Find Authentic Retreats in Ecuador

"I attended the Sacha Wasi weekend retreat in December 2024 and it was everything I hoped for. They definitely know what they are doing. The whole process, starting with booking and having all my questions answered, having a pre-retreat call, getting support and information during the retreat itself thanks to Maya who volunteers there and the local community, and finishing with the ceremonies themselves and the post-retreat integration was great and smooth! It was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend Sacha Wasi to seekers who are interested in this type of experience. "

"Caring shamans, beautiful natural scenery, fantastic facilities (hot water, electricity etc.), a great place to experience the medicine. Highly recommend!"

"I was suffering with extreme PTSD and needed help and the family in Hayulima gave me the safe space to do the work to get to the safest place my mind and body has ever been in . The family are truly incredible with the wisdom and teachings with ceremony and medicines . The land they call Hayulima is a paradise of wonder and beauty the trees and plants and wild life is strong and the connection to the mountain is felt . The food that they prepare for the guests is on another level and made with love and care . Everything you need to do the work on your self is here what ever your purpose you can walk away proud of your self because Hayulima in my eyes is the safest most sacred place and for me is the only place I will ever go to and be around these teachers of light and love"

"The Sanctuary is nestled in the Andean cloud forest, surrounded by rivers and waterfalls, home for hundreds of species of birds among them toucans, quetzals and hummingbirds. As soon as I arrived to Hayulima Spiritual Sanctuary, I immediately felt a deep sense of safety and serenity. The loving medicine family guided me with such wisdom, making my journey with the sacred plants truly transformative. The natural surroundings and the heartfelt community created a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It felt like a true sanctuary, where healing and connection to nature came together, offering an experience that changed my life in the most beautiful way. The Hayulima Family is and will be in my heart forever."

"Great understanding and approach. Structured yet relaxed environment, they clearly know what they are doing and have created such a safe space for an incredibly transformational experience. Clean and cosy accomodations, amazing healthy food. Ceremonies are welcoming and well supported. Strongly recommend for new and experienced people."

"Hayulima is truly a magical, high vibration place full of possibilities. It is an authentic and safe space to experience healing, growth, and transformation with sacred plant medicines carried by experienced shamans with deep integrity. From the sacred fire, to the beautiful songs, to the intimate ceremonies — everything is done with such intention and care. The mountains there in the cloud forest are so ALIVE, you feel embraced by Mother Earth from the moment you arrive. Having the experience of getting to know and personally connect with the people serving the medicine is a blessing. You are visiting their home and living among them during your stay, and it is truly a sanctuary where you can feel completely supported to do the work you need to do with yourself. The food is wonderful and nourishing, and the medicine is powerful. I have healed so much in myself by working with this family in this tradition. Getting to know them over the last few years changed my life and inspired me to be in service. And it’s not just because they are masters at sharing beautiful medicine, but because they ARE the medicine. Their gentleness and compassion has shown me so much about how I want to live my own life and walk my own medicine path. There are a lot of people serving medicine, but not as many walking the spiritual path in their own lives. I love this place and this family, and I am so excited for what they are building together at Hayulima. This sanctuary is a blessing to the world, and will absolutely change your life in the most beautiful and profound ways. I wish I was there right now!"

"My time was truly incredible and heart opening, a healing experience where the sense of community, or rather family, was such powerful medicine! What can I say? This place has had a profound impact on my life. It has been a sanctuary for transformation, not just for me but for so many others as well. It provided everything I was looking for in a plant medicine retreat and so much more that I wasn’t expecting. One of the most beautiful parts of my experience at Hayulima was finding it to be the perfect place for healing. The ceremonies are conducted with such ingenuity and care that I felt completely safe, allowing me to let go and trust the skilled medicine keepers who host the ceremonies. I always felt that I not only found a retreat but also a true sense of belonging and community 💚"

" have been traveling the world and working with plant medicine. I have seen so much of it and consider Hayulima and the family who created this sacred space, one of the best around. They have dedicated their lives to give these traditions and the medicine an outlet to serve ALL people. They live by the principles they share. If you're looking for a space to experience medicine, consider it a HUGE blessing that Hayulima came into your field of vision. My recommendation would be to GO and have the experience."

