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We have been hosting ayahuasca retreats since 1996. Our center is based in the midst of the beautiful Atlantic Rainforest along the coast of Bahia in Brazil. We facilitate a safe and comfortable space for you to achieve harmony in your everyday life by aligning your mind, body, and heart with your true self.
Our 9 day and 11 day ayahuasca retreats are designed to give you a balanced experience. We have ayahuasca ceremonies every other night and in between there are activities to integrate your experiences and insights. There is also ample free time to reflect, to enjoy the beauty of the jungle, to visit the gorgeous beaches, and just to relax, let go, and enjoy the pure bliss of the moment.
Calendar and prices on our website
We have extensive experience integrating ayahuasca, psychology, shamanism, self development, modified states of consciousness, and various other modalities. We are present at all times and are dedicated in supporting you with loving care, attention, safety, and respect.The activities include workshops focused on spiritual development. The techniques covered in the workshops can be practiced even after the retreat to continue the journey of personal growth. Some of the topics include inner child integration, life progression, discovering the source of your blockages and the resources to overcome them. Another very important part of the retreat are the Yoga sessions in the morning which greatly enrich the ayahuasca experiences at night.
Spirit Vine & TheVine Center previously known as Ayahuasca-Healing have been created by Silvia Polivoy. She received her license in clinical psychology and had a private practice in Buenos Aires, Argentina for several years until she began to feel the need to make a transition from studying and healing the mind to exploring the worlds of Spirit. This took her away from the busy city streets to the more tranquil life in the jungle, moving to Brazil where in 2004 she co-founded the TheVine Center, a trans-denominational and inter-faith spiritual center located in the state of Bahia.
The nature of our nonprofit center is philosophical, religious, mystical, spiritual, educational, and cultural. All the retreats’ income’ serves to maintain the center grounds, create employment for the local community, and help preserve the jungle, having replanted thousands of native trees over the years to give but one example.
The retreats take place inside of 39 acres of lush preserved area. It is about 7 miles from Itacaré on the coast of Bahia. Our location is only minutes away from beautiful coastal beaches, which back onto the Mata Atlántica, the second largest rainforest in Brazil.
The experience of sacred tea ceremonies can be challenging for some, deeply religious for others, but profound all around. Please note that we have several programs to offer and the plant ceremonies are always optional and not required to partake in during any of our retreats. The plant ceremonies begin in the evening and go through the night. The group dynamic is very important and there will be facilitators to look after participants throughout. There will be plenty of time for group discussions and also time alone to reflect on the experiences elicited by the spirit vine tea for those that wish to partake in the plant ceremonies.
At the retreat center we grow our own ayahuasca vine and chacruna plants organically! We also have an organic garden to source vegetables for the food prepared during the retreat. We have pure spring water for drinking and also coconut water, juices, and a variety of teas.
During all our programs we follow a strict (though delicious) diet. The meals are completely vegan, gluten-free, and nutritionally balanced, prepared by our in-house chef who has specialized in vegan cuisine and has a post-graduation in functional nutrition. They include plenty of fresh vegetables cooked with delicious herbs and spices, luscious fresh tropical fruits, salads, and grains.
A note about sexual abstinence: this varies from culture to culture; some recommending as long as 30-40 days while others as little as one day or none at all like here in Brazil. For energetic purposes we recommend sexual abstinence during the retreat as well as 3 days before it begins and 3 days after the retreat concludes. As well, a drug free and no salt diet with no red meat, pork or heavy alcohol use for the same amount of time is optimal.
We fully expect you have questions about the retreats, programs and the facilities we offer. Please feel free to explore our website or watch our videos and write to us to come to one of our retreats.
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Ariadna F. Scavone
July 9, 2025 at 10:52 pmI visited Spirit Vine for the first time during the pandemic, in November of 2020. As a birthday gift to myself, I decided to go, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
My priority was to find a trustworthy facilitator who spoke English and was highly experienced in both Indigenous and Western healing practices.
I wanted a space where I could actually understand and integrate my journey without being left in confusion, and where I wouldn’t have to fear messy distractions or others losing control.
I consider myself lucky I found Spirit Vine because my expectations were not only confirmed but clearly exceeded.
The accommodations at Spirit Vine resemble those of a hotel resort. The bungalows are cozy, neat, and impeccably maintained. I especially appreciated the beautiful hot showers, and I loved falling asleep in my comfortable bed to the soothing sounds of the jungle.
I met such interesting people from all over the world at the retreats. We all connected quickly, because we shared the same purpose: to work on our spirituality.
I have made friends at the retreats that I cherish to this day.
Self-empowerment helped me express my intentions and find the courage and inner strength to face parts of myself that I didn’t know before.
Witnessing my peers experience breakthroughs, learning from each other, and healing together was a truly special and transformative experience.
The ceremonies are organized and tranquil, with no distractions, allowing everyone to focus fully on themselves.
The entire retreat offers a perfect rhythm of rest, deep work. Yoga sessions and optional massages help to release physical pain and tension. Sharing stories, connecting with others, painting, and swimming in the lake add to the enriching experience.
It’s truly beautiful to know that there are others out there who feel similarly and I‘m so grateful I found this place.
