"Being relatively experienced in Ayahuasca and Aya retreats, I can say Soltara was the best and most professional and most profound I have attended.
(Enjoyability is dependant upon the medicine!)
- Most professional in regards to screening, interviews, pre-retreat information etc.
- ensures you are picked up in San Jose (option to arrive solo), options for hotels etc.
- Retreat centre is luxurious! Great food, pool, beaches, gardens, tambo & room options.
- Staff are again, professional and on hand to ensure participant safety, psychological well being etc.
- The ceremonies (4 on a 7 day retreat) where conducted by a knowledgeable and experienced Maestros, husband and wife (this does change from month to month, yearly etc.). Very insightful, safe and life changing Aya ceremonies, designed to gradually ease first timers in, peaking on third ceremony.
All in all I cannot recommend Soltara enough for first time drinkers, anyone looking to experience the medicine, anyone who is seeking healing.
"
Highly Rated Retreats in Latin America
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Experiences on Retreat
"Salvador and Mathias, the medicine men who conducted the ceremony, are true to their craft. Dedicated and caring for everyone who has participated.
The environment is beautiful and everyone involved, the team and volunteers, provide a safe and a valuable experience.
Thank you Hayulima for introducing me to the medicine in such an amazing way!
"
"Highly professional organisation.
Our time at the centre was very well structured, reflected the retreat organizers’ significant forethought and dedication to us receiving the maximum benefit from the medicine. Highly experienced course providers. Integrity of the organization is beyond question. Authenticity of the maestros readily apparent. Intelligence and dedication of the western facilitators also highly commended. Food provisions were plentiful and exceeded expectations at every turn. The ayahuasca revelations in the Maloka defied description and for me, amounted to no less than darshan of the divine. All material any metaphysical aspects of the retreat exceeded my expectations. Lifetime friendships forged in the maloka and the sharemonies that preceded and followed those mystical encounters.
Highly recommended. "
"From the moment I stepped into the space, I felt a deep sense of safety and love. Salvador, Amilya, Matias, Fernanda, Diana, Synithya, and Socrates (I hope I’m writing their names correctly) and the rest of the team welcomed me with open arms, creating an environment where I felt truly seen and understood.
This wasn’t just a retreat, it was a sanctuary. The warmth and care of everyone there made it possible for me to face parts of myself I had been avoiding for years. I felt supported in ways I didn’t even know I needed, and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe enough to fully surrender and do the inner work.
The ceremonies were graceful, held with love and deep understanding. The team created such a caring space that even in my most vulnerable moments, I felt completely safe.
At Hayulima, I wasn’t just another participant I was family. It’s a place where healing happens, not just because of the medicine, but because of the people who hold you with such unwavering love. I left feeling lighter, freer, and more connected to myself than ever before.
Looking forward to returning back again soon with my loved ones.
"
"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. "
"My time at Hayulima was profound. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the medicine of this family. They are welcoming, exuberant, and focused.
I felt held and able to more deeply explore the medicines and my medicine while enjoying the community they attract. "
"I really enjoyed the spiritual and safe adventure of ayahuasca, San Pedro and kambo at Hayulima. Salvador, Amalia, Diana, Matias, Cynthia and Fernanda were excellent shamans that provided great medicine and through chants and speech maintained a great energy during the ceremonies. The others in attendance brought good energy and were also fairly experienced with the medicine while this was my first time. The food and accommodation was comforting during the retreat. I would highly recommend doing the 10 day retreat as this will allow you to develop a better relationship with the medicine."
"Overall, great group to experience these medicines with for the first time and the guides, Amalia, Salvador, Diana, Matias (great mustache), Cynthia and Fernanda created a great vibe and energy that allowed me to dive deep into the ceremony. We got to join a larger group that were already there doing a 10day retreat and it was fun to join them towards the end of their trip and they gave good advice and the happiness was there to see."
"Highly recommend Arkana Amazon – As a solo female traveler, everything felt safe from the accommodations, the facilitators and staff, and even the individuals called to the facility during the week I was there. The shamans were genuine and held a strong container for all the energies of the ceremony nights. And while it will differ for each person, I found the ceremonies to be intense, difficult at points, but completely life-changing. (Even a month out, I can recognize inner changes that are going to be so helpful on my path forward.) Like all the other reviews mention, the food was fantastic, the staff from the local village incredibly friendly, and the facilitators positive and helpful. "
"You can drink the plant medicines almost anywhere- but it' s not the same at Hayulima. You will get ALL the support and Love that you can possibly handle. The family that lives there will hold you during your entire process. I personally have taken to drinking ayahuasca several times per year, and each facilitator is different. No one has ever taken the care with my body and spirit like the family at Hayulima. Whatever concerns you may have, they will take on themselves. I really lack the proper words to share my experience- I will just say: GO.
