Find Authentic Retreats in Nayarit

"Our time here was more than we could have ever dreamed. The staff, the resort, the food, and of course the ceremonies were absolutely incredible. Nirvana was such a beautiful soul and created such a special place for us. Also we had never been to Puerto Vallarta and it is gorgeous. "

"On arrival you are greeting by staff and then shown around the premises by one person, it felt so warm and welcoming and put the nerves to be. From here everything planned was purposeful and practical to prepare you for the medicine. I originally thought it was odd that for such a big deal to go to something like this there was only one macrodose but that is all that was needed. The debrief was really great, Nirvana explained so much to us and it cemented how and why the medicine worked. No need to be worried, just prepare yourself well in advance to be open, more open than you want to be. It was worth the travel to get from New Zealand."

"Nirvana is knowledgeable and duty expert on plant medicine. She was able to explain logically the process of plant medicine and put me at ease throughout the whole process. Her grace and love was amazing and I can't imagine having anyone else there to guide me through this trip. "

"Amazing experience that was life changing for me and my family. My Psilocybin experience showed me love and gave me an immense amount of peace that I'm not sure I've ever felt. This legitimately was a reboot and gave me a new lease on life. I loved the staff and would highly recommend to anyone with anxiety depression or needing peace in their lives. "

"I hit a seemingly immovable wall in life where I felt stuck, trapped, unmotivated having exhausted many resources to feel like myself again, to let go of coping mechanisms, to release past trauma, to get back that drive, to not feel hollow. Nothing traditional worked. A friend and esthetician casually talked about healing through psilocybin. I was skeptical but started months of research and combing through retreats and reviews. I kept revisiting Sayulita Wellness Retreat. So finally, I sent over a handful of questions and follow up questions in spite of my gut saying this was the one. Andrew answered quickly each time and was incredibly patient. By the time I finally picked the retreat and dates, it sold out. Somehow Andrew was able to make it work and I’ll forever be thankful for that. This one week flipped my world right side up and had such a profound impact that years of traditional practices couldn’t even scratch the surface. Each day entailed building blocks from ceremony to ceremony. The Shamans Nirvana and Charly hold your healing and experience in the highest regard, understanding there’s no one size fits all rigid agenda. It’s key to have an open mind and be open to change. That can be hard for a type A personality but so necessary for healing to take place. Their team embody the same level of care and integrity, that’s how I felt every step of the way. Facing your ego/pride, unraveling the muck to get unstuck…it’s uncomfortable, it’s hard. These folks though are so welcoming. I only ever felt supported, loved, heard and not judged. Ana Elizabeth and Ana Cecilia curated the absolute best meals with attention to dietary restrictions, allergies and preferences when they could. I’m typically a carnivore but at no point did I feel deprived, starved or unsatisfied. Sam, Denise, Norma were all so supportive and available the entire time. Victor (sound therapy) and Alex (breathwork) were intuitive and informative. Pedro and Keely handled the psychotherapy sessions, each having their own style and bringing compassionate and direct perspectives to the table. Pedro offered several measures to incorporate once returning home which was very helpful. The massage was one of the best I’ve had. The ice therapy was initially painful yet the best reminder of how powerful mind over matter is. I was also thankful for the round trip airport transportation - not having to worry about that especially when traveling abroad is huge. The skepticism, the stigmas associated with these medicines and healing —— gone. I came with desperate hopes and minimal expectations. I left feeling full of life, with a new extended family and gradually unpacking the things that no longer serve me. This group of genuinely warm and gracious healers will forever have a place in my heart. Best decision yet."