" Gaia sagrada saved my life. A mother to twin teenage girls and a four year old son, I was the lowest I have ever been. Everything to be grateful for, but my light had been dimmed to the point that I didn’t want to go on. I lost my power through years of childhood abuse and neglect, 19 year law enforcement career and sexual assault. I was drinking myself to death and there was nothing that was going to stop me. No therapy, no prescriptions, no circle of support could shine a light. I had never experienced any type of plant medicine retreat or any healing through shamanism. I had heard from a friend about a retreat but when I looked into it, it wasn’t my cup of tea. It was commercialized, celebrity endorsed, expensive and bougie. That was the last thing I needed. I kept on my search and stumbled upon Gaia Sagrada. As I read through the site, I could feel it in my gut that this was where I needed to go. I thank the Universe and the spirits that guided me to Gaia Sagrada, Christine and her extraordinary team. I am integrating what was shown to me. I am loving myself and all versions of me, throughout my life. I am loving others. I am practicing gratefulness and compassion. I know that we are all family, we are one. I hope that I can reach souls with this review. I am a being who was lost beyond recognition. I am not well off, but money does not matter. I went solo. If you need help, do this for yourself. You are worthy. When I returned, I sent my husband. There are no words to describe how transformative this beautiful place is. I felt safe. I found love. I connected with souls. I owe it all to Christine for opening her home and her heart. Thank you with all of my love and my whole heart. I send you positive energy and love for your journey of recovery. "

"I did three years of my Vision Quest at Hayulima and have been there several times from the moment they received the land. Hayulima is my spiritual home and the family are some of my dearest friends. If you are looking for a family that carries traditional medicines in the most respectful, integral way with so much heart and devotion you should go and experience the medicine of Hayulima yourself. I am forever grateful that spirit has put these beautiful humans on my path and my prayer is to be able to return to this lush healing sanctuary as much and as long as I can. "

"I feel truly blessed for my time at Hayulima, this place is something special. So grateful for the Hayulima family and how welcoming and warm they all are, big thanks to all of you. The energy at the ceremonies is mind-blowing, every ceremony has a different flavor and intention to it which really helped me peel back the layers. The location is magical, the mountain is so full of life, it literally feels alive. Everyday you see new birds, the Toucan are a definite highlight. The food is epic and I really love how they allow you to participate in the preparing of the medicine. Another highlight for me was the Kambo sessions, such a great way to start the day before doing ceremony later that evening. Have been to other retreats but after finding Hayulima I couldn't imagine going anywhere else."

"What an amazing experience at Hayulima!! From the second you arrive you feel like one of the family. You not only feel like part of the family, you are! To be included in these very special traditions is to be part of a family. Don't come with expectations about what your experience with plant medicine should be. You will get exactly what you need at this time in your life...no more, no less. Come prepared to feel a deeper essence of love and compassion for family, friends, humanity, the earth, water and all life. This experience will forever stay with me and I am so grateful to Salvador and the entire Hayulima team for creating an amazing place like this."

"Came here with some understanding of the practice and a draw for how open the center is to other traditions, as evidenced by some of the Buddha statues I saw in some of the marketing material. I was honestly just so blown away by the authenticity and generosity of the family that holds space here for people to heal. The food is amazing, the teachers there are top notch, and the surroundings in the cloud forest will have you feeling so nourished and relaxed. You all have literally changed my life trajectory. Thank you so much. "

"When I went to Hayulima, I was apprehensive. I had watched many videos online, and researched plant medicine. As a result, I had a certain level of expectations regarding the plant medicines, which is exactly what you are not supposed to have. What I did not expect was the people to be so warm and comforting. I feel like I benefited greatly from the advice and wisdom from the shamens regarding many of life's issues. All the volunteers and guests were very outgoing and friendly. If I were to sit by myself, someone would come up to me and ask how I was doing. I felt very welcomed. I did not drink a lot of the medicine, even though I was free to do so, but the days that I spent at Hayulima were very insightful. Just laying in the hammock, looking at the forest, and thinking, was what I needed. I was asked several times by people outside of Hayulima if I would do it again. The answer is, when I'm ready, yes."

