Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreat Center Reviews 

I came to Spirit Vines in April 2023 for an 11 day retreat, driven by my curiosity rather than by the need for healing.

I am a coach, fascinated by the brain and I had read that ayahuasca opens a passageway between the conscious & unconscious minds. I had no prior experience of drugs or psychedelics.

Spirit Vines came highly recommended by a friend & I did additional research before applying. My main focus was safety & quality of the outlet.

The experience with Spirit Vines did not disappoint, on the contrary. :
- The founder (Silvia) is present & directly involved throughout the retreat. She is certified in a number of therapies & has over 25 years experience with ayahusca.

- Diversity, inclusion & no nonsense approach. Silvia carefully filters the participants, ensuring a diversity in backgrounds & intentions. She and the team (Noor & Miro) also create an atmosphere of inclusion and non-judgment, which helped the team gel very quickly.
Silvia is consistent in repeating that ayahusca isn't a recreational drug, but a plant medicine which helps you unlock past trauma & gain new perspectives. She doesn't impose her spiritual values on anyone & doesn't share these as part of the retreat, reinforcing the inclusive philosophy

- Both the ayahuasca vine & the chacruna bush are grown organically, onsite. The brew is also made on site, without any additions.

- Each ayahuasca ceremony is preceded by a 2 hour workshop on a specific topic, thanks to Silvia's background as a therapist. Each ceremony is followed by a 2 hour debrief & sharing, enabling participants to learn from each other as well.

- The retreat takes place in a compound nestled in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. The proximity to nature & the rainforest sounds are incredible. The bungalows are well appointed & mostly have fans. A few have aircons. If you are sensitive to heat, time your trip wisely.

- The pre-work suggested is mainly to help prepare your body to the ayahuasca ceremonies. In addition, there is a strict ayahuasca friendly vegan diet during the retreat - ample amount of delicious food.

- In addition, there are complimentary 90 minutes yoga sessions on alternative days & optional massage at an additional cost (Rs. 250/1 hour). The diet, yoga & massage created an unexpected weight loss (1 dress size), without inconvenience.

- The thread throughout this testimonial is that Silvia & the team go to great lengths to ensure that participants feel safe and nurtured. They create a perfect environment for reflection, introspection & new experiences.

Not only recommended but I'd be happy to return when the need arises.

If you're looking for a healing and very safe experience with a teacher who is both a psychotherapist as well as highly trained with Ayahuasca, this is the place! The retreat environment is beautiful, nestled in the Atlantic rainforest of Bahia, Brazil. The accommodations are beautiful, very comfortable, clean and quiet. The support staff does an excellent job of holding the space during ceremonies and making sure everyone's needs are cared for.

The teacher, Silvia, who owns this property also grows the plants and personally makes the Ayahuasca tea. Silvia has created an ultra safe experience for all attendees. The website has lots of information covering just about any question you might have. She provides workshops before ceremonies that help focus and prepare participants for the ceremonies. Following the ceremonies she holds integration circles to support integration of ceremony experiences. She is also available for Zoom sessions following the retreat for anyone wishing further integration support.

I cannot say enough about Silvia being perfect for this experience. She is a wonderful mix of strength and the positive mother -- able to hold this sacred space so participants feel safe to let go to all that Mother Ayahuasca has to teach. She is trained in both traditional use of Ayahuasca as well as a formally trained psychotherapist. Having been in this field I was especially happy to experience how very open she is with everyone which greatly supported my process.

The group I was in had 17 people (I believe the current maximum). She is selective about who she accepts in for health and safety reasons. An Ayahuasca diet is highly recommended before and provided during the retreat (the food is outstanding). She carefully counsels about avoiding certain foods and supplements that could interfere with the Ayahuasca tea.

It took me years to find a place I felt safe about exploring Ayahuasca. Spirit Vine Retreat met and exceeded all my expectations.

Thank you Silvia, Noor, Miro and Spirit Vine Retreats!

Just over a month ago I left Spirit Vine for the second time and I have not been able to put pen to paper and write a review just because there is so much to say and I didn't want my review to be full of cliches and a repeat of the all the praise that has already been given in previous reviews, but I actually think that is impossible so here goes......

