Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreat Center Avis 

From the moment I had the call to work with this wonderful and special medicine Spirit Vine came in the picture many times. I heard about it from a friend/client -which recommended the retreat and especially Silvia’s knowledgeable and empowering approach to the process of healing with the Ayahuasca brew… which by the way is carefully grown and made by her on the premises-, it came in my dreams, I read articles and found out about Silvia and the center via psychedelic and plant medicine’s articles and talks. So I booked and went there ready for this new adventure into my subconscious. The set and setting of the experience is safe, peaceful, smooth and loving, a beautiful calm natural oasis. The support is incredible, in every single aspect… preparation, hospitality, ceremonies, aftercare, integration. I received everything I was looking for and possibly more! Thank you silvia for your knowledge, your service, support, the commitment, the love and for creating an environment where people can truly let themselves be present and go deep into their healing process. The staff that is lovingly involved in the running of the retreat center and all the activities is wonderful. The food is incredible and wholesome, the yoga teacher and the massage offering is awesomely skillful and everything runs so harmoniously. To the point that I decided to stay for 2 retreats in a row. Best decision ever and I am grateful to Silvia for the opportunity and pushing me into finding my voice, my sovereignty and my inner power. I will go back for sure as I know that Ayahuasca is my medicine and my ally. ♥️

This is my third time at spirit vine and there is a reason I keep coming back to this amazing retreat! I came to spirit vine in search of spiritual understanding and to dig deep within myself because I had lots of trauma from my childhood. Silvia who is the person who started and runs spirit vine has created the safest environment to be able to explore deep within ourselves. I really appreciate the structure of this retreat because to be able dig deep inside myself I need to be able to be vulnerable and I feel safe to do that a SV because of the rules and careful attention to detail that Silvia provides. The facilities are very comfortable at SV and it doesn’t matter if you are staying in a 5 person bungalow or sharing a room with one other person, which I’ve experienced both. The food is absolutely fantastic, honestly some of the best vegan food I’ve ever had and the diet is carefully catered to be safe with ayahuasca. Silvia also provides workshops to help with the ayahuasca experience, like inner child workshops or understanding trauma workshops all which help with understanding and integrating the ayahuasca experience. I’ve also really appreciated the group sharing after the ceremonies, where we have a chance to hear other people’s experiences, which also helps with recollecting our own insights. This is an important part of the process and because Silvia puts so much effort into making sure the retreat is the right place for each participant it’s always been easy to feel open to be vulnerable in these settings. I have plans of returning to spirit vine in the future with my brother and I’ve also shared the experience with other family members as well. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone wanting to learn more about themselves and I can honestly say that Silvia is someone who understands the human heart better than anyone I’ve ever met.

The retreats run by Silvia and her team are simply excellent. The farm is in the middle of a beautiful property with all types of trees, beautiful flowers, and a lake to bathe in. The property is not far from the beaches of Itacare. Silvia is a professional and always open to help clarify some of the most profound questions ayahuasca sessions might raise. She cultivates the food and the ayahuasca on the property, so the quality is controlled and very good. The food served was simply delicious. Safety was a main concern for me, and Spirit Vine Retreat is one of the safest places I have been to. I was blessed to live a life-altering experience, and I am grateful to Silvia and her team for facilitating such a beautiful moment.

Thank you Silvia and the whole Spirit Vine team for the transformational experience I had, I attended the retreat in October of 2023 and wanted time to adjust to the new me before writing this review, I had a wonderful time from start to finish, the food is amazing, the guidance, what Silvia teaches is also great. the retreat is so peaceful and bliss, If you feel the calling of mother Ayahuasca then I would recommend Sprit Vine.
Thanks one again Silvia.

