Find Authentic Retreats in Olon Ecuador

"Vikara retreat center is a unique place where true healing can take place. I came there for their 9 days plant transformation and plant medicine retreat in February 2020 and it exceeded all my expectations. Roey and Lindsy have created a unforgettable program focused on spiritual growth, meditation, breath work, healthy food,and of course the scared plants: Ayahuasca & Sanpedro. Each member of the team that works in this center is dedicated to support you in your process of healing and transformation. I have enjoyed the integration circle after every ceremony. These sharing circles have truly contributed a lot to my personal growth and understanding better my own situation and also understanding my experience in the night. The shamans Amalia and her sister Diana were animating selflessness, and care to every individual who took part of this retreat. Their voices and songs during the entire night were comforting and restoring a feeling of calmness and serenity. I truly recommend you look no further! This is a place of true transformation."

"I had the honor of participating in Vikara’s 9-day Yoga, Surf and Ayahuasca retreat this past August. I am not sure if I can put into words how grateful I am for Vikara. From the very beginning, when Roey picked me up, I felt like he was family. Roey is so sweet and welcoming and you can talk to him about anything. The retreat was very well organized. We started our mornings doing yoga. For someone who has only previously dipped her toes in yoga, these yoga classes were amazing. Roey put so much thought and love into his classes. It made me start to love yoga and want to practice it more. We also had the honor of meeting Elba, her mother and mother-in-law during one of our yoga classes. Our meeting was way too brief, due to Elba about to give birth. But her presence is beyond amazing. She has such a beautiful and peaceful soul! As for the ceremonies held by Aime and Hwaneetah, I do not think I can do justice in words on how beautiful they were. Aime and Hwaneetah put so much extraordinary energy into these ceremonies! Their intuition is unlike anything I’ve seen before. They genuinely care and want the best for everyone. I felt very safe and at peace in their presence. It was such a resplendent and transformative experience. The days I spent in Vikara were amazing and life-changing. I will be forever grateful to all the people I met - my new family. Thank you Roey for making this organization happen. I can’t wait to see the new retreat center. It’s going to be awesome! Thank you, Ellie, for throwing it down in the kitchen! Every meal was incredible. Thank you, Elba, for blessing us with your presence. When I come back, I can’t wait to meet Padme. Thank you Aime for your advice, guidance and sense of humor. Thank you Hwaneetah for being so beautiful and a goddess and making me want to be one too! Also, thank you Aime and Hwaneetah for those beautiful icaros and for being #relationshipgoals. And thank you to my wonderful sisters Claudia and Rebecca for going on this amazing journey together. Thinking about Vikara and the time I had there just fills my heart with so much love, gratitude and joy. I would without any hesitation, highly recommend coming here. I hope one day to also come back."

"I rarely come with expectation but Vikara has exceeded any I could have had. Vikara is a place I will go back to (hopefully) so that shall tell you enough. For me, what makes this place so special is all the people working there, who give their heart at what they are doing which creates an incredible experience for the end client. You can feel their intention. Truly caring vibes, amazing healthy food, a wonderful deep yoga practice and last but not least a truly exceptional holding of medicinal plant ceremonies – which will leave you enriched towards a better understanding of yourself. Can’t recommend this place enough! Oh and Olon and the beach is just ever so charming!"

"Every part of this tailor made retreat was fantastic. From the homemade food cooked by Roey, to the accomodation, surging lessons and company I was surrounded with. Roey is attentive, kind and a pleasure to be around. Like Elba the yoga teacher, when Roey gives a surfing lesson he critiques technique in a gentle but directive way which means that the lesson is challenging but fun at the same time. I was also offered the chance to join in on personal training sessions and we took a bike ride around Olon. The retreat gave me time to reflect, rest and I came away feeling like a new person. This feeling has lasted until now months later and it influences my daily life and decision making frequently. The retreat came at somewhat of an emotional cross roads for me and it inspired me to live a more active life style and I can definitively say I’m so much happier now in the way that I appreciate roach my life. There was no pressure to do the activities in terms of if you needed rest then you could easily say that to roey. The massage was again wonderful and I have recommended the massage parlour to several friends that have visited Montanita. If you’ve not decided yet I would say just do it, you will not regret it, say yes to every opportunity offered to you and enjoy the time you spend in Olon."

