Meet Karla: The Heart and Hands Behind Our Table

At Didi Retreats, nourishment goes far beyond the plate. It’s woven into the stories, the hands, and the heart that prepare every meal. And no one embodies that more deeply than our resident chef and artist, Karla Paola Solis Rivera — a woman whose journey is as rich and textured as the flavors she creates.

From Monterrey to the Moonlight

Born on March 28, 1988, in Monterrey, Mexico, Karla’s path has been anything but ordinary. She’s the proud mother of three — Nyah (2003), Jarah (2013), and Ire (2018) — each a reflection of her strength, tenderness, and creativity.

Her story stretches across continents: six years living in Aruba, a love story born on Facebook with her husband Manuel Montserrat Riera, and a life built from resilience, music, and art.

Karla often shares that her childhood dreams were filled with stars, fantasy, and the quiet wish for love and family. That dream took her on a wild ride — from singing on international stages to being deported and rebuilding her life from scratch, with no papers, no plan, and only faith and artistry to guide her forward.

Through it all, she remained what she has always been: a calm force with an entrepreneurial soul, turning life’s hardest chapters into poetry, flavor, and creation.

The Banana Bread That Started It All

Long before she became our resident chef, Karla was baking banana bread in San Pancho — loaf by loaf, from a tiny countertop oven that could only bake two at a time. She sold her bread at local shops, grocery stores, and the weekly market, building a small but loyal following who came for the warmth she poured into every slice.

She doesn’t really measure — it’s all by feel. A handful of this, a swirl of that, a little extra cinnamon when the mood feels right. I spent an afternoon baking with her this season and watched in awe as she moved purely by instinct. Her kitchen is a dance — calm, intuitive, precise without ever needing precision.

That’s how I first met her. She was standing behind a small counter on San Pancho’s main street, selling her dreamcatchers and banana bread, sunlight spilling through her woven tablecloth, and a quiet peace radiating from her presence. We had only a short conversation, but there was something unmistakable — a calling, a spark.

Nothing is accidental in life. I’ve always believed there are no accidents — just the universe’s way of aligning us with the people we’re meant to meet.

The Soul Behind the Stove

As our Resident Chef at Didi Retreats, Karla brings the same intention to her food that she does to her art. Her meals are vibrant, vegetarian-forward, and deeply sensory — filled with color, texture, and the essence of Nayarit’s land and sea.

From her famous banana bread and infused agua frescas to her handmade breads, the best tortilla soup I’ve ever had, and her fluffy, perfectly spiced falafel, Karla cooks like she lives — present, playful, and full of heart. Each dish is both grounding and elevating, reminding guests that food is a daily ritual of gratitude and joy.

Her kitchen hums with quiet confidence — the scent of roasting vegetables mingling with tropical fruit, a rhythm that mirrors her calm, creative energy. Every meal she serves is an act of care, a conversation in flavor, and a reminder that nourishment can also be an art form.

Dreamcatcher Workshops at Didi Retreats

We’re honored to have Karla lead our Dreamcatcher Workshops — a guest favorite that adds a soulful, creative touch to the retreat experience. It’s a beautiful way for guests to connect with Karla beyond the kitchen, seeing the artist and storyteller behind her calm smile.

Together, guests gather natural treasures from San Pancho and weave them into something deeply personal — a reminder that intention can be both art and practice. Every workshop ends with laughter, gratitude, and a deeper connection to this place and to her.

A Life of Love and Legacy

Karla’s story reminds us that beauty is not born from ease — it’s shaped by grace under pressure, by showing up again and again with open hands and a steady heart.

Through her cooking, her art, and her gentle presence, Karla embodies what Didi Retreats is all about: intention, creativity, resilience, and the nourishment that comes from connection.

When you sit at our table or weave under her guidance, you’re not just tasting a meal or making art — you’re meeting a woman who turned her story into sustenance, her pain into purpose, and her dreams into something tangible, beautiful, and shared.