Ananda Lodge Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Costa Rica

If you are considering ayahuasca in Costa Rica, Ananda Lodge has operated since its founding, facilitating plant medicine sessions in Playa Grande, Guanacaste. The center supports participants with a trauma-informed approach, emphasizing small groups of up to eight for intimate experiences. Offerings include ayahuasca, San Pedro, and psilocybin ceremonies, with programs tailored for newcomers, first responders, women, and those seeking transformation. It is worth noting the eco-luxury focus and commitment to accessible healing, though no major operational changes or incidents have been reported as of August 2025.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: An eco-sustainable property in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, spanning over 3300 square meters in the mountainside jungle with ocean views.
• Approach: Trauma-informed and intimate, using sacred plant medicines like ayahuasca, San Pedro, and psilocybin, with small groups up to eight participants and additions such as somatic therapy, art therapy, and beach excursions.
• Suitable For: Those new to plant medicine or preferring personalized, safe settings in Costa Rica, though feedback highlights the value for trauma healing.
• Costs: Specific pricing not detailed in available sources, but retreats include ceremonies, meals, lodging, integration sessions, and activities; contact for current rates.
• Overall Assessment: Strong on safety and personalization, with potential for deeper cultural ties. Directory evaluation: A- (notable for trauma care, opportunities in affordability).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Participants in Ananda Lodge ayahuasca sessions in Costa Rica frequently highlight the profound healing and supportive environment, as in a 2025 review describing ceremonies as transformative with Shipibo healers guiding deep growth. The luxurious sanctuary draws praise, with accounts noting the stunning ocean views and eco-design enhancing the journey. Experiences emphasize intimate support, with some finding the small groups and trauma-informed team deeply caring, though a few note the intensity requiring strong preparation. Aggregated from various entries: Strong on safety and connection, positive on overall resonance.

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 confirmed cases of theft, sexual misconduct, or criminal activity directly connected to Ananda Lodge ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica have emerged.

• Theft: Public forums, ICEERS data, and news searches reveal no accounts of stolen belongings or valuables at Ananda Lodge plant medicine ceremonies.
• Sexual Misconduct: Searches across Reddit, Facebook, news databases, and ICEERS show no complaints, allegations, or legal issues involving Ananda Lodge staff or guides in ayahuasca sessions.
• Crime: No arrests, police involvement, or violence linked to Ananda Lodge appears in Google News, Costa Rican media, Spanish outlets, retreat forums, or ICEERS documentation.

That said, Reddit posts from 2023 to 2025 highlight general worries about emotional challenges in Costa Rican ayahuasca ceremonies, though none specifically tie to Ananda Lodge. Broader discussions note risks like psychological distress from intense experiences without adequate grounding. Ananda Lodge’s reputation remains positive online, with no verified issues, alongside general ayahuasca hazards like strain in unregulated environments noted in ICEERS studies. No publicly available reports of additional incidents exist.

New update as of August 2025: No new concerns or incidents have surfaced in recent searches; the center continues to emphasize safety and trauma-informed care without reported changes.

🔍 Critical Notes

Ananda Lodge’s ayahuasca programs in Costa Rica seek to provide meaningful transformation through a therapeutic framework and group support. Positive aspects include integration practices that assist in applying learnings to daily routines and an eco-luxury setting honoring the land. However, considerations include high costs potentially limiting accessibility despite claims of inclusive healing, and the intensity of ceremonies possibly leading to emotional overwhelm without on-site medical staff beyond facilitators. Regulatory contexts: Costa Rica allows plant medicine in wellness settings with variable oversight. Direct confirmation of screening protocols is advisable, given occasional community reports of intensity in similar retreats.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

For Ananda Lodge ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, screening involves participant-provided medical disclosures regarding cardiovascular, hepatic, and psychological conditions through comprehensive intake forms and calls. Preparation encompasses dietary and mental readiness, complemented by post-session discussions and access to psychological consultations for integration. Reports indicate thorough vetting, but general ayahuasca research suggests approximately 55 percent of participants encounter transient challenges like heightened anxiety, particularly without sufficient groundwork. For individuals addressing trauma, benefits may include emotional reconnection, yet avoidance is recommended for those on certain medications due to interaction risks. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential prior to engaging in ayahuasca sessions in Costa Rica.

🧪 Brew Substance

Ananda Lodge employs traditional ayahuasca from Shipibo lineages, alongside San Pedro cactus and psilocybin mushrooms, forming preparations rooted in ancestral wisdom. Participants report ayahuasca facilitates deep introspection with potential physical and visual effects, while San Pedro offers gentler connections. Supplementary elements like somatic therapy aid in processing. Those expecting specific potency should align with preferences for plant medicine engagements in Costa Rica.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Costa Rica: Situated in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, the venue provides an eco-luxury environment with jungle and ocean views, suitable for immersive ceremonies.
• Setting: Spans 3300 square meters with natural stone pools, maloca ceremonial space, and healing huts nestled in the landscape.
• Style: Emphasizes therapeutic elements with inclusions like yoga, art therapy, shared meals, and beach excursions. Group interactions promote connection, honoring indigenous traditions.

Practical guidance: Arrive via Liberia International Airport (1 hour 15 minutes away) or San Jose (5 hours); local transport options are straightforward, and advance reservations are suggested for 2025 availability.

Should You Book?

Ananda Lodge presents a viable option for ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, particularly for those valuing intimacy and trauma care over larger groups. With high satisfaction from attendees rating it for personal development, it suits exploration of healing or purpose. Nevertheless, if affordability or medical oversight are priorities, variable assessments on costs and intensity warrant review. Should preparation and follow-through align with your needs, it may prove beneficial; thorough evaluation is recommended.

The Team & Story

Initiated by Jason and Kimberly Ocana, Ananda Lodge originated from their personal healing journeys with plant medicine, committing to accessible care in Costa Rica. The team includes somatic-trained facilitators and Shipibo maestras from Peru, oriented toward empathetic assistance. The narrative centers on fostering wholeness through sacred reciprocity, influencing inclusive programs for marginalized groups. The focus remains on trauma-sensitive spaces, with the family-owned approach prioritizing guidance.

Prep & Integration Tips

Prior to participation: Adhere to an MAOI-compatible diet for two weeks, excluding items like aged cheeses, alcohol, and caffeine; fully disclose health details. Bring comfortable attire, a notebook, and an eye covering. Following: Document reflections, engage in provided forums, or arrange professional support. Effective integration sustains benefits; avoid abrupt returns to routine activities.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Bookings are managed through Ananda Lodge’s platform; consult their schedule for details. Programs include multi-day immersions with ceremonies, nutrition, lodging, and supportive activities.

A Tribe of Dreamers & Doers

We represent individuals pursuing meaningful bonds; participation aligns if it resonates with ayahuasca explorations in Costa Rica.

Home Is a Tribe

The group is committed to reliable facilitation, aiding thousands in spiritual, mental, and physical renewal; it serves as a space for exchange and restoration.

Derived from principles emphasizing self-focus, Ananda Lodge promotes unity; the method empowers through plant knowledge and structured care, backed by a dedicated team and consistent outcomes.

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