Ayahuasca | Integration $2,250 - $3,150

Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreat Center

Itacare, BA, Brazil

5.0 (315 reviews)

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We have been hosting ayahuasca retreats since 1996. Our center is based in the midst of the beautiful Atlantic Rainforest along the coast of Bahia in Brazil. We facilitate a safe and comfortable space for you to achieve harmony in your everyday life by aligning your mind, body, and heart with your true self.

Our 9 day and 11 day ayahuasca retreats are designed to give you a balanced experience. We have ayahuasca ceremonies every other night and in between there are activities to integrate your experiences and insights. There is also ample free time to reflect, to enjoy the beauty of the jungle, to visit the gorgeous beaches, and just to relax, let go, and enjoy the pure bliss of the moment.

Calendar and prices on our website

We have extensive experience integrating ayahuasca, psychology, shamanism, self development, modified states of consciousness, and various other modalities. We are present at all times and are dedicated in supporting you with loving care, attention, safety, and respect.The activities include workshops focused on spiritual development. The techniques covered in the workshops can be practiced even after the retreat to continue the journey of personal growth. Some of the topics include inner child integration, life progression, discovering the source of your blockages and the resources to overcome them. Another very important part of the retreat are the Yoga sessions in the morning which greatly enrich the ayahuasca experiences at night.

Spirit Vine & TheVine Center previously known as Ayahuasca-Healing have been created by Silvia Polivoy. She received her license in clinical psychology and had a private practice in Buenos Aires, Argentina for several years until she began to feel the need to make a transition from studying and healing the mind to exploring the worlds of Spirit. This took her away from the busy city streets to the more tranquil life in the jungle, moving to Brazil where in 2004 she co-founded the TheVine Center, a trans-denominational and inter-faith spiritual center located in the state of Bahia.

The nature of our nonprofit center is philosophical, religious, mystical, spiritual, educational, and cultural. All the retreats’ income’ serves to maintain the center grounds, create employment for the local community, and help preserve the jungle, having replanted thousands of native trees over the years to give but one example.

The retreats take place inside of 39 acres of lush preserved area. It is about 7 miles from Itacaré on the coast of Bahia. Our location is only minutes away from beautiful coastal beaches, which back onto the Mata Atlántica, the second largest rainforest in Brazil.

The experience of sacred tea ceremonies can be challenging for some, deeply religious for others, but profound all around. Please note that we have several programs to offer and the plant ceremonies are always optional and not required to partake in during any of our retreats. The plant ceremonies begin in the evening and go through the night. The group dynamic is very important and there will be facilitators to look after participants throughout. There will be plenty of time for group discussions and also time alone to reflect on the experiences elicited by the spirit vine tea for those that wish to partake in the plant ceremonies.

At the retreat center we grow our own ayahuasca vine and chacruna plants organically! We also have an organic garden to source vegetables for the food prepared during the retreat. We have pure spring water for drinking and also coconut water, juices, and a variety of teas.

During all our programs we follow a strict (though delicious) diet. The meals are completely vegan, gluten-free, and nutritionally balanced, prepared by our in-house chef who has specialized in vegan cuisine and has a post-graduation in functional nutrition. They include plenty of fresh vegetables cooked with delicious herbs and spices, luscious fresh tropical fruits, salads, and grains.

A note about sexual abstinence: this varies from culture to culture; some recommending as long as 30-40 days while others as little as one day or none at all like here in Brazil. For energetic purposes we recommend sexual abstinence during the retreat as well as 3 days before it begins and 3 days after the retreat concludes. As well, a drug free and no salt diet with no red meat, pork or heavy alcohol use for the same amount of time is optimal.

We fully expect you have questions about the retreats, programs and the facilities we offer. Please feel free to explore our website or watch our videos and write to us to come to one of our retreats.

Learn more about Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreats

Reviews (315)

