Atmosphere

Features

Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Brazil

Spirit Vine is a well-established ayahuasca retreat center in Brazil that describes itself as the “home of ayahuasca”, created with the dedicated purpose to host ayahuasca retreats in Brazil. Founded in 1996 when co-founder Silvia Polivoy hosted her first ayahuasca retreat in Peru and later moved to Brazil, the center is located in the midst of the beautiful Atlantic Rainforest, just minutes away from breath-taking beaches near the serene surf-town Itacare in Bahia.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: The retreat center sits in the midst of the beautiful Atlantic Rainforest, just minutes away from breath-taking beaches of the Atlantic ocean, near the serene surf-town Itacare in Bahia, Brazil. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and the lush Atlantic forest, the property offers both jungle and beach access.
• Approach: 9 day and 11 day ayahuasca retreat programs throughout the year during which the ayahuasca ceremonies are every other night and in between there are workshops and other activities to integrate your experiences and insights. There is also ample free time to reflect, to enjoy the beauty of the jungle, and just to relax. Retreats include Ayahuasca Ceremonies, Yoga, Integration Sessions, Workshops: Regression to Childhood, Soul Retrieval.
• Suitable For: A non-profit and trans-denominational interfaith ayahuasca retreat center in Brazil dedicated to people who feel the call to connect with their essence at a deeper level. Interfaith, in its most basic sense, is when people from different religious/spiritual worldviews come together. Our program is designed to guide each participant to connect with their higher self.
• Costs: Pricing information was not found on the website or through available sources. Retreat lengths range from 9 to 11 days.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: B+ (notable for 27 years of experience and interfaith approach, minor flag for limited transparency on pricing and facilitator backgrounds).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Due to limited search results, comprehensive guest reviews were not found across major review platforms. The center’s own website and LinkedIn profile describe positive aspects such as beautiful natural setting and comprehensive programming, but independent third-party reviews from platforms like Aya Advisors, Retreat Guru, or TripAdvisor were not located during this research phase. This lack of readily available independent reviews represents a transparency concern, though it doesn’t necessarily indicate negative experiences. Prospective guests should seek out additional review sources or contact the center directly for references.

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 specific safety incidents or red flags were found for Spirit Vine.

• Theft: No reports of theft or financial misconduct were found in searched sources.
• Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior were found in searched sources.
• Crime: No criminal activities, arrests, or legal issues were found in searched sources.

Reddit searches yielded no results, which could indicate either a lack of discussion about this center or limited online presence in psychedelic communities.

New update as of March 2026: No incidents found.

🔍 Critical Notes

Spirit Vine positions itself as the “home of ayahuasca” with 27 years of experience and maintains an active website with upcoming retreat dates through 2026, suggesting operational legitimacy. The center emphasizes safety as their main priority and maintains an alcohol-tobacco-drug-free zone, stating that being completely clean is the safest way to go deeper with ayahuasca. However, the research revealed limited transparency regarding specific facilitator credentials, detailed pricing, and medical screening procedures. The absence of readily available independent reviews on major platforms raises questions about the center’s online presence and guest feedback transparency. While this doesn’t indicate safety concerns, it suggests potential guests should conduct additional due diligence. As a non-profit and trans-denominational interfaith center, Spirit Vine operates in Brazil where ayahuasca is legal for religious use, providing appropriate regulatory context.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

Specific details about mental health screening procedures were not found in available sources. The website and LinkedIn profile mention safety as a priority but don’t detail their medical intake process or contraindications screening. Prospective participants should inquire directly about their medical and psychological screening requirements, as proper assessment is crucial for ayahuasca safety. Anyone considering ayahuasca should consult with their healthcare provider, especially those with mental health conditions, heart problems, or taking medications that could interact with ayahuasca.

🧪 Brew Substance

Ayahuasca is the name for the ancient shamanic brew, prepared from two sacred plants – the bark of the Caapi vine and the leaves of the Chacruna plant. This indicates they use traditional ayahuasca containing B. caapi and Psychotria viridis, not synthetic alternatives. The center appears to follow authentic preparation methods, though specific details about their brewing process or additional plant admixtures were not detailed in available sources.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Brazil: Brazil’s Bahia state offers a tropical coastal environment with both Atlantic rainforest and pristine beaches. The Itacaré region is known for its relaxed surf culture, natural beauty, and accessibility to both jungle and ocean environments.
• Setting: Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and the lush Atlantic forest, retreats include comfortable accommodation with modern amenities. Located in the midst of the beautiful Atlantic Rainforest, just minutes away from breath-taking beaches of the Atlantic ocean.
• Style: Ayahuasca ceremonies are every other night and in between there are workshops and other activities to integrate your experiences and insights. There is also ample free time to reflect, to enjoy the beauty of the jungle, and just to relax. Retreats include ayahuasca ceremonies, spiritual workshops, yoga classes, and a healthy vegan and vegetarian diet.

Practical guidance: Located near Itacaré in Bahia, Brazil. Transportation details and booking procedures were not specified in available sources. Prospective guests should contact the center directly for logistical arrangements, airport pickup information, and specific location details.

Should You Book?

Spirit Vine may appeal to those seeking an established, interfaith approach to ayahuasca work in Brazil’s beautiful Atlantic coast region. However, the limited availability of independent reviews and detailed operational information suggests prospective guests should conduct thorough due diligence, including requesting references, detailed screening procedures, and comprehensive program information before booking. Those preferring well-documented centers with extensive third-party reviews might consider other options.

The Team & Story

Co-founder Silvia Polivoy serves as the lead facilitator during the retreats and ayahuasca ceremonies. In 1996 Silvia hosted her first ayahuasca retreat in Peru and after a few retreats she felt the call to move to Brazil. Following this calling she, together with Zoe Seven, co-founded TheVine center. Detailed information about other team members, their training backgrounds, or shamanic lineage was not found in available sources.

Prep & Integration Tips

Retreats include a healthy vegan and vegetarian diet and Integration Sessions, Workshops: Regression to Childhood, Soul Retrieval. The center maintains a clean and harmonious environment as an alcohol-tobacco-drug-free zone. Specific preparation guidelines and integration support details were not comprehensively outlined in available sources.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Contact information and booking procedures were not detailed in available sources. Interested participants should visit their website at spiritvineretreats.com for current availability and booking instructions.