Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreat Center Reviews 

When I got there at Spirit vine retreat, I had a nice feeling that it was the right place to be to do my first ayahuasca experience.The place itself looks beautiful and makes you feel a peace. I was nicely surprised by the accommodation and I slept very well. Not to forget about the food, that was amazing :)
I was nervous about the ayahuasca experience at first but Silvia and Tio who shines with their authenticity made me feel at ease and I knew I was in good hands. We had some intense workshop where you got to dig deep into your soul and as uncomfortable as it sounds it was worth the trip! It really helped me to understand the root of some patterns I had, why and how to release them. I would definitely recommend this healing place to anyone who wants to move forward in their lives , who wants to growth and to evolve. Thank you Silvia and Tio for making this experience so special.

An experience that changed my life.
The retreat stay in Spirit Vine was a great experience for me, a big step towards healing the soul.
Spirit Vine is a center of a very high standard. Sylvia and Tio are very professional and have extensive experience with Ayahuasca and its psychological activities. Everything is very well organized and I felt very safe there. As for the infrastructure, the resort is beautiful and picturesque, the bungalows are comfortable and clean and the kitchen can be said to be 4 stars. Ayahuasca ceremonies are surrounded by sessions working on yourself, in a group, but also individually with Sylvia. The barriers fall one after another and Ayuhuasca helps to be very aware and present.

One of the most striking aspects of my experience at Spirit Vine was the amount of intentionality that went into every aspect of the retreat. The workshops were tailored very specifically to the challenges we were likely to encounter in the ceremonies, and each one gave me helpful mental frameworks and tools to use. The meals (always gorgeous) followed a very careful diet that helped me prepare physically for the ceremonies. And the ceremonies themselves were always administered with such care, clear boundaries, and individual attention.

What made me feel most confident choosing Spirit Vine was the years of experience, both professional and lived, that Silvia and Ti0 bring to the retreat. Silvia has decades of experience as both a clinical psychologist and a facilitator of ayahuasca ceremonies, and this really shows in how the retreat is structured, in how much I learned, and in how safe I felt. And Ti0 shared more wisdom with me, gained through his personal experience, than is possible for me to put in words.

Additionally, Silvia and Ti0 bring their own cultural backgrounds to the workshops and ceremonies, and I appreciated the way they try to avoid appropriating Indigenous traditions that aren’t their own. That said, I would’ve appreciated slightly more context, integrated into the retreat, about the Indigenous history of the medicine.

In general, I would recommend ayahuasca to those who feel a deep pull towards it and to those who are sincerely looking towards their own healing. I don’t think it is a decision to be taken lightly. That said, it is an incredibly profound resource, and I’m so grateful that I found it at Spirit Vine.

There are so many resources at the retreat center: not only powerful plant medicine but also the advice and friendship of other participants, the large cabinet of relevant books that I spent hours perusing, the patterns of eating that gave me a radical and healthy break from my routine, and the workshops that taught me psychological tools that I will be using for the rest of my life.

I definitely hope to be back, and I have already highly recommended Spirit Vine to my close friends and family.

Overall, I can’t recommend this retreat highly enough. It was one of the most profound experiences of my life, and I truly feel so grateful that Silvia and Ti0 have created a retreat with such intentionality, wisdom, and care.

A must do for every human being in my opinion. The retreat is eye-opening. Silvia and Ti0 put together a masterpiece.
I stayed 9 days in this little paradise on earth. Every day of the ceremony we would do a workshop where we would learn tools to use to release childhood traumas, work on our shadow parts. We would then use these tools during our ayahuasca journey later at night.
Then the next day we'd have a powerful sharing session where we would reflect what happened during the journey the night before. It is very very insightful,
The personal journey can be tough sometimes but the next day everything feels so light and so clear.
The group dynamic between the participants is also truly unique, I've rarely experienced such an open-minded, non judgmental and caring vibe.
The discussions at meal times are so interesting and exchanging with Silvia and Ti0 is very refreshing.

