I have just returned from a two week, 8 ceremony retreat at Marosa Healing Center. This was my fourth retreat in Peru working with shamans from the Shipibo lineage. I can’t speak highly enough about the level of compassion, safety and healing that Marosa offers.

Maestra Angela and Maestro Elias are two beautiful souls; powerful, dedicated and compassionate. I felt completely safe in their hands, especially in some of the more challenging ceromonies. Their wisdom shines through, gentle yet strong in conviction, resulting in my intentions being met fully.
The wonderful staff (hey Manuel!) are always quick with a smile and a laugh. The food is outstanding, (Raquel will spoil you!); plenty to eat and beautifully prepared. They worked wonders in the kitchen.
The tambos are nice and comfortable, are cleaned regularly and bedsheets are changed every couple days.
Toilets and showers are perfectly fine. Water is pumped from a nearby pond so the water can appear slightly yellowish but no problem for washing. Just one thing – don’t drink it! Goes without saying I know but can easily be forgotten. Stick to the separate tubs of water provided in the kitchen and the maloka.
While I was there the water in the toilets and showers occasionally stopped flowing for a short period but this really wasn’t a problem. One mention to the staff and it was back on again. No big deal.

There’s a really nice sheltered area with plenty of chairs and hammocks (hammocks are also provided on the porch of most of the tambos or ones can be arranged). Ideal when the sun is strong or a heavy downpour is occuring. A good place to chat with fellow passengers or smoke mapacho.
Mapacho is provided in the maloka for all guests, as many as you’d like, which was great.
The maloka itself is really beautiful. Mattress covers are changed throughout your stay. Everything you need is provided for you; bucket, toilet paper, blankets, pillow and the aforementioned drinking water.

Tony and the facilitators (Jordan for a brief period when I was was there) are on hand or can be contacted via WhatsApp, including those who weren’t at the retreat/in Peru which was very reassuring. Extremely knowledgeable and caring. If you want extra fruit, mapacho or something else you can request this.

Marosa also offers additional plant dietas. This is discussed along with your intentions before the first ceremony. Maestra Angela will proscribe a suitable plant to accompany the ayahuasca which is usually drunk on ceremony days and usually just three cups for the retreat, although this can vary if you feel you need more. Sometimes these were forgotten or delayed a few times but it really didn’t matter. A gentle reminder was fine.
It’s really important to remember that Marosa is still growing (they spoke of various upgrades and plans for the future), so although things occasionally felt a bit relaxed or slightly unorganised (minor things only) it did not impact my stay in any way. I always felt completely safe and well looked after. If something is a little late? whatever.

One quick word about the dirt track, about an hour or so once you get off the main road, that takes you to Marosa. This is perfectly fine! It’s an adventure. Yes, at one point only, you might need to hop out and give a very quick push, but this is the jungle. This is part of why you are here.

There’s plenty more positive things I could say about this healing center but it’s already too long!
Marosa offers are an authentic, deeply healing space for you. I couldn’t have been happier; with the shamans, the staff, my beautiful fellow pasejeras, the puppies (!) and little Claudio (PaboRangers! Cuatro Brazos!) and the level and deeply felt compassion they so unselfishly offered.
I was shown something very profound in my closing ceremony; a new intention I want to work with. And Marosa is where I will continue my journey.
Lots of love to everyone involved. Forever grateful, Jonathan