"I had a phenomenal week at this retreat. We were welcomed warmly, and immediately felt at ease. The itinerary of therapies and experiences was varied and rich. We also had plenty of opportunities for quiet time to read or meditate or walk the beach. Two full body massages, a sound bath, breath works. Two sessions of one on one talk therapy, cold therapy, two fantastic yoga classes, hypnotherapy, a whale watching boat ride and visit to a beautiful island, multiple traditional medicine, rituals. Just a fantastic menu of healing and educational activities. The first few days has very light diets. Vegan food, very low fat and proteins, in preparation for a medicine ritual. We drank lots and lots of herbal tea., water, and fresh juices. The last few days we had heartier food, including cheese, eggs, and fish. My experience was deeply personal and intense. Highly recommend this retreat for those genuinely seeking personal and spiritual growth in a healthy, beautiful, welcoming atmosphere. "

"Where to start? I was hesitant to travel by myself to Mexico as a woman. It was a scary thought to put myself in vulnerable situations with strangers, but my need for change and my heart told me to take the risk and I’m glad I did. Nirvana and Andrew helped me feel a lot better before I got on the plane. When I arrived, Oscar was there at the airport to pick me up and take me safely to the villa. It is indeed steps from the ocean, a 5-10 minute walk to Sayulita and exactly like the pictures and videos show. Gated and very safe. I was welcomed by Sam and Keely and was shown to my room with stunning views. Later we had a medical team come to do a checkup and make sure we were healthy enough to take the medicine. The next day we met Nirvana and Xavier who were our guides for the Kambo cleanse. This was an intense and healing experience, unlike anything I’d done before. Incredibly effective especially when I reflect on the impact. Later that day I had a breakthrough session with Keely. She is an incredible therapist and helped me more in one session than the many other psychologists I’ve seen in the past. The revelations from that session helped me sleep unaided for the first time in years. Amazing. The food was incredible from start to finish. It was prepared fresh and with love from the team (shoutout to Norma, Dennis, Ana and Josue!!). The villa was kept sparkling as well and we didn’t have to worry about a thing. I had some hesitation before the mushroom ceremony with fear of losing control but Nirvana and Xavier were excellent. I’m so glad I did it. The preparation before hand and the intention setting were essential. I had so many revelations on my journey and it was profoundly spiritual. Words cannot adequately describe the journey. I felt very safe, surrounded by love and the team holding space for us. The music guided us as did our shamans. The next day we took it easy, had massages and journaled a lot to reflect. That evening we had a sound therapy session with Willie - another profound experience. The DMT experience the following day is something I’ll treasure. I’ve never felt such peace, love and connectedness in my life. I came back different, in such a positive way. Very grateful to Charly, Nirvana and Xavier for the insights shared that day. When we went out on the ocean with our guide Fabian, we saw SO many whales and dolphins! Birds were flying along side the boat as we travelled to the islands. We did some snorkeling and wow!! The thousands of colorful fish swimming all around us were stunning. What an experience that was. My session with Pedro helped me tie it all together and set a plan for when I returned home. The closing ceremony was very emotional, but I knew I had gained not only friends, but family for life. Since being back I’ve seen huge changes in my life. No more meds or drinking. I can sleep. I’m exercising and running again. I’m meditating and journaling. I’m more present with my family. I can handle stress so much better and my anxiety is pretty much non existent. Profound. If you can do it, go. You won’t regret it. It changed my life for the better in a very dramatic way and I’m so grateful. The path I was on would have led me to not be here anymore and now I have a renewed lease on life and purpose again. Do it!!"

"somewhere some how Charlie and I are kin !!! this man brought me so much joy and will be my family for ever love you brother thank you for all you help yall are the best"

"sweetest spirit ever and will never forget her so soft and calming (love MRS NIRVANA)"

"found all i needed and been searching for in my life!!! was all inside of me always !!! medicine help you heal your spirit/soul when your in your mind or your spirit its just you ,your memories and your creator. Best medicine in the world is truth and exceptance of all ,,, and you will find you can not lie to your self soyou are force to face it /deal with it /and heal from it !!! THESE ARE THE SWEETEST PEOPLE EVER THEY LOVE FROM THE RIGHT PLACE and treat you as family "

"The entire team was ultra attentive to taking extremely good care of us from the medecines, the ceremonies, the therapies, foods, whale and dolphin watching, conversations and laughter and joy. A very deep meaningful life altering experience, in a stunning on the ocean palm tree luxury setting, with so much love and heart. One of the greatest experiences of my life. "