I was there in December and such a wonderful,unique experience.It was my first time doing Ayahuasca retreat or using any psychedelics in my life so I was very nervous about it but I know I needed it,to get to know myself better and for personal and spiritual growth.Spirit vine center was recommended to me by a friend,did my research,booked it and best decision I made.Ms Silvia created a paradise in the Atlantic Forest,an amazing and safe environment and I enjoyed every minut of it.The moment we were welcomed I felt I am in good hands.My nervousness disappeared,the guidance of Silvia is present from the first until the last moment.Such an inspirational lady,well spoken,always there to listen and give advice.The whole team is great.Surrounded by amazing nature I felt like out of this world for those 10 days,floating in a bubble protected from the outside world. Such a profund,emotional,insightful,meaningful experience.I laughed,I cried, I learned ,I met amazing people,but most importantly I grew emotionally and spiritually.If it's your first time doing ayahuasca it is definitely the place to be.Warm,safe and trustworthy. If I could I'd give 10 stars. Forever grateful to Silvia and the whole time and I definitely see you again soon. Muchas gracias! 🙏🏻

Não fui mais parece ser ótimo.
Parabéns

I attended Spirirt Vine (again) for Jan 2024 retreat.
I am attending Spirit Vine retreats since December 2018.
From the moment I step into this place I feel enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility and pleseant energy.
Every part of the retreat is designed to ensure participants feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
The ceremonies are conducted with utmost reverence and care, in a safe and supportive environment, allowing for deep exploration and healing to occur.
For me Spirit Vine is where I get relief from emotional pain and reconnect with my true essence.
Every time I leave here I feel renewed, inspired and profoundly grateful for the transformative experience it provided.
Over the years I was lucky to witness people experience profound healing and
transformation in Spirit Vine.
After drinking Ayahusca in three different centers, considering how important the set and setting is when embarking on such a journey, I would not look elsewhere.

This is my sixth time I have visited spirit vine. It is truly incredible. What happens each time. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, you find a deeper level of connection. It is so important to be in a place that you feel safe and secure when you’re doing deep inner work. Sylvia and spirit vine provide this safety to allow your inner child to come out and bond with you and I will be back again next year. I know this is a process and I will continue to do the work. Thank you to all the other participants and volunteers that share so much of themselves!

I recently attended Spiritvine, led by Sylvia, a former psychologist claiming to be an expert in trauma. Having been diagnosed with PTSD due to severe childhood abuse, including the traumatic experience of my father's suicide, I was hopeful that this retreat could offer me some healing.

During our initial meeting, where each attendee shared their reasons for being there, I mentioned my PTSD diagnosis. To my dismay, Sylvia asserted that 'everyone has PTSD,' a statement I found not only offensive but also trivializing of my personal struggles with the disorder. This generalized view contradicts the well-established criteria for PTSD diagnosis as outlined in the DSM-5 and ICD, which include specific symptoms like intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.

Her dismissal of these clinical standards and insistence on her own broad definition of PTSD, equating any trauma with the disorder, raised serious doubts about her understanding of the condition. When I challenged her perspective, she accused me of being closed-minded, ironically disregarding the established clinical definitions herself.

Moreover, it became apparent that I was the only attendee with severe trauma during the initial meeting where we stated why we were here. No one mentioned trauma, but according to Sylvia, they just don't know they have PTSD, but everyone absolutely does. This raised doubts about Sylvia's claims of treating trauma. It seemed she was taking on less severe cases, misidentifying them as having PTSD, and then congratulating herself for fixing their PTSD and calling herself a "trauma expert." What a scammer. This approach is not only misleading but also potentially damaging to those, like myself, who are grappling with serious PTSD.

Furthermore, I was taken aback by her insensitive comments regarding my difficulty with eye contact, a common issue among those with severe PTSD. She was completely insensitive and blithely unaware of this being a common issue among trauma survivors, another reason why I had serious doubts about her claims to be a trauma expert.

After our argument, she stated I am not allowed to participate in the ceremony. Also they don't offer refunds at all. So if you come here and find out this is not the right fit for you, be prepared to lose the entire cost of the trip. I lost $3,150. This is the only place that doesn't offer refunds if you decide it's not a good fit. Absolute scam.

In summary, this retreat does not seem equipped to handle severe PTSD cases. Sylvia's approach, which lacks adherence to established psychological standards, could be more harmful than helpful. Those with profound trauma should seek a space where their experiences are understood and addressed with the seriousness, compassion and expertise they deserve.

I wanted to wait a few weeks before posting a review so that I could integrate the experience a little before doing so. First of all, the location is amazing, the pictures on the website don’t do it justice at all. It’s far bigger than I expected it to be and is so beautiful it’s tough to put into words. Staying at Spirit Vine for 11 days, without the Ayahuasca or workshops, would have been amazing by itself. I still miss lying in the hammock and watching the hummingbirds in the tree next to my bungalow every day.