I’m looking very much forward to coming back.
rckjong@gmail.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:45 pmI’ve participated in many retreats around the world, but nothing comes close to the experience I had at Spirit Vine. From the moment I arrived, I felt a sense of peace and intention that set this place apart. Every detail, from the beautifully maintained grounds nestled in the Atlantic forest to the nourishing vegan meals, is designed with care and consciousness.
What makes Spirit Vine truly exceptional is its depth and integrity. This isn’t just another ayahuasca retreat, it’s a sanctuary for real inner work. The spiritual workshops are unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere. They’re profound, thoughtfully crafted, and deeply transformative. Rather than imposing a doctrine, they gently guide you back to your own truth, helping you reconnect with your power and unique essence.
The staff and facilitators are incredibly supportive, grounded, and present. You can feel the love and intention in everything they do. The environment is 100% clean, no alcohol, tobacco, or other substances, which creates a safe, focused space to go deep with the medicine. That sense of safety and clarity made all the difference for me.
If you feel the call to work with ayahuasca in a conscious, supportive, and truly life-enhancing way, Spirit Vine is the place. It’s not just a retreat, it’s a return to yourself.
Electrons
July 1, 2025 at 12:08 pmI have been to Spirit Vine 3 times. I want to tell anyone and everyone who is considering this retreat center that this place and this experience have been incredibly healing for me.
Four and a half years ago, I lost my 14 year old son in a violent manner, and I spent the next two years in grief and self destruction. This, on top of a lifetime of traumas, including a rough childhood, military deployments, divorces, and abandonment, was how I showed up to Spirit Vine.
I can honestly say that my first Spirit Vine retreat was the defining point in turning my life from negative to positive, and my life continues to improve rapidly with the help of two subsequent Spirit Vine retreats.
Silvia always seems to have the right guidance for retreat participants, whether it is to look harder into one particular aspect of ourselves, to give techniques on how to let something go, or by other means.
Silvia and her staff are professional and thoughtful. The facilities and food are spectacular.
Everyone is remarkably well cared for.
The ceremonies feel truly sacred and safe.
I cannot recommend this place and this experience enough.
starseed
July 1, 2025 at 11:54 amI attended my first retreat at Spritvine several years ago, shortly after the Centre opened. And I have been coming back regularly ever since. I wasn’t the only one. I witnessed how many people whom I met there kept returning, and how their experience transformed their lives.
Silvia, the Founder, has created a sanctuary that has become a first-class, professionally run Ayahuasca facility, catering to every need of its participants.
I am very grateful to Silvia for providing a safe environment where I experienced a profound healing and turned my life around.
gravern
June 26, 2025 at 3:15 pmSpirit Vine in Bahia Itacaré, Brazil, provides a deeply meaningful Ayahuasca retreat experience in a uniquely beautiful and serene setting. Even nearly ten years later, my memories of this special place remain vivid and deeply cherished.
The retreat center is set amidst beautifully maintained landscapes, featuring comfortable pathways lined with trimmed grass, vibrant flowers blossoming everywhere, and lush coconut trees offering fresh coconuts directly from the land. Being located in the atlantic rainforest, the retreat is surrounded day and night by the sounds of abundant wildlife—from birds and insects to frogs and other creatures—creating a constant, natural soundtrack that reflects the richness and vitality of the environment.
The food at Spirit Vine is fresh, nourishing, and thoughtfully prepared. Meals feature a variety of local fruits, including watermelons, mangoes, papayas, honey melons, and coconut water straight from the trees. All meals served are vegetarian, varied each day, and prepared with care, complementing the holistic experience of the retreat.
The Ayahuasca ceremonies at Spirit Vine take place in a uniquely designed space that is partially open to the surrounding jungle, with netted walls that let the sounds and energy of nature flow in while keeping insects out. The ceremonies are held in silence, accompanied by carefully chosen music, allowing each participant to engage in a personal inward journey within a safe and supportive setting. Silvia – the owner and primary facilitator – is an experienced clinical psychologist who has also cultivated a deep understanding of shamanism and spiritual practices through decades of immersion in the field and working with ayahuasca. Silvia offers support and provides tools that enable and empower each participant to do the work themselves—to navigate and integrate their experiences throughout the retreat.
Complementary workshops, yoga sessions, and therapeutic massages further aid gentle, holistic integration, fostering self-awareness and inner harmony.
One of the retreat’s most rewarding aspects is forming genuine connections with fellow participants. Sharing experiences and insights within a supportive community greatly enhances the retreat’s impact, creating lasting friendships and mutual support.
Reflecting now, I am deeply grateful for the insights, friendships, and lasting sense of peace cultivated at Spirit Vine. I’m thankful for the opportunity to attend multiple retreats guided by Silvia, whose expertise in both Western psychology and traditional practices has been invaluable. Ultimately, it was the supportive setting and careful attention provided by Silvia and her team that allowed me to fully embrace and integrate my Ayahuasca experiences. I felt safe, protected, and well-cared for throughout the retreat, making genuine transformation possible. Returning to Spirit Vine is always a joy, and I eagerly look forward to my next visit. I genuinely recommend this retreat to anyone seeking authentic self-exploration, meaningful connections, and personal growth in a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment.