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.
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sebastian.c
October 4, 2025 at 5:35 pmGreat place. Silvia and Elvis are very professional. You’ll feel super at home and safe here. Can easily recommend
Fractals
August 30, 2025 at 2:09 pmThis was my first experience with Ayahuasca. I didn’t know what to expect or what would happen. But meeting Sylvia and speaking with her and seeing the beauty of her little sanctuary put me at ease. I was especially greatfull for the fact that Sylvia was happy to talk with us at any time, and that she integrated herself with the group. The structure of the retreat is also wonderful, with workshops to process and understand our insights. As a novice I am deeply grateful for the time and attention that Sylvia put into every aspect of the retreat and every one of us.
Lastly the accomodation and the centre were all wonderful. It was a safe cozy environment that allowed us all to let go.
You can see the impact of all of this in the results. Nearly half of the participants were coming back for the second, third or even fifth time, and each of us left a little more whole than when we came.
Alex-mariposa
August 13, 2025 at 12:12 amWords will never be enough to truly capture my experience at Spirit Vine. This was my first time working with the medicine, and after doing extensive research, I felt deeply called to come here. It turned out to be one of the greatest gifts and most sacred, beautiful journeys of my life. Spirit Vine is truly a soul hospital, one that helps you release what no longer serves you and guides you back to your own power.
One of the things that stood out most for me were the workshops. They were incredibly powerful, thoughtfully guided, and made such a profound impact on my healing process. The ceremonies themselves were deeply transformative. I released blockages and energies that had been trapped inside for so long and connected more deeply with the parts of myself that needed love and attention. I especially loved the daytime outdoor ceremonies and being able to connect with nature, swim in the pond, and take in the medicine in such a vibrant, open garden felt like pure magic!
I am deeply grateful for all the truths, insights, and clarity that came through during my time here. This experience opened me to a greater sense of expansiveness and presence within myself. I feel more self-aware, grounded, and in tune with my intuition. It was as if layers that once clouded my vision were gently peeled away, allowing me to see myself, my life, and the world around me with more compassion, love, and understanding.
The entire retreat was a safe, sacred container. I bonded deeply with the beautiful, diverse souls who came together in this space, learning so much from their stories and sharing moments of real, heartfelt connection.
Silvia holds a deep respect for the medicine, with years of experience and wisdom that are so evident in the way she shows up for participants . She is caring, supportive, and also knows when to gently challenge you to go deeper in your process. Elvis was so kind and attentive, always making sure we were cared for in every way.
The property itself is a sanctuary. the bungalows are spacious, comfortable, and spotless; the food is nourishing, creative, and absolutely delicious (with a new menu each day); and the surrounding jungle and pond made me feel like I was living in paradise.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you Silvia, Elvis, and the entire Spirit Vine team for holding us so beautifully. I left feeling much lighter, clearer, and more connected and I know I will be returning.
lachheb_mouad
August 3, 2025 at 7:34 pmWhen I first arrived at the retreat, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. I came with an open mind, but also with many doubts especially about myself. I’ve never been a very social person. It’s always been hard for me to connect with new people, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to feel comfortable around others in such a vulnerable setting.
But what happened during those days truly changed something inside me. From the very beginning, I was welcomed with warmth and acceptance. Slowly, I started letting go of the social anxiety that had been holding me back for so long. I realized I had built walls around myself that no longer served me and the people around me helped me feel safe enough to lower those walls. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged. And that opened the door to a deep personal transformation.
Each ceremony brought something new. Even when I didn’t “feel” much on the outside, I now understand that there was a lot happening within. One particular ceremony hit me deeply. I felt a powerful emotion rising a moment of forgiveness, of wanting to release everything I had held onto. It was as if I saw my life flash before me, and I was finally ready to stop hurting myself with old habits. That one night gave me clarity I had been searching for for years.
The environment created by Silvia and Elvis made all the difference. Silvia is not just a facilitator she’s a true guide. Her energy is calm, caring, and completely grounded. She knew exactly how to support us, when to step in, and when to simply hold space. I felt seen, heard, and respected at all times. Even after the retreat ended, Silvia continued to check in and respond to my questions. That level of care and commitment meant the world to me. She didn’t just do her job she truly stayed with me on this journey.
Elvis, her assistant, was also such a gift. Always present, supportive, and full of positive energy. He made me feel safe and taken care of throughout every part of the experience.
I also want to mention the food it was incredibly good. You can tell it was made with love and attention. Clean, nourishing, and fully aligned with the work we were doing. It made me feel supported on every level, not just spiritually, but physically too.
The workshops offered throughout the retreat were so helpful. They prepared us mentally and emotionally and gave us tools that I know I’ll keep using in my life going forward. Each activity had a clear purpose, and they were all delivered in a way that felt natural and honest.
This retreat helped me reconnect with myself in a way I didn’t think was possible. I faced parts of myself I had ignored for years, and I came out stronger. I still don’t have all the answers, but I now feel like I have a direction and a deep trust in the process.
I’m truly grateful to Silvia and Elvis for their guidance and kindness, and to the entire group of participants who helped me break through barriers I’ve carried my whole life. I can say with confidence that I’ll be back.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.
Marc-Henri
July 26, 2025 at 4:06 pmTwo years later, we are at our 4th retreat in this center, and I want to make a new review: This is the fourth time my wife and I have taken part in a retreat at SpiritVine, and each time has been a unique experience — surprisingly deep, and always building upon the previous one. SpiritVine is the perfect place to discover or deepen the path of consciousness that Ayahuasca opens up. The setting is beautiful, and above all, it offers a sense of complete safety — which is essential for surrendering fully to the depth of the experience. Silvia brings the richness of her personal experience, both as a psychotherapist and as an explorer of expanded states of consciousness. We absolutely recommend it.
And here is our review made in 2023 after our first retreat: This place is amazing, a little paradise. Everything is beautiful, from nature to the food and accommodations. But most important, Silvia and her helpers provide such a safe space to enter this journey with the medicine. Her grounded presence, her workshops, and guidance, and the whole setting allow the participants to enter deeply into this experience and give precious tools to integrate it afterward. Taking Ayahuasca is a serious adventure, and I cannot imagine a better place to do it. It was, for me, probably the most intense, healing, difficult, transformative, and mystical experience of my life.