Spirit Vine is the best place to be if you are a solo female traveller who is going to experience psychedelics for the first time. It is also the best place to be for everyone else in my eyes. I felt completely safe and cared after. Tio was a rock through all of the process and Silvia's wisdom & assertiveness helped me stand in my own power and heal myself. You can see their geniune interest in your healing. All the parts, workshops, sharing sessions, yoga & massages, random conversations in breakfast etc, all of it was absolutely what needed to happen to get the most from ceremonies. The food is just unbelievable and the pond is magnificent. I spent 1 hour every morning just looking at the perfection of the pond & the jungle and meditating. That in and of itself was healing. Itacare was an amazing town and spending time with the group after the retreat was so precious. I feel like I met the most amazing people. I have come, I have seen, I think I will never be able to unsee and I am so grateful for it.

A beautiful experience both due to the very professional structure and organization of the program and the stunning setting where you feel love and connection to nature poured into this retreat and for all those who arrive here. Silvia and Tio give guidance on how to get the most from your experience taking ayahuasca and also teach methods to search deep inside ourselves both when on the retreat and in our daily lives. They are very well tuned into the individual needs of each participant. There is also an incredible energy of total acceptance, respect and care amongst all of the group where each person is on their own journey but not alone. Thank you all so much for this magical experience which has certainly given me some clarity and peace while also opening doors to further exploration.
The retreat also offers comfort with the most amazing food prepared by Lu a specialist chef, well kept bungalows and common areas to relax and a stunning natural pool to enjoy. Allowing us to immerse in the experience without any concerns and connect with being in the present moment.

Having just attended the August retreat i am still in the gorgeous haze that is lingering even now, back to reality in London. I can't express how wonderful and transformative the retreat has been, all 11 of us experienced profound moments of healing and spiritual growth. The centre is run so perfectly by Silvia and Ti0, it is a sanctuary and the perfect place for this deep work. Every detail is aligned with their intentions and it doesn't go unnoticed. The amazing food, the beautiful bungalows and stunning location add magic to the incredible experience. For me it was the activities around the ceremony that were so integral - the workshops, yoga, massages, sharing circles and every damn conversation with the other participants and Silvia and Ti0 made this a life changing 9 days. The mind blowing insights and conversations didnt stop and i truly believe it was all these additions that helped us get a lot more out of the ceremonies than what i had imagined possible. It's these added extras, not just the ayahuasca, that sets Spirit Vine apart.
When i arrived i unfortunately wasnt very well but Silvia, Ti0 and the team took incredible care to make sure i got better and adjusted my dosage accordingly. We received such a bespoke service and i genuinely don't think this level of care and attention to each individual is on offer at many (if any) other retreats. It was my first experience with Ayahuasca and i am already looking at when i can return, i couldnt dream of going anywhere else after a 'trip' like this. On a final note - the other incredible participants cracked my heart wide open and i believe i made deeper connections over those 9 days than a lot of people can in a lifetime. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this and i cant wait to return to continue this transformative, soul enhancing journey. If you are deliberating where to go for your Ayahuasca retreat you can stop right now..

I took part in an eleven days retreat at Spirit Vine center. It was my first experience participating in a retreat of any kind.

First, the installations are great, clean, and comfortable. The electrical and internet network is available in every building and bungalow. Plenty of light guides you safely when you walk outside when it's dark.

Now I'm grateful for all the organization and the effort that made Silvia and TiO accommodate me and the other participants in the transportation from the airport to the city of Itacaré, then from Itacaré to the retreat. I appreciated that I waited maybe an hour at the airport to catch two other participants on another flight. We had the opportunity to save on the taxi and to know a bit each other before the retreat began.

Many people who've been at Spirit vine talk a lot about the food and I'm one of those for sure.
The food is prepared by a group of wonderful and loving women led by Chef Lou. Every meal was a feast. With the medicine I wasn't that hungry, still, I enjoyed every bite. Who said that vegan is boring? Please tell that person to try the spirit vine feast.

I'll spare you the details of my journey with the medicine, but I've been able to heal a trauma that I buried for over thirty-two years. Definitively the medicine is potent and can help to heal.

On that part of the journey, you'll have to do some work and learn in a way that may be different from what you are accustomed to ...

Silvia chose different workshops to suit the general vibe of the group. So the workshop schedule might change from one group to another.

