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Noam Bedein
Sustainable Family World Travel

Flow House: Pioneering Regenerative Tourism in El Salvador

@picture credit for all photos: Noam BedeinWhen Kimberly Ariella Dueñas shared her vision for tourism in El Salvador during the ROI Summit in Jerusalem, June 2022, I was immediately intrigued. She spoke of reconnecting with her Salvadoran roots, creating a space where culture, nature, and community could converge, and fostering a new model for responsible tourism. It was a moment that epitomized the mission of turning passion into action and building global connections to empower people and improve the world.

That conversation sparked a shared dream and laid the foundation for collaboration that would blend inspiration with practical impact.

Fast forward to Channukah, January 1st, 2025, when my family and I arrived at Kimmy’s Flow House, exactly one year after its establishment. At that time, the Flow House was focused on sustaining itself as a warm, uniquely personal guesthouse—a place where travelers could feel at home while exploring the beauty of El Salvador. Our visit marked a turning point, combining Kimmy’s vision with my expertise in sustainable tourism and storytelling to bring her ideas to life.

This collaboration is an extension of our current emissary mission—Bedein-Agents of Hope, a sustainable travel journey that began in Alaska, traversing over 5,000 kilometers through the Yukon and British Columbia in a motorhome, following the Colorado River in Arizona, and exploring nature-based resorts in Costa Rica before continuing to El Salvador. Along the way, I founded Nature Heal Resorts (www.naturehealresorts.com), an initiative to address Israel’s growing mental health crisis. Our mission is to map and promote rehabilitation and healing programs at nature-based resorts worldwide, designed specifically for trauma survivors and their families.

Kimberly Ariella’s Journey: From Refugee Descendant to Visionary

El Salvador, once plagued by safety concerns, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, becoming one of the safest countries in Latin America. Against this backdrop of renewal, Kimberlly Ariella Dueñas, affectionately known as Kimmy, has embarked on a personal and professional journey that embodies resilience and vision.

Born to a Salvadoran father, Solomon Dueñas, who fled the country’s civil war, Kimmy grew up as the daughter of a refugee in the United States. Years later, he returned to El Salvador with her daughter, Kimmy, to reconnect with their roots and build something meaningful. Her story is one of overcoming challenges, planting new seeds, and finding healing through nature and community.

Kimmy’s dedication to her homeland is evident in her work. Among her initiatives is a cacao farming project that will mature into a thriving enterprise in the coming years, contributing to both local agriculture and sustainable development. Her father planted cacao trees in an effort to connect the family and their local farming community to plant wisdom of their ancestors, while also providing jobs in the process. Together with her business partner and operations manager, Gaston Bevacqua, she has transformed the ‘Flow House’ into a hub of regeneration and cultural celebration.

The Flow House: A Model for Regenerative Tourism

The Flow House is more than a guest house; it is a beacon of regenerative tourism. Built in 2023, the property is equipped with all the modern amenities a guest could desire, blending comfort with community connection. Featuring indoor and outdoor lounge spaces, the house exudes a “Salvadoran Chic” style, celebrating local culture with a contemporary flair. The design was intentionally crafted to uplift local artisans and incorporate natural materials like cement, conacaste, and cortez blanco. Almost all furniture and fixtures are made from native wood by local craftsmen, reflecting the house’s dedication to sustainability and cultural preservation.

One of the Flow House’s standout features is its commitment to supporting the local community. Employing a local housekeeping team, gardener, and hiring local professionals for maintenance services, the Flow House ensures that the majority of its workforce comes from surrounding areas. This approach not only strengthens the local economy but fosters a deep connection between the property and its community.

The property offers two guest rooms: a dormitory-style room with a spacious shared bathroom and a private suite with its own bathroom. Communal spaces, including the kitchen and lounges, provide ample room for connection and relaxation, catering to everyone from digital nomads seeking secure Wi-Fi to surfers chasing the best waves.

Guests at the Flow House can enjoy immersive experiences like agroforestry coffee picking, volcano hikes, whale watching tours, and the “Waterfall Trail,” all of which showcase the natural beauty of El Salvador while supporting local businesses. These activities embody the principles of regenerative tourism, where every interaction contributes positively to the environment and society.

Sustainable Tourism Experiences

Agroforestry Coffee Picking
Led by families practicing agroforestry, this experience highlights sustainable farming methods and deep-rooted traditions. Guests not only learn about coffee cultivation but also gain insight into the lives of the local farmers, forging connections through shared stories and practices.

Whale Watching Tours
Run by local operators, these excursions offer more than just a chance to witness the majesty of marine life. They support coastal conservation efforts and provide livelihoods for the communities safeguarding these waters.

 

The Hidden Waterfall Trail
A journey to discover secluded waterfalls becomes a metaphor for the untouched beauty of El Salvador. Guided by locals, visitors traverse lush landscapes while learning about the area’s ecology and folklore.

These activities weren’t merely tours; they were immersive experiences that fostered meaningful connections between travelers and the communities they visited. The Flow House became more than a guesthouse—it evolved into a bridge connecting visitors with the stories, heritage, and aspirations of El Salvador’s people.

Women’s Healing Retreats: A Shared Vision

Kimmy’s personal journey and her passion for wellness have inspired a new venture: hosting women’s healing retreats in El Salvador. Over the past few years, she has led transformative retreats for women, providing a safe, nurturing environment for participants to find solace in nature, engage in wellness practices, and immerse themselves in local culture.

In collaboration with yours truly, Kimmy envisions extending this initiative to include Israeli women—specifically mothers and daughters who would benefit from an immersive healing experience designed that is trauma-informed. These retreats will offer life-changing experiences, combining mindfulness sessions by the coastline, explorations of natural wonders and history, once-in-a-lifetime encounters with gentle giants, and evenings of shared stories and connection. The vision is clear: to create a space for healing that bridges cultures and fosters resilience.

Palo Verde- The Sustainable Hotel, the host of the healing retreats

A Call to Join the Movement

The Flow House stands as a living example of what’s possible when passion meets action. It is an invitation to all who believe in meaningful change: join us in this movement where tourism becomes a tool for empowerment, restoration, and transformation. Together, we can create a future where every journey makes the world a better place.

#NatureHealResorts

About the Author
Join the Bedein Family—Adi and Noam, Lavie (8) and Itam (5)—on their Mission of Hope and Unity. As they travel across the United States and Central America, their journey extends beyond mere travel, engaging and empowering diverse communities through educational experiences. Noam Bedein, a leader with over 18 years in social projects, has spearheaded environmental and educational initiatives in Israel. Notably, he has contributed to ecological conservation through the Dead Sea Revival Project and enhanced public awareness with the Sderot Media Center. Recently, he managed foreign affairs at ISRAEL-is during the Gaza war, focusing on strategic communications and international relations. Adi Rabinowitz Bedein, is a seasoned Holocaust educator and VIP guide at Yad Vashem and the October 7th Burnt Vehicles Compound. She delivers impactful lectures and workshops as the founder of the Network for Innovative Holocaust Education (NIHE).