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Maravilha Retreat Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Brazil

Maravilha Retreat is an oceanside ayahuasca retreat center located in Búzios, Brazil, approximately three hours from Rio de Janeiro. The retreat combines traditional Brazilian ayahuasca ceremonies with luxury accommodations overlooking the ocean. Founded by Mara Miranda, the center offers 3 and 6-day retreats with indigenous shamans and modern wellness practices.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Perched on bluffs overlooking the ocean in Búzios, with stunning views and walking distance to three beaches. Luxury suites with air conditioning, private decks, and contemporary amenities.
• Approach: Small group retreats (size not specified) with traditional ayahuasca ceremonies led by indigenous shamans, combined with yoga, massage, cold plunge, and sauna. One-on-one integration sessions included.
• Suitable For: Those seeking luxury ayahuasca experiences with ocean views, men looking for specialized workshops, and guests wanting modern amenities combined with traditional ceremony.
• Costs: $3,500 for men’s retreat (with early bird discount available), other pricing not publicly listed
• Overall Assessment: B+ rating retreat notable for oceanside luxury setting and integration support, flagged for limited pricing transparency.

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Guest testimonials focus primarily on men’s retreat experiences with Rick Broniec, with participants describing transformational healing after difficult life events. Rex Downing from San Diego shared positive feedback about the care provided by hosts Chris and Mara, praising the combination of men’s work and ayahuasca ceremonies. Reviews highlight the supportive environment and integration assistance. However, the available testimonials are limited to specific retreat types and lack broader guest feedback across different programs.

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 involving Maravilha Retreat were found.

• Theft: No theft incidents found in searches across Reddit, review platforms, or news sources.
• Sexual Misconduct: No sexual misconduct allegations found in available online sources or public records.
• Crime: No criminal incidents, arrests, or legal issues found associated with Maravilha Retreat.

Reddit searches yielded no specific discussions about Maravilha Retreat in ayahuasca communities.

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

🔍 Critical Notes

Maravilha Retreat presents as a luxury option with professional amenities and experienced indigenous facilitators including Shaman Henrique from the Huni Kuin tribe and Maru from the Yuxibu Alliance. The oceanside location offers unique appeal for those seeking ceremony in a beach setting rather than traditional jungle environments. However, concerning transparency issues emerge around pricing and retreat scheduling, with the website stating upcoming retreats haven’t posted dates and requiring contact for information. This lack of published pricing and scheduling raises questions about operational transparency. Brazil’s legal status for ayahuasca provides regulatory legitimacy, though guests should verify current legal frameworks.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

The retreat’s website does not detail specific medical or mental health screening procedures, which represents a significant gap in safety protocols. While they mention experienced facilitators creating safe environments, no information is provided about psychiatric evaluations, medication interactions, or contraindications. Prospective participants must contact the center directly to learn about screening processes. Anyone considering this retreat should consult with healthcare providers familiar with ayahuasca interactions and ensure comprehensive medical evaluation before participation.

🧪 Brew Substance

Maravilha Retreat serves traditional ayahuasca made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and chacruna leaves, as indicated by their indigenous Brazilian shamanic approach. The center also offers complementary plant medicines including Rapé (hapé), Sananga, and Cacao ceremonies. The use of authentic ayahuasca ingredients and traditional preparation methods appears consistent with legitimate Brazilian ayahuasca practices, though specific sourcing and preparation details are not publicly detailed.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Brazil: Located in Búzios, a charming coastal town in Rio de Janeiro state, famous since Brigitte Bardot’s 1960s visit. The area offers stunning beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and mix of relaxation and adventure activities.
• Setting: Hilltop retreat center with expansive ocean views, luxury accommodations with air conditioning and private decks. Property includes sauna, cold plunge, yoga spaces, and is within walking distance of three beaches, nature trails, restaurants and shopping.
• Style: Typical days include yoga, meditation, therapeutic massages, integration sessions, and access to beach activities. Men’s retreats incorporate specific men’s work, breathwork, and specialized workshops alongside ceremonies.

Practical guidance: Fly into Rio de Janeiro (3 hours drive to Búzios). Retreat provides accommodation with luxury amenities. Contact center directly for booking as dates and pricing aren’t publicly posted, which may complicate trip planning.

Should You Book?

Maravilha Retreat suits guests seeking luxury ayahuasca experiences with ocean views and modern amenities, particularly those attracted to specialized men’s work programs. However, the lack of published pricing, scheduling, and screening procedures raises transparency concerns. Those requiring detailed advance planning or budget certainty should look elsewhere, as should anyone needing comprehensive medical screening information before booking.

The Team & Story

Founded by Mara Miranda, who grew up in poverty in Búzios and later established the retreat after plant medicine experiences in Peru in 2021. The team includes indigenous shamans Henrique and Maru from the Huni Kuin tribe and Yuxibu Alliance respectively, along with Mara Miranda as a holistic therapist and ceremony facilitator. Rick Broniec leads specialized men’s retreats with 30+ years experience in men’s transformation work. The founding story emphasizes providing sanctuary and love for guests seeking healing.

Prep & Integration Tips

Preparation includes following specific dietary guidelines (dieta), though details aren’t publicly specified. Guests should bring layers for different weather and comfortable ceremony clothing. The retreat incorporates one-on-one integration sessions and complementary wellness services including yoga, massage, and meditation to support processing experiences after ceremony.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Contact Maravilha Retreat directly as dates and pricing aren’t publicly posted. Men’s retreat pricing starts at $3,500 with early bird discounts available. All accommodations include meals, ceremonies, integration sessions, and luxury amenities.