"There is a distinct magic to Sacha Wasi. It is located on a small island in the Puyo River and accessed by canoe. I came here because I wanted an authentic, rustic experience not a "gated community" with all the bells and whistles. The sound of the river is always with you as are the calls of the various birds dwelling in the lush canopy. Accommodation is surprisingly comfortable and, as long as there is power, the internet and hot water work well. Ecuador is very dependent on hydro electricity so the more it rains, the more power there is. The Kichwa are an incredibly friendly and gentle people who always greet you with a smile whilst their little children will jump up for a hug or play games with you. Spanish is the common tongue and a translator is available for the integration sessions. Food is both plentiful and nutritious and served three times a day with a smile. The extra curricular activities are nearby and great fun and, for me, the afternoon trip into the heart of the jungle was a highlight and the abundance and variety of food producing plants was amazing. Pineapple, papaya, sugar cane, bananas, yuca, cacao, all growing in close proximity to each other. Jungle time is "slow" and you will have ample time to relax and digest the fascinating internal experience that occurs as you dive into the plant medicines. It is a matter of "trusting the process" as the plants link naturally together. Ayahuasca allows an inner "cleansing" to take place before one's heart opens to the world of spirit. For me, at 70, it was an experience like no other as years of "set patterns of thought and beliefs" loosened up and I looked into the mirror at who I was. The space created allowed for new light to shine and each day brought fresh epiphanies. In between "plant ceremonies" there was always a rest day and through journaling and contemplation a different way of being emerged for me and when the day came to leave I felt refreshed, rejuvenated and with a clear path forward for my 8th decade!. Sacha Wasi is not a "spa".....it is the home of deeply spiritual, indigenous, people who are committed to the sharing of their wisdom regarding natural plant medicines. If you are ready to be vulnerable, to "work on yourself" and explore your inner world then I would strongly recommend making your way to this little gem in the Ecuadorean jungle. Jesus, Byron, Michelle, Andrea, Jessica and many others make you feel at home right away and are always available if you need anything while you are there. Namaste, Charles PS If you fly into Quito I suggest that you get Andres to pick you up and transport you to Sacha Wasi. A delightful, soulful, young man who is full of interesting information on the local culture and a pleasure to spend time with. "

"I had a wonderful time here. As soon as I got there, I was welcomed as a family guest. It was my first time at a retreat so I really appreciated the community that was created to help ease me in. Everyone explained things to me, checked in on me, and helped me heal. I can't wait to get back!"

"The Hayulima family are genuine and masterful. The forest itself is a source of deep healing, and the experience was truly transformative, not just for me but for everyone on our retreat. The volunteers are completely dedicated and part of the whole experience, helping guests to quickly build community and support for each other. The amenities, food, hikes and wild swimming are amazing . The ceremonies, medicine, wisdom, beautiful music, teachings and care have all helped me access parts of myself that I had never been able to reach on my own."