The workshops are tools to help the participants to navigate and heal during the ceremonies. Even after the retreat, they are useful to manage our way in daily life.

One more good thing that I appreciated is that the dosage is set according to individual needs, background, tolerance, and so on.

After every ceremony, we do a group sharing in the afternoon. On that occasion, Silvia discuss with the participant about the dosage and set any adjustments if required.

From my experience, I felt safe in every way during the ceremony and beyond.

Next time you're looking for a real vacation, consider a retreat instead of an all-included resort. Instead of being wasted by a week of drinking and partying, you'll have the opportunity to relax, heal, and charge your batteries on a new and real level.

Over that, Spirit vine retreat center is well designed on so many levels. As I said it was my first experience so I can't compare with others. Still, you can't go wrong by choosing Spirit Vine: the place, the people, the food, and the weather...

The weather seems pretty fair between 20 and 30 Celcius year long and a decent level of humidity. So it is yearly comfortable.

I promise you that you'll tan like on the beach. The pond is great. The frogs and the fishes who live in it are vegan ;)

Over all of that, on every ceremony day, there is a free yoga class in the morning and very affordable massages.

I feel the need to add an honorable mention for the staff in general: they are very kind and respectful. By that, I mean that during the retreat I've done several inner works, and I've been in touch with my inner self. The staff are respectful and seems to understand that I felt the need to be alone. On the other hand, they always send me back my smile or hello.

Let me add this to help you to dismiss any suspicions: Spirit vine is more a school or an academy for the self than a cult. Actually, the dynamic is about empowering yourself to make your way thru life and being autonomous and aware that you can create.

You will find and know more about yourself and your true inner power. Think like Hogwarts School in Harry Potter. ;)

I enjoyed my journey there and I recommend it to anyone who is feel the need to heal and is willing to learn how to heal themself. My experience is magic in the way that I'm the creator of my own experience.

Nicolas Plouffe

This experience was nothing short of phenomenal!

I was never much of a spiritual person, although I have been searching in that domain for years.
The setting is wonderful, beautiful bungalows immersed in the jungle, Michelin Star worth cooking with great vegan and gluten free dishes using locally sourced ingredients.
The ayahuasca ceremonies are well organised, under the watchful eye of Silvia and Tio, who are there to assist everybody.
Unlike other venues where ayahuasca is used, here the dosages are individually measured and adjusted for each and every participant, changing quantities from ceremony to ceremony in order to enhance the experience.
The skilfully organised workshops are also important to maximise the "self work" that needs to be done before, during and after the ceremonies, and the sharing done after the ceremonies allows everybody to share their experiences with other participants and the facilitators.
I cannot leave one important, for me personally even critical, aspect of the ceremonies - the music that is played during the ceremonies. I found myself being very responsive to the songs in the skilfully chosen playlists which would guide me through the experience.
This retreat was organised during a rainy period that, for me, was very beneficial to the experience, especially when it would rain during the ceremonies.

This overall experience, for me, was truly transformative in so many levels, and I got a lot of insight and I still have a lot of "homework" to do before I will be back, because, for sure, I will be back.

I have researched few Ayahuasca Resort Center and found this place while I was waiting for others to respond to my questions and concerns. Spirit Vine Retreat has a friendly registration process which helps you to understand on how they operate and that they just don’t take anybody. The people are carefully screened who are looking for something more to life or healing and even to find answers. I personally had healing on an emotional, psychological, and spiritual level. I lost over 10 lbs in weight. The food was fabulous in taste, color, presentation and the pure organic ingredients used for preparation. Loved every aspect of this retreat never a dull moment. Everyone is so friendly and helpfully that you feel like part of a family that is looking out for each other. I have never felt so much love and care like I did at Spirit Vine. I am so grateful for Silvia, Tio and the staff who took care of us through out our stay there. The team made sure that the participants felt safe and comfortable. I will come back in about 3 or 4 years with other family members and friends. They all are so interested and would like to experience healing. I will give 10/10 rating for Spirit Vine Resort.

