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Anam Cara Healing Retreat Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Costa Rica

Anam Cara Healing Retreat offers sacred healing in Nosara, Costa Rica with Shipibo Ayahuasca retreats, blending ancient wisdom with modern therapy for deep transformation and soul awakening. Founded by Francesca Barone and Neils Poole, the retreat combines Francesca’s background as a naturopathic medical practitioner and trauma-informed therapist with deep reverence for the Shipibo lineage. Every retreat is curated with deep respect for the Shipibo curanderos and indigenous plant medicine they steward, working in close friendship with 3 families of Shipibo healers.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: The luxury eco-conscious healing center is constructed entirely from fallen trees and non-toxic materials, featuring a breathtaking saltwater infinity pool and on-site biodynamic organic farms. At the heart of the sanctuary stands a sacred Maloca—a traditional ceremonial space where rituals unfold.
• Approach: They weave traditional plant medicine ceremonies with trauma-informed somatic therapies and long-term integration support, combining ancestral Amazonian Shamanism with modern practices through movement, breath, sound, and authentic expression.
• Suitable For: The retreat assists with treating physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual conditions, with particular success in depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, arthritis, auto-immune disease, trauma, grief, and addictions.
• Costs: All-inclusive retreat costs range from $3,500 USD for shared glamping tent, $4,600 USD for shared suite, to $5,200 USD for private suite. A $2,000 USD non-refundable deposit secures retreat space with remaining balance due on Day 1 in cash.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: B+ (notable for comprehensive integration support and authentic Shipibo lineage, flag for high costs and cash payment requirements).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Guest testimonials consistently highlight transformative experiences, with participants expressing deep gratitude for the healing received during their retreats in Costa Rica, describing feeling embraced by the space’s energy and professional care from arrival. Reviews emphasize the supportive container provided by Francesca and Neils alongside Shipibo maestros, with participants noting the deeply committed facilitators who create safe spaces for vulnerability and complete transformation. Multiple attendees specifically praise the integration support as integral to their healing journey, with several returning for second retreats and reporting life changes on deep levels through the community connection.

We encourage sharing your perspective through our submission form to maintain current insights.

🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, and r/WellnessHive, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no incidents were found.

• Theft: No reports of theft found across Reddit discussions, review platforms, or safety databases checked.
• Sexual Misconduct: No allegations of sexual misconduct found across social media platforms, Reddit communities, or safety reporting databases reviewed.
• Crime: No criminal incidents, arrests, or legal issues found in public records, news outlets, or online safety communities examined.

The retreat appears to maintain positive reputation across review platforms with no red flags identified in safety-focused forums.

New update as of March 2026: No new incidents reported.

🔍 Critical Notes

Anam Cara prioritizes safety as their primary focus, working only with experienced indigenous healers of the Shipibo nation with multiple healers present in every retreat. They require detailed medical history and personal questionnaires as part of registration, with careful preparation and consideration of contraindications for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. However, the high costs and requirement for cash payment on arrival may limit accessibility. Their strict non-refundable deposit policy and charging remaining balance to credit card if attendees fail to show raises transparency concerns. The retreat operates in Costa Rica where ayahuasca exists in a legal gray area without specific regulation.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

Anam Cara requires all clients to fill in a comprehensive health history questionnaire and complete a mandatory 1:1 preparation and inquiry session before retreat to ensure each participant is a safe candidate and develop safety and connection. They emphasize that working with Ayahuasca requires careful consideration of physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as certain medical conditions or medications may present contraindications. Prospective participants should always consult with qualified healthcare providers before engaging in plant medicine work, especially those with mental health conditions or taking medications.

🧪 Brew Substance

They work only with Cielo Aya brewed by the Shipibo healers, containing only two ingredients: Aya Vine and Cha leaf. The ayahuasca combines leaves of the Chacruna plant containing DMT with the Banisteriopsis caapi vine containing healing alkaloids, working synergistically as the feminine vine holds healing power while the masculine leaf activates vision. They also offer San Pedro (Huachuma) ceremonies, a plant medicine with over 3,000 years of sacred use in the Andes, revered for heart-opening properties and reconnection with nature.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Costa Rica: Located in Nosara, Costa Rica, a coastal town in Guanacaste Province known for its pristine beaches, yoga culture, and wellness tourism. The region offers tropical rainforest, Pacific coastline, and a relaxed atmosphere conducive to healing work.
• Setting: The luxury eco-conscious healing center features sustainable construction, saltwater infinity pool, biodynamic organic farms, holistic spa with ozone therapy, cold plunges, and sound frequency tables. Accommodation options include shared glamping tents in lush jungle with outdoor bathrooms, creating grounding luxury experiences beneath the Costa Rican sky.
• Style: Daily retreat rhythm includes ceremonies as sacred centerpiece woven with practices, workshops, breathwork, embodiment, movement, sharing circles, designed to release blockages and anchor medicine into practical experience. Complimentary practices include movement, breathwork, sound healing, nature immersion, inquiry, and spiritual rituals.

Practical guidance: Nearest airport is Liberia International Airport (LIR) approximately 90 minutes drive from Nosara. Transportation typically arranged through retreat. Booking requires $2,000 deposit through secure platform hosted by Retreat Guru, with applications reviewed within 2-5 business days.

Should You Book?

This retreat suits those seeking luxury ayahuasca experiences in intimate groups with comprehensive integration support, particularly individuals drawn to authentic Shipibo lineage work combined with modern therapeutic approaches. Those with depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic conditions, or seeking spiritual transformation may find particular benefit, with longer stays available for serious conditions. However, the high costs and cash payment requirements may make it inaccessible for many seekers, and those preferring more rustic or budget-friendly experiences should consider alternatives.

The Team & Story

Anam Cara was founded by Francesca Barone, a naturopathic medical practitioner and trauma-informed therapist with background in mind-body medicine, and Neils Poole, both dedicated healers with shared mission for profound healing and self-discovery. The team includes over 20 combined years of apprenticeship with Ayahuasca medicine and Amazonian Shamanism. They work with 3 families of Shipibo healers in life-long friendship built on deep trust and reciprocity, featuring maestras and maestros among the most highly-experienced and respected lineages of the Amazon Rainforest.

Prep & Integration Tips

Preparation includes 2-week ayahuasca diet of whole foods, minimizing processed foods, eliminating pork, red meat, sex, medications, drugs, and other plant medicines. They provide three months of personalized one-on-one and group integration support with goal of fostering lifelong relationships and ensuring guests feel fully supported throughout integration journey. Integration includes group work, deep-dive somatic sessions, online membership community called The Altar with recorded videos and expert connections.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Booking requires registration through secure platform hosted by Retreat Guru with $2,000 USD non-refundable deposit, remaining balance due in cash on Day 1, with applications reviewed within 2-5 business days. All-inclusive pricing covers accommodation, meals, ceremonies, and integration support.