"Highly recommended, but also some things what were not ok and A LOT OF FUSTRATION: Zoom-meeting beforehand was almost completely missed, because of unclear things. This is Sacha Wasi is Ecuadorian, but somehow organized from the United States. US is not mentioned anywhere, but they used US time zones for meeting, despite this supposed to be located in Ecuador. I was frustrated, because i was in Ecuador. Not anyhow though that i should adjust my brain to think as an American ( I am from Europe). I was already quite close to the jungle and asked if i could catch along the way that same taxi, as rest of my group was using for transportation from the airport. Driver was Sacha Wasi's own Andrea. He said that it was ok, but in the last moment he asked me 20$ extra. I refused, because driver was already paid to do that trip. I wanted to share the costs with other participant which was in the taxi, but driver refused. Then he said that if i take my own taxi from Puyo, it costs 25$. He was scamming. Michelle, the volunteer said that they have fixed price 13$ from Puyo and driver knows that. I told that to the driver and then he told that 13$ is ok for him. It was nonsense, because he was already paid! I felt totally scammed and took my own taxi with 10$ from Puyo bus station. When taxi go me there, suddenly he asked me to pay 15$ and was very angry. I felt insecure so i paid that after a while i tried to negotiate. Anyway, Sacha Wasi drivers are not official taxis. Some of them, including Andrea seems to be about 18 year old boys, not very experienced drivers by age. Not by any means good start for the retreat. Then, if you wanted to purchase something extra from the community, everything was extremely overpriced compared to what is normal in Ecuador. I guess that they can charge whatever they want, because they interact only with "rich gringos". And yes, surprisingly they did not accept card payments on site, even though we were informed beforehand, that card is possible. Then the seremonies: First Ayahuasca session was super amazing experience. They used many instruments to play gentle music through the night and there were a lot of staff. On the second session, i was expecting the same but almost all the staff left immediately after the start and we were left in the silence. I did not liked it at all, because music was so important to make the trip deeper. We were told afterwards, that it was planned to make experience different. For me it felt like their laziness especially, because i was so suprised in the beginning of the trip when i noticed this arrangement. Somebody also had changed the wifi passwords and i was unable to connect wifi. Daily schedules were sent by whatsapp during the weekend so i was unable to receive these. Somehow, we ended to wait multiple times 15-40 min part of the group because not everybody was aware that they should be somewhere. Afterall, staff was super nice, and you can read other reviews to look why this place is highly recommended and perfect for the first timer."

"My stay at the Hayulima Spiritual Sanctuary, nestled in the Amazon near Mindo, was a truly transformative experience. From the moment I arrived, Salvador, Shiram, Matías, Fernanda, Diana, and the entire team welcomed me as if I were part of their family. The setting, surrounded by lush forests and a peaceful river, allowed me to recharge in a place of breathtaking natural beauty, where the energy of the land is truly extraordinary. The ceremonies, from San Pedro and Ayahuasca to Kambo and the Temazcal, opened doors to a deeper understanding of myself and the world. Guided with gentle care by the shamans, I reconnected with the essential elements of life: earth, water, fire, and air. Each moment was filled with kindness and wisdom, and the positive energy flowed naturally throughout. This 10-day retreat introduced me to amazing people, beautiful souls who were all seeking growth, exploring their potential, and making positive changes in their lives—whether in their professional journey, in love, or in personal development. I left feeling enriched, at peace, and with newfound clarity about what truly matters: family, human connection, and harmony with nature. For anyone seeking profound transformation, I highly recommend this retreat. It has the power to change lives. Sébastien, Julie "

"I had the honor to stay at Sacha Wasi for 10 days. The Kichwa people were all so friendly and treated me like a brother. Byron, Jesus, Marlene, and Mitchell were all adept at providing support for all the guests during the various plant medicine journeys. I had the opportunity to do Aya, Kambo, Ongos, San Pedro, as well as a Limpia and then a beautiful cacao ceremony. There was also very good support during integrations the day following plant medicine. Whenever there was free time, we had the opportunity to go to a beautiful waterfall, hike to a view, get Kichwa face paint, dance Kichwa dance, plant ayahuasca, the list goes on. Food was good and appropriate for plant medicine journeys. During my stay, Dr Scott Irwin entered the non physical realm. He will be missed as a person, mentor, and leader. Prayers remain active with all those that knew him. ❤️ Please feel free to reach out privately if you have any specific questions. 🙏🏼"

"While there were some issues due to the only two English speaking members of the team not being there, I had an overall good experience. Pros include: People. The Sacha Wasi locals are really lovely and caring. Food. Great vegetarian food and they catered for gluten free. The kitchen needed reminding as different families may be taking turns to cook. Accommodation. Casita 5, Eagle, where I stayed was comfortable and had a shower with hot water and great water pressure. Activities. Nice activities between plant medicine ceremonies like hike and swim at a waterfall, walk up to a Mirador/ lookout with a great swing, planting coca, Ayahuasca, San Pedro. Communication. WiFi and use of WhatsApp groups to communicate agenda. Cons included: Unfortunately Dr Scott was very ill and in hospital and the lady looking after guests was away in the USA which meant: No translator for most of our time there. Integration sessions weren't effective. Almost daily wrong agendas. One thing would be messaged by someone and it would be different to what Sacha Wasi would have us doing. A lot of drama over expectations from some people unsuccessfully pushing for partial refunds which gave a few days of negative atmosphere which was not conducive for a good trips. After being told a bag/basket of laundry is $10, they tried to charge $20. "