Margaret Johnson (Maggie)
Alberta Canada

Amazing experience. I felt lucky to be here. What a Journey!

ayahuasca came, saw and conquered.

i have learned about spirit vine from someone i met on my travels in patagonia. it should be like that, because my trip should take me to itacare anyway where i wanted to go surfing. I was unsure at first and checked many other retreats and not only did I like Spirit Vine the most, but it also seemed to be a very safe place, which was very important to me in my first experience. and everything came as it was supposed to. silvia and tio are two incredibly great people whose mission is to help other people. no hokospokos here, or any quackery. the retreat is located a few kilometers from beautiful beaches in itacare and has grown into a magical place with a lot of love over the years. all my expectations were exceeded. as a chef i can say that the food was of an absolutely high standard. vegan, gluten, sugar and unfortunately also salt free. Unfortunately, that has to be the case, because ayahuasca doesn’t go well. but it doesn’t matter, because you get to know the real tastes. the experience with the medicinal plant was life-changing and still ongoing. I would come back any time, which I will do as soon as possible. which, by the way, a lot of people do, which actually says everything about spirit vine. buckle up and let the journey to yourself begin. you are in very good hands! thank you silvia and tio from the bottom of my heart

Amazing - Wonderful Experience. Life changing.

Before writing this review, I wanted to find out what others had said and felt about the experience at Spirit Vine. This was not for a validation of my own thoughts, more so I could try to add a context which might be helpful to you if you are in the process of deciding whether this is something for you. There’s loads been written about the gorgeous, home produced vegan food, the tranquil, tropical location, the healing energy of ayahuasca and the nurturing care you will receive from Silvia and Tio. All this is true and exceeds any expectation one may have, providing an unforgettable experience. The context that I want to convey to you, fearful/doubt-filled potential spiritual traveller, is the profound effect that it really could have on your life going forward. The therapy, instruction and ayahuasca insights you experience during the retreat really can provide a framework and path ahead. Personally, I have made massive progress in understanding and healing childhood traumas, in eradicating some destructive behaviours and starting to mend relationships previously deemed lost. Sure, it’s just a start and the work continues when you return to your regular life, but Spirit Vine is where this can start. Note to reader, I am not normally open to much in terms of spirituality and am a stranger to self-care. I am a 48 year old man with emotion and anger issues who was cynical about the trip. I met some incredible people, was privileged to hear some deeply personal stories and shared things that I have not told anyone else on the planet. I now feel 1000% more positive about life and cannot wait to visit Brazil and Spirit Vine again.
Thanks so much Silvia and Tio, what you create is truly amazing x

Firstly, some context around my decision making in selecting Spirit Vine. I felt the calling to do ayahuasca back in 2017, so this trip has been a LONG time coming. I researched many many retreats extensively before deciding upon taking my first ayahuasca journey at Spirit Vine. Experience and knowledge of Silvia was one of the reasons that I chose to come to Spirit Vine. With her background in clinical psychology as well as extensive work with plant medicine I felt she would be the right person to help guide me on my journey. Also, in terms of location I really wanted to be near the sea for a few days after the retreat (which tuned out to be a great decision). In all, I can honestly say this was one of the best life decisions I have ever made.

Let me first start by talking about the centre itself. Spirit vine is a slice of paradise. The retreat is set in around 40 acres of lush tropical jungle. Upon arrival, what becomes clear is that Sylvia and Ti0 take a huge amount of care in every single detail of the Spirit Vine experience. Ti0 is an incredible being who was there for all of us when we needed him - kind, patient and full of wisdom. Both of them expertly and safely guided us all through this incredible experience. Everything within the retreat is meticulously cared for and considered. The surroundings, the buildings, the accommodation, the food and the workshops. All of the constituent parts that comprise the experience have clearly undergone many years of refinement to get to where they are today. There is deep care and respect for the jungle which is beautiful to see.

The workshops provide a hugely valuable framework for helping to process the numerous insights that flow from the ceremonies. The three workshops were ‘Regression to Childhood’, ‘Spirit Release’ and ‘Victimhood’. Each workshop played a vital role in helping to provide the tools for the participants to work with in ceremony and beyond.