The land that is Spirit Vine is truly magical, the minute I arrived I felt something sweep-over me filling me with excitement and absolute joy and I instantly felt a sense of belonging and of being at home – albeit 5000 plus miles away from home! The accommodation and all the amenities are just perfect, and everywhere and everything is so clean and so comfortable. Every inch of this place feels so warm and safe and welcoming. You are surrounded by nature in all its glory with the natural beauty all around you and the sounds of the forest orchestra from the surrounding wildlife is simply intoxicating.

Lou the chef with her team in the kitchen create the most amazing dishes (breakfast, lunch & dinner) that consistently tantalise and awaken all of the senses and every mealtime is something unique and something sensational. Furthermore, every mealtime is buzzing with energy and excitement as the group come together and bond and each time I walked away from a meal I felt completely replenished and nourished, not just my body but my mind and my soul.

Silvia and Tio have created an idyllic environment and they have curated an outstanding programme to prepare their participant’s minds, bodies and souls for the ceremonies themselves. Before each ceremony I felt nourished, relaxed and equipped so that I was confident and could navigate my way through each journey and understand what was happening and in order to take the most from each one. I did the 9 day retreat and had 4 absolutely amazing ceremonies. After each ceremony I would journal and draw as I was far too excited to go to sleep! I have taken so much away from each of the ceremonies, much more than I had ever imagined possible. I fully trusted the process and followed all the guidance and I believe that I fully immersed myself. I do genuinely feel that I have truly embraced my inner child and reconnected with my own power in so many ways and have had a spiritual awakening that is literally out of this world.

The connection that l felt with all the participants was so strong from the very start and we all remain connected to this day through our Spirit Vine WhatsApp group/social media and monthly Zoom meetings – the first of which took place yesterday and was absolutely amazing to see and share our experiences and talk about our own personal integration journey’s since leaving spirit vine. So, on top of everything else I have gained soul friends for life!

Silvia & Tio, what can I say about these two? There are literally no words that can encapsulate all that these two amazing people are! Immensely knowledgeable, intuitive, empathetic, kind, caring, generous absolutely everything positive that can be said and then some! I cannot thank them enough for everything that they do at Spirit Vine. I am eternally grateful for this experience and I will be back again!

There are so many positives about my stay but will break it down in to three areas

The Ayahuasca ceremonies - If you have any concerns about doing Ayahuasca, then Spirit Vine is the perfect place to allay any fears. It's not just about the plant it's also about the workshops & sharing that take place before and after each ceremony. They equip you with the tools to make sure you get the most out of the experience. Equally the guidance & support that Silvia, Ti0 & Noor provide throughout the stay (whether it's in the group sessions or one 2 one) are invaluable. It may sound cliche but my experience was life changing & I'm so much better equipped to deal with all the challenges & opportunities that are to come & the traumas and issues that have hampered me in the past.

The amenities & Location - It's located in Itacare which is such a friendly, beautiful, safe and relaxed place with lots to see and do. Spirit Vine itself is simply stunning. It's idyllically located with a beautiful lake to swim in and nature all around. The food is varied & delicious & there are Yoga & Massages sessions throughout the retreat.

The people - With anything in life it is people who can make or break an experience. All of the people who work within the retreat are so open, friendly & supportive. This extends beyond just the ceremonies but just in general. When we were just having dinner or had some down time we had so many amazing conversations & also generally had a laugh. As for the other participants. I'm not sure if Spirit Vine have some sort of crazy Google algorithm in place but I've made life long friends with everyone who attended. Although there was a wide range of ages, gender, job types, sexual orientation, cultures & countries we all bonded so amazingly because you're in a group of like minded people.

There is no doubt that I'll be back again and would recommend it to anyone.

Look no further, the best ayahuasca retreat is Spiritvine. Located in the beautiful Atlantic rainforest I felt immediately at home. It is a paradise. Silva & Ti0 are great in their profession. They have a lot of wisdom and create a safe space to be yourself and to heal. It was my first time taking ayahuasca and I am super grateful that I found Spiritvine. I could not imagine doing ayahuasca elsewhere. I loved the structure and learning practical tools in the workshops before drinking ayahuasca. Long story short, I have unblocked my trauma that I was working for 9 years and it was like I have done 10 years of therapy in the 9 days. I highly recommend to people who are willing to work on themselves. There is in no doubt, I will be back!

