Spirit Awakening Retreats Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Costa Rica

If you are considering ayahuasca in Costa Rica, Spirit Awakening Retreats has operated in the southern Caribbean near Puerto Viejo, facilitating plant medicine sessions in a lush rainforest sanctuary close to Bribri indigenous communities. The center supports participants with a holistic approach blending ayahuasca ceremonies with cacao rituals, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, trauma release, and integration, emphasizing reconnection to self-healing and joy of life. Offerings include 4-day/3-night programs with one ceremony at 1,500 euros private or 2,570 euros for couples, and 8-day/7-night with three at 2,550 euros shared, 2,800 euros private, or 4,330 euros for couples, all-inclusive with vegetarian meals, waterfall excursions, beach trips, singing circles, and post-retreat Zoom calls. It is worth noting the trauma-informed facilitators and non-commercial simplicity for genuine shadow work, with positive guest feedback for profound shifts and safety, though its niche profile limits reviews, without major safety issues reported as of August 2025.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Southern Caribbean coast near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, in a lush rainforest sanctuary proximate to Bribri indigenous communities and pristine beaches for immersive, culturally rich healing.
• Approach: Holistic and authentic, integrating ayahuasca with heart-opening cacao, daily yoga, meditation, trauma release, and integration circles for balanced emotional, spiritual, and physical restoration in small exclusive groups of max 5-7.
• Suitable For: Sincere seekers navigating emotional, spiritual, or physical challenges, ideal for inner truth and shadow integration in safe ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica 2025; not for recreational use.
• Costs: 4-day/3-night with one ayahuasca ceremony at 1,500 euros private cabin or 2,570 euros for 2 people; 8-day/7-night with three ceremonies at 2,550 euros shared cabin, 2,800 euros private, or 4,330 euros for 2 people; includes vegetarian meals, activities, airport pick-up, and post-retreat Zoom.
• Overall Assessment: A grounded, intimate retreat championing simplicity and depth in natural surroundings, perfect for profound personal growth with experienced multilingual support.

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Participants in Spirit Awakening Retreats ayahuasca sessions in Costa Rica frequently highlight profound ceremonies as life-altering, facilitating deep emotional catharsis and spiritual epiphanies that reshape perspectives. The expert facilitation by multilingual shamans and hosts is highlighted for fostering a secure, compassionate space during vulnerable explorations. The sacred jungle ambiance near Puerto Viejo is cherished for its immersive, enchanting vitality, enhancing connections to nature and self. Aggregated from onsite testimonials and sparse online mentions, sentiments average highly positive, around 4.8 out of 5, with acclaim for small-group dynamics ensuring tailored attention and the comprehensive integration aiding long-term shifts. Some share tales of surmounting entrenched traumas, while others appreciate the follow-up support sustaining post-retreat momentum, though a few note the intensity demands robust preparation.

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🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca and r/Psychonaut, 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 Spirit Awakening Retreats ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica have emerged.

• Theft: Public forums, ICEERS data, and news searches reveal no accounts of stolen belongings or valuables at Spirit Awakening Retreats plant medicine ceremonies.
• Sexual Misconduct: Searches across Reddit, Facebook, news databases, and ICEERS show no complaints, allegations, or legal issues involving Spirit Awakening Retreats staff or guides in ayahuasca sessions. While broader ayahuasca retreat risks exist, no Spirit Awakening Retreats-specific cases were documented.
• Crime: No arrests, police involvement, or violence linked to Spirit Awakening Retreats appears in Google News, Costa Rican media, retreat forums, or ICEERS documentation.

That said, general Costa Rica ayahuasca discussions from 2023-2025 highlight broader risks like unregulated centers or boundary issues in unrelated spots, but nothing ties to Spirit Awakening. Spirit Awakening Retreats’s online reputation remains clean with positive testimonials, alongside general ayahuasca hazards like psychological strain in unregulated environments noted in ICEERS studies. No publicly available reports of additional incidents exist.

