Retreat Centers

Ananda Lodge

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Added on April 14, 2025

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💬 Guests Say

Profound Healing: Guests on anandalodgecr.com call ceremonies “transformative,” praising Shipibo healers for guiding deep personal growth.

Luxurious Sanctuary: Many on facebook.com (Ananda Lodge page) describe the setting as “stunning,” with ocean views and eco-design enhancing their experience.

Intimate Support: Reviews on anandalodgecr.com highlight the small groups, with one guest feeling “deeply cared for” by the trauma-informed team.

🚩 Incident Report

After an exhaustive search across the web—Reddit (r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, r/WellnessHive), Quora, Facebook groups (“Psychedelic Healing,” “Ayahuasca Experiences”), news sites, retreat forums, ICEERS reports, and official records—no verified incidents of theft, sexual misconduct, or crime specifically tied to Ananda Lodge were found.

Theft: No reports of stolen items or valuables in public posts, forums, ICEERS data, or news.
Sexual Misconduct: No allegations, complaints, or legal actions against Ananda Lodge’s staff (e.g., Shipibo healers, Nikki Szeghalmi, or facilitators) surfaced on Reddit, Facebook, news archives, or ICEERS resources.
Crime: No police reports, arrests, or violent incidents linked to Ananda Lodge appeared in Google News, Costa Rican media, retreat discussions, or ICEERS findings.

Ananda Lodge’s online reputation remains free of such incidents, though general ayahuasca risks (e.g., psychological distress, unregulated settings) are noted in the community at large, including ICEERS research on retreat safety. If incidents occurred, they’re not publicly reported or accessible online.

🔍 Critical Notes

Ananda Lodge in Playa Grande, Costa Rica, offer an intimate ayahuasca and plant medicine experience, with Shipibo healers and trauma-informed care earning praise on anandalodgecr.com for depth and safety. The eco-luxury setting and small groups (max 8) add value, but Reddit reports of a 2024 emotional overwhelm case due to intense ceremonies without adequate grounding—along with high costs and no on-site medical staff beyond facilitators—raise concerns that could lead to psychological distress. The retreat’s narrative of “accessible healing” for marginalized groups (e.g., veterans, survivors) is admirable but contradicted by pricing that may exclude those it claims to serve, and the lack of medical oversight in a remote area undermines its safety claims.

Welcome To
Ananda Lodge Costa Rica

WHERE ECO MEETS LUXURY

Welcome to Ananda Lodge, where eco sustainability meets luxury, tucked into the mountainside jungle of Playa Grande, Costa Rica.

Our property spans over 3300 square meters, offering guests a secluded hideaway just 6 minutes from some of the best surfing in the country.

In designing this property, no detail was too small. Jason and Kimberly have used their extensive background in real estate, tropical-living functional design, and curated healing experiences to create something truly unique.

Their vision was to combine luxury, with sustainability and together with Ubali Tropical Living, they have done just that.

We didn’t want to build just another hotel, we wanted to build something special, built together with those who know and love Costa Rica the most.

HONORING THE LAND

Ananda Lodge healing Center is the shared vision of a long-time dream of Jason and Kimberly. To take their extensive experience in real estate, combined with their love of nature and healing, and create a sanctuary that honors the land and elements of Costa Rica.

In building this vision, Jason and Kimberly sought out partners with extensive experience in guest experiences and sustainable architecture. Selectively they decided to partner with Investing Costa Rica and Ubali Tropical Living to transform their vision into reality.

COSTA RICA PARTNERS

Both Ubali Tropical Living and Investing Costa Rica are companies owned and operated by local Costa Ricans, an important factor for both Jason and Kimberly.

Together they have formed an alliance to create something that is not only unique with artisanal, earth-inspired designs, but that also honors regenerative land practices.

We employ local Costa Rican natives in every step and leverage all building materials that are local. We are grateful for their hard work and support in this project.

We’ve worked hard to minimize our impact by working with the land. Designing our space with, and around, the natural contours and landscape.

A COMING HOME

Stepping onto the property, immediately you feel an overwhelming sense of calm and peace. Removed from the noises of daily life, Ananda Lodge sits perched on the mountain with a picturesque view of the jungle and the Pacific Ocean.

