Soltara at Playa Blanca - Five Night Ayahuasca Retreat with Peruvian Shipibo Healers

Location icon
Playa Blanca, Paquera, Costa Rica
Users icon
Up to 22 in group
Date
May 23 - 28, 2024

Retreat Highlights

  • Ayahuasca ceremonies with highly-experienced Peruvian female & male Shipibo healers
  • Intimate group sizes (maximum capacity 13 - 22 guests depending on location)
  • Consultations with our healers (and translator)
  • On-site integration workshops and sharing circles
  • Yoga classes for all levels throughout your stay
  • Pranayama breathwork and meditation sessions
  • Floral baths with medicinal plants lovingly prepared by our healers
  • All meals in our conscious cuisine kitchen
  • Transportation to and from the pick-up location near airport

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

At our Center, a seaside haven in the tropical jungle of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, we work with traditional Peruvian Shipibo healers and sacred plant medicine, as well as other traditional and modern healing modalities, to help you along this path of self-discovery. Our decades of combined experience holding ceremony and doing medicine work allow you to experience in-depth healing in a safe and loving environment. .
 
We are called to serve medicine in sacred ceremony with integrity, humility, and compassion. By creating a safe space and working only with experienced, well-intentioned healers and facilitators, we uphold the lessons of the medicines and build a foundation of mutual trust, authenticity, and respect. We are not gurus, preachers, or enlightened beings – our healers are maestros who humbly transmit the knowledge and healing energies of the plants, and our facilitators are devoted to helping guests face, process, and explore difficult experiences and emotions, handle projections, manage expectations, and surrender to the process. We strive to uphold the highest integrity in everything we do and be a beacon for responsible, safe, and ethical practices, such that our guests feel safe and supported to get the most out of their healing.

Schedule

This is an example of your day at Soltara:
8.00 am Morning yoga
9.00 am Breakfast
10.00 am Consultations with healers
1.00 pm Lunch
2.00 Free time - beach, hammocks, walking trails, onsite pool
6.30 pm Pre-ceremony yoga
7.30 pm Ceremony
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Soltara Healing Center, Playa Blanca, Paquera, Costa Rica

Directions

Please ensure you reserve your spot for your retreat with us prior to booking your flights. If you have any questions during the registration process or are concerned any health conditions (including bipolar, schizophrenia, or psychosis) may prevent you from attending a retreat, please contact us first.

We offer pickup on Day 1 of your retreat from a hotel near the San Jose (SJO) airport.

We recommend arriving the day before, and booking your stay at the recommended hotel in our confirmation email, in order to give you time to relax and settle in before beginning your journey to Soltara.

If you plan to arrive on Day 1, we recommend booking your flight to arrive by 9 AM that day, to allow time to get through customs (which can sometimes take up to 2 hours) and get to the pickup location in time for the shuttle. You will arrive at Soltara around 4 pm that day, after an approximately 2 – 2.5 hour ride through the beautiful rolling hills of Costa Rica, and catching a 2:30 pm ferry ride across to Gulf of Nicoya. We are located about 10 minutes from the ferry port.

If you are returning to SJO, please book your departing flights after 3:30 PM. You will be returned to San Jose by 12:30 PM.

We look forward to supporting you in an immersive experience in nature, community, and medicine!

Accommodation

We offer different room options and pricing to ensure that a high-quality healing experience is accessible for a variety of budgets.

Double Shared Suite (2 King Beds)

Accommodation
(Price listed is price per person) | Our shared double suites offer spacious and beautiful accommodations for up to 2 guests of the same gender. One can book with a friend, or, if booking as a single passenger, you will be assigned a roommate of the same gender. This room has a large balcony to relax in comfort against the stunning backdrop of three different islands and a sunrise over the ocean, as well as: An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest A gorgeous outdoor balcony with comfortable seating area overlooking the forest and Gulf of Nicoya A writing desk/creative space Air-conditioning Orthopedic beds & luxury linens Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request) Full laundry service (on request) All of our accommodations also include all meals, medicinal plant ceremonies, yoga and meditation classes, workshops, taxes, fees, amenities, and more as described on our main retreat page.

Couples Suite (King Bed(s) | *Price for 2*)

Accommodation
*Select "2 guests" when choosing this option. This will not change the total price, and will ensure that your partner receives their own registration form to complete.* | For couples who prefer spaciousness and privacy during their journeys, this luxury suite features 1-2 king-size beds (registration books entire room) with beautiful views of the surrounding valley and Gulf of Nicoya, and plenty of space to relax in comfort against the stunning backdrop islands, water, and tropical forest. This suite allows couples to share a bed or each have their own while on retreat. In addition, this option also includes: An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest A gorgeous outdoor balcony with comfortable seating area overlooking the Gulf of Nicoya and surrounding mountains A writing desk/creative space Air-conditioning Orthopedic beds & luxury linens Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request) Full laundry service (on request) All of our accommodations also include all meals, medicinal plant ceremonies, yoga and meditation classes, workshops, taxes, fees, amenities, and more as described on our main retreat page.