The group dynamic was incredibly powerful. It was incredible to share with such a fantastic group of beautiful people, all looking to work on their spirituality and healing. It is no surprise that there were a few folks on the retreat that had been before. I now understand why.

It is also worth saying that the nearby town of Itacare is lovely. It has a warm and friendly vibe with beautiful beaches, and fantastic food. The perfect place to process the insights and experience post retreat.

In all, this was a deeply profound, life-changing experience that has brought me deep healing and insights beyond all my expectations.

I wanted to say a huge heartfelt thank you Silvia and Ti0

I will return to Spirit Vine to continue my journey...

Adam

I've had an amazing experience at Spirit Vine. I admit I was scared and uncertain at first as I didn't know what to expect but soon enough I was reassured. Silvia and Tio are wonderful in helping participants be at ease and providing help when needed. The workshops before every ceremony were a necessity and I feel it's what sets this center apart from all other places that offer Ayahuasca. We are guided and never left alone and we also share our experiences the next day in order to process better and understand the messages received. I particularly had a difficult time after my 1st ceremony and was hesitant but Silvia and Tio took their time with me and helped me tap into my inner power and confront my fears and move forward to what I had set out to do and theur support was very valuable for me and helped me move forward and get the experience I needed. Without their help, I would have probably quit and regretted after. I'm really grateful for the experience and lessons learned at Spirit Vine and I will be integrting them into my every day life. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have picked any other place to do an Ayahuasca retreat. I highly recommend this centre for anyone researching and looking for such experience.

I was at Spirit Vine for the ayahuasca retreat and whatever praises I have for the place and people are not enough!
This has been the best experience of my life, not just with the
ayahuasca, but also as a holiday destination. Surrounded by the lush
rain forest in a comfortable, cozy bungalow is a dream for anyone who
wants to recharge themselves in the lap of nature.
The ayahuasca ceremonies, sharing sessions to integrate the information
and the workshops are conducted very professionally and personally at
the same time. Almost everyone in our group was new to ayahuasca, and
even to substances or entheogens. We all felt like we were cared for with
great attention, and this is the magic of one of the most loving and
professional people you can ever meet - Silvia Polivoy. If you have done
ayahuasca before or are going to do it for the first time, you will love
every part of this place and the whole experience with Silvia.

My Ayahuasca retreat at Spirit Vine was an incredibly powerful experience. Knowing what I know about Ayahuasca now, if I had the choice available, I would only participate in future Ayahuasca ceremonies at Spirit Vine.

The Power of Ayahuasca
If you have not taken Ayahuasca before, you should understand that if it is prepared correctly, Ayahuasca is an extremely powerful plant medicine. Ayahuasca amplifies your thoughts, feelings and personal energies. This amplification process enables you to bring to the surface deeply hidden memories and traumas from the lower levels of the mind.

Likewise, Ayahuasca can show you completely different realities, different planes of existence, help initiate out of body experiences, connect you with spirit guides and so many other things.

Ayahuasca is not just a combination of plants to create a medicine, it is a highly intelligent entity. You can communicate with Ayahuasca.


What is Great about Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreat Centre ?
Yes the location is fantastic, yes the vegan food is very good, yes the facilities are excellent. Yes the yoga and massage sessions are fantastic. Whilst these things are great, they are not the most important things.

Most important – Spirit Vine is a safe space. Silvia and Tio have spent years refining the experience through the process of understanding what works and what does not work to create a safe space. Spirit Vine is a place where great healing can take place in a structured way.

As I have said Ayahuasca is extremely powerful, and when you go on a trip, perhaps working through some very deep traumas and emotions, I really appreciated the quiet, peaceful protected safe space.

Looking at how other Ayahuasca retreat centres work, many of them take an extremely high energy, high intensity, loud & noisy approach. Secondly, doses of the medicine are not tailored to the needs of the individual, thereby increasing the risk for some people of over-dosing. Thirdly, many retreat centres have dozens of people participating in the ceremony at once.

Now that I have participated in four Ayahu asca ceremonies, these other types of retreat environment are something that do not resonate with me. It would be too intense. Note: I’m a guy who is comfortable with intense, so I do not say this likely.