"I am a relative beginner when it comes to yoga, I have practised on and off with inconsistency however I cannot speak higher of Elba. When you first meet her you know she is someone special, able to put anyone at ease. The yoga challenged me but gave me an innermost peace I had never experienced before. Elba is attentive and critiques technique to the extent that this has stayed with me now for months and improved my yoga practise significantly. Thankyou Elba for being part of the fantastic experience I had at Vikara Retreats Olon."

"Vikara, is honestly what you make of it. My wife had sent me for two whole weeks, I did not want to leave!. Life is a journey and along the way we need time to reflect and grow and sometimes even get healthy and physically fit. Everything is available and more at this retreat. I went over to Ecuador with no expectations and found this cute little villa with a beautiful team of people who are there just for you and your experience. Situated on the majestic beach of Olan it doesn't get much better. So many things to do or do nothing at all. I chose to Surf, Yoga and Box most days with Spanish lessons and delightful Massages in between. Besides the sound of a luxurious retreat it really is a simple, humble and beautiful experience that you get out, what you put in. Totally up to you and each time it will be different. Its has changed my life in many ways for the best reasons and I will be back as much as I can. Roey is an incredible and tireless host, Elba is an amazing spirit who will fill your life full of energy and light and work you through your Yoga. I did not do Yoga before this trip I now do it most days. I couldn't recommend this experience more if I tried. Everyone needs to experience Vikara once in their lives at least. Oh and the ayahuasca medicine ceremony is legit and a must. It will be different for everyone and is not any where as scary as people write about on the internet. I will continue to practice this for life also. Thank you Roey and your team. I will see you soon. BC"

"I can't express enough how amazing this place truly is. I had no idea what to expect before we got there and from the moment my best friend and I walked into Vikara we were greeted with so much friendliness and warm hospitality. Roey, Elba, Cynthia and the rest of the team are the most lovely and accepting people and made us feel very at home. Roey also challenged us to try something new and we both surfed for the first time and had a blast! The meals were excellent and getting to meet the other retreat-goers and guests was a pleasure as well. It really was a wonderful escape and provided such a nice perspective of the Ecuadorian coast that I don't think we would have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. I can't recommend this place enough, Roey really works hard to ensure you have the experience that you want/need to have while you're there."

"All of my experiences at Vikara have been outstanding. This is a great place to escape to and connect with beautiful high vibe individuals. I had the pleasure of experiencing my first ayahuasca ceremony here with an amazing shaman and a lovely group. It was absolutely magical, all I could have asked for and more. Extremely healing. The ambiance has a very open and natural feel to it. Roey is an amazing host guaranteed to take very good care of you and your comfort needs. There is always delicious food, great music and easy going people to connect with. I absolutely adore the yoga instructor Elba, she is a pure hearted soul with warm vibes and the sweetest personality. I am grateful for this sacred space and these genuine souls."

"Elba’s experience and attention in all she does from Yoga to life coaching is extraordinary. She comes from a long history and experience in the field. Her practice is thoughtful and thought-provoking while physically and spiritually-moving. When in Olon/Montanita, don’t miss out of the opportunity to connect with this beautiful soul!"

"Vikara’s Team arranged the most life-changing experience I could have imagined. The ayahuasca ceremony I did was truly moving; it is impossible to describe! It was deep, introspective, visionary and transformational. Not scary at all! I was taken care of with the utmost attention throughout the entire experience, from preparation days before, to coaching and guidance after. I’m already planning my next trip to do it again and would recommend that anybody looking to explore this magical journey look no further thank Vikara and their expert team. Thank you!"

"I would like to thank all the vikara team for the time that I spent with them. It is not just a sacred experience that you take with you, they also make you fell like part of a small family that you ll belong for good. The yoga with Elba it is an experience that takes you to a new dimension. Her clases goes beyond yoga. Can you come back with me to Spain?? We know that we ll be always connected! The massage with Kimberly are one of the best I ever had. She has a great understanding of the human body and really knows how to tailor to the individual needs. Surfing with Juan makes it so easy and he had so much patience!! Surfing it is quite hard. Nali's vegetarian food it is amazing!! I learn so many new recipes!! I am going to miss your food and yourself, amiga! And the last but no the least Roey, the one that makes everything possible! Always there to help you with anything that you need even if it is only talk with a friend. See you soon amigos!"