About Us

Hanna Hinze and Erin Lowe grew up in Arizona with Santo Tomas, Mexico as a home away from home since birth. Santo Tomas – a little piece of Heaven on Earth is 2.5 miles of beachfront property (3,500 acres) that their grandmother Paulina, lovingly called “Mamachita,” acquired nearly 60 years ago.

The beautiful legacy, vision, and community known as Santo Tomás began over 60 years ago with Erin & Hanna’s maternal grandparents, a beautiful young couple named Paulina and Bob. They had a dream to build a ranch and farming community along the breathtaking coasts of the Sea of Cortez. In the early 1960’s, Paulina’s father, Francisco was awarded some land rights by the Mexican Government because of his participation in the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Francisco gave Paulina and Bob the beach front property that is in the area of Desemboque (the delta) where the Rio Acencion enters the Sea of Cortez.

In 1964 the family received the title for the land. Not only was the land a rich part of the Sonoran Desert surrounded by good ranch and agricultural lands, but it included miles of pristine beachfront property. At the time, the couple had two young children and they wanted to name their property after their daughter Yvonne. However, Francisco suggested that they name the land after their three-year-old son Thomas, and so the land of Santo Tomás was officially born. They worked hard to make their dream a reality and soon there was 50 head of cattle, a well, a ranch house, and a windmill. Unfortunately, Bob died at an early age. Paulina continued to build their dream. She envisioned the creation of an entire community that would be fun and safe for families from all around the world to come and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the pristine beach and ocean. Paulina worked hard and in 1971 she invested some money and put in a road over the dunes to the beach. She put in a new well, some ramadas on the beach, and a small country store and restaurant, as well as six cabins.

As young Yvonne and Thomas grew up, they experienced amazing summers and magical times on the beach of Santo Tomás. They could always feel how special this place was and knew they would carry on the dream and adventure their parents had started. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Thomas took over the maintenance responsibilities for his mother Paulina and became the chief caretaker of Santo Tomás along with his wife, Irma and sister, Yvonne. In 1996, Tom partnered with his sister, Yvonne, family friends Doug and Chris and they began building the current Santo Tomas community. By 2002, they had built new roads, ran first class electrical lines, developed a new water system for the homes being constructed.

The master plan for this community is like a beautiful sculpture which continues to unfold naturally and majestically. Great care has been taken to retain the magical virtues of Santo Tomás that Yvonne and Tom remember from their childhood.

Yvonne’s daughters, Leeanne, Hanna and Erin and sons Teddy and Zach grew up spending every summer playing and exploring the sea, beach and surrounding area of Santo Tomas. With the inspiration from their mother Hanna and Erin have continues the dream.

Their fondest memories growing are having wonderful adventures at Santo Tomas. They grew up with parents who studied nutrition, holistic health and regional ecology, and led an active lifestyle which fostered an instinctual love for healthy living. For years, Hanna and Erin brought friends and family to Santo Tomas to marvel in its beauty, to enjoy time bonding and to be refreshed in this peaceful secluded setting.

The freedom, fresh air, welcoming beach and vast blue ocean created a true sanctuary for these sisters their entire lives and inspired in them a sense of adventure and desire to explore the natural wonders of this beautiful world. Hanna and Erin spent summers traveling, hiking and camping throughout the Southwest United States national and state parks and public lands and exploring the unbeaten paths all around the world. They reveled in the rich history, cultures and natural beauty of each destination!

They’ve dedicated their lives to gaining education and experience in hospitality, education, health and wellness and in crafting destination events mindfully; with purpose and passion.

Now with their health retreats, Hanna and Erin share this revitalizing experience with their treasured guests. Their dream of holding health retreats at beautiful Santo Tomas became a reality over 9 years ago and they’re now expanding to the Southwestern United States. Come join the adventure and retreat with Santo Tomas Retreats.

For more information about Santo Tomas visit www.santotomas.com www.santotomasrentals.com