Having already experienced ayahuasca retreats in the jungle, I found Onikano special in its own way. The land is vast, deeply alive, and immersed in nature, with several master trees, a beautiful pond where you can swim, and a dedicated area for plant baths. The white sand throughout the property makes walking barefoot a real pleasure and deepens that feeling of connection with the land. Despite its size and wild surroundings, the place is very well maintained, and everything feels cared for with love and attention.

For me, Onikano is a special place to connect with medicine but also reconnect with yourself and nature. There is so much space to walk, swim, meditate, and simply be. You can find your own rhythm, spend time in silence, and allow yourself to go inward without feeling that you need to fill every moment with something. The energy of the place is difficult to put into words, but it is something I felt from the beginning.

I also appreciated the approach to the retreat itself. You will have all the support you need whenever you feel you need it, but this is not a place with a packed schedule of sharing circles and group activities. There are additional experiences, such as plant baths, mud baths, gatherings around the fire, tobacco ceremonies, and other opportunities to connect, but the emphasis is very much on your own process and integration rather than constantly sharing or collectively processing the experience.

The place is very comfortable, you get your own bungalow with your private bathroom and shower. Food is delicious, nourishing, and cooked with love, adding to the overall feeling of being cared for. There is wife and plenty of areas to rest, relax, meditate and integrate.

One other thing that makes Onikano particularly meaningful to me is that it is owned and run by Maestro Herberto, a local curandero who descends from the Meraia lineage. I deeply value being able to learn from and support someone rooted in the local tradition. After receiving so much knowledge, guidance, and teaching from these traditions, choosing a locally owned centre feels like a small but meaningful way to give something back. It matters to support the people who carry and preserve this knowledge, rather than choosing a centre run by foreigners.

And then, of course, there are the people. From Maestro and Maestra to the translators, Barbara, and everyone working there, I felt welcomed and at home. There is so much care and love in the way things are done, and that makes a real difference when you are going through such a personal journey.

Magic is still the word that comes to mind. I remain deeply grateful for the experience, the teachings, the people, and the land. ❤️