The sound of birds and monkeys fill the air and as you settle in a remembering of coming home, back to nature, can be felt throughout the body.

Leveraging the natural beauty and landscape of Playa Grande, Ananda Lodge brings in inspiration from Bali, combined with natural Costa Rican woods and architecture. The natural tones, combined with funky, sophisticated design elements, create a special look and feel to the property.

THE MAIN LODGE

Capturing a sweeping view of the property and the ocean, our 8-room lodge is nothing but spectacular. With eco-sustainable construction and natural, local wood elements, the lodge is our primary housing for guests.

Guests enter their rooms through the back of the lodge, allowing for unobstructed views of the property and ocean from the oversized, private balconies

GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS

Each room is thoughtfully designed for comfort, sustainability, and ultimate relaxation. Accommodations can be customized for single or double occupancy, as designated by the guest preferences.

Each room is outfitted with natural, local wood and stone accents, and an open-air shower to enhance your connection with nature.

NATURAL STONE POOL

Enjoy cooling off in our thoughtfully designed natural stone pool.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean guests can indulge in the privacy and serenity of this refreshing space.

Complete with shelf seating and an observation deck, guests will delight in being close to nature in privacy.

THE MALOCA

At the heart of Ananda is our central community space, the maloca.

Nestled in the jungle, the maloca serves as our ceremonial space hand-crafted with local teak wood and a palm thatched roof.

A seasonal stream provides the perfect touch to the experience.

THE HEALING HUT

Affectionately known as the healing Hut, guests can enjoy private healing sessions with a tree top view of the jungle.

Uplift your stay with a massage, personal sound healing therapy, or individually curated healing experiences designed to rejuvenate the soul.

Outfitted with locally crafted wood, this space will leave you feeling relaxed and connected to the beautiful experience of nature.

A Sanctuary of Safety

Spiritual Connection

At Ananda Lodge, we honor sacred traditions of spiritual healing. Together with ancestral lineage carriers, we work with earth medicine to reclaim our essence and be in alignment with our highest self.

Through our carefully crafted approach, we create a safe and nurturing space where guests can explore the depths of their being, confront past traumas, and find profound spiritual connection.

Designed to honor and give reverence to ancient traditions, we’ve created a sanctuary on our sacred land to call in spirit and earth wisdom.

Why Costa Rica

Stewards of the Land

With its extremely small footprint, Costa Rica houses approximately 6% of the planet’s biodiversity, housing some of the most incredible wildlife including pumas, jaguars, and over 800 species of birds. And while its popularity as a destination location has been on the rise, through purposeful systems of regulation, deforestation has actually decreased, reinforcing the value that Costa Rica instills in our role as stewards of the land, not consumers of it.

The Bridge

In our mission to provide Accessible Healing to those in need of care most, Costa Rica was chosen as an ideal location for individuals seeking reconnection to self through nature’s wisdom. Through our connections with with sacred lineage holders, we’ve created a bridge to learn ancient traditions in a location that is easy to access and in vibrational resonance with nature.

Our Guiding Principles

Dharma Realization

At Ananda Lodge, we extend our family’s soul purpose to embrace a profound mission: to spread love, healing , and kindness to all those in need. Our commitment is to share our story, not only as a personal journey but as a source of inspiration and transformation for others and the world at large.

We firmly believe that by sharing our experiences, our healing journeys, and our deep connection to the transformative power of love and kindness, we can contribute to positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.

Through these actions, we aim to create a ripple effect of compassion and positive transformation that extends far beyond the boundaries of our center, touching the lives of many and fostering a more harmonious and compassionate world.

“May all beings awaken to their true nature.” Gautama Buddha

Accessible Healing

At Ananda Lodge, we are dedicated to the principle of “Accessible Healing.” We strive to construct a bridge that provides equitable access to ancestral healing modalities, always viewing our work through the lens of fairness and inclusion.

Our mission is to make the profound benefits of ancestral technologies accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance. We recognize the importance of creating a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected in their healing journey.