5.0 out of 5

Overall 5.0

vbb
September 19, 2024 at 8:06 pm

Spirit Vine is truly a place of healing. Silvia is the heart of this incredibly beautiful place nestled into the jungle where the nature is spectacular. Her patience and wisdom provided me with a wealth of information that has taken me on a solid path to healing. There were a number of aspects that made my 9 day stay at Spirit Vine an exceptional experience. The property itself is meticulously managed by Silvia herself with the help of a few trusted staff. This place felt quiet, safe, and secluded which allowed me to feel completely at ease from the moment I arrived. Silvia was always present which was very comforting. Her hands on approach is felt in every detail of her program and everything is thoughtfully organized. The accommodations were very comfortable and clean. In addition, someone came daily to clean/tidy our bungalows which was so nice. There’s also a safe in the bungalows for passports/valuables.
All meals were plentiful, fresh, and beautifully prepared. Not a thing was overlooked in every respect to ensure we as participants had everything we needed. My favorite was the coconuts which we had each day. A shout out to the ladies in the kitchen. They were simply amazing.
Each ayahuasca ceremony was well guided by Silvia and ran smoothly. It gave me such peace knowing I was in capable hands. I’d like to note that Silvia is also a psychotherapist. Her many years of experience and knowledge served as an important tool throughout the retreat.
The follow up sessions after the Aya ceremonies led by Silvia helped me process and understand what I was feeling. Her workshops in between ceremonies also served an important purpose that facilitated for me, a better understanding of myself. I learned so much under Silvia’s guidance. I also had a few important aha moments with her help.
I highly recommend this place to anyone in search of a reputable retreat. I did an extensive search for a few years on and off prior to choosing Spirit Vine. Silvia and her retreat stood out to me. Now I know why.
I suggest looking at her website, her instagram, and listening to her speak in her videos.
I was particularly impressed with the amount of information she has posted on her website. She is clear and transparent about what to expect and any questions you could ever want answered is there if you look.
She also helps arrange transportation to and from the airport which I so appreciated.
She genuinely loves what she does and she does it well. Her deep understanding of the human mind and heart is a gift.
I’ll definitely be returning to this special place in the future.
A shout out to Noor who assisted Silvia with everything start to finish. His kind and calm presence at every turn was very comforting.
The one thing I was not expecting and came as a surprise was how much I bonded with each person in my small group. I learned something from each and every one of them. There were also some comedic moments and laughs along the way which I loved.
If I could give Spirit Vine, Silvia, and Noor a hundred stars, I would. I cannot offer enough positive feedback about this place, the people, or my experiences in a short review. I can only say, I’m grateful I traveled to Brazil to experience Aya in this unforgettable place.
Thank you Silvia and Noor for everything. It was above and beyond in every way possible.
SB
September 3, 2024 at 4:14 pm

I cannot recommend Spirit Vine enough. We researched other retreats prior to coming across this one, some of which were closer to home. However, we went with Spirit Vine due to the extensive information on their website that gave us a good feeling about Silvia and her approach. Our gut feelings did not mislead us! The experience from start to finish blew us away.

Spirit Vine is located in the heart of the Atlantic rainforest near Itacare, a welcoming and laid-back surf town in Brazil. From the moment we stepped off the plane, Silvia made sure we were in good hands by coordinating transportation and making everything smooth for us.

The property is extremely well kept and comfortable. The bungalows are clean, food is excellent, and her team is incredible (shoutout to Noor). We also enjoyed the flow of the daily itineraries- meals with the group, workshops led by Silvia, yoga, etc.

In regard to the ceremonies and personal growth journey, Silvia is the best guide and mentor you could dream of. She combines her expert knowledge in psychotherapy and ayahuasca to help you transform your pain, heal wounds you didn’t know you had and go deeper within yourself to live a more fulfilling life.

During the retreat someone asked Silvia, “Why do you do all of this?” to which she replied, “Can you imagine a better job in the world?” Her heart and existence are completely invested and dedicated to helping people heal. It was very moving to see the transformation of the group as a whole.

I cannot recommend Spirit Vine enough. Thank you Silvia, Noor and the team at Spirit Vine. We cannot wait to come back!
jay_swati
September 2, 2024 at 6:05 pm

