The Plant Medicine Mystery School Ayahuasca Retreat
Plant Medicine Mystery School Retreat
July 16–24, 2027 · Santa Elena, Costa Rica
A modern Mystery School rooted in Ancient Shamanic Traditions.
The Plant Medicine path is a wildly beautiful and deeply challenging spiritual journey. It invites us to move beyond the surface of our lives, reconnect with spirit, and meet ourselves with greater honesty, courage, and reverence.
This week-long immersion is far more than an Ayahuasca retreat. It is a modern day Mystery School that brings ancient shamanic practices into a deeply intentional space for healing, awakening, and self-discovery. Participants will be held through three traditional ceremonies and four immersive Mystery School workshops led by Kat Courtney, founder of the Plant Medicine Mystery School and a ceremonial practitioner with more than two decades of experience.
Throughout the retreat, Kat will share powerful teachings around spiritual protection, soul retrieval, purification, spirit communication, mediumship, and other essential practices for navigating the unseen realms with greater clarity and discernment. These teachings are designed to help participants build a more grounded, empowered, and conscious relationship with the Plant Medicine path.
Held within a safe, inclusive, traditional, and deeply nurturing container, this retreat offers space for profound healing, meaningful connection, and lasting transformation. With careful preparation, daily integration, compassionate facilitation, and four weeks of post-retreat support, participants are supported in carrying the wisdom of the experience into their lives long after the retreat has ended.
All participants must complete an intake form and screening interview. If not approved, all payments will be fully refunded
Retreat Details
Location: Santa Elena, Costa Rica
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Ceremonies: 3 Ayahuasca · 1 Temazcal · 1 Cacao · Daily Rapéh
Mystery School: 4 immersive workshops exploring spiritual protection, spirit communication, purification, and other advanced shamanic teachings
Facilitator Ratio: 1 facilitator per 4 participants
Personalized preparation interview to ensure physical, emotional, and mental safety.
Round-trip transport to / from San José, Costa Rica.
Local, organic, dieta-friendly meals crafted by mindful chefs.
Peaceful natural setting with waterfalls, rivers, and jungle trails.
Integration circles, fire circles, and personal support.
Indigenous-trained shamanic team led by Kat Courtney.
4 weeks of post-retreat integration support.
All You Need to Know
TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
Arrive at San José (SJO) Airport on July 16, 2027
One-night hotel stay in San José (group rate provided)
Luxury shuttle to retreat on July 17, 2027 (3.5 hours)
Return shuttle to San José Airport on July 24, 2027 (book flights after 2:30 pm local time)
$250 in-person cash fee for sacred plants (covers all medicines and sacraments)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED: International flights + first-night hotel in San José
FOOD & DRINK
Vegan or Vegetarian Options Available
Multiple Plant Dieta-Friendly Meals and Snacks Provided Daily
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Organic and Local
Can Accommodate Additional Allergies and Special Needs
AMENITIES
Free Wifi
Luxurious Linens
Unlimited Fresh Spring Water
Clean, Gorgeous Single-Sex Bath Houses with Fresh Towels
Single and Double Occupancy Tents
4 Ceremonies
Ceremonial Maloka
Temazcal
Yoga Studio
Daily Flower Baths
Daily Master Plant Teas
All participants must complete an intake form and screening interview. If not approved, all payments will be fully refunded
Your 9-Day Journey - Itinerary
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All participants will arrive at any time that is convenient into the San Jose, Costa Rica airport (SJO). You'll procure your own transportation (cabs are inexpensive) to a local hotel; we will reserve a discounted block of rooms and share the location with each participant. Everyone is encouraged to get a good night's sleep, as the shuttle leaves at 730 am the next morning from the hotel.
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The shuttle will leave the hotel at 730 am with all participants - it's about a 3.5 hour drive to our gorgeous sanctuary. Upon arrival, everyone will check in and receive a tour of the retreat, as well as access to their lux accommodations. We will then have a hearty, delicious lunch, and gather together for our opening talking circle. We'll get to know each other, discuss the format of the retreat, meet the team, and connect with the land, asking for permission to do our sacred work. We’ll have a nourishing dinner, a talking circle in the evening, and a chance to get lots of rest in our peaceful environment.
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After breakfast, the Temazcal ceremony is offered. We will enjoy lunch, and then connect as a tribe to prepare for the first Aya ceremony, which happens later in the evening. After the ceremony circle is closed, we will light a spirit fire and invite folks to end the night in the vibration of this magical element.
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After breakfast, we will offer heavenly flower baths, working with our intentions and connecting with the land, and ourselves. We’ll then have our first Plant Medicine Mystery School workshop, led by Kat Courtney.. After dinner, we’ll come together for an integration circle, sharing insights that are arising and supporting each other in what we are moving through.
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The morning will feature a beautiful waterfall walk after breakfast, and then later in the afternoon, we will have personal interviews in preparation for the second Aya ceremony, scheduled for the evening. A fire circle will be organized after the ceremony is complete.
