enjoyed a simple fare of fish with rice and beans. We finished our meal with cocktails on the beach, soaking in the tropical views until the sun seemed to disappear into the ocean.

Following the sunset, Sheri and I returned to the restaurant for dinner. This resort embraces a relaxed atmosphere, which we loved! There was no need to dress up; we could simply be ourselves, arriving in our swimwear cover-ups with sunscreen-glistened skin and no makeup. This liberating environment allowed us to fully enjoy ourselves. We spent the rest of the evening indulging in food, drinks, and reminiscing about our 18 years of friendship!

Day 3: Yoga, Detox Treatments, and Beach Lounging

After a light breakfast and coffee, Sheri and I began our day with an hour-long yoga class in the yoga temple. While Sheri found a hammock by the pool, I took a beach walk, preparing for our spa treatment later that day—a detox session consisting of time in the mushroom hut steam room, a sugar scrub, a 60-minute facial, and a leg-draining massage. This spa treatment was the best I've ever experienced. Magaly, my therapist once again, worked her magic. I actually dozed off during the leg massage—it was that soothing. My skin glowed after the Release Me facial and full-body sugar scrub. During the facial, Magaly's gentle touches around my eyes felt like tickles, leaving me incredibly relaxed and rejuvenated. I could gush endlessly about the incredible detox spa treatment. If you visit Natura Cabana, you must try it!

I indulged in an afternoon massage, opting for the Earth hot stone treatment Sheri had enjoyed the day before. Magaly put me in a blissful trance for 90 minutes!

If I were to do it again, I would have chosen the detox treatment on the first day and made it my only treatment. Then, on the second day, I would have opted for the Earth massage. The Aether treatment was good, but the Earth massage was exceptional!

After my massage, Sheri and I met for dinner, taking our cocktails to the beach to watch another breathtaking sunset. Later, we returned to the restaurant, treating ourselves to chocolate molten lava cake and ice cream for dessert. Completely satisfied, we floated back to our rooms, anticipating another day of relaxation and indulgence.

Day 4: Sound Therapy, Yoga, Perfume Making, and Farewell to Paradise

On our last full day at Natura Cabana, Sheri and I woke early for a light breakfast and coffee. She attended a morning Yin Yoga class while I indulged in a sound healing massage. The therapist, Angela, was the same instructor from our earlier sound yoga class. The hour-long session took place in a massage hut by the ocean. Starting on my stomach to the sound of rolling waves, Angela placed singing bowls along my body. This was an unforgettable experience, and I would absolutely do it again—though perhaps not immediately after a cup of coffee, as my mind was racing like Poppy from Trolls. My thoughts wandered from childhood memories of church bells to dreams of visiting Italian cathedrals. When my mind became too busy, the sound of the ocean waves grounded me. Angela then had me flip onto my back, where a few strikes on the bowl had my body resonating with vibrations. I felt as if I were radiating rainbows, embodying my inner Poppy. Throughout the massage, Angela offered words of encouragement and affirmation, telling me, "You deserve to enjoy your life." This statement profoundly resonated with me and continues to do so.

Sheri found her sound healing treatment incredibly calming, suggesting that starting with a yoga class before sound healing might be a better approach. She experienced intense gratitude, emotional as she reflected on motherhood and her love for her daughters.

After Sheri's treatment and my Ashtanga yoga class, we met at the pool briefly before I enjoyed my final spa treatment of the trip—an invigorating firming massage and facial aimed at boosting collagen production. This treatment brought a stillness to my mind, overwhelming me with gratitude. Perhaps Sheri's experience was contagious, as I found myself emotional, reflecting on the opportunity to spend time in paradise with one of my oldest friends, while my husband lovingly supported our boys back home during Father's Day weekend. Magaly worked wonders with her healing touch and magical hands. I developed a deep attachment to her after multiple spa treatments at Natura Cabana. I could sing her praises all day.

After tearfully bidding farewell to Magaly, Sheri and I enjoyed lunch on the beach, savoring delicious ceviche—absolutely divine. We then lounged on beach loungers, both spending the afternoon reading "A Fate Inked in Blood." (Yes! We planned a tandem beach read.)

Our final activity was perfume making. Sheri and I selected fragrances as bases and supporting scents. We both opted for a salty base, creating scents that were fresh, clean, and breezy like the ocean. My supporting scents included white lotus, berries, and velvet wood, resulting in a sweet and intoxicating aroma. I named my scent "Magaly Laja" as a tribute to my beloved massage therapist and our Cabana room, a reminder of this special trip.

The evening concluded with live music at Natura Cabana's restaurant, a perfect finale to our trip.