"Charly is a genuinely amazing human being. A positive and incredibly happy spirit that tailored the retreat to individual needs in a safe, stress-free environment. Extremely knowledgeable and experienced. His ability to modify the experience, set expectations and unpack the meaning of the experience was sublime. Charly and Nirvana were a beautiful compliment to one another and gave us an exceptional experience. "

"One of the most amazing human beings I have ever met. She was regal, gracious, incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful and kind. A genuinely beautiful person inside and out. She led incredibly powerful and impactful ceremonies and her ability to unpack and interpret my experience was profound."

"The retreat was outstanding. The villa was beautiful and the accommodations were perfect. The schedule was easy enough to follow but also flexible to accommodate different interests within the group. Each of the staff involved in the retreat were amazing. They were warm, friendly and genuinely interested in providing a positive experience. One of the best experiences of my life."

"I was so scared to try psychedelics. I’ve been on antidepressants for years and have been so depressed with trauma, depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder. I walk through my fear and went to this retreat and had the most profound beautiful experience of my life. I am now back in Los Angeles, and feel so content and hole within myself. I definitely will be going back again to this place to do another retreat once I graduate. "

"Charlie added spontaneity to my week in Sayulita. He was ever-willing to provide a customized experience to my individual needs. "

"Nirvana brought warmth & wisdom to my time in Sayulita. She exudes expertise & groundedness to the experience. "

"One of the best experiences I have had in years! This retreat was a total reset for me. Charlie and Nirvana have immense amounts of wisdom and love to share and they immediately made me feel cared for and relaxed from the moment I arrived. I left feeling like years of stress and anxiety were wiped away and I was able to reconnect with my true self. My perspective on life will never be the same and I have gained the energy I desperately needed to move forward and be able to give back to others in a capacity I haven't had in so long. My only regret is wishing I had done this sooner!"

"As a veteran who suffers from PTSD, I have been on various medications with little to no affect which led me to researching psychedelics. I read about their impact on anxiety, depression, anger, and other symptoms that I have dealt with for 20+ years. So, I began researching retreats. I came across Sayulita Wellness Retreats and spoke to Andrew. I felt apprehensive and anxious about experimenting with psychedelics, but he was able to answer the questions that I had and helped to put my mind at ease. So, I signed up for a 3-day private retreat. The villa that we stayed in and held ceremony in was absolutely amazing and had its own private beach where we took part in a bufo ceremony. I found this to be very transformative and felt all of the negative energy and emotions wash away in the waves. Nirvana and Charly are two beautiful people who made me feel safe, loved, and cared for during each psychedelic journey and I can not thank them enough! Denise and Norma were absolutely fabulous hosts who provided wonderfully delicious and healthy meals, assisted with ceremonies, and are the most kind and caring individuals! Pedro provided individual therapy to help me assess my mental health and provided guidance for continuing to improve my overall well-being. As a newbie to yoga, Nikki took the time to explain the concepts and ensured I had an enjoyable experience. I will definitely be returning to Sayulita Wellness Retreat in the future and highly recommend them to anyone!"

"Andrea had a very welcoming and caring presence. She helped set intentions and gave us a journal to begin. I have never journaled or meditated but Andrea made it all seem so beneficial. She gave ideas on ways to continuously improve life that seem obtainable. She leads by example and has a wonderful vibration. She really cares about your story and wants to help you. "

"I have never talked to any kind of therapist before and Juan Pedro made it very easy. At first I did not even know what I would say or talk about but before I knew it he was helping me solve all problems. I just started blurting out everything I have held onto from the past and all of my worries for the future. He listened and offered tools and guidance that felt genuine and true. I really appreciate Juan Pedro for the sole he is and for the help he gave me."

