Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
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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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lukehollingworth
November 30, 2024 at 6:04 amI visited Spirit Vine for an 11 day retreat in November and I can honestly say I had the time of my life.
This was my first experience of Ayahuasca and I felt completely safe and looked after from start to finish. Silvia greeted us with a warm hug when we arrived and was always there for every meal and is available to talk privately if needed. She is incredibly experienced and knowledgable and has a wonderful way about her. I felt completely comforted by her presence, especially during the ceremonies. You know you are in completely safe hands with her. Silvia’s assistant, Elvis was such a lovely guy who also had a very comforting and protective presence.
The accommodations far exceeded my expectations. They are beautiful, clean and modern and feel very private, with plenty of space from the other bungalows. The landscape around is stunning and so peaceful to relax in the hammock on your balcony or go for a walk around the gorgeous grounds or a swim in the healing pond.
The food is exceptional. 3 meals are provided each day, 2 on ceremony days, and all are so varied, delicious and plentiful. Meal times are a great time to all come together and chat about your experiences and get to know each other.
Before arriving I was slightly apprehensive about being part of a group with other people, but it turned out to be the most wonderful group of people and I have made very dear friends for life. The size of the group is just right and because you are all there for a similar purpose, you are with likeminded people. During your time you share such intimate details of your life, more so than you do with friends or family, and because of that, you become very close with one another.
On the days in between ceremony days, you have workshops with Silvia where she will give a talk on a topic such as Complex PTSD or Regression to Childhood. We learn new ideas and ways of thinking which can then be utilised in daily life and also during the ceremonies with great effect. This was truly life changing.
Yoga classes are provided every other morning which are fantastic and lovely massages are offered too.
I stayed in Itacaré for 2 days before the retreat and 4 days after the retreat which was just the right amount of time. Silvia arranges all the taxis to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel and she also arranges to pick you up from your hotel and bring you to Spirit Vine. Everything is taken care of.
I absolutely loved Itacaré. It is a beautiful, unspoilt, uncommercialised town and is such a safe, happy place and the locals are so friendly. The restaurants are great too with plenty of veggie options and the beaches are stunning.
I came to Spirit Vine intending to process some childhood trauma and I came away with a lot more than that. I removed traits that I didn’t fully realise I had and I truly healed a lot of wounds that had been with me my whole life.
I cannot recommend Spirit Vine enough. If you have your calling to do Ayahuasca and you are doing your research, then you need look no further.
bbeckmann
November 29, 2024 at 4:03 pmSpirit Vine is clean, safe, and conducive to healing. The moment you arrive, the owner Sylvia is there to meets and greet you and start the bond as your guide for your journey using Ayahuasca. The living space is comfortable with plenty of space, including clean bedding, showers with warm water, and privacy.
If you choose to come to Spirit Vine, you will be staying on truly sacred grounds that have been carved out of the jungle landscape. The buildings are beautiful, the pathing from space to space is intuitive and gorgeous, and being emersed in the jungle while healing with Ayahuasca in my opinion is a must that Sylvia has created for her participants/guests.
The food was fantastic and healthy, inspiring me to take a better approach to my diet after tasting and eating real food and spices. I was also inspired to remove habits that no longer served my life after removing the root causes of these behaviors. This is the #1 reason to be a guest at Spirit Vine if you are wanting to try Ayahuasca for the first time or if you are like myself and have been to many resorts in Costa Rica and South America to drink in Ayahuasca ceremonies. Sylvia’s method, expertise in psychology and understanding of how to bring a modern approach to drink Ayahuasca helped me truly locate and remove unwanted and unneeded patterns that have been playing out in different forms throughout my life.
Again, for people engaging for first time Ayahuasca ceremonies, Spirit Vine is safe and a softer approach. For others that have experience with Ayahuasca, you will work through your inner child experiences at a deeper level that before with the support of a psychologist that has been working with the medicine for 20 years.
Come and enjoy, come and heal
cintiadumiense
November 22, 2024 at 11:03 amI attended the 9-day retreat in August 2024, and after 3 months, I can confidently say that this retreat changed my life.
I had wanted to experience ayahuasca for a long time. I researched retreats in the Amazon and Pará until I came across SpiritVine’s recommendation on a website that simply said: “If you want to try ayahuasca in a safe place, SpiritVine is the best.”
I looked into it and loved everything I found. Although I initially wanted the Amazon experience, I couldn’t be more grateful for the change in plans. I’m Brazilian and live in NY. My biggest fear was traveling alone to an unfamiliar place in my own country. When I saw Itacaré/Bahia as the location, I felt immense relief. I already knew and loved the town and felt excited by the opportunity to visit the beach and recharge after the chaos of city life. Additionally, I was thrilled to learn that our guide was a woman. Knowing I’d be supported by a woman in such a vulnerable and profound experience made me feel incredibly comfortable and confident.
I submitted my application on the website, answered all the questions, and Silvia was very clear in addressing my doubts and guiding me through every stage of the retreat’s preparation – including food and drink restrictions. I strongly recommend following her instructions to avoid withdrawal symptoms during the retreat, especially if you’re used to coffee or sugar. She also provided a list of recommended hotels, arranged transfers, and ensured every detail of the trip was as comfortable as possible.
Silvia suggested arriving two days before the retreat to avoid the stress of flight delays and to begin disconnecting. She also recommended staying two extra days after the retreat to enjoy the beaches, nature, and to continue sharing experiences with other participants. I followed her advice and found it wonderful.
