What is a temazcal? The Mexican sweat lodge
The temazcal is Mexico's traditional sweat lodge: a dome heated with volcanic stones. Where it comes from, what happens inside, and how to take care of yourself.
If you come to a retreat at Finca El Péndulo, at some point you will crawl into a small dome, sit in the dark beside glowing stones, and sweat. This is the temazcal, one of Mexico’s oldest healing traditions.
Where it comes from
The word comes from Nahuatl and is usually translated as “house of heat” or “house of steam”. Sweat baths were used across Mesoamerica long before the Spanish arrived, to cleanse the body, to recover after childbirth and illness, and as a ceremony of renewal.
The temazcal is often described as a return to the womb of the earth: you enter small and in the dark, and you come out renewed.
How it works
A low dome, built of stone, adobe or branches, holds a pit in the center. Volcanic stones are heated for hours in a fire outside, then carried in. Water, often with herbs, is poured on them to make steam.
At the Finca, cold-water tubs wait outside the painted dome for the contrast afterward.
What happens inside
A temazcal is usually guided. It is often divided into rounds, sometimes called doors, with the entrance opened between them to let in air and more stones. There are songs, prayers or silence, and time to set down what you are carrying.
It is hot, and it is meant to be. You can always sit lower, where it is cooler, or step outside.
Why it is part of our retreats
The temazcal closes the week in both our ayahuasca and psilocybin retreats. After days of inner work, it brings you back into your body: heat, breath, sweat, then cold water and the open sky.
Taking care of yourself
- Drink plenty of water before and after.
- Eat lightly beforehand.
- Leave metal jewelry outside.
- Wear a swimsuit or light cotton clothing.
- Tell the guide if you feel dizzy or unwell, and step out whenever you need to.
The temazcal is not recommended if you are pregnant, or if you have heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure or other conditions affected by heat. We go over this with you before the retreat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it last? Usually between one and two hours, with pauses.
Is it a sauna? It is warmer and more humid than most people expect, but it is also a ceremony, not just a heat bath.
Can I visit the Finca just for a temazcal? The Finca also welcomes guests for stays outside the retreats. See Finca El Péndulo.