The Canopy Suite (King Bed)

Accommodation
Seated at the highest point on our property, this premium suite looks out over the forest canopy with breathtaking 270-degree views of the mountains, ocean, and tropical forest. With additional spaciousness compared to our regular private suites, relax in comfort with indoor and outdoor seating areas, plus room for yoga and meditation to support the integration of your healing. Wake to stunning sunrises over the ocean in the mornings, and watch the entire surrounding tropical forest turn a beautiful golden hue to greet the day. For singles and couples who prefer spaciousness and privacy during their journeys, this luxury suite features a king-size bed with Soltara's best views, as well as: An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest A gorgeous outdoor balcony with comfortable seating area overlooking the forest and Gulf of Nicoya A writing desk/creative space Indoor and outdoor seating Meditation/yoga space Air-conditioning Orthopedic beds & luxury linens Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request) Full laundry service (on request) All of our accommodations also include all meals, medicinal plant ceremonies, yoga and meditation classes, workshops, taxes, fees, amenities, and more as described on our main retreat page.

Private Single Suite (King Bed)

Accommodation
For solo travelers who prefer spaciousness and privacy during their journeys, our private single suites feature a king-size bed with gorgeous ocean views, allowing you to relax in comfort and privacy against the stunning backdrop of three different islands and a sunrise over the ocean. This room also includes: An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest A gorgeous outdoor balcony with comfortable seating area overlooking the forest and Gulf of Nicoya A writing desk/creative space Air-conditioning Orthopedic beds & luxury linens Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request) Full laundry service (on request) All of our accommodations also include all meals, medicinal plant ceremonies, yoga and meditation classes, workshops, taxes, fees, amenities, and more as described on our main retreat page.

Eco-Tambo (No A/C, Shared Bathrooms/Showers)

Accommodation
Our economical option is our Private Eco-Tambo. Designed for individuals who prefer privacy and desire an economical option, these are beautiful wooden tambos (huts) surrounded by Costa Rican tropical forest. Close to the Maloca ceremonial space and common areas and ideal for those with mild mobility issues, each Tambo has its own private balcony and spacious interior, with shared bathrooms and showers. Tambos do not have A/C, but because they are located under the canopy on the south side of the hill, they tend to stay cooler during the day and night than the rest of our center. These rooms include: Private balcony looking out into the Costa Rican tropical forest Electricity & ceiling fan A writing desk/creative space Orthopedic bed & luxury linens Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request) Full laundry service (on request) All of our accommodations also include all meals, medicinal plant ceremonies, yoga and meditation classes, workshops, taxes and fees as described on our main retreat page.

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Tucked away on seaside cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Nicoya, our secluded slice of sundrenched paradise is surrounded on all sides by the vibrant sounds of the tropical forest. Awaken each morning to bird songs, monkeys playing in trees, & crashing waves in the distance. With comfortable accommodations, plenty of shady nooks, a deck to watch the waves or gaze at the stars, & a sacred maloca ceremony space, we invite you to an immersive experience letting nature surround you in harmony & peace.

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

We believe healing even takes place in the kitchen. We take on the mantra by the Greek physician, Hippocrates: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” We honor the role of food in our lives and expand it beyond its primary purpose of bodily nourishment – food can be an avenue to dig deeper into ourselves, consciously looking at our patterns and mindsets surrounding not just what we eat, but how and why we eat what we do. Our eating habits don’t just affect our mental health, they also reflect it. At Soltara, we aim to help you jumpstart this process of connection through conscious cooking on all levels. Diet is an important part of the healing process, both on its own and also to help prepare the mind and body for plant medicine work. We work closely with our shamans to prepare wholesome, delicious meals that adhere to the traditional dietary guidelines of working with ayahuasca. All of our meals are freshly prepared in-house by our loving kitchen staff. From fresh smoothies and juices every morning, to plant-based meals emphasizing local, organic, and sustainable produce, to lean proteins such a chicken and fish, we celebrate the rich local flavor of Costa Rican cuisine, and offer a chance to experience a connection to the land and culture while nourishing the body, mind, and spirit.

