Ananda Lodge

I have been to numerous medicine retreats, sat with facilitators across the world, and I have led preparation and integration programs for over 120 people. From start to finish, this is the best retreat experience I've ever had. And if I may be so bold, it's the best possible retreat experience available on the market today.

It begins with the owners, Kimberly and Jason. It's quite obvious they have put their entire heart and soul into building this place, and now that it is built, they have turned their huge hearts towards the people they serve. The amount of care and attention to detail is unparalleled. So much of an experience with plant medicine depends on the safety of the container. You have to be able to fully surrender into the moment and trust the process you're going through. Kim and Jason made this easy. The other facilitator they brought in, Dana, was also highly knowledgeable and an incredible coach throughout.

The ceremonies themselves were varied and different, ranging from a traditional evening ceremony to an extended ceremony at dawn with sound healing and numerous instruments to a ceremony facilitated by musicians and healers brought in from Colombia. This planned variation was beautiful and allowed me to go deeper into myself than ever before.

When not in ceremony, the pacing of the retreat was perfect. We had powerful integration sessions the days following ceremonies, which included group shares and dyad work, along with guided meditations. They also brought in external facilitators for breathwork (INCREDIBLE), cacao ceremonies, and optional massage, reiki, spinal alignment, and other services.

The food they served was easily the best food I have ever had in a retreat setting and some of the best food I've ever had in my life. The chef, Camilo, put his heart into every meal and connected what he was serving to the unique needs of each individual as well as the timing of food with ceremonies i.e. lighter, refreshing food surrounding ceremonies and heartier food when possible.

The setting was absolutely beautiful and exactly the kind of place that allows you to actually slow down and actually take the time necessary to work on yourself. And it was facilitated by true professionals with huge hearts. I can't recommend this place enough and it comes with my absolute highest praise. Whether you are new to the space or not, if you are interested in sitting with plant medicine, you should explore the options here.

Ananda Lodge is as special as they come.

My journey with Ananda Lodge began in Costa Rica, where I had an experience that touched me deeply and gave me enormous trust in the people, the medicine, and the intention behind this beautiful community.
I could not have imagined then that Ananda would eventually open another door for me—this time leading all the way to the Sacred Valley of Peru and The Source.
From the moment this journey was offered to us, Ananda Lodge helped organize and support everything leading up to our arrival in Peru. We were then welcomed into the care of the incredible team at The Source, where what unfolded became one of the most profound and unique experiences of my life.
I will always be grateful to Ananda for creating that bridge.
There are retreats that offer you an experience, and then there are communities that somehow become part of a much longer journey. That is what Ananda has become for me. My experience didn't simply begin and end with a ceremony in Costa Rica. It continued—through relationships, trust, support, and eventually an invitation to travel halfway across the world and go deeper.
The retreat in Peru challenged me, opened me, humbled me, and invited me into parts of myself I hadn't known I was ready to meet. The beauty and energy of The Source, the medicines, the facilitators, and the people with whom I shared this journey have left something in me that I know I will carry for the rest of my life.
And none of it would have happened for me without Ananda Lodge.
What I appreciate most is the feeling that Ananda isn't simply organizing retreats. They are creating community and continuity—connecting people with experiences, teachers, places, and opportunities for healing and discovery that extend far beyond one ceremony or one location.
I returned from Peru with immense gratitude for The Source, but also with an even deeper appreciation for the path that brought me there.
Thank you, Ananda Lodge, for opening that door. Thank you for the care that began in Costa Rica and followed us all the way to Peru. And thank you for being part of a journey that continues to unfold long after the ceremonies have ended.
Some doors change the room you're standing in. Others show you an entirely new landscape.
For me, Ananda has done exactly that. ❤️

My experience at Ananda Lodge was truly life-changing. From the moment I arrived, I felt safe, welcomed, and genuinely cared for. The owners, Kimberly and Jason, along with the entire team, have created something incredibly special—a place where healing, compassion, and connection come together in the most beautiful way.

The property itself is breathtaking, surrounded by nature with peaceful ocean views that immediately calm your nervous system. Every detail, from the comfortable accommodations to the incredible fresh meals, is thoughtfully designed to support your journey.

What impressed me most was the level of care before, during, and after the ceremonies. I never felt like just another guest. I felt seen, heard, and supported every step of the way. Their trauma-informed approach allowed me to fully trust the process and surrender to the experience.

If you’re searching for a place to do deep inner work in a safe, loving, and authentic environment, I cannot recommend Ananda Lodge enough. I left with a renewed sense of peace, clarity, and gratitude that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone at Ananda for creating such a beautiful sanctuary for healing. Pura Vida. ❤️🙏

From the moment I arrived, Ananda Lodge felt like home.

The grounds are not only visually stunning, but energetically and intentionally curated to support deep healing and transformation. Every detail reflects mindfulness. From the beautiful private accommodations with indoor/outdoor showers, to the safe and nurturing maloka, nourishing aligned meals, and countless peaceful spaces for quiet reflection and integration.

Kim and Jason continue to evolve while remaining deeply grounded in their integrity and vision. That commitment is evident in every aspect of the experience, especially in the facilitators and shamans they invite to hold space.

This was my first experience with sacred medicine, and it exceeded every expectation. Michal and Emma are a truly magical team. Their wisdom, intuition, compassion, and presence allowed me to feel completely safe, deeply supported, and lovingly held throughout my entire journey.

If you are seeking a place where professionalism, integrity, safety, and genuine heart come together, I cannot recommend Ananda Lodge highly enough. It is a truly sacred space for healing, transformation, and coming home to yourself.

I left with profound gratitude... and I will absolutely be back.— Rev. Michlynn Walton Costa Rica/Canada

**Review Title:** Exceptional Property, Hosts, and Facilitators

When I first contacted Ananda and its team, I wasn't even sure I wanted to attend a retreat. I was very undecided and not entirely clear on what I wanted to work on, other than improving my health and exploring a specific type of plant medicine.

Kimberly was incredibly patient, observant, and supportive throughout the process. She took the time to provide a variety of options and explain what each retreat and each medicine had to offer. She never prescribed or imposed her own opinion about which path she felt was best for me based on what I shared. Instead, she left the autonomy with me to decide what was right for my own journey, and I deeply respected the way she held that space.

Once I selected my retreat and arrived at the property, my first impression was that it was an absolute sanctuary. It felt like stepping into someone's imagination. The property is elegant, peaceful, and truly a piece of paradise. I could not have imagined a better setting for such a unique and meaningful experience. I was immediately greeted by the shaman and Jason, who helped me get settled and made me feel genuinely welcomed and comfortable from the moment I arrived.

As for the ceremony itself, the facilitators, the medicine, the safe container they created, and the carefully curated group of participants all contributed to an environment where I felt completely safe. That sense of safety gave me a huge invitation to fully lean into the experience and the work I had come there to do.

There was the right balance of encouragement, respect, trust, and challenge to push me beyond my comfort zone while always remaining in service of my highest good.

One of the most meaningful messages I will carry with me from this experience is this:

*I can do hard things. Nothing is permanent. When life circumstances or conditions change, I am absolutely capable and equipped to navigate them. It may not feel easy. It may not feel comfortable. Fear may be present, but none of those things define my capability.*

Thank you, Kimberly and Jason, for having the courage to create something that feels truly unique. It was very evident to me that your creativity, intention, and spirit are deeply imprinted throughout both the property and the experience. It is clear how much thought, care, and heart have gone into creating a space where people can safely do meaningful inner work.

Wishing you continued success.

Pura Vida! 🌺❤️🙏