The ceremonies and workshops themselves are very well thought out. I’ve been through psychotherapy before and the best way I can describe the experience as a whole is it’s like years of therapy condensed into 11 days. The ceremonies were very peaceful and the music really takes you on a journey throughout. The Ayahuasca itself was far gentler than I expected when comparing it to other psychedelics I’ve used, although I think a lot of this can be put down to the very clinical approach that Silvia takes in combining her extensive experience as a psychotherapist along with her work with Shamans in the Amazon. It was far more therapeutic than other psychedelics and I had far more clarity on the lessons it was trying to teach me during and after the ceremonies. The workshops were also incredible and opened my eyes to many things I hadn’t considered previously, giving me a lot to think about during the ceremonies themselves. The guidance from Silvia, Miro, Rick, and Elvis throughout the retreat was amazing. I was lucky enough to have one of the facilitators (Rick) as my room mate, who really helped to guide me through the whole experience and is just all around a great guy.

I could go on and on but I highly recommend Spirt Vine if your intentions are in the right place, and you’re ready to do some inner work. Ayahuasca isn’t for the faint of heart, but I left this place a far more centred and conscious person, and now have a road map for how to approach many things in my life going forward. I will definitely be returning and hopefully sooner rather than later.

I just finished my 6th retreat here 4 days ago, and the impact of the beauty and miracle of Spirit Vine is still reverberating through my whole mind and body. Never have I felt any “ been there, done that” from the retreats here; I just keep attaining higher levels of gratitude and love and understanding of so many things I previously knew nothing about. Everyone that comes here will tell you about the magnificent Garden-of-Eden-like setting, the delicious food, the roomy bungalows. But it’s the workshops that Silvia puts together, with her decades of experience as a psychotherapist, and her extensive expertise and knowledge of ayahuasca, combined with sacred plant medicine that sets SV apart from the others. Silvia’s love and seemingly boundless insight is the icing on the cake.
Before coming to SV the first time, I did much research on the abundance of retreats around the globe, hoping to sort out and avoid any retreats that may have duplicitous intentions. I feel I’m so very lucky to have found SV. I’m a very different person since coming here, and I’ve seen how SV has helped so many others.
It is also wonderful having Miro there helping out and being so caring and thoughtful.
If you’re looking for a safe place to experience the efficacy and sanctity of plant medicine, this is it.

The best experience of this life & also the best choice! The beauty of the place is beyond words as is the knowledge, intuition & awareness of Silvia. No Shaman or anyone can compare to her. She is truly above & beyond, all you need to do is listen to her & let the potion do the rest. Comfort & overall care is 5 stars. This is the one!

This place is amazing, if anyone already making a personal a work this could be a great way to make the pieces fit together. The workshop, the group therapy, meeting people all around the globe with different views all have a great impact on me. Nonetheless the food, the place, the pond are just great. The only problem is at the end you just want to stay there.

This my truly the best experience of my life. If you are looking for growth and a safe space to try ayahuasca, this is the place for you. Coming out of this retreat, I feel like an all new person. My depression is gone, my anxiety is much lower and I feel more calm than ever. It’s not only because of the ayahuasca, but also because of Silvia and the knowledge and tools that she shared during the workshops and group sharing. Silvia is so insightful and inspiring! I would definitely recommend this retreat to anyone who is looking to learn and grow!

Before going to this retreat, I was skeptic about all the 5 stars review, but I assure you that those are all real. There is absolutely no way that you can come out of this experience without it being one of the best experience of your life, believe me!

If you are thinking about doing an Ayahuasca retreat, make Spirit Vine your first choice and you will not be disappointed. It is the perfect place for first-timers as well as a favourite of many returnees and it was easy for me to see why from the moment I arrived. Silvia's warm welcome is followed by a continuous loving, nurturing energy which offers as much space or intervention as you require. The organisation and care is executed effortlessly and puts you at ease the entire time. The surrounding nature is spectacular and provides such a serene environment for your stay. There are so many hidden treasures to this experience that are not only about the Ayahuasca. Miro is such a wonderful addition to the spirit vine team, he was always so thoughtful and helpful whilst also providing great banter at meal times. The food is excellent and plentiful, the chef manages to make it feel like a treat even without salt and sugar. Silvia has a wealth of experience and wisdom and I would recommend seeking some one to one time with her to get further clarity on yourself. At Spirit Vine you are never in any doubt that you are safe and cared for and if you are open to it, it can be a life changing experience.