As well as creating a great safe environment, another fantastic aspect of Spirit Vine are the tools that we learned such as working with our inner child. This is important because the work is not done just because you have participated in a ceremony. You have to integrate and transform what you have experienced & learned.

Silva and Tio
Silva Polivoy is the co-founder and lead facilitator. What an amazing woman. Silvia is the type of woman who can spends just a few minutes with you and know exactly what makes you ‘tick’.

Silvia personally gave me a lot of incredible support when I was bringing to the surface an incredibly deep trauma. It was the hardest thing I have done in my life.

Silvia is extremely pragmatic. Her mindset is: ‘what is the most effective and efficient way to bring transformative healing to people’. She also has a huge heart and cares passionately about people.

Tio works with Silvia in a support capacity. Tio is incredibly wise for his age. Tio gave me very good advice on so many things. To see Tio at work helping and supporting people during the Ayahuasca ceremony is incredible.

I would strongly recommend Spirit Vine to anybody looking to partake in Ayahuasca ceremonies for the purposes of healing, transformation and personal development. If you are just looking to try out Ayahuasca for no particular reason, Spirit Vine is not for you.

If you look at previous reviews by other people, you will generally see 5 star reviews across the board. This says it all.

As hard as it was, I cherish the time I spent at Spirit Vine. Thank you Silvia and Tio from the bottom of my heart

Andrew

It’s hard to know where to begin. I think starting with the retreat facilitators, Silvia and Tio is a good place. They are nothing short of incredible. Their directness, kindness and insight to one’s soul is exactly what I needed.
From the moment you arrive at the retreat you get a sense of sheer magic. It’s hard to describe but the grounds of Spirit Vine invoke a sense of calm and tranquility.
The bungalow I stayed in was shared with two other guests. My bed was so comfortable and I actually slept!! Something I struggle with. There is something to be said for falling asleep and waking with the sounds of the jungle all around you.
I have to admit I was nervous prior to my first ceremony of 5. Silvia and Tio do an amazing job at making you feel safe and prepared, something that help solidify my decision to attend Spirit Vine, safety. Being a women myself I was comforted knowing Silvia, a women was leading the ceremony.
My experience with ayahuasca and what I learned in those 5 ceremonies has forever changed my life. It is absolutely true that it’s a life time of therapy jammed into one night. Honestly there’s no way I would ever have unlocked the traumas and insight I have with my therapist.
I will forever be thankful I listened when ayahuasca called and am so grateful that I listened to myself and chose Spirit Vine.
My husband and I plan to return next year together as I did this journey alone this time. He has seen the change in me and is wanting to explore it for himself.

Thank you again Silvia and Tio. I miss our conversations and the feeling of community I felt for those 11 days. Can’t wait to be back again next year.

If you are at all hesitant, don’t be. A wise women told me, fear will hold you back from everything exciting that life has to offer.

As this was my first experience with Ayahuasca I was a little nervous but from the moment I set foot at Spirit Vine, I felt instantly serene and knew I’d made the right decision. The energy of the jungle is indescribable, teeming with life and breath-taking. It’s hard to convey how special it feels, it was healing just to be there but when combined with Ayahuasca it takes on a supernatural quality. I could sense throughout the retreat that every detail had been carefully considered: the location, workshops, accommodation (stunning), food (incredible) and activities, all of which made me feel like I was in safe and experienced hands, I kept thinking “this is perfection”. Silvia and Ti0 are wise beyond words, they are so committed and attentive. Their expertise proved invaluable time and time again, it’s as if they speak Ayahuasca, helping us translate our experiences (and often causing us to see them in an entirely new light). I lost count of the number of times a conversation over dinner unlocked something that Ayahuasca would later expand on and vice versa. I also found their workshops crucial to the experience, they provided vital resources so going into each ceremony you feel empowered and safe which freed you to focus on exploring rather than worrying. I would recommend anyone researching retreats to strongly consider how much support you will receive before, during and after each ceremony, it makes a world of difference. I feel so fortunate to have navigated my first Ayahuasca experience at Spirit Vine and I know it won’t be my last. I truly feel like I would not have gained this much at other retreats and I could not have wished for better guidance, support or wild beauty. Thank you for a magical adventure <3