"We just returned from our retreat at Sayulita Wellness Retreat. The husband/wife shaman team, Nirvana and Charlie, were great to work with. I appreciated their flexibility and willingness to tune into what we needed, then work with us to make it happen. I've been to other retreats with a rigid schedule, and if you did not get what you needed in a ceremony, you left wanting. Nirvana and Charlie offered psychedelics that were not advertised for our retreat, talked to us individually about dose and setting, and were determined to make sure we left the retreat different than how we arrived. I can't wait to go back!"

"Charlie is the man, the myth, and the legend! He made the entire experience light and meaningful. You helped put a picture to your thoughts and made you feel worthy of everything good. I love Charlie for who he is and what he is doing for humanity. I could not thank him enough for the entire experience."

"Nirvana held a very motherly and warm energy. I felt at ease when she was guiding me and giving advice and clarity. She is an amazing woman and teacher. Trust her and you will not be disappointed. "

"Amazing food and staff, everyone is very kind and loving. The house is spectacular with a wonderful private beach. It is walking distance to town where you can explore. Lots of different excursions you can choose from. We went whale watching near the retreat and was amazed by the amount of whales we saw and how close they were. They have a schedule but it's really based around the guests, which could not have been better. Whatever you want to do, just trust them and believe they are there to help you and guide you. Charlie and Nirvana are great teachers and guides. Dennise and Norma were amazing hosts! They all made sure we were taken care of and felt loved the entire time. Andrew has put an amazing team together that truly feels like a family. Life changing! Highly recommend. It feels like I am reborn with no burdens or guilt. I let my worries wash away on the beach… Absolutely 100% the best place for the medicine to change your life for the best!!"

