"We were intrigued by the promising testimonial videos promoted by the wellness retreat, the description of the lush ocean-front property and professionalism that was conveyed via the website. The experience, in reality, couldn't be more starkly different from its glossy online promise.
It started two days before departure when we got a random call from someone only announcing themselves as "Charly", who didn't reference his affiliation with the retreat and instead began asking my fiancé questions she had already answered, and rambling on in a wildly altered state of mind. It was extremely off-putting and unprofessional.
That was our first red flag as it didn't instill confidence in the very vulnerable experience we were about to partake in. So we called the proprietor, Andrew, who profusely apologized for Charlie's unprofessional behavior and repeatedly reassured us that it was an attempted on-boarding call and that we were in very capable and professional hands. We were shaken, but took Andrew at his word, and agreed to continue on this new and uncomfortable journey together.
Two days later, on the day of departure, we were told that “Javier" would be picking us up at the Puerta Vallarta airport via shuttle. Upon arrival, Javier was nowhere to be found. In fact, no one was there to pick us up at all. After 20 minutes of texting the retreat, asking what was going on, we got a text from someone that simply showed a photo of the OXXO gas station a hundred yards away and said "meet me here."
So we dragged our luggage top the gas station, where two men (neither one Javier) jumped out and said "Kate, Todd...we are here to take you to Sayulita." When asked where Javier was, they mumbled something about him being tied up, and for that matter seemed to not even know who we were referencing. When we asked where the shuttle was, one of the men said "no shuttle. I will drive you. My car is parked over there." As he pointed to a bridge that was another 100 yards away.
We were growing concerned by the rabbit hole we found ourselves wandering deeper into, but decided to take the walk across the bridge and off airport property as we weren’t sure what else to do at that point.
After dragging our suitcases several more blocks, up and down several flights of stairs, the new driver led us to the street and told us to wait there while he retrieved his car. He came back 10 minutes later in what can only be described as a a barely drivable car—muffler dragging, dirty interior, rusted, beaten exterior, no air conditioning, and low on gas.
We grew even more concerned and thought about turning around and going back to the airport for a return flight home, but thought that we’d come this far, so continued on.
Once in the car, the driver asked where we were going...to which we said “You tell us! Javier has all, those details.” He said he didn’t know. So we looked up the website for the retreat and found no mention of an address (yet another red flag), so after repeated texts to the retreat, they finally sent the address for us to relay to the driver.
After needing to stop for gas, and sucking in exhaust fumes for over an hour with the windows down on the freeway, we arrived in Sayulita, where we were told the retreat was held. That was not the case. Following GPS instructions, the driver veered off to the right of town and started ascending steep mountain roads, often times when none of us, even the driver, thought the car could climb. After 15 minutes of treacherous switchbacks, and a mountain climb that took us further and further away from any semblance of the ocean-front property with private beach that they had promised, the driver—now himself fearful—was hesitant to continue driving for both fear for our collective safety as well as the car's ability to make the extraordinary trek.
At one point, he turned to us and said “I don't know...I don't know. How about I let you out here?" Which was in the middle of nowhere, on the side of a mountain surrounded by dilapidated buildings. We insisted he press on.
A few minutes later, we arrive at the address—which looked nothing like the photos, was nowhere near the ocean and was so far away from civilization, we honestly feared for our own safety, imagining ourselves trapped here with no ability to leave, particularly given how badly things had gone thus far, and how they bore no resemblance to what we’d been promised. Now in a full state of panic and regret, we instruct the driver to make a U-turn and get us out of there.
As he obliged, someone from the retreat jumped out on the balcony and started yelling at the driver, who translated for us that they want him to drop us off. We insisted that he keep driving and take us to Punta Mita to regroup. The driver obliged.
Now with nowhere to stay, we had to quickly find and pay for a hotel, as well as cover the cost of the driver as he was told by the retreat, after being yelled at for not dropping us off, that they weren't going to pay him, which we did—thankful that we didn't end up at the retreat as planned.
In the days since, we have outlined our case to the proprietor of the retreat (Andrew) as well as Retreat Guru. As of one week later still have not been refunded the cost of our stay—$7,000. This entire experience shook us, and we firmly believe this is a scam preying on people looking for a legitimate and caring plant medicine experience.
In hindsight, we should have seen the red flags earlier. No third party reviews. No address. Shady phone calls from stoned employees. Don't make the same mistake we did. Steer clear of this—for your own health and safety.
------- Response from Retreat Center -------
Hi this is Andrew with Sayulita Wellness Retreat. We’ve since hired a new transportation company with new vehicles, AC, and vetted drivers. It’s unfortunate this person chose not to meet our staff, see the facility (it’s gated), or experience the wonderful transformation our retreat provides. For reference here’s a testimonial from another participant from this person’s group that chose to attend (retreat guru can verify this):
Susan R.
RUN!! Do not walk, run TO a Sayulita Wellness Center retreat as fast as you can.
My life, my heart and my soul are forever changed, happier, and healthier as a result.
I cannot adequately express how loved, cared for, supported, informed and healed I felt before, during, and still after by this amazing group of people. Their hearts are bigger than life. Their desire and passion to serve, heal and nurture was like nothing I have ever experienced. True service above self. The joy they eminate and the joy they purposefully share is palpable and contagious. Their willingness to open their hearts to heal me and our whole group was unexpected and shocking, in the best ways. I will forever be in gratitude for each and every one of them.
Denis and Norma are angels. They cooked us delicious meals that paired perfectly with our activities and needs. They loved all over us, every minute, every day. They made us presents!, made sure to make delicious cakes to celebrate one of our birthdays, and constantly looked for ways to make our experience more comfortable and wonderful. During the psilocybin ceremony they tended to each of our needs and made sure we knew we were loved and safe. It was incredible how they were always close by and looking to help. I cannot say enough about how amazing Denis and Norma are.
Keeley and Pedro, the psychotherapists, did more for me in the 2 sessions that I had separately with each of them (4 total in 8 days) than I accomplished in decades of on/off therapy. I could not articulate what I wanted out of this experience, except that I wanted to be free of depression and anxiety, feel whole and be able to share the outrageous amounts of love in my heart. They helped me get to the root of my challenges and what was in the way. They helped me set intentions for the ceremony so I could process and let go of my pain, that I had been holding in my heart for 50 years, so I could let the love in and out. It was life changing. Even after the retreat, they continue to support me to keep building and integrating my new, beautiful life going forward. They are so different from one another and they compliment each other so well. I felt heard for the first time in my life. They each saw me, my heart, my traumas, and wanted to truly help me feel whole. They are incredible.
Nirvana and Charly are true healers. They are love. They are givers. They are everything. They changed my life by showing me that giving all you have to others, even strangers initially, is the only way to live. Their willingness to share their: Lives, culture, knowledge, gifts, challenges, and successes was so genuine. They gave us the relationships they built with others who cared for us and served us so beautifully. They changed my life in every possible positive way.
From the first moment I signed up to this second now writing this review, they are with you in person and spirit. Always available and ready to help you on your journey.
Do it!! Surrender to it all!
You will be so glad you did!
Namaste 🙏"
