Ananda Lodge

I am overwhelmed with deep gratitude for my experience at Ananda’s ayahuasca retreat. I found Ananda after significant research. Having sat with the medicine ten years prior, I knew for this next journey I needed to find a Shipibo-led ceremony and program that would offer ALL of the components I believe are critical for a safe, meaningful, and integrated experience. I was confident I’d made the right choice after my first exploratory call with Kimberly, but my stay and experience far surpassed my expectations.

Reflecting on the support and care everyone at Ananda provides brings me to (happy) tears. I actually did not know “trauma informed” could be more than a terminology. I did not know it was possible to feel so safe and emotionally held. Each team member adds so much empathy and wisdom in their own way that it’s genuinely restored my faith in humanity. Everyone at Ananda truly embodies the care philosophy and upholds extremely mindful communication and energetic hygiene.

Maestra Orfelinda and Tia Lucia guided our ceremonies with strength, protection, and love. I especially appreciate how available and accessible they were. We ate every meal with them and had the opportunity to sit one on one with them prior to each ceremony. This was an essential part of ensuring focused, individualized healing during ceremonies. For lack of a better word, Maestra’s icaros and healing capabilities are simply magical.

In addition to ceremonies, the program was perfectly planned with plenty of necessary down time, massages available, daily somatic yoga/movement, meditations, beach visits, and an art therapy class. Each day was special.

While the people were the most amazing part of this retreat, I would also like to relay how beautiful, peaceful, comfortable, and supportive the property is. Ananda is beautifully designed, and it is obvious how much thought and care went into each area of the resort. With ocean views from the eco-friendly suites, you are constantly enveloped by nature while still enjoying luxury comforts - bedding, towels, soaps, and small elegant touches throughout - that keep you feeling cozy and relaxed. The food is incredible - abundant and healthy. Each meal was an absolute delight, and it was so nice to sit and share meals with the whole team.

If you’re called to sit with ayahuasca share the concerns I had surrounding authenticity, environment, physical/spiritual/emotional safety, and integration: Ananda is the safe, respectful, authentic, and compassionate place to have a powerful shift.

Going to a different country on your own can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for anyone. With this retreat, I felt so comfortable and honored to be a part of it. What Kimberly and Jason have created in Costa Rica is truly magical. They made me feel like I belonged and was part of the family for years.
I cannot thank everyone at Ananda Lodge enough for my 7 nights that I stayed with them. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone.

I attended Ananda for a weekend Huachuma retreat and had a really great experience. It’s a family owned center and they make you feel right at home and supported in your journey. The accommodations are beautiful and the grounds were situated in beautiful Costa Rican nature. The retreats are intentionally kept to small groups and the center itself seems to be run in a very ethical way. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a plant medicine retreat.

From the accommodations tk the attention to detail, to Kimberly and Jay making sure everyone had everything they needed, to Chase (the huachumero) being a wonderful guide, Ananda delivered on all front. I’ll be back

I don’t even know how to put this into words, but my time at Ananda changed me in a way I’m still trying to understand. The property is absolutely magical!

Peaceful, natural, and just full of soul. You can feel it the moment you arrive. Kim and Jason put so much love into this place, and it shows in every detail. They made us feel so welcome, like family, and that meant a lot to me.

Working with Chase and the medicine was something I’ll never forget. I had some intense releases and honestly, it wasn’t easy. But Chase saw something in me, and the work we did together reached a place in me that needed healing for a long time. He never pushed..just held the space with this calm, grounded energy, and somehow knew what needed to be done. It was deep, spiritual, and emotional — like something old was finally let go.

Even though I didn’t have big visions, I felt the shift. I’m still processing everything, and I know it’s going to take time to fully integrate. But something is different. I’m different.

If you’re feeling the call to do real inner work, to shed what’s not yours, and to reconnect with who you really are...Ananda is where you want to be. I’ll always be grateful for the experience.

P.S. and kudos to Jason who was our chef for the week...the food was absolutely delicious!