What's Included

  • Ayahuasca ceremonies with highly-experienced Peruvian female & male Shipibo healers
  • Five Night Focused Retreat – 3 ceremonies
  • Seven Night Inclusive Retreat – 4 ceremonies
  • Twelve Night Integrative Retreat – 7 ceremonies
  • Intimate group sizes (maximum capacity 13 - 22 guests depending on location) with individualized attention from healers during ceremony
  • High facilitator-to-guest ratio with skilled facilitators who have combined decades of experience working in ceremony and helping guests through the healing process
  • Consultations with our healers (and translator)
  • On-site integration workshops and sharing circles
  • Your own copy of our integration book, The Hero’s Journal, which assists you as you begin your own Hero’s Journey
  • This book is published by Soltara in collaboration with clinical psychologists, and follows a psychological treatment framework adapted to the ayahuasca experience and includes beautiful art and self-guided tools to empower you in your medicine & integration journey
  • All meals in our conscious kitchen, prepared fresh daily from locally-sourced and organic food in an ayahuasca-friendly manner
  • Transportation to and from a pick-up location near airport (details in your confirmation email and on our travel logistics page)
  • Yoga classes for all levels throughout your stay
  • Pranayama breathwork and meditation sessions
  • Floral baths with medicinal plants lovingly prepared by our healers
  • Nature immersion and multiple walking trails in one of the most abundant & biodiverse regions on the planet
  • Lifetime 10% discount for all return visits
  • Participation in our premiere integration program and community with a highly qualified integration support team
  • Additional on-site safety protocol, policies, and travel measures in response to COVID-19

What's Not Included

  • Air Fare

Customer Reviews

4.95 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Grateful beyond measure
Grateful beyond measure. So much care, so much compassion, so much support, a whole lifetimes worth within one week. Truly amazing. All of the facilitators with so much insight. Thank you to the entire staff!

5.0
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Amazing Experience
Hands down one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The plant medicine did wonders for my mind, body and soul. Every Soltara employee was warm, kind, funny, caring and compassionate. I always felt well taken care of. I will definitely be back. Thank you so much! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

1.0
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Spent my birthday At Soltara
This was my second time at Soltara, and it happened to be during the dry season, which looks a bit different from the pictures. It's not as green. So, if this is something that you want to be part of your experience, I recommend going during the wet season, as I did my first time there.
I had significant improvements in my well- being since my first time at Soltara in Costa Rica in 2022. My husband came with me the first time but I decided to go back on my own and have a different growth experience.
The staff and facilitators are top-tier. Authentic Shipibo practices, food, and room settings are a 10 out of 10.
I came back because I saw results. Of course, Ayahuasca is part of a group of practices that I decided to make part of my life since two years ago but I 100% recommend Soltara if you're interested in going on a deep self-knowledge dive, connecting with your spiritual side or ready to start taking a close look at your wounds and go on to heal.

3.0
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Ok
Soltara is a very unique spot as they try to stay more traditional than other Ayahuasca centers, but there of course is room for improvement. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time talking about intention and sharing your experience. The problem is the first night you get very low dose, which doesn't do much for many. I understand starting low as we are all different, but to make this a good experience they should allow people to get more if they are getting no results. Because they don't, you end up sitting there for 5+ hours waiting to leave? That's not the experience we come for as it's a waste of time and you get back to your room at 1::30am. The second night they allow you to take more, but again we're all responsible adults and communicating how we're being affected so they should implement that the first night. The other problem is when I attended it was extremely hot and just sat there sweating for 4+ hours. I'm not alone in my experience as others discussed the same views with me, but I'm more vocal. Since they don't want you to bring any supplements of any kind I didn't have my electrolytes to rehydrate. Some things they should allow for health and safety as one day people will start having heat strokes.

5.0
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Amazing experience
Words can't describe how phenomenal this was. Firstly, I was amazed at how kind, strong, and open minded my fellow attendees were. Great friendships were forged, and I'll be keeping in touch with and visiting many of them. The facilitators and staff were so professional and ready for any situation that emerged during the ceremonies. Whatever they are making, it isn't enough! Personally the emotional support that I received from these people during and outside of the ceremonies was lifesaving, and it got me through some very difficult moments. On top of that, the Shipibo healers themselves were incredible. I've never met people with the kind of unconditional loving energy that they displayed, and the work that they performed on us at each ceremony was profound, mystical and wonderful. The energy of the songs that they sung to us was powerful. Finally, the food served at every meal was out of this world! Fresh organic tropical fruits I had never tried, chia seed pudding, guacamole, hummus, mini omelettes, etc. I miss it all! I have come back home with a new love for myself and the people in my life. Soltara is well worth the money, and I hope to go back again.