"I can’t say enough about Dr. Scott, the yachacks and all those who are responsible for running Sacha Wasi. A secluded, natural and primitive location, you’re surrounded by nature and its sounds. It’s very one on one because of the small sizes of the groups which makes the ceremonies and following integration sessions all the more special, unique, and personal. I see much more coming from this place. It’s magical. Everyone works together to provide a great experience full of their contributing knowledge, which is a lot! As a twice cancer survivor, I was taken care of just the way I needed to be. Although not a Gerson Institute, they follow Gerson protocol for those with a history of cancer who are needing a break from all the prep work, or continuing that alternative treatment program, or for those who want to learn more about it. A great reset for the physical body as well as emotional, spiritual and psychological. This place and what everyone is doing here means so much. It brings hope. Much more than that, I’m leaving here with a future."

"I feel truly blessed for my time at Hayulima, this place is something special. So grateful for the Hayulima family and how welcoming and warm they all were, big thanks to all of you. The energy at the ceremonies is mind-blowing, every ceremony has a different flavor and intention to it which really helped me peel back the layers. The location is magical, the mountain is so full of life, it literally feels alive. Everyday you see new birds, the Toucan are a definite highlight. The food is epic and I really loved how they allow you to participate in the preparing of the medicine. Another highlight for me was the Kambo sessions, such a great way to start the day with ceremony in the evening. I've been twice now and returning in Sept. Have been to other retreats but now I couldn't imagine going anywhere else"

"The retreat was magical because it had the most beautiful atmosphere and the most beautiful people in the whole world. I love the way that the retreat had sacred intention at every step of the journey and I felt so loved and cared for by everyone the whole time. Thank you Hayulima family. I hope to be back soon. "

"Sacha wasi was a truly transformative experience. Everyone was so well taken care of by Dr.Scott and the rest of the community members. The ceremonies were beautiful and grounding, the casitas comfortable, food delicious and environment wild. Even after being stranded on our last day due to torrential rain and mudslides, I wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything. Gracias por todos!!! "

"I can’t rave enough about my experience I had for my 7 day retreat. They treated all the guest with so much care and compassion. Dr. Scott was absolutely amazing with explaining certain things I experienced during the ayahuasca ceremony and the Integration made a big difference of understanding. "

"Everything was more than expected. The tribe there and Dr. Scott are all very kind! It's like family. "

"I did the 21 day dieta at Sacha Wasi. I loved every minute of it, it is a very special place with the most loving people. Dr Scott is awesome and integration with him really helped make sense of the medicine. The kichwa people really care about the medicine and sharing it with us. The food was great. "

"I had a really powerful healing experience with only one ceremony. There hasn't been a day I can go without painkillers due to chronic pain until now. In so grateful to the medicine, Pachamama, Mama Marlene, Jesus, Dr. Scott and all the other Yachaks that made this possible. I haven't felt this good since I was a kid. Thank you for your care and kindness, I can't wait to return with my family soon. Blessings to you all hermanas y hermanos ❤️ Estoy tan feliz de haber tenido esta experiencia. "

"I just finished my 7 day retreat with Gaia Sagrada and wow, what a wonderful experience. The whole trip was beautifully thought out and I felt very secure and safe. The facility is gorgeous, equipped with hot tubs, steam room, plenty of places to roam, lots of day time activities including yoga, chakra classes, breath work etc. The medicine ceremonies with the shamans were incredibly heart-centered and supportive. The price for this retreat was great! The volunteers were properly trained and I felt safe, even through the hardest parts of ceremony. I couldn’t recommend this place enough! "