Overnight Peyote (Hikuri) Ceremony with Marakame Indigenous Elder Santos Makuieika

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Up to 25 in group
Date
Jan 9 - 10, 2027

Retreat Highlights

  • Overnight Peyote ceremony guided by Indigenous elder & Marakame Santos Makuieika
  • Traditional opening and sunrise closing rituals
  • Sacred songs, prayer and ancestral teachings shared throughout the night
  • Live ceremonial music and immersive sound journey with a variety of instruments
  • Intentionally limited group size for a deeply held experience
  • Trauma-informed facilitation team providing compassionate support throughout
  • Freedom to sit, move, dance, sing, reflect or simply be
  • Beautiful open-air Maloca with a central ceremonial fire
  • Surrounded by 48 hectares of protected Costa Rican rainforest
  • Sunrise integration and nourishing community breakfast
  • Pre-ceremony preparation guidance
  • Post-ceremony integration support
  • Optional accommodation before or after the ceremony (if available)
  • Access to Libélula's peaceful natural surroundings before the ceremony begins

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

An overnight ceremony in the Wixárika tradition

Join us for a deeply sacred overnight Peyote ceremony, guided by respected elder Marakame Santos Makuieika, who carries generations of Indigenous wisdom and ceremonial tradition.

Held within the warmth of Libélula’s open-air Maloca, gathered around the sacred fire, this ceremony offers an opportunity to step away from everyday life and enter a space of prayer, reflection, music and deep connection.

The evening begins with a traditional opening ritual, inviting each participant to set their intentions before the ceremony begins. Throughout the night, the Marakame guides the circle through sacred songs, prayers, teachings and rituals that have been carried through the Wixárika tradition for generations. Between the songs, he shares stories, wisdom and teachings, offering insight into the spiritual significance of the ceremony and the path of Peyote.

As the night unfolds, our team of musicians gently weave live music throughout the ceremony, creating an immersive soundscape using instruments from many traditions. Music becomes a companion to the journey, supporting moments of reflection, emotion, stillness and celebration while always honouring the ceremonial space.

The ceremony is intentionally held in a small group, allowing each participant to feel seen, supported and safely held throughout the night. Our facilitators provide a trauma-informed container where participants are free to sit quietly, pray, reflect, sing, move, cry, laugh or simply be with whatever naturally arises.

As dawn approaches, the Marakame brings the ceremony towards its close with beautiful sunrise prayers and traditional rituals around the fire. Together we welcome the new day before sharing a nourishing breakfast and gathering in community to reflect on the journey we have shared.

Rather than following a rigid schedule, the ceremony unfolds organically, guided by the Marakame and the needs of the group. Each ceremony is unique, yet all are rooted in deep reverence for the tradition from which they come.

This is not simply an overnight experience, but an invitation to sit with an ancient Indigenous lineage in a respectful, authentic and carefully held way.

Schedule

While each ceremony follows the guidance of the Marakame and unfolds naturally, the evening generally follows this rhythm:

16:00 — Arrival, welcome, refreshments and time to settle into the land

17:00 — Meet the community, connect with the facilitators and prepare for the evening ahead

18:00–19:00 — Opening circle, intention-setting ritual and ceremonial preparation

From approximately 19:00 — Peyote ceremony begins

Throughout the night, the Marakame guides the ceremony through sacred songs, prayer, teachings and traditional rituals. Live ceremonial music supports the journey between teachings, creating space for reflection, emotion, stillness and connection.

Sunrise — Closing ritual and prayers

Morning — Integration, community breakfast and optional sharing circle before departures.

Rather than following fixed timings, the ceremony flows organically under the guidance of the Marakame. The exact pace and duration naturally evolve throughout the night.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Libélula Retreat Center

Directions

Libélula is located in the mountains near Bijagual, Costa Rica.
From Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) the drive is approximately 1.5-2 hours.
Airport transportation is included in select retreat tiers and experiences. For all other bookings, transfers can be arranged as an add-on.
Driving
Two routes are available — a fully paved option via Tárcoles, or a shorter 4x4 route via Jacó.
Full directions are provided after booking.