At first, I was sceptic about of the reviews I have seen about this place, but I can only confirm what everyone is saying. Sylvia and Ti0 have created a perfect environment to deal with your psychological problems, if you are willing to put in the work. I have always felt cared and respected, which is very important because you have to open up and be vulnerable with yourself. Everything was well organized and fitted especially to the needs of western people that are looking for a combination of spirituality and therapy. I have learned a lot about myself and know what to do for the next years, I could not have never asked for more.

My experience at Spirit Vine was truly life-changing. The owner/primary facilitator, Silvia, skillfully and compassionately guides participants throughout the retreat. Silvia uses her clinical expertise masterfully to assist each individual to optimize their Ayahuasca experiences, enabling them to successfully move forward on their healing paths. Her workshops supply valuable strategies to utilize during ceremonies and in the integration process. In addition, the retreat structure fosters group bonding and cohesiveness. The other facilitator, Tio, provides calm, gentle care and direction, that allows participants to feel safe and understood. The Spirit Vine setting is breathtaking and serene. The lodging is immaculate and comfortable. Staying there felt magical. I am forever grateful to Silvia for creating Spirit Vine and her work with Ayahuasca, which has transformed me to finally be on the road to recovery from severe traumas and an eating disorder that has plagued me for over 20 years.

This is my second ayahuasca retreat, after my first being in Peru. Spirit vine is one for the books. It is nothing short of phenomenal. The moment I arrived I felt I had been saved from the harshness of reality. The garden that Silvia has built is an oasis of serenity. She’s created an environment that is most opportune for spiritual growth. It’s not just the ayahuasca, which I will get to. It’s the energy, the surrounding nature, and the sincere care Silvia has for the people who come to live better that make this place special.

Staff is kind and loving. Ti0, charming and hilarious, goes above and beyond to ensure safety and comfort. And Silvia, is one of the most profound individuals you will meet. Within her, insight and wisdom are abundant. And she is more than happy to take time to share and discuss as helping people is her passion. She also uses her expertise in psychology, psycho analysis and therapy, to name a few areas, to help us apply the teachings of ayahuasca in a methodical AND spiritual way. By providing specific tools and exercises to help identify the things that prevent us from reaching our highest selves, we were able to overcome and come out well improved by the end of the retreat. And I personally was able to integrate into society effectively and with more confidence. I came to heal but this time with emphasis on character and career insight- how to achieving the highest version of myself and what kind of life it would mean moving forward. With spirit vine, I found so much more than what I was looking for and left spiritually complete.

Spirit vine is special from its location, the year round perfect weather, the staff and the gifts Silvia provides. Everything about spirit vine is intentional and there to give you a safe space to find restoration. I cannot rate Spirit vine high enough. Before the retreat I was wondering how spirit vine could accumulate thousands of perfect reviews. When you arrive you’ll know exactly how :)

- Austin Yarbrough

If you’re reading this, you’ve seen the website. You’ve had the calling and.. believe the 5 star reviews; I was suspicious of them but once you step foot on the retreat,even before you do so,you understand why they are 5 star rated. Beautiful bungalows in an Atlantic forest setting. A serene oasis and sanctuary, the perfect setting for this kind of retreat. Silvia’s seemingly infinite knowledge of all things, enables you to let go, feeling very safe whilst you fully immerse yourself. Her workshops are invaluable and enormously helpful when integrated into the ceremonies. You work at your own pace,everyone is different, yet you are there with like-minded people. The sharing circles too were eye opening both for my own experiences and truly humbling to listen to fellow participants. I opted for 11 days and I watched people transform into their true authentic selves literally hour by hour, quite astonishing. Ti0 too.. a Saintly Guardian, who seems to be in all places all at once. He was there whatever your need and whenever you needed him. They both have a refreshing sense of humour too which for me was essential when doing such deep work. I loved the opportunity to do Art which is not obligatory. Gentle yoga and fantastic massages are a bonus. The food was on another level,given the fact no salt is used, three meals a day, the variety was great and most if not all of the food was from the surrounding land. The chef is phenomenal. There is a gentle Western approach, yet you are ensconced in the perfect environment. Whether you partake in the plant medicine or not, I cannot recommend this place highly enough for a truly transformational retreat. I would also take heed of their advice and not travel home for at least a week if your work permits. I’ve given 10 stars because 5 aren’t enough.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The depth of the transformation and healing I experienced during and after the retreat would not have been possible without the insightful and personalised guidance provided by Ti0 and Silvia. The place was magical. I particularly appreciated the solid frame in place at the retreat center (i.e. rules), which made me feel safe at all times and made it easy to fully surrender to the process. It was my first experience with Ayahuasca and I couldn't have wished for a better setting and better facilitators. I will certainly return and recommend this place wholeheartedly.