Through and through, this was incredible. I had so many moments of awe for the curated, guided experience that Silvia and her team provide. A cutting-edge mix of group psychotherapy workshops and ayahuasca ceremonies and sharing. This was my first time using the medicine and what could have been scary was beginner-friendly. The lodging and food were excellent, as were the grounds in a beautiful slice of Brazilian rainforest. The photos on the website don’t do it Justice. I had just the breakthrough that I needed after feeling severely depressed and blocked this year. Silvia also curated such a great group of diverse people, I made friends for life and it was easy to be intimate and open up with the group. I couldn’t recommend this highly enough. As I told friends and family after, the retreat made me realize I’d been sleepwalking for 20 years and it woke me up. A big fog has been lifted. Thank you Silvia.

This was my second visit to Spirit Vine, so clearly I am a fan. My initial visit was preceded by an enormous amount of vetting and research as I really wanted to be in an experience with facilitators that were safe, extremely experienced with the medicine, working in small groups and catering both in dosage and integration to the individual. I also wanted to know that they made their own ayahuasca and that it was pure.

Spirit Vine is all of that PLUS all of the wonderful things that the hundreds of reviewers say (location, meals, etc). I know it's hard to believe that there can be this many people sharing the same thing and giving 5 star after 5 star reviews, but it's true. This is a special place for healing and expansion.

Silvia is quite humble and will not say it herself, but her decades of work with plant medicines, and her expertise specifically with Ayahuasca are a true treasure for those of us wanting to work with this medicine. She navigated the jungles of the Amazon to learn to work with ayahuasca decades before most westerners were even thinking about plant medicine, and prior to that she had an established practice as a Psychologist. She brings vast wisdom about the human psyche, the world of shamanism, the realms of expanded consciousness, and the practicality of integrating it to our "real life" here on 3D planet earth. This is a space where she puts it all together in a way that is simultaneously magical and full of mystery and yet highly practical, tangible and helpful to everyday life.

She is the first to say that ayahuasca will not heal you, YOU heal you, but that the portal, awareness, insights and expansion that this medicine provides is beyond anything that I have experienced in my lifetime of spiritual practice and curiosity.

I consider ayahuasca a profound teacher and an integral part of my path. If you are curious and committed, the changes I have seen for myself and others in these circles can be astounding. I also know very well that "set and setting"... the who, how, where, etc of how this medicine is served is beyond important. This is a place that takes that responsibility very seriously.

If you are called, know that this is a place that you can be safely held and trust in the process. I for one will be back again, and I thank Silvia from the bottom of my heart for so tirelessly bringing this healing opportunity to so many people.

For me it was the most incredible experience I had in my life. I feel very grateful to have shared it with all the people I met at the retreat. Before my friend convinced me to do the retreat, I was a little skeptical about believing in those things, but I am following my spiritual path and I told myself why isn't it something that can help me go deeper and connect with my inner being? . In the end I had many more answers than I was looking for, it was very revealing and now I have the tools to continue working and evolving. I only have gratitude to Silvia, Miro, Helena for sharing with me this trip that has been the best of my life and grateful to all of you for sharing your experiences. I send you all my love and we will keep in touch!

Was an amazing experience met some great people. Would highly recommend this retreat over any other the way Silvia integrates therapy with the Ayahuasca medicine is fantastic.

It's was from far one of the greatest experience i had. A place where we feel really safe, with an amazing area in the middle of the jungle, with all the facilities we need for our confort. The employees working there were very thoughtful and kind, Silvia is this kind of women you meet only once in life, she created something amazing that definitely helped me out for my present and future. I know what happened, what I used to do and how to fix and improve everything. I cannot be more grateful. I call it the 10 years therapy done within 9 days. I'd clearly come back and recommend this place to anyone who is ready for change.
Thank you again ♥️