Has An Ayahuasca Retreat In Costa Rica Been Calling You, But You're A Little Nervous, Read This First.
- creativehealingtre
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
If an ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica has been coming into your awareness… I want you to pause for a moment and really notice that.
Because in my experience, this doesn’t just happen randomly.
As soon as ayahuasca comes into your awareness, she begins to work on you—before, during, and after the retreat. I promise you that.
Even the thought of going… the curiosity… the hesitation… the resistance… it’s all part of the process.
The Journey Starts Before You Even Arrive
A lot of people think the experience begins when they sit in ceremony.
It doesn’t.
It begins the moment you consider saying yes.
Even getting on the plane and flying to Costa Rica—especially if you’re doing it alone—is part of the experience. It’s about stepping into the unknown, getting out of your comfort zone, and allowing yourself to move into something new.
Because real change doesn’t happen where everything feels comfortable.
It happens in the places we’ve been avoiding.
The Call… and the Resistance
When people feel called to ayahuasca, there’s almost always another part of them that resists.
That resistance isn’t something to be afraid of.
It’s the part of you that wants to stay where it’s familiar—even if that means staying stuck.
And I’ve seen this over and over again working with people.
The call and the resistance often show up at the same time.
The Fears Most People Carry (But Don’t Always Say Out Loud)
Before people come, they’re often thinking things like:
What if I lose control?
What if I can’t handle it?
What if I get sick or throw up?
What if I don’t feel safe?
What if I’m flying all the way to Costa Rica alone and something goes wrong?
These aren’t small fears. They’re real.
And after working with well over a thousand people in ceremonies, I can tell you this is completely normal.
About Losing Control
This is one of the biggest fears.
Most people are used to being in control of their thoughts, their emotions, their environment… their life.
So stepping into something unknown can feel uncomfortable.
But what I’ve seen over and over again is this:
The experience isn’t about taking something away from you—it’s about allowing you to release what you’ve been holding onto.
That doesn’t mean chaos.
It means guidance, structure, and being supported through the process.
Yes, Your Body May React
Another fear people have is the physical side of it.
Yes—sometimes people do purge.
But purging is not something going wrong. It’s your body releasing what has been stuck.
Just like when you get the flu and your body clears itself, this is your system letting go of stagnant energy.
In many cases, it’s connected to your life force moving—your body opening, your energy shifting, and then releasing what no longer needs to be held.
During the retreat, I also teach other ways to move and release energy, including breathwork practices that allow you to work with your body more consciously.
Why These Retreats Are So Powerful
One of the reasons ayahuasca retreats are so powerful is because you begin to heal on a micro level what needs to be healed on a macro level.
There are real, noticeable shifts that happen within the environment—emotionally, energetically, and physically.
I have facilitated hundreds of ceremonies, and I can tell you this with complete honesty:
Ayahuasca is my favorite of all the plant medicines.
The medicine we use comes from this beautiful land here in Costa Rica. It is incredibly loving, very pure, and held with deep respect.
To me, it truly feels like the milk of Mother Gaia.
The Importance of the Right Environment
The environment you’re in makes all the difference.
This is not something to rush into or take lightly.
The retreats I host are intentionally small and held with a very high level of care so that each person feels safe, supported, and seen.
I combine a deeply guided transformational experience with a setting that also allows you to feel comfortable and at ease.
Because when you feel safe, you can actually go deeper.
Why Nosara, Costa Rica
Nosara is one of the safest places I’ve ever been.
My daughter goes to school here, and I have never experienced crime here. From the very first time I stepped onto this land, it felt different—almost like stepping into something ancient.
It honestly felt like Atlantis.
Nosara is also part of what’s known as a Blue Zone, one of the few places in the world where people live the longest.
Blue Zones are environments where lifestyle, community, and energy all contribute to longevity and well-being.
There is something about the frequency of this place that naturally supports healing.
Letting Go of Expectations
One of the biggest things I guide people through is releasing expectations.
Because within expectations, there are often limitations.
It’s very important to come into your heart, set a clear intention, and remain open to how the medicine works with you.
It doesn’t always look the way you think it will—but it gives you exactly what you need.
A Personal Truth
If anyone in my life needed help—deep, real help—this is the first place I would guide them.
That’s how much I believe in this work.
Final Thought
If this has been coming into your awareness, and at the same time you feel nervous…
That’s okay.
You don’t have to force anything.
But it’s important to notice the call.
If you feel called to explore this further, you’re welcome to learn more about the retreat here:
I’m also honored to connect with you personally. If you have questions, or simply want to feel into whether this is right for you, I offer private one-to-one Zoom conversations where we can talk through everything together in a grounded and supportive way.
Dr. Rebecca SullivanFounder, AWAKE AcademyFacilitator of Transformational Retreats in Nosara, Costa Rica
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