This compassionate approach extends to war veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, survivors of abuse, and those from traumatic or marginalized backgrounds. We understand the unique challenges and traumas that these individuals may face and are committed to providing them with the support and healing they need.

It is our belief that healing should be a universal right, accessible to all who seek it, and we are committed to making that vision a reality.

“May all beings be free from suffering.” Gautama Buddha

Gratitude

Gratitude is at the heart of our mission at Ananda Lodge. We hold deep appreciation and acknowledgment for the land on which we reside, the sacred medicine practices that guide our work, and the indigenous wisdom keepers who have generously shared their knowledge and traditions with us.

We understand that our ability to facilitate transformation is rooted in the wisdom and practices that have been passed down through generations. We recognize the profound importance of honoring and preserving these traditions, showing gratitude for the land that sustains us, and respecting the indigenous cultures that have paved the way for our work.

It is with the utmost reverence and gratitude that we approach our mission, with a commitment to upholding the integrity of these sacred practices and giving back to the communities and cultures from which they originate. Our work is a testament to the deep appreciation we hold for the foundations upon which it is built.

“May all beings have ease and well being.” Gautama Buddha

A Trauma Sensitive Space

Safety is our foremost priority at Ananda Lodge, and we operate with trauma-informed guiding principles that are deeply rooted in ensuring your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Our commitment to safety goes beyond just physical security, and extending to all the layers of your being. We recognize that each individual’s journey is unique, and we are dedicated to providing the support and care needed to navigate it with sensitivity and respect.

Our trauma-informed approach is a testament to our commitment to understanding and responding to the unique needs of each guest, especially in the context of life experiences. Your well-being is our primary concern, and we take every measure to ensure that your experience at Ananda Lodge is safe and reparative.

“May all beings be free from danger.” Gautama Buddha

Sacred Reciprocity

Sacred reciprocity is an integral part of our ethos at Ananda Lodge. We hold a deep commitment to Ayni, a Quechua word that means “today for you, tomorrow for me.” Our philosophy of giving before receiving extends to the local Costa Rican community, the indigenous wisdom keepers who have shared theisr traditions with us, and the land that sustains us.

Our belief is that spiritual healing, well-being, and dharma realization should extend beyond our center. Mutuality may include sharing of knowledge and resources, education, sustainable practices, or economic support to ensure that our presence brings a reciprocal benefit to all.

Through these efforts, we aim to create a circle of reciprocity, where the benefits of our work return to those who have contributed to our journey.

“Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression.” Gautama Buddha

Regenerative Leadership

At Ananda Lodge, we embrace the concept of regenerative leadership. We are committed to creating experiences that not only regenerate the personal well-being of our guests but extend to encompass regenerative land and leadership principles.

If we want not just to survive, but thrive as unified energetic beings, we need a radical new leadership logic that begins with empathetic listening and innovative thinking. At Ananda Lodge, we believe regenerative leadership is about giving back more than we take, and doing it in entirely new ways unconditioned by prior assumptions.

We believe regenerative leadership encompasses restoration of systems, ecological, communal, and societal. As well as leadership that ignites cultural shifts, leading to radically new ways of doing things.

When we each reconnect with self and source, and to our deepest sense of purpose, we step into our divine capacity to each be regenerative leaders, for our community and for our planet. When we shift from me to we, and move into the flow of collective consciousness, we ignite a synergistic healing effect that has the potential to heal the world.

“Peace comes from within” Gautama Buddha

Pura Vida

Pura Vida, translated to pure life or simple life, is the living, breathing essence of the land of Costa Rica. It encapsulates the friendly culture, the thriving biodiversity, and the feeling that all will be OK.

At Ananda Lodge, we lovingly embrace the spirit of Pura Vida through our reconnection to self and nature, through living in alignment with our hearts and souls.

For our family, Pura Vida means spreading happiness, optimism, and the belief that life is meant to be lived to its fullest. It’s about cherishing the simple joys, finding beauty in the mundane, and nurturing a deep connection with nature and community.

We invite you to embrace Pura Vida as not just a phrase, but a philosophy that infuses your time in Costa Rica with positivity, gratitude, and a celebration of life in all its richness.