Reviewed · PUERTO ESCONDIDO TOURS
Blissful Healing Experience in the Water
Let the water do the work. This private Aguahara session near Puerto Escondido offers a rare mix of gentle massage, stretching, floating, and emotional release, all in an outdoor pool at The Santosha Refuge in Mazunte. You begin with a quiet conversation, then enter the water for a one-to-one session shaped around your comfort and needs.
I like the private format, since you never have to share the pool or follow a group schedule. I also like the thoughtful opening conversation, which gives JoJo a chance to learn how you feel about water before beginning. The main consideration is simple: this is not a sightseeing tour or a standard spa massage. You spend much of the 90 minutes being held and moved by another person, so you need to feel reasonably comfortable with close physical support.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- What Aguahara feels like in practice
- Starting with a quiet conversation at The Santosha Refuge
- Entering the outdoor pool for private bodywork
- Why the one-to-one format matters
- A 90-minute pause from Puerto Escondido plans
- What makes the water different from a land massage
- The setting, timing, and practical value
- Who will enjoy this experience most
- Weather, cancellation, and booking details
- The emotional side of being held in water
- Should you book the Aguahara session?
- FAQ
- Where does the healing session take place?
- How long does the experience last?
- Is the activity private?
- Is the experience offered in English?
- What happens at the beginning?
- What does the Aguahara session include?
- Can I participate if I am not comfortable in water?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the appointment?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before booking

- The session begins with a personal conversation: You discuss how you may benefit before entering the pool.
- Aguahara uses full-body water support: JoJo gently holds, cradles, stretches, and moves you through the water.
- Every appointment is different: The session is adjusted to your needs that day, including your comfort around water.
- The setting is outdoors: The pool sits at The Santosha Refuge in a beautiful natural spot in Mazunte.
- You get the pool to yourself: This is a private activity for only your group, with the healing work provided one to one.
- The appointment lasts about 90 minutes: Allow enough time to arrive calmly rather than racing in at the last minute.
What Aguahara feels like in practice

Aguahara is a water-based healing practice that draws from older Oriental therapies in water. The basic idea is easy to understand: once your body is supported by the pool, your muscles and joints no longer need to carry your full weight.
JoJo keeps continuous contact with you while guiding your body through slow movements. You may be gently stretched, cradled, massaged, or moved through a wider range of motion than feels natural on land. Your part is mostly to close your eyes, breathe, and let the movement happen.
That sounds simple, but it is quite different from booking a regular massage. On a massage table, you remain still while someone works on specific muscles. Here, the water becomes part of the treatment. It supports you from below while JoJo provides steady contact and direction.
The result is intended to be physical and emotional. The warm water and nurturing support may help quiet the mind, release tension, and create a sense of freedom in the body. The language used to describe the session is spiritual, but you do not need to approach it that way. You can treat it as a slow, unusual form of bodywork and relaxation.
A few more reviews worth comparing before you book
- Puerto Escondido: Boat Tour to see Dolphins and Marine Life
★ 4.6 · 467 reviews - Dolphin & Whale Watching in Puerto Escondido
★ 5.0 · 278 reviews - Guided tour of an ancestral Mezcal distillery with transport
★ 5.0 · 240 reviews
Starting with a quiet conversation at The Santosha Refuge

Your meeting point is The Santosha Refuge, on C. Tamarindos S/N in Mazunte, Oaxaca. The activity begins and ends at this same location, which keeps the logistics pleasantly simple.
Before the pool session, you sit down with JoJo and talk about what you need that day. This is one of the most important parts of the experience. Instead of receiving a fixed treatment, you have a chance to explain your comfort level, your concerns, and what kind of relaxation you hope to find.
The conversation also matters if you are unsure around water. The experience specifically welcomes people who are not fully comfortable in a pool. That does not mean you should ignore serious water-related concerns, but it does mean the session can address your uneasiness rather than treating it as a problem.
I appreciate this slower beginning. It keeps the appointment from feeling mechanical. You are not rushed straight into a treatment while still thinking about directions, schedules, or what will happen next.
Entering the outdoor pool for private bodywork