"We were intrigued by the promising testimonial videos promoted by the wellness retreat, the description of the lush ocean-front property and professionalism that was conveyed via the website. The experience, in reality, couldn't be more starkly different from its glossy online promise. It started two days before departure when we got a random call from someone only announcing themselves as "Charly", who didn't reference his affiliation with the retreat and instead began asking my fiancé questions she had already answered, and rambling on in a wildly altered state of mind. It was extremely off-putting and unprofessional. That was our first red flag as it didn't instill confidence in the very vulnerable experience we were about to partake in. So we called the proprietor, Andrew, who profusely apologized for Charlie's unprofessional behavior and repeatedly reassured us that it was an attempted on-boarding call and that we were in very capable and professional hands. We were shaken, but took Andrew at his word, and agreed to continue on this new and uncomfortable journey together. Two days later, on the day of departure, we were told that “Javier" would be picking us up at the Puerta Vallarta airport via shuttle. Upon arrival, Javier was nowhere to be found. In fact, no one was there to pick us up at all. After 20 minutes of texting the retreat, asking what was going on, we got a text from someone that simply showed a photo of the OXXO gas station a hundred yards away and said "meet me here." So we dragged our luggage top the gas station, where two men (neither one Javier) jumped out and said "Kate, Todd...we are here to take you to Sayulita." When asked where Javier was, they mumbled something about him being tied up, and for that matter seemed to not even know who we were referencing. When we asked where the shuttle was, one of the men said "no shuttle. I will drive you. My car is parked over there." As he pointed to a bridge that was another 100 yards away. We were growing concerned by the rabbit hole we found ourselves wandering deeper into, but decided to take the walk across the bridge and off airport property as we weren’t sure what else to do at that point. After dragging our suitcases several more blocks, up and down several flights of stairs, the new driver led us to the street and told us to wait there while he retrieved his car. He came back 10 minutes later in what can only be described as a a barely drivable car—muffler dragging, dirty interior, rusted, beaten exterior, no air conditioning, and low on gas. We grew even more concerned and thought about turning around and going back to the airport for a return flight home, but thought that we’d come this far, so continued on. Once in the car, the driver asked where we were going...to which we said “You tell us! Javier has all, those details.” He said he didn’t know. So we looked up the website for the retreat and found no mention of an address (yet another red flag), so after repeated texts to the retreat, they finally sent the address for us to relay to the driver. After needing to stop for gas, and sucking in exhaust fumes for over an hour with the windows down on the freeway, we arrived in Sayulita, where we were told the retreat was held. That was not the case. Following GPS instructions, the driver veered off to the right of town and started ascending steep mountain roads, often times when none of us, even the driver, thought the car could climb. After 15 minutes of treacherous switchbacks, and a mountain climb that took us further and further away from any semblance of the ocean-front property with private beach that they had promised, the driver—now himself fearful—was hesitant to continue driving for both fear for our collective safety as well as the car's ability to make the extraordinary trek. At one point, he turned to us and said “I don't know...I don't know. How about I let you out here?" Which was in the middle of nowhere, on the side of a mountain surrounded by dilapidated buildings. We insisted he press on. A few minutes later, we arrive at the address—which looked nothing like the photos, was nowhere near the ocean and was so far away from civilization, we honestly feared for our own safety, imagining ourselves trapped here with no ability to leave, particularly given how badly things had gone thus far, and how they bore no resemblance to what we’d been promised. Now in a full state of panic and regret, we instruct the driver to make a U-turn and get us out of there. As he obliged, someone from the retreat jumped out on the balcony and started yelling at the driver, who translated for us that they want him to drop us off. We insisted that he keep driving and take us to Punta Mita to regroup. The driver obliged. Now with nowhere to stay, we had to quickly find and pay for a hotel, as well as cover the cost of the driver as he was told by the retreat, after being yelled at for not dropping us off, that they weren't going to pay him, which we did—thankful that we didn't end up at the retreat as planned. In the days since, we have outlined our case to the proprietor of the retreat (Andrew) as well as Retreat Guru. As of one week later still have not been refunded the cost of our stay—$7,000. This entire experience shook us, and we firmly believe this is a scam preying on people looking for a legitimate and caring plant medicine experience. In hindsight, we should have seen the red flags earlier. No third party reviews. No address. Shady phone calls from stoned employees. Don't make the same mistake we did. Steer clear of this—for your own health and safety. ------- Response from Retreat Center ------- Hi this is Andrew with Sayulita Wellness Retreat. We’ve since hired a new transportation company with new vehicles, AC, and vetted drivers. It’s unfortunate this person chose not to meet our staff, see the facility (it’s gated), or experience the wonderful transformation our retreat provides. For reference here’s a testimonial from another participant from this person’s group that chose to attend (retreat guru can verify this): Susan R. RUN!! Do not walk, run TO a Sayulita Wellness Center retreat as fast as you can. My life, my heart and my soul are forever changed, happier, and healthier as a result. I cannot adequately express how loved, cared for, supported, informed and healed I felt before, during, and still after by this amazing group of people. Their hearts are bigger than life. Their desire and passion to serve, heal and nurture was like nothing I have ever experienced. True service above self. The joy they eminate and the joy they purposefully share is palpable and contagious. Their willingness to open their hearts to heal me and our whole group was unexpected and shocking, in the best ways. I will forever be in gratitude for each and every one of them. Denis and Norma are angels. They cooked us delicious meals that paired perfectly with our activities and needs. They loved all over us, every minute, every day. They made us presents!, made sure to make delicious cakes to celebrate one of our birthdays, and constantly looked for ways to make our experience more comfortable and wonderful. During the psilocybin ceremony they tended to each of our needs and made sure we knew we were loved and safe. It was incredible how they were always close by and looking to help. I cannot say enough about how amazing Denis and Norma are. Keeley and Pedro, the psychotherapists, did more for me in the 2 sessions that I had separately with each of them (4 total in 8 days) than I accomplished in decades of on/off therapy. I could not articulate what I wanted out of this experience, except that I wanted to be free of depression and anxiety, feel whole and be able to share the outrageous amounts of love in my heart. They helped me get to the root of my challenges and what was in the way. They helped me set intentions for the ceremony so I could process and let go of my pain, that I had been holding in my heart for 50 years, so I could let the love in and out. It was life changing. Even after the retreat, they continue to support me to keep building and integrating my new, beautiful life going forward. They are so different from one another and they compliment each other so well. I felt heard for the first time in my life. They each saw me, my heart, my traumas, and wanted to truly help me feel whole. They are incredible. Nirvana and Charly are true healers. They are love. They are givers. They are everything. They changed my life by showing me that giving all you have to others, even strangers initially, is the only way to live. Their willingness to share their: Lives, culture, knowledge, gifts, challenges, and successes was so genuine. They gave us the relationships they built with others who cared for us and served us so beautifully. They changed my life in every possible positive way. From the first moment I signed up to this second now writing this review, they are with you in person and spirit. Always available and ready to help you on your journey. Do it!! Surrender to it all! You will be so glad you did! Namaste 🙏"