After attending the July retreat at Spirit Vine, I find myself reflecting on how to share this profound experience with the rest of the world. Though located in Brazil’s Atlantic forest near the vibrant town of Itacaré, Bahia, with its beautiful beaches, Spirit Vine was more than a destination—it was an oasis for my exhausted soul.
I arrived like a desert traveler, looking for healing and burdened by the dust of the outside world and scars from my past. What I discovered was a paradise beyond my wildest dreams.
Palm trees with their gentle breeze, birds singing, playful monkeys jumping from tree to tree, and the beautiful pond welcomed me home. Then the night came and the sky transformed into a celestial canvas, with bright stars so close I felt like talking to them. And when I decided to sleep and I settled into the comfortable bed, protected by a mosquito net, the jungle sang the lullaby I never knew I needed. Even the wind felt magical here, carrying whispers of healing and renewal.
The attention to detail at Spirit Vine is nothing short of extraordinary. Beautifully designed bungalows offer a perfect blend of comfort and nature, with hammocks being my favorite. Borrowing a book from the library and losing myself in its pages while lounging in a hammock? Oh, yes, that was my moment of bliss. The daily cleaning, and the amenities—from reliable hot water to surprisingly fast internet—exceeded my expectations.
I must confess, I was skeptical about the dietary restrictions: no salt, sugar, gluten, or yeast. How could that possibly taste good? But oh, was I in for a delightful surprise! The chef at Spirit Vine is nothing short of a culinary wizard. Every meal was a masterpiece of flavors, leaving me wondering how such simple, wholesome ingredients could create such gastronomic bliss. The combination of ginger and cinnamon became a particular favorite—I’m determined to recreate these recipes at home!
At the heart of the Spirit Vine experience is Silvia, the healer whose presence infuses every aspect of the retreat. During ayahuasca ceremonies, I knew, I was safe, knowing Silvia was watching over us all. The music she chose seemed to guide my journey. (Note to self: Must find a way to get my hands on those playlists!)
Silvia’s workshops are treasures of wisdom. Her years of experience in the field of healing shine through every word. My advice? Listen closely and take copious notes—every insight is invaluable.
Mariann
September 2, 2024 at 2:48 pm

There’s a reason for all of the remarkable reviews which I’ll get to shortly, but first there are some practical considerations that I wish more people mentioned in their reviews that I thought might be helpful. I came in August 2024 which is winter in the region. That said bring warmer clothes and think LAYERS, so as it warms you can take off what you need to. In addition to the regular packing list, a couple of full length lounge suits will do it for the 9 day retreat during this season. It rains off and on so a rain jacket and waterproof shoes are helpful. The dorm is co-ed so bear this in mind if you’re trying to decide which accommodations to book. It may not seem like a big deal but if you have sexual trauma that comes up it could be triggering. The beds and pillows are very comfortable. There’s a safe in the rooms which I appreciated. There are no hairdryers so those with long hair most definitely should bring one because it will take several hours for your hair to dry naturally in the jungle environment. Also the diet prior to the retreat is less of a suggestion and more of a requirement. I foolishly believed that coffee wasn’t a problem to give up at the start of the retreat and I didn’t crave it at all but the migraine I suffered with on the first 2 days was awful. So do yourself a favor and stop caffeine at least a week before coming. Or better yet just follow Silvia’s instructions. So all of that out of the way my personal experiences with SV and ayahuasca were extraordinary. I’m still processing the things I learned but I feel confident in saying that I will be back. I have gone through a lot of trauma in my life and I could never seem to fully emerge from the pain of those experiences. During the ceremonies I relived most of those experiences but from a more energetic layer of reality. In the visions I had I saw the very worst and the very best of the energies at play in my life and all around us and I got to see how I interact with those energies. It was transformative and informative to say the least. Things make sense to me now whereas before the retreat everything I had been through just felt like meaningless suffering. I truly feel like a different person than when I first came. I’m calmer, more patient and above all I’m unconditionally loving myself. I can also see others for who and what they are and from this level of conscious awareness I can decide how or if I will respond. My physical health has dramatically improved as well and I continue to make changes and adhere to a healthier diet and lifestyle. When I was looking for an ayahuasca retreat I considered several different options but I’m happy that I chose Spirit Vine. Silvia and Noor were present, attentive and supportive throughout the process and Silvia’s psychology background was very helpful in processing the experiences that came up during ceremonies. I enjoyed the workshops and the sharing circles and I was able to get exactly what I needed from my trip to Spirit Vine. Looking forward to possibly returning sometime soon.
KR
August 29, 2024 at 6:03 pm

I am so grateful that I found Spirit Vine Retreat and Silvia. I have struggled throughout my life and was looking for a way to finally heal my body, mind and soul. I certainly found that through Silvia with her Ph.D in Psychology and her extensive work with ayahuasca.

Silvia offers the most beautiful environment in which to heal. The surrounding nature, sleeping accommodation/cabins, ceremony room, pond, and vegan food are all nurturing to the body, mind and soul.

Every detail is attended to so that the experience is safe and rewarding. On ceremony day we were offered yoga & massage to prepare our bodies to receive the medicine. Later that day, we had a workshop that helped me think about my intention for the ceremony that evening. Silvia takes the time to know each participant and tailors her workshops around the participants needs.

The ceremonies felt very safe to me. Silvia and Nor offer a trusting environment where participants are grounded and well cared for. I was able to go deep within myself to find the healing that I needed.

Silvia and Nor, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your knowledge and skill with all who participate in the retreats. You both are amazing!