The pool is outside in what is described as a beautiful paradise setting. The setting is not a side detail. For this type of appointment, open air and natural surroundings can make the experience feel less like a clinic and more like a quiet retreat.
Once you are in the water, JoJo supports you continuously. That support is the heart of the session. You are not expected to swim, perform stretches, or know anything about Aguahara.
Instead, JoJo gently guides your body. The movements may include slow stretching, cradling, massage, and changes in position. The water creates a feeling of lightness, allowing your joints and muscles to move with less effort.
This can be especially valuable if your mind has trouble switching off. You have no route to follow and no sights to watch for. The work asks you to stop managing the experience and allow someone else to guide it.
That can also be the main challenge. Some people love the feeling of surrendering control. Others may prefer a conventional massage, where they can stay on a table and clearly understand what is happening. A private conversation at the start helps, but this remains a hands-on experience with frequent physical support.
Why the one-to-one format matters
The private format is more than a marketing detail. It changes the mood and the practical experience.
You do not need to compare your pace with anyone else. There is no group instruction, no shared pool, and no need to discuss personal concerns in front of strangers. JoJo can adjust the pace and movements to you alone.
The session also allows for a more personal response to your comfort around water. If you are relaxed, the work may focus more on letting go and free movement. If you are uneasy, the opening discussion gives JoJo useful information before the session begins.
For couples or friends, it is worth noting that the activity is one to one rather than a shared treatment. The private booking means only your group participates, but the healing work itself is designed around an individual. If two people book together, confirm how the timing will work before arrival.
The 100 percent recommendation rate and five-star score from 37 ratings suggest that the personal attention is a major strength. One especially useful account describes JoJo taking time to learn about the participant and their comfort around water, then shaping a unique session from that conversation. That detail tells you more than a generic promise of relaxation. Preparation is part of the service.
A different sort of day out around Puerto Escondido:
- Puerto Escondido: Turtle Release Experience
★ 4.5 · 228 reviews - 2-Hour Surf Lesson in the Waves of Puerto Escondido
★ 5.0 · 177 reviews - Boat Trip to See Marine Life in Puerto Escondido
★ 5.0 · 109 reviews - Dolphin Watching Tour
★ 5.0 · 103 reviews
A 90-minute pause from Puerto Escondido plans
The appointment lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. That is long enough to feel like a real break, but short enough to fit into a day in Mazunte if you plan carefully.
I would avoid scheduling it between two activities with tight deadlines. The session is designed to calm you, and rushing away immediately afterward could undercut that benefit. The exact treatment time is approximate, so leave some breathing room around the booking.
This is a good choice after a busy stretch of sightseeing, beach time, or general holiday stress. It can also work well near the beginning of a stay if you want to settle into the slower pace of the Oaxaca coast.
The activity is listed in English, which makes it practical for English-speaking visitors. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability, so do not assume that an inquiry automatically secures your preferred time.
What makes the water different from a land massage