This place felt like a paradise. The food, the staff and the facilitators where a 10/10. I would recommend this place for people with little to none experience with ayahuasca as well for people with more experience. The workshops in combination with the medicine where very powerful.

This experience allowed me to gain a whole new perspective on my family and partner relationships, but also on myself and my childhood traumas that have influenced my life today. I feel empowered and have the right tools in my hands to handle situations that were previously hopeless. The expert guidance from Sylvia and Ti0 has opened me up to knowing my inner self and taught me how to deal with the common situations in my life. The Ayahuasca ceremonies, which were conducted under safe supervision, were accompanied by sharing where I learned to talk about my feelings and step out of my comfort zone. The daily workshops offered both theoretical and practical skills and tools to develop the possibilities of working with my inner self. Not only was the retreat full of delicious food, massages, yoga and amazing people all around, it also gave me a sense of safety and security, it is a special place in the middle of nature with the magical sounds of the jungle where Ti0 and Silvia made me feel welcome. I am very much looking forward to coming back here one day!

Silva an Tio are amazing at what they do. Providing a safe environment with boundaries to ensure a healthy experience for everyone coming to the retreat. The food is amazing the people are amazing. On my retreat I healed my inner child and for the first time in my entire life my brain switched from being in survival mode my entire life to being free and feeling safe in my own mind an in the world around me. I am truly free for the first time in my entire life to live an have fun an experience the world as a happy healed person.

Amazing atmosphere and location, but above all the expert guidance throughout the retreat made this a life changing experience. After arriving to the retreat you'll quickly find you are in good hands to work on yourself in a safe yet stimulating environments.

I particularly liked the workshops through the retreat, amazing how much useful information they managed to convey to us in such a short amount of time. I still often find myself going back to concept and tools learned in my stay at the Spirit vine retreat center.

I joined 9 days retreat with 4 ayahuasca ceremonies in December 2022. Silvia and Tio are great host. The food in the retreat centre was organic vegan, gluten free, salt free and suger free. It is super healthy and yummy! There were activities as yoga, massage. I found the workshop and group sharing was especially useful to prepare and understand the experiences. There were 16 guests in the group. They really take care of the guests really well both physically and mentally. I felt completely safe and trusting in the environment. The retreat centre is surreally beautiful in the forest. Overall the whole experience was amazing. I felt so sad when the retreat ended. I will definitely come back again and recommend Spirit Vine.

I am so Happy and thankful that i found the spirit vine ayahuaska retreat! I wanted to try ayahuaska Because I felt i needed Help with seeing me and my life clearly and from that point make decisions of New direction.
I was a little nervous doing 'spiritual drugs' since i never did try drugs like lsd or other drugs for that matter. I felt Very safe and supported and the rest of the Group gave the same impression.
Sylvia and Tio are Beautiful people that seem Happy to be at your service and have honest interest in everyone. After every ayahuaska ceremony there is a sharing which i found Really Beautiful. A Group of people openly sharing their feelings, hardships in life and Beautiful experiences and then receiving the Loving support from the whole Group. So Beautiful that is! Sylvia Saw us was my experience and was always fast to mirror us and Invite to further reflection and New insights.
And what did I get out of ayahuaska? I felt like it allowed me to go deep Into myself and open up hidden sides in me that needed airing. I Saw things more clearly, me as a person and how i live my life and why. I felt that New values Need to have more space in my life. I Feel that ayahuaska has showed me a direccion to go in to make my life more balanced and sweet.
You are truely in good hands at the spirit vine and for me i got Many insights About my life and things i would like to Change for the Better and healthier. I am in awe of the retreatplace and of the 'planttea' ayahuaska! Thank you for Coming in to my life, both! The whole retreat went Smooth and it is obvious that Sylvia has Many years of experience and knows what She is doing 🙏