"I'm 74 years old and I decided that I wanted to change my life. This retreat fulfilled my every hope. Thus far, I have quit drinking alcohol, I'm overcoming a "trunk full" of anger & impatience, and I'm a happier, more content individual. No fear here, or anxiety , just a lot of love, support, open honesty, and yes, even a lot of fun & laughs! Will I stick w/these changes? It's my choice, but the staff & other participants of the retreat are staying in touch & are willing to follow up & keep working with you after you've returned to the real world ( or what we used to think is the "real world" )."

"As a veteran with ptsd and losing my son to an opiate overdose a few years ago, I was lost. I had tried everything but I found out about these retreats from some of my fellow veterans that had used psylocybin. I can’t even begin to explain to you how wonderful and loving these people are that run Sayulita Wellness. They all equally contribute to the magical experience you go through. From waking up every day not even wanting to be alive, I now feel reborn and I have these people and the group I shared it with to thank for that. I will be back here, no doubt. "

"I attended the retreat with some anxiety, and found a family of new friends, introspection, wisdom, love and a new direction in my life. My only regret is that it took me this long to do this. The team that worked with us couldn't have been more kind, thoughtful, patient and understanding, making absolutely no judgments about any of us. The absolute best gift I have ever given myself, and I would and actually may, do it again."

"Coming to Sayulita Wellness Center (SWC) was a major leap of faith for me because I was very skeptical and distrustful about this alternative therapy model; but I knew I needed help! I am very succesfull professionally but I had lots of anxiety & depression in my life and I was stuck in my head. I had been researching plant medicine assisted-therapy centers all over -Amsterdam, Jamaica, Mexico and the USA; but none seemed right. I had found another center in Sayulita, Mexico; and even attended a zoom call which was great, but something did not feel right. Somehow, I kept coming back to SWC so, one night before I went to bed, I reached out. To my surprise, I got a text within 5 minutes! I was stunned but very anxious, so I deferred to the next day. When I spoke with Andrew, I made it known that trust was fundamental to me and that it all seemed too good to be true! He was very patient and put me at ease right away by answering all of my questions very calmly. He even connected me with other alumni clients. I waited a few days and devoured all the information in their web site. Although my mind was giving me all kind of warnings, SWC felt right! So, I took the plunge and I booked myself for the next retreat. Wow! This was the best gift I have ever given to myself! I have undergone a fundamental shift of mindset & attitude and I have been launched onto a magical journey of self-discovery & joy. Truly transformational! SWC is truly unique! The holistic program helped me gradually conditioned my mind, body & soul to undergo this mystical spiritual experience. The camaraderie, love, sharing with other clients and the 1:1 sessions with Andrew opened my mind and eased my anxiety; the nutrition, exercise, yoga, sound and massage therapy plus the beautiful ocean conditioned my body for the ceremonies. The magical plant medicines together with the love, care, guidance and mystical connection I experienced with Nirvana & Charly before, during and after the ceremonies were transcendental. I am forever grateful to Andrew, Nirvana, Charly, our amazing Chef -Omar, our talented yoga instructor – Nikki, our magical hypno therapist -Andrea and our wise sound therapist -Victor for this gift of life. I have tapped into an everlasting source of energy & love that has launched me into another dimension of living. I can’t wait to go back soon! Javier Software Executive"