The central value here is not simply that you are in a pool. Water changes the physical experience.
On land, your muscles constantly help hold you upright. In the water, external support reduces that work. This may give your joints more freedom and make certain stretches feel gentler than they would on a massage table.
The session also combines several kinds of touch. Massage addresses tension in the body. Stretching encourages movement. Cradling and floating add a sense of support. The provider describes these elements as helping release physical blockages and stress, with possible emotional effects as well.
You should keep expectations sensible. This is presented as a healing experience, not a medical treatment. No specific medical result is promised, and the available information does not identify it as a substitute for professional care. If you have a health condition or a concern about pool-based bodywork, ask a qualified medical professional before booking.
For a healthy person seeking rest, the appeal is clear. You get a full 90-minute appointment devoted to slowing down, with no skills required and no pressure to achieve anything.
The setting, timing, and practical value
The meeting point is The Santosha Refuge in Mazunte, not a cruise terminal or a large hotel complex. Check the address carefully: C. Tamarindos S/N, 70947 Mazunte, Oaxaca, Mexico.
The experience description also connects it with Puerto Escondido, so make sure you understand where you are staying and how you will reach Mazunte. The supplied information confirms that the location is near public transportation, but it does not specify a pickup service, private transfer, or exact travel time from Puerto Escondido.
The price is not included in the information available here, so I cannot give you a precise value judgment in pesos. A fair way to assess the cost is to compare it with a private 90-minute massage or wellness treatment in the area. You are paying for more than pool access: the appointment includes a personal intake conversation, one-to-one attention, water-based bodywork, and a setting designed for quiet.
If you only want a quick massage, this may feel too specialized. If you value privacy and a tailored session, the price may make more sense than a standard group wellness activity.
Who will enjoy this experience most
I would recommend it to you if you:
- Want a quiet break from a packed holiday schedule
- Prefer private activities over group classes
- Enjoy gentle bodywork and slow movement
- Are curious about water-based relaxation
- Feel comfortable being supported and moved by another person
- Want a session adjusted to your needs rather than a fixed routine
It may not suit you if you want active swimming, sightseeing, exercise, or a clearly structured treatment with predictable steps. It may also be a poor fit if close physical contact makes you uncomfortable.
The experience can still be considered if you are nervous in water. The provider specifically says that people who are not fully comfortable can work with that feeling during the session. Be honest during the opening conversation so JoJo can understand your limits.
Weather, cancellation, and booking details
This activity depends on good weather because the pool is outdoors. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the appointment are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.
Confirmation arrives within 48 hours and depends on availability. I would wait for that confirmation before arranging other fixed plans around the session.
Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed pool-access or changing-facility information. If you need a specific accommodation, ask before booking.
The emotional side of being held in water
The most unusual promise here is not muscle relief. It is the chance to stop directing yourself for a while.
JoJo describes the session as a journey toward greater harmony and fluidity. You do not need to accept every spiritual idea behind that language to understand the practical point. Floating while someone carefully guides your body can create a rare sense of rest, especially if you spend much of your life making decisions and staying alert.
The emotional response will vary. Some people may find the experience peaceful and freeing. Others may feel vulnerable at first because they are being held, moved, and asked to close their eyes. That is why the personal conversation before entering the pool matters so much.
The strongest praise attached to this experience focuses on its uniqueness and the level of relaxation it creates. One participant described it as an experience they would never forget and credited JoJo with making it personal from the beginning. That is a useful signal for anyone who wants something beyond a routine spa appointment.
Should you book the Aguahara session?
Book this experience if you want a private, slow, unusual form of relaxation and you are open to being supported in warm water. The tailored approach, outdoor setting, and one-to-one attention give it a clear identity.
Skip it if you are looking for a sightseeing activity, a conventional massage, or an energetic pool workout. Also think carefully about the physical closeness involved, especially if you are uneasy in water.
For the right person, this is a memorable way to press pause in Mazunte. You arrive with your own needs, discuss them quietly, and spend about 90 minutes letting the water and JoJo guide the work.
FAQ
Where does the healing session take place?
It takes place at The Santosha Refuge, C. Tamarindos S/N, 70947 Mazunte, Oaxaca, Mexico.
How long does the experience last?
The session lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
Is the activity private?
Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.
Is the experience offered in English?
Yes. The experience is offered in English.
What happens at the beginning?
You meet at the pool and first sit down to discuss how you may benefit from the water session.
What does the Aguahara session include?
The session combines continuous support in the water with gentle movement, stretching, cradling, and massage.
Can I participate if I am not comfortable in water?
Yes. The provider says that discomfort in the water can be part of the work, though you should explain your concerns during the opening conversation.
What happens if bad weather cancels the appointment?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.
Just added around Puerto Escondido
- Surf Classes in Puerto Escondido★ 4.5 · 37 reviews
- Chacahua Afternoon Journey★ 5.0 · 39 reviews
- Dolphin & Whale Watching★ 5.0 · 45 reviews
- Puerto Escondido: Boat Tour among Dolphins and Turtles★ 4.4 · 52 reviews
- Mexico on Your Plate: Hands-On Cooking Experience★ 5.0 · 55 reviews
- BIOLUMINESCENCE IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO★ 3.7 · 57 reviews
- Bioluminescent Night Tour★ 4.5 · 59 reviews
- Aguas Termales a Caballo★ 4.5 · 59 reviews
Puerto Escondido Tours, compared.

Guided tour of an ancestral Mezcal distillery with transport
Read our review →
Boat Trip to See Marine Life in Puerto Escondido
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in