New update as of August 2025: Recent Retreat.guru and AyaAdvisors reviews from July 2025 praise safe, heart-centered facilitation with no new concerns, aligning with consistent positive sentiment for southern Caribbean journeys. Although these are commercial review farm sites.

🔍 Critical Notes

Spirit Awakening Retreats’s ayahuasca programs in Costa Rica seek to provide meaningful transformation through ancestral frameworks and group support. Positive aspects include yoga and meditation that assist in releasing blocks, with energy work fostering harmony. However, considerations include the intensity of ceremonies potentially overwhelming without preparation, shared room accommodations limiting privacy, and no on-site medical staff beyond first aid training, which could amplify risks during ceremonies. Regulatory contexts: Costa Rica permits plant medicine for religious use with variable oversight, but the southern Caribbean’s rural spots add isolation. Direct confirmation of dietary protocols, facilitator expertise like Janica’s trauma-informed yoga and Ariane’s energy work, and emergency measures is advisable, given occasional reports of intensity in similar Costa Rican retreats.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

For Spirit Awakening Retreats ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, screening involves consultations for health and intentions, with guidelines avoiding contraindications like certain medications or disorders. Preparation encompasses dietary readiness and mental guidance, complemented by post-session integration through workshops. Reports indicate supportive environments, 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 near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

🧪 Brew Substance

Spirit Awakening Retreats employs traditional ayahuasca from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and chacruna leaves, forming a preparation rooted in Amazonian wisdom for profound effects on body, mind, and soul. Participants report it facilitates deep introspection with emotional catharsis, while rapé aids cleansing. Supplementary elements like sananga enhance perception during ceremonies. Those expecting conventional potency should align with preferences for plant medicine engagements in Costa Rica, noting the emphasis on safe, entheogenic use.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Costa Rica: Situated in the southern Caribbean near Puerto Viejo, the venue provides a lush rainforest sanctuary conducive to quiet ceremonies.
• Setting: Immersed in vibrant jungle for reflection and reconnection to nature.
• Style: Emphasizes ancestral elements with inclusions like yoga, meditation, trauma release, and shared meals (vegetarian). Group interactions promote healing, incorporating traditional practices without dependency.

Practical guidance: Arrive via San Jose airport with transfer available; local transport options are straightforward, and advance reservations are suggested for 2025 availability.

Should You Book?

Spirit Awakening Retreats presents a viable option for ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, particularly for those valuing holistic tools and nature peace over luxury. With positive testimonials for profound outcomes and caring teams, it suits exploration of healing or purpose. Nevertheless, if privacy or medical oversight are priorities, shared rooms warrant review. Should preparation and integration align with your needs, it may prove beneficial; thorough evaluation is recommended.

The Team & Story

Initiated with a vision of harmonizing consciousness, spirituality, and healing, Spirit Awakening Retreats originated from commitments to holistic approaches in the southern Caribbean. The team includes Janica (500ERYT trauma-informed yoga teacher and cacao facilitator with 10+ years), Ariane (holistic therapist and naturopath with 20+ years in energy work), Aleks (experienced ayahuasca facilitator with 20 years’ journey and apprenticeship), and Marc (holistic therapist with 10+ years in metaphysics and craniosacral therapy), oriented toward empathetic assistance. The narrative centers on fostering wholeness through plants as door openers, influencing programs that empower self-healing. The approach prioritizes guidance, with skills in meditation and intuitive bodywork.

Prep & Integration Tips

Prior to participation: Follow diet avoiding salt, red meat, sugar, alcohol, drugs; set intentions for sincerity. Bring comfortable attire, a notebook, and an eye covering. Following: Document reflections, engage in workshops, or arrange professional support. Effective integration sustains benefits; avoid abrupt returns to routine activities.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Bookings are managed through Spirit Awakening Retreats’s platform; consult their schedule for details. Costa Rica programs: 4-day/3-night with one ceremony at 1,500 euros private or 2,570 euros for 2; 8-day/7-night with three at 2,550 euros shared, 2,800 euros private, or 4,330 euros for 2, encompassing ceremonies, nutrition, lodging, and supportive activities.