The accommodations at SpiritVine are fantastic. There’s no discomfort or hassle. The spaces are clean, organized, beautiful, and peaceful, showcasing the richness and serenity of the Atlantic Forest. The bungalows are equipped with hammocks for relaxation, mosquito nets, and lovely views all around.
Throughout the retreat, a dedicated team provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are always herbal teas and infused waters available. The food is flavorful, well-seasoned, and free from added salt, sugar, gluten, dairy, or processed ingredients.
Silvia is incredibly experienced and passionate. It’s such a joy to sit with her and talk about life—there’s so much to learn from her.
On ceremony days, there are massages and yoga classes. Silvia also conducts workshops on themes designed to unlock memories and emotions, which can then be worked through and healed during the ceremonies. These workshops are fascinating and deeply beneficial. Since they’re done in a group setting, you often find yourself identifying with and learning from others’ experiences and stories. I realized that, even in a group with people from vastly different nationalities and backgrounds, our traumas often feel strikingly similar.
Silvia has built a true oasis for honoring ayahuasca. Listening to the silence and the sounds of nature, feeling the warmth, breathing clean air, soaking up the sun, and resting under the shade of the trees all help you disconnect and focus on what truly matters.
The ceremony room is immersed in nature, surrounded by mosquito nets to keep the bugs out. It’s amazing to feel the gentle breeze and hear the sounds of the forest during the ceremonies. It felt like being in Avatar—completely at peace.
Every journey is unique, but the certainty of being in a safe environment helps you relax and surrender. I’m deeply grateful for the lessons I’ve learned, the experiences I’ve had, and the opportunity to access so much within myself.
I returned from my retreat more aware, more grateful, and so much happier. I’ve started reading more about ayahuasca, and the signs of consciousness continue to touch my life every single day. I received so much love during my experience. It was one of the most profound and rewarding sensations of my life. I’ve always felt a strong connection to nature, but city life had distanced me from it. Now, I actively seek ways to reconnect more often—to recharge and strengthen my sense of responsibility toward it.
I recommended this retreat to my husband because I want him to experience this incredible transformation as well. It helped me become an infinitely better mother—more patient, present, and aware. I’ve grown so much emotionally, and this has positively impacted my relationships with my children and family.
I can’t wait to go back. There’s so much more to uncover and so many lessons still waiting for me.
If you’re considering it, do your research, read up, follow Silvia’s instructions, and surrender. Ayahuasca may feel intense for some, but by understanding the journey’s meaning, you’ll likely gain greater awareness of life and yourself. There’s so much to learn.
Thank you, Silvia, for creating such a safe and welcoming space for so many people to grow and access deeper levels of consciousness.
Thank you, Noor, for all your kindness and support in keeping the operations flowing smoothly.
My life is infinitely better because of this experience.
muuuuli
November 2, 2024 at 7:21 pmIt’s been over two months since my retreat at Spirit Vine, and I’ve had time to reflect on the profound experience. For years, I’d been living a muted existence, emotionally numb and disconnected from the richness of life. I was a mere observer, passively going through the motions.
The retreat was a catalyst for significant change. For the first time, I felt a full spectrum of emotions, from joy to sorrow, fear to love. Initially, this emotional intensity was daunting, but I soon realized it was a necessary step towards true authenticity.
Since the retreat, I’ve become more attuned to my body and emotions, although there are still moments of blockage. The difference now is that I know what it feels like to be fully present and connected. The pathways to deeper emotional experiences are open, and I’m committed to exploring them.
Silvia, the heart and soul of Spirit Vine, is a truly inspiring teacher. Her dedication and passion are evident in every interaction. She has a unique ability to challenge and support, creating a safe space for profound transformation.
While the journey is far from over, I’m incredibly grateful for this transformative experience. I’m excited to continue my personal growth and embrace the fullness of life.
irene_m
November 2, 2024 at 1:13 amA month ago, I attended a nine-day retreat at Spirit Vine. It was one of the most valuable and healing therapeutic experiences I’ve ever had, and I plan to return next year. I’m incredibly grateful to Silvia, Noor, and the wonderful group of participants for creating such a safe, supportive, and healing space.
I’d been curious about ayahuasca for a long time but was unsure where to go. I was afraid of having a “bad trip,” as my partner had a traumatic experience in a traditional ceremony where he felt utterly alone and without support. A friend told me about Spirit Vine and shared his positive experience. After learning about Silvia’s background as a psychoanalyst with extensive experience in ayahuasca retreats, I felt more confident. It seemed like a perfect blend of ancestral wisdom and modern trauma therapy in a beautiful, comfortable, and safe environment. And so it was!
Every detail – before, during, and after the retreat – is intentional and carefully thought out. At first, I didn’t understand the reason behind some of the instructions that Silvia gave, but they became very clear during the ceremonies, as they helped me navigate challenging situations while in an altered state.
Silvia reminded us that ayahuasca is only an amplifier – it magnifies whatever is already in you. So if you’ve been avoiding something, you can bet it will come up. Some participants had wonderful, transcendental experiences. Mine were “challenging,” to put it mildly. In another setting, I would have called them “bad trips.” However, thanks to the tools Silvia teaches and the support from everyone – facilitators and participants alike – those “bad trips” allowed me to access memories and gain insights that had evaded me despite many years of therapy.
Regarding the facilitators, if you’re used to a neutral therapist who asks questions and takes things slowly, Silvia’s direct style might surprise you. She shares her opinions openly, which I appreciate, even when it stings. Noor’s calm energy is the perfect complement to Silvia’s therapeutic approach.
In summary, I highly recommend Spirit Vine to anyone considering this journey!