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After breakfast and morning flower baths, we’ll have a lovely lunch, and then we will have a second Mystery School initiation, along with pre-ceremony interviews and integration support. We will have the third and final ceremony that evening. After the last journey, our spirit fire will be a place of celebration and connection.
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After morning breakfast and flower baths, we'll have our third Mystery School workshop, giving space for creative expression & self-discovery and guiding us in the embodiment of what the medicine has been bringing forth. That evening, after a big delicious dinner, we will have another powerful integration circle.
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On our last day as a family; we will have communion with Mama Cacao - asking her medicine to ground us, to connect us to our hearts, and to celebrate the incredible week we’ve had. Then we will give back to the land in a lovely tree planting ceremony. After lunch, we’ll have our final Mystery School gathering; an initiation into the next chapter of our lives. This is a celebration of self-empowerment, community, and our incredible connection to spirit. Then we’ll have a celebratory dinner, a final commitment declaration gathering, and a fire ceremony as a grand send off!
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After a final breakfast and a chance to honor the incredible retreat staff, we will hop on a shuttle back to the San Jose airport. We encourage everyone to book flights home no earlier than 2:00 pm local time to ensure plenty of time to make our flights. For those that want to explore Costa Rica further, we are happy to offer suggestions and assist with transportation.
Pricing & Packages
Shared Accommodations
$3,800
Share a big beautiful bell tent with either a like-minded, same-sex participant or a friend, partner or family member.
Deposit: $1,400
Early Bird Price!
Early Bird Offer!
Phase 1: through January 2, 2027:
$3,200 (Shared)
$4,400 (Private)
Phase 2: January 3 through July 1st, 2027:
$3,500 (Shared)
$4,600 (Private)
Private Accommodations
$4,900
Enjoy a beautiful bell tent all to yourself!
Deposit: $1,400
All participants must complete an intake form and screening interview. If not approved, all payments will be fully refunded
To Apply
To apply, either book a call with head facilitator Kat Courtney, or register for the retreat here. All participants must go through an intake and interview process to determine safety eligibility. If for any reason it is determined you are not a candidate, all payments will be fully refunded. Need a customized payment plan? No problem - book a call and we will set one up after the interview.
We are so very honored to have you in the Plant Medicine People Tribe!
What Past Participants Say
FAQs
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This retreat is for anyone who feels called to deep connection, renewal, and transformation through sacred plant work. Whether you are brand new to the medicine and/or the Master Plant Dieta process or you have lots of experience, you are most welcome, and will find profound value in the experience.
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When you apply, we’ll schedule a private preparation interview to learn more about your background, health, and intentions. Together, we’ll make sure this experience is a good fit. Our screening process is thorough from both physical and mental perspectives, as safety is our number one priority.
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Our facilitation team is trauma-informed, first-aid knowledgeable, and experienced in holding ceremony with both new and seasoned participants. We have an emergency protocol in place should anything arise, and are connected to local medical experts. You are in very good hands.
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Traveling to Costa Rica is simple for most visitors. A tourist visa is not required for stays under 90 days for citizens of the U.S., Canada, and many other countries. No special vaccinations are required, but we encourage checking your local travel guidelines. You’ll fly into San José (SJO) airport and our team offers ground transportation to and from the retreat.
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Our team has decades of combined ceremonial experience and extensive training with Indigenous teachers and master plants. We are committed to integrity, safety, and service. Each ceremony is led by seasoned guides who have apprenticed deeply in traditional and cross-cultural lineages.
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No, your experience is always your choice. You’ll be invited, never pressured, to drink in each ceremony. Some guests choose to sit out a night for rest or reflection, and that’s completely honored. Every ceremony is supported by our facilitation team to help you follow your own intuitive rhythm.
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Our ceremonies are traditional in structure, yet open and inclusive in spirit. They’re guided by experienced facilitators who hold space with prayer, music, and deep respect for the medicine. Guests are required to respect noble silence during each ceremony, however there are often times where participants are invited to share their voices and sing, and even dance and celebrate our hard work and many blessings. We have strongly held containers that are also fluid enough to honor the energies of the collective community.
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Most participants - men and women - travel to us solo. Costa Rica is a very safe country, and this experience is extremely rewarding with or without travel companions. The group quickly becomes a family, and you’ll feel cared for and connected no matter what.
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Yes. Once your application is accepted, we’ll introduce you to your roommate before the retreat begins through a video call. We pair guests thoughtfully, considering compatibility and energy. You’ll have a chance to connect, ask questions, and build trust before arriving in Costa Rica.
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Absolutely. Integration is an essential part of the healing process. You’ll receive guided integration circles during the retreat and four small-group Zoom sessions afterward to help you anchor insights into daily life. You’ll also have access to our facilitators for additional support if needed.
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We understand that life happens and always aim to handle changes with compassion and fairness. Check out the details of our cancellation policy here: https://www.plantmedicinepeople.com/refund-and-cancellation-policy
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All participants complete a confidential intake form and a screening interview before being accepted into the program. This helps us ensure the retreat is a safe and appropriate fit for everyone involved. If, for any reason, we determine that the program isn't the right fit for you, we'll let you know before the retreat begins, and any payments you've made will be refunded in full.