Love to All,
Betty"
"A Family is awaiting you.
As soon as I walked into Hayulima my heart had arrived home.
The Love, care and attention received is palpable.
I recommend visiting the 10 day retreats wholeheartedly. Would also love to do a vision Quest.
Salvador, Matteus, Fernando Amalia and Diana and all people involved are so authentic and have wide open hearts.
Be warned, You will leave reluctantly.
I will never ever forget the love that I received.
See you again as soon as possible. "
"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 "
"This summer, I had the privilege of attending the immersion retreat from Synthesis in the Netherlands as an apprentice. It was a profoundly beautiful and insightful experience that provided invaluable lessons for my future practice as a psychedelic practitioner. The facilitators were experienced and very kind, creating a safe and supportive environment throughout the retreat. The food was also outstanding. I wholeheartedly recommend this immersion retreat."
"As a complete novice to entheogens/psychedelics it was amazing to see how the retreat catered to those of all levels, helping a rookie like me feel very safe & secure while still keeping those with more experience really engaged! They do a great job of curating groups of awesome people, while our group was very diverse there was no drama or issues. "
"I attended the Synthesis Immersion Retreat as both a student and a participant. The facilitators were top notch in every way: highly experienced in indigenous and western medicine traditions, live music as well as playlists, breath work, compassionate caretakers, deeply present to each of us. Their teaching was clear and relevant. I learned so much about facilitating medicine journeys, and I also dived deep into my own journeys.
In addition, the location is gorgeous. My only complaint is that the tents were so hot during the day (nights were fine), even though they were air conditioned, that you really couldn't hang out in there. But no problem because there are lots of beautiful spaces to hang out by yourself or with others. The waterfalls are fantastic, and fun getaways from the "work."
Food was amazing, and the chefs were so friendly and always committed to meeting any special dietary needs.
I highly recommend this retreat."
"I spent 2 weeks at the Arkana Center in the Amazon Jungle in Nov/Dec 2024. The center felt like a 5-star resort- it even had a pool and (jungle) gym. Rooms are cleaned every day, and the entire center is spotless, and is looked after with lots of love and care. I loved being surrounded by the jungle sounds during the day & night. All housekeeping, maintenance & kitchen staff were incredibly friendly. I felt privileged to witness, work with- and be blessed by the Shamans. The Shamans were personally approachable, and in my experience as authentic as it gets when it comes to honoring the Shipibo culture. The stand-out experience for me at this center were the facilitators (6 amazing humans), who hosted/facilitated my retreat experience. They went beyond what was needed for me to feel safe, cared for, and to create the environment and experiences for me to heal- and get the most helpful and useful experience from my time at the center. During my stay, I took part in 8 Ayahuasca ceremonies, 4 Sapo (Bufo) ceremonies, and a breathwork session with Manuel (I refer to him now as ‘The French Shaman’). It felt like every ceremony was strengthening (and continuing to build on top of) the previous one, and after 2 weeks I left the center with a healed heart, and feeling the happiest, most loving and peaceful I have ever felt as an adult. I feel an infinite sense of gratitude to everyone that has helped me along the way to make this possible."
"From the beginning it was a very welcoming experience. I showed up amongst a group of strangers and left with a new family. The retreat meet and exceeded all my expectations. A truly life changing experience that not only changed the way I few the world and my past but also how I see myself…"
"Arkana far exceed all of my expectations. This was the trip of a lifetime for me. I did a 3 week retreat at The Sacred Valley location. The food, facilities, staff, etc. are beyond comparison. It totally changed my life and I couldn’t be more happy with my investment with Arkana. Look no place else. Arkana is the absolute best. The staff, facilitators, maestros, etc. are some of the warmest people you’ll ever meet. "
"My week with Arkana Amazon nourished both my soul and body in unexpected and profound ways. I left not only with a good experience, but with a level of clarity and conscious awareness that has stayed with me long after the retreat. I am truly grateful for the shamans, the plant medicine, and Arkana for making this available to those who recover the call. 🙏"
"If you are looking for a transformational and awakening experience, please don't walk to Reunion. RUN! What an amazingly beautiful experience that I had for myself and shared with the wonderful people I met there. The staff members in every department were overly accommodating, kind, and knowledgeable. The food was healthy and delicious. The venue and beach were gorgeous and calming. The Shamans were Fantastic. Lastly but Most Importantly, Madre Ayahuasca did her thing. 10 out of 10, highly recommend!
I will certainly return to Reunion if/when I feel called to sit again and I will definitely bring a friend next time....or two! I am forever grateful for the amazing experience! Pura Vida! 🙏🏽"
"I can’t recommend this retreat highly enough, from the pre-retreat preparation to the post-retreat integration and everything in between, the details and delivery were immaculate. The venue was beautiful and the ceremonies were treated with reverence and respect. The leaders and facilitators created a safe space, and provided a range of complementary activities between the ceremonies. Thank you Synthesis 🙏"
"The experience at the Reunion was absolutely out of this world. Literally:)
An earthly paradise, tucked away from the worldly hustle and bustle, surrounded with lush tropical forest, teeming with abundant life, that gives way through winding paved paths to a soft sandy beach washed by the playful waves.
As I start tuning my breath into the melodious rhythm of the ocean waves, as I become mesmerized by a calming murmur of the leaves rustling in the warm salty breeze, as my heart gives way to a spell of the sunset spilling its red warmth into the ocean and the horizon sky; my thoughts melt away, and my soul starts souring freely and joyfully high above and deep inside.
And the magic just begins...
The whole place feels Sacred.
The whole place feels as if it is one Big Soul loving, nurturing and taking care of me, watching for my every through the hearts and hands of all the people and the Sacred Mushroom harmoniously serving the Light there. I can't help but totally surrender and trust, open up deeply touched by Love, I can't help but start healing. I cry, I laugh, I sing along, I transform, I remember...
I am so grateful for the whole experience.
Special thanks to Sheldon, Alia, Kevin, Delia and everyone else who made every little detail of my journey very special.
If you feel the Call, this is your place.
P.S. The Rooms and all facilities are immaculately clean, the property is well maintained, and the food is absolutely amazing - I would buy a cookbook if there were one."
"Reunion is a place of integrity, a beautiful community, a village of people who are dedicated to supporting others on their healing journey. My experience exceeded any expectations that I had. Not only is the location extraordinarily beautiful, the energy of the land is sacred, and most importantly the team at Reunion is the most sacred part of it all. Going into my Ayahuasca retreat feeling supported, held and super safe meant everything to me. The attention to detail around the property and during the entire experience was incredible. Not to mention we had the most delicious meals! I have eternal gratitude for every single person making this experience possible. I know one day I’ll find my way back to Reunion. "
"I had a transformative experience at Arkana Spiritual Center. Each day surprised me with a feeling of more connection to my true self, information for me to continue growing and a the feeling of vibrating on a higher frequency. A lot of love, realization and forgiveness. I loved the small crew, which allowed the facilitators to connect more personally with each one of us. I fully recommend going through this process with Arkana."
"This has been a significant experience for me. If you ever get the opportunity to participate, don’t even hesitate. The experience is incredibly well organized, held, safe, and beautiful"
"I had the best experience at Arkana Sacred Valley. Everything was wonderful from start to finish. The facilitators made this experience exceptional as they were all incredibly kind, loving, supportive, and helped provide a safe space to lean into the experience and feel all the feels. Everything from the accommodations, location, cleanliness, and food were wonderful! The maestros are incredibly powerful and knowledgeable on the medicines & The small group environment made this place extra special. There is something extra special about making the pilgrimage to the native regions where this medicine is used by indigenous cultures. I feel incredibly grateful to have had this experience and I recommend Arkana to everyone considering plant medicines. "
"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."
"Very powerful week here at Arkana.
Everything is curated from the moment you step onto the property. I won't spoil with too many details but know that behind the scenes everything is perfectly designed for your growth and healing.
The bungalows have huge mosquito nets, ample desk and closet room. The restrooms are Swedish self composting toilets, room temperature/leaning cold showers, and stone basin hand washing faucets. The entire facility itself feels very integrated with the jungle, with nearly the entire structure being made of wood. There's a gym, massage center, reading area, and pool which gives you plenty to do in any free hours you may find.
The undisputed best part: the staff. As for the experience, I cannot say how AMAZING the facilitators are. They support in every way possible, and then some. Their energy is calm, uplifting, and elicits kindness in others. The maintenance staff is superb, with all the facilities in tip top shape despite the prolific amounts of bodily fluids around. The shamans are so uplifting, so charismatic, and so grounded that it inspired confidence in me when the process became difficult. Trust the shamans!
The chef and kitchen were sent from culinary heaven, they had half the guests clamoring for a cookbook because we couldn't believe everything was no added salts/sugars and STILL tasted so good! There was a birthday one night and this divine banana cake was made that still runs through my mind.
If you come here, come committed and open your heart. Trust the medicine, trust the shamans, trust your self! Wishing anyone considering a retreat here the best, and huge shoutout of appreciation to Arkana."
Types of Retreats in Latin America
Plant Medicine Latin America (1051)
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- Dieta Latin America (145)
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- Iboga Latin America (28)
- Ibogaine Latin America (27)
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- Kambo Latin America (23)
- Cannabis Latin America (8)
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- DMT Latin America (4)
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