Soltara at The Sanctuary - Seven Night Ayahuasca Retreat with Peruvian Shipibo Healers

There are almost no words to describe the 5 day retreat experience I had at Soltara. But I will find some if only to let other people know more about this magical place. It was my first time in Costa Rica and my first time doing Ayahuasca. The facility and grounds are beyond perfect. Lovely and lush and quiet(except for the amazing jungle birds). The rooms are gorgeous and the bed is VERY comfortable. The shower is unlike anything I have ever seen. Like taking a shower in Jurrasic Park. All stone and glass with mesh windows looking out onto the jungle. I also loved the little balcony and table and chairs there. I shared a room but it worked out perfectly. The pool, star deck, dining area, trails, and various areas to hang out were lovely and the Maloca is beyond compare. Just perfect. ALL the drinking water at Soltara is triple filtered and safe to drink which was a relief and much appreciated. The food is all delicious and first rate and MUCH better than I had imagined. Each meal had 6-8 choices of the freshest fruits, vegetables, grains, as well as eggs, fish and chicken. Jesse is a great chef and goes above and beyond. I will say that many of us did remark that with a pinch of salt or chili flake it would be out of this world but as we are all staying on the dieta we understood the thought behind the choices and he still found ways with texture and variety to make it all delicious. The final day after our last ceremony he did add a pinch of salt and even made a sweet dessert(still healthy but nonetheless greatly appreciated by all of us). The staff is just beyond compare. Felt well taken care of and looked after at all times and the instructions from beginning to end were thorough and thoughtful. The facilitators are knowledgable, supportive, approachable and caring. The Maestros are true healers. The yoga classes, flower baths, integration class etc.. all of it was so well thought out and they were very clear about what things were mandatory and what was optional. I won't go into the ceremony experience as it is so unique to each person but mine was transformational and mind blowing and I am working hard to integrate all the lessons I learned into my daily life back home. I am SO grateful that Soltara offered us the Nectara platform and though at first pre-retreat it felt overwhelming it is an incredible and necessary resource once you get home. The price was a challenge for me as I am not financially in a place that many of those on the retreat seemed to be. However, after doing it, it was not only well worth it but I marvel at how much they give you and the care and attention you receive for that price. Especially with the sensational accommodations. I can't say enough. I hope to be back many times and I am so glad I made the decision to go. Thank you to Cristina, Leia, Kali, Tati, Paolo, Jesse, Maestro Francisco and Maestra Maricella for the care and support they gave us all. They have all thought of everything and it meant the world to me. I will never forget it.

I highly recommend Soltara. They take care of you from the beginning to the end.

Christina was amazing both holding the space for everyone and with me personally.
She has a range of knowledge/tools that I have not encountered before.
I immediately trusted her leadership (and that happened very infrequently in my life). She spoke with me with great love on one hand and great firmness depth and honesty (as I required) on the other!
That has been very important for my development during Cerimonies and after.
I am very grateful to her and her amazing path.

The Maestros and the Cerimonies. These are soo beautiful and profound that I know already will never be forgotten.

The whole background, organisation, other facilitators food rooms yoga (in no particular order) are very close to perfection.
If I coupd name one small detail in my room that I would have liked to be different is the colour of the light (a warmer colour would preferable).

Nothing went wrong.

I will be back in a year time hopefully with my brother and some good friends.
I just feel that they should have the opportunity to get some of the changes that I see in me or in the people around me.

Last but not least: the Medicine what to say about that other than Irake!

Irake to everyone including my fellow pasaheros.

🙏

Complete breakthrough. Can’t explain to others because they won’t believe

My journey to Soltara this past week has been the most profound lesson in healing that I've ever known.

I came here wondering where this road would lead me - believing, meditating, and having faith in the process as it unwound. But what transpired was a growth of self, and self-awareness that I never knew was imaginable.

Ayahuasca is a powerful, and mystical medicine that brings you eye to eye 👁️🌀👁️ with your creator, and the deepest part of your soul, daring you to explore what lays in depths far beyond the edge of your comfort zone. It's not for the weak of heart; it's not for the weak of mind. It takes so much courage to show up to this space and dive headfirst into the unknown. Open. Eager. And ready to do the work.

And make no mistake, it is *deeply* challenging work.

But the magic that unfolds, in, out of, and around these sacred ceremonies - with people from all ages and cultures and walks of life - is real. It's tangible. And it matters.

Being able to engage heart-first with 19 other strangers, as we expanded into deep, textured conversation about our fears, vulnerabilities, failures, successes, dreams, and insecurities, is lightning in a bottle for the human spirit ⚡️⚗️

My relationship with each and every one of these incredible people, has instilled in me a dose of perspective - of the beauty, and joy, and tragedy of humanity in all its forms - and reminded me of universal urge we all possess to truly, deeply heal ourselves.

The strength it takes to be a pillar for people trying to do this kind of work is mind boggling. And unsurprisingly, the facilitators at Soltara are some of the most insightful, compassionate, and beautiful beings I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

To create a safe container at all times - from discussing childhood traumas, career frustrations, deaths of loved ones, and beyond - is a calling and a blessing to humanity. Christina, David, Frida, Tati, & Paolo all truly - truly - speak the Language of the Universe, and are some of the wisest teachers I've ever been fortunate to know.

it took three ceremonies for me to connect and really achieve the big breakthrough. I was the first to drink. Got some meditation and exercise earlier in the day. And could just feel that it was time
Sipping tea in the presence of these legends, as my eyes drifted away into fluorescent skies and constellations connecting

I came here searching for answers, and seeking transformation. What I've been left with is a gift. Of what it truly means to see the goodness in humanity, our stories, our traditions, and our planet. And to trust, deeper than ever, in the goodness that I'm meant to share with the world.

Endless gratitude to the mystery woven into the fabric of this universe, to the things we can't explain, and to the passengers who dare to explore what is really out there waiting for them.

To the rich roots and rhythm of the Shipibo tradition and ceremony, their sacred relationship to this plant medicine, and to their almighty icaros - passed down from maestro to maestro for the past millennia - thank you for providing the protection and clarity I needed for this reawakening.