Accommodation

Six wooden cabins are set along the hillside, each with a private balcony and surrounded by jungle. Two beds per cabin, with mosquito nets and natural airflow. Bathrooms and showers are in a separate open-air structure a short (undercover) walk away — immersed in the forest, part of the experience. Some cabins overlook the jungle and mountains, others face the gardens. All are simple, natural, and connected to the earth.

Price

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The center is spread across forty-eight hectares of mountain jungle, with more than ten waterfalls and flowing river pools.
Spaces include a maloca ceremony space, yoga shala, communal dining area, additional group space, and a full spa with sauna, cold plunge, massage room, and rose quartz bath.
There is also a natural swimming pool with its own waterfall and a dedicated red light therapy space.
Everything has been built by local hands using natural materials — designed to sit within the jungle, not on top of it.
A space for both deep work and deep rest.

Meals

Menu

Menu Types

Organic, locally sourced, and prepared fresh each day. Meals are designed to support the body through healing processes - clean, nourishing, and aligned with traditional guidelines where needed. Menus are adapted depending on the retreat or experience - whether that’s plant medicine preparation, silent retreats, or movement-based programs. Meals are shared together and often become an important part of the integration process.

What's Included

  • Overnight Peyote ceremony guided by Indigenous elder & Marakame Santos Makuieika
  • Traditional opening and sunrise closing rituals
  • Sacred songs, prayer and ancestral teachings throughout the night
  • Live ceremonial music and sound journey
  • Safe, trauma-informed facilitation and support throughout
  • Intentionally limited group size
  • Opening intention-setting ritual
  • Sunrise integration and community sharing
  • Nourishing plant-based breakfast after the ceremony
  • Herbal teas, fruit and refreshments
  • Pre-ceremony preparation guide
  • Post-ceremony integration support
  • Access to Libélula's open-air Maloca and rainforest surroundings
  • Parking

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Airport transfers (included in select retreats or available as an add-on)
  • Additional private sessions or treatments

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Libélula truly felt like coming home
Libélula truly felt like coming home. From the moment I arrived, the jungle, waterfalls, and peaceful atmosphere made me feel safe and completely at ease. What stood out most was how deeply cared for I felt — before, during, and even after the retreat. The team was incredibly warm, present, and supportive, and having a dedicated facilitator made the whole experience feel very personal. The ceremonies were held with so much love, respect, and authenticity that it never felt like just a retreat, but a real process of healing and transformation.

5.0
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The best ever :)
my first retreat and couldnt ask for something better. Honestly this place is magical. Everything was curated for a perfect stay and a true healing. People were so kind and genuine and focus on healing you with their words, actions and medecine. I felt safe and loved from the moment i touched the ground, till i left. The food, the people, the place, the medecine....everything was beyond my expectation. Do not be affraid and book it, your live will thank you. You will leave this place transformed and in a better situation. Grattitude to all the team

5.0
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A place that truly holds you
My time at Libélula Retreat Center was deeply meaningful and truly transformative. From the moment I arrived, I met a genuine warmth and kindness that made me feel welcome.
The facilitators held the space with integrity and wisdom so that I felt safe to open up and go deeper.

There was a quiet, powerful transformation that unfolded—supported by the loving atmosphere and the surrounding nature, which felt like an essential part of the journey.

It’s rare to find a place where you feel so held, both by the people and the environment. Libélula is truly a special sanctuary for anyone seeking connection, peace, and authenticity.

5.0
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A Beautiful and Thoughtfully Designed Retreat Space
The setting is absolutely beautiful — शांत, well-maintained, and clearly designed with intention. You can feel that it’s been created to support rest, reflection, and a deeper connection with nature. The surroundings are peaceful, and the overall energy of the place makes it very easy to switch off from day-to-day distractions.

The facilities are thoughtfully put together, with comfortable accommodation and well-kept communal areas that lend themselves well to group experiences. Everything feels aligned with what you’d hope for from a retreat environment.

What stood out most was the atmosphere, there’s a genuine sense of calm and care in how the space is held. It feels like a place where people can really reset and recharge.

I’d definitely recommend Libélula Retreat Center as a venue for anyone considering hosting or attending a retreat.

5.0
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Just WOW!!
What an experience! From the moment you set foot on the land you know this is place where magic can happen. From the structure of the retreat to the food, and the space that was held, great deal of attention was paid to every last detail in order to maximise the not only the experience but to also maximise the outcomes. One of the best retreats I have been to

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