I was part of Silvia’s retreat the past November. I wanted to wait some months after the experience to have a more complete view on how my days there impacted my life. Now, two months in, I can confirm that there has been a before and after on my perception of life.

In my case, it wasn’t just Ayahuasca but the entire experience of the retreat that had an impact on me. Ayahuasca was definitely an out of this world experience, profound, enlightening and positively uncomfortable. However, the key for me were all the pieces that Silvia has put together in Spirit Vine: workshops, ceremonies, integration sessions, individual therapy, art, yoga, delicious food, amazing people, and a place that looks like paradise and feels like home.

I have never felt so connected to myself like the 9 days I spend there. I already started changing while being there, but for me the real transformation happened when being back to the “real world”. Then is when I became more aware and started to take action to direct my life up to my expectations and desires.

Overall, I would recommend Spirit Vine to anyone that wants to dig deeper and open new doors that you didn’t even know that were there. I will always be grateful to Silvia and Ti0 for preparing and guiding us through this amazing experience. I’m looking forward to see you again!

This was my 3rd time back to Spirit Vine. I came back as this is my safe place to heal my inner child and to find my path. I am a cautious person hence for me to do this again speaks volume of how much trust I have for Silvia and Ti0 guiding me through the ceremonies. I will most definitely come back again and again, as I believe in the work done to me.

My experience at Spirit Vine helped me work through some past trauma and remarkably, trauma while mid retreat when my best friend of 40 years passed away. Silvia and Ti0 have a way of cutting through the chaff and getting to the core. The ayahuasca does the same, offering me insights in areas I least expected. When I layer the camaraderie of the other participants, the group support and sharing of experience, the group and personal sessions and finally THE FOOD! It’s truly hard for me to put into words how meaningful it all was and is. I look forward to further visits since it felt as if it was more than a home away from home.

I first did a retreat here in 2021. This is now my 4th retreat in less than 2 years. I can probably write a book about my experiences here, and how it has changed my life. Spirit Vine is a miracle, perhaps the most powerful miracle I have ever witnessed. There's a reason that it has only 5 star reviews. Yes, the food is healthy and amazing. The rooms are nice. The grounds are a paradise. But ayahuasca is truly magic.....magic in that it opens up doorways to enlightenment enabling you to see things that you couldn't otherwise see. But what is so special about this place is......well, everything, but more than anything else it's Silvia's methodology. She uses her extensive background in clinical psychiatry, and her vast knowledge of plant medicines and everything having to do with spiritual growth, combined with the sacred ayahuasca journeys, to reach our higher self, which helps us to help ourselves. It's not just the revelations that are unveiled to us under ayahuasca, but just as important, it's what to DO with this knowledge. It takes work, during and mostly after the retreat. But we have the power to change ourselves, and really help change the world. We all suffer from childhood trauma, even those of us born and raised in the best circumstances. We learn how to overcome the trauma, grow, and move on.

I can't really say enough great things about this special, exquisite, divine place. It really is a miracle that it is here, and I feel so lucky and grateful to have found it. And if you are reading these reviews, I think you are lucky too, because you found it. There are myriads of ayahuasca retreats around the globe now. But they are not all equal. Spirit Vine is the place to go. I actually suffer a bit of separation anxiety when I leave here, and I think about Silvia, Too, the retreat, the things that I have learned, the friendships I have made with other participants, and the miracles that I have witnessed here, every single day.

We all really need this place. All of us. It reminds me of a Terence McKenna Quote:

"I think there is something to be said for admitting that we cannot do it alone. That if you want this spiritual insight, if you want the Gaian matrix to welcome you, then humble yourself to the point of making a deal with a plant. That's the key.”