The Zihuatanejo Project: Timothy Leary’s Psychedelic Utopia That Mexico Shut Down

Team StayPV
6 days ago
4 min read

In the early 1960s, long before Timothy Leary became a full-blown symbol of the counterculture, before LSD was outlawed, and before Zihuatanejo was discovered by luxury travelers, something radical unfolded on the quiet shores of Playa La Ropa. It was called the Zihuatanejo Project, also known as the Freedom Center for Transpersonal Living. It wasn’t a resort, or a yoga retreat, or even a commune in the traditional sense. It was a bold experiment—a psychedelic training ground where researchers, thinkers, artists, and spiritual seekers explored the nature of consciousness in the warm glow of the Pacific sun.

At its heart were two soon-to-be legends: Dr. Timothy Leary, former Harvard psychologist turned psychedelic pioneer, and Dr. Richard Alpert, who would later journey to India and return as the spiritual teacher Ram Dass.

This is the story of their brief, beautiful—and ultimately banned—Mexican adventure.

A Consciousness Revolution on the Coast

In the summers of 1962 and 1963, Leary and his group sought to create what they saw as an intentional sanctuary for self-discovery, away from the watchful eyes of U.S. institutions. Funded by private backers (many of whom were deeply embedded in the upper echelons of American society), the group rented out the entire Hotel Catalina, perched above Playa La Ropa in Zihuatanejo. The setting was ideal: untouched beaches, lush jungle, near-total seclusion, and none of the legal or academic restrictions they faced in the States.

But make no mistake—this wasn’t some hedonistic free-for-all.

Their goal was serious: to develop a new framework for living, healing, and evolving, guided by the use of psychedelic substances like LSD and psilocybin, administered in controlled sessions. They hoped to train others in the responsible and spiritual use of these substances—what Leary described as “metaprogramming the mind.” Participants followed a loose daily schedule, often beginning with meditation or introspection, followed by psychedelic sessions either solo or in guided pairs. These experiences were typically conducted in rooms overlooking the sea, or directly on the beach—surrounded by nature, which they believed played an integral role in the process of ego dissolution.

They called it the “Freedom Center,” but to outsiders, it was something much more controversial.

The Press Gets Wind—and the Government Responds

Although Zihuatanejo was relatively unknown at the time, word of Leary’s tropical research experiment eventually spread. Articles in American and Mexican newspapers began referring to it as an “LSD Paradise.” Whispers of young Americans traveling south to “drop out” and expand their minds stirred concern among the more conservative sectors of Mexican society.

It wasn’t long before Mexican authorities took notice.

While LSD and psilocybin were not yet illegal in Mexico, the group was operating outside of legal bounds in other ways. They were on tourist visas, yet conducting what appeared to be formal research and spiritual training—essentially running a business without permits. Furthermore, there were concerns about public health, immigration violations, and the cultural implications of a foreign group publicly advocating for mind-altering drugs.

To many officials, this wasn’t about science or spirituality—it was a PR nightmare in the making.

In June 1963, government authorities descended on the Hotel Catalina. Leary and his group were given five days to leave Mexico. The project was shut down immediately, and just like that, their utopia-by-the-sea came to an abrupt end.

What Was It All For?

Despite its short run, the Zihuatanejo Project occupies a unique place in the story of psychedelic history. It was a turning point: the last gasp of legitimacy before the full counterculture wave hit and psychedelics were banned in much of the world. To Leary, it was proof that a new way of life was possible—if only for a moment. He would later become infamous for urging young people to “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Alpert, disillusioned by ego and fame, went on a spiritual quest that led to his transformation into Ram Dass, and the writing of Be Here Now, a defining text of the 1970s spiritual movement.

As for Zihuatanejo?

The town quietly returned to its roots—an unassuming fishing village where the waves rolled in and out, indifferent to the headlines.

Zihuatanejo Then and Now

It’s strange to imagine that this now-upscale destination, known for its calm waters, artisanal charm, and boutique villas, once played host to one of the boldest experiments in 20th-century consciousness.

But maybe that’s the magic of Zihuatanejo.

Even today, something about this place draws seekers—those looking for silence, space, and perhaps a reconnection with something deeper. While we don’t offer LSD retreats (nor do we recommend violating your visa terms 😉), the spirit of introspection, nature, and escape still lingers in the breeze.

Want to Explore the Same Shores?

Come experience the same coastline that inspired seekers, thinkers, and visionaries like Timothy Leary. Just minus the psychedelics—and with much better hospitality.

Stay at our private villas on the same stretch of coastline where history once tripped the light fantastic.

→ Book your stay at Pacific Vacation | StayPV

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