Soltara at Playa Blanca - Five Night Ayahuasca Retreat with Peruvian Shipibo Healers

Words can't describe how phenomenal this was. Firstly, I was amazed at how kind, strong, and open minded my fellow attendees were. Great friendships were forged, and I'll be keeping in touch with and visiting many of them. The facilitators and staff were so professional and ready for any situation that emerged during the ceremonies. Whatever they are making, it isn't enough! Personally the emotional support that I received from these people during and outside of the ceremonies was lifesaving, and it got me through some very difficult moments. On top of that, the Shipibo healers themselves were incredible. I've never met people with the kind of unconditional loving energy that they displayed, and the work that they performed on us at each ceremony was profound, mystical and wonderful. The energy of the songs that they sung to us was powerful. Finally, the food served at every meal was out of this world! Fresh organic tropical fruits I had never tried, chia seed pudding, guacamole, hummus, mini omelettes, etc. I miss it all! I have come back home with a new love for myself and the people in my life. Soltara is well worth the money, and I hope to go back again.

While many reviews paint a perfect picture, I wanted to offer a more nuanced perspective on my experience at Soltara.

Soltara's Strengths

Professionalism and Experience: Soltara has a professional operation going, and it’s clear they’ve been doing this for awhile. There is a big team at the retreat center handling everything: food, facilitation, security, grounds keeping, etc… Overall coordination + planning was flawless. The ceremonies themselves were deeply thought through and it’s hard to think of what they could have done better.

Authentic Shipibo Practices: Soltara excels at preserving the traditional elements of Shipibo shamanism. It felt genuine and fascinating to be part of these practices.

Delicious Food: The food throughout the retreat was awesome.

Dietary Guidance: Soltara provided clear instructions and support regarding the pre-retreat dieta (dietary restrictions). The commitment from participants to the dieta was commendable.

Life-Changing Experiences: Witnessing the positive transformations of others was truly inspiring.

Comfortable setting: Modern, air-conditioned rooms, beautiful views, access to the beach.


Cons / areas for Improvement

Dry Season Ambiance: Playa Blanca during dry season does NOT look like the photos. In reality, the majority of the trees are barren. There are small fires around, and frequently the air smells smokey. At night, the atmosphere felt spooky to me (sort of nightmare-before-christmas-esque). If I was to come back, I would definitely do so during wet season!

Expectation of aligned worldview: If you’re not totally convinced that plants have spirits, and are uncomfortable saying ‘mother ayahuasca’, Soltara might not be the best fit. This vocabulary and worldview is pervasive here, and alternative views are not really mentioned. To be fair, it is an ayahuasca retreat, so I suppose much of this is to be expected, but it seemed to me that there was also a healthy dose of new-age spirituality inserted, which I have an aversion to. I thus had a hard time totally trusting the facilitators, which is a vital element of any psychedelic experience, and consequentially contributed to a feeling of not feeling totally safe. To be fair, much of that is my own problem. At no point was I genuinely in danger during the retreat, and the facilitators were there for me if I needed them.

Limited Pre-Retreat & Integration Support: An opportunity to meet fellow participants and facilitators beforehand would have been beneficial. Integration support felt somewhat lacking, with only a workbook and optional integration circles offered.

Group Size and Programming: Our group of 21 participated in all activities as a single unit. More small group interaction and additional programming outside of meals, ceremonies, and daily meetings could enhance the experience.

In Conclusion
Soltara excels at providing a well-run, authentic Shipibo-style Ayahuasca experience with modern conveniences. However, manage your expectations regarding the dry season environment and the prevalence of new-age spirituality. If these aspects align with your preferences, Soltara is an excellent choice

I’m so glad I did this. It was exactly what I needed to get out of this negative space I’ve been stuck in for too long. I’m forever grateful and can’t wait to return in the future one day. Thank you!!!

I just returned home after my second retreat with Soltara at Playa Blanca in Costa Rica. I did a ton of research starting over a year ago before I booked my first retreat with them in June 2023. It was an amazing experience, and I left knowing that I had more work to do and would be back. I scheduled my second retreat with them for April 2024 and it was the most healing and transformative experience of my life. The staff and the facilitators are top-tier. If you are looking for the perfect setting for your healing Ayahuasca journey, you have found it with Soltara. I cannot recommend them highly enough. They have amazing facilitators, staff, chef and food, yoga and rooms. The staff builds such a safe and intentional container for this important work. It makes ALL the difference. They also have after care support and other resources available for pre and post retreat. Which has been super helpful. Happy journeying

Awesome.