A Sacred New Year’s Journey of Renewal and Healing
Ayahuasca & Master Plant Dieta Retreat
December 28, 2025 – January 5, 2026 · Santa Elena, Costa Rica
BRING IN 2026 IN THE MOST AUSPICIOUS WAY!
There is nothing more life-changing than a traditional Amazonian Master Plant Dieta combined with the magic of Ayahuasca.
If you are ready for the deepest work available in the shamanic space, this retreat is for you. Our shamanic team has decades of experience and approaches this ancient tradition with love and reverence. Participants will each be paired with a personally selected jungle master—co-chosen with our guides—from a family of powerful allies such as White Sage, Rose, Bobinsana, Ajo Sacha, Oak, Cedar, Damiana, and Marosa.
This adventure includes 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies, daily work with your chosen Master Plant, daily Rapéh offerings, waterfall walks, a Temazcal (sweat lodge), a Cacao celebration, a tree-planting ceremony, and so much more. The experience also includes preparation support and four weeks of post-retreat integration.
Led by Kat Courtney, PMP Co-founder and 20-year ceremonial veteran with Ayahuasca, alongside a gifted team of compassionate, trauma-informed facilitators, you’ll be held in a profoundly safe and supportive container.
A Message from Kat Courtney
Meet your facilitator and hear the intention behind this retreat.
Retreat Details
Location: Santa Elena, Costa Rica
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Ceremonies: 3 Ayahuasca · 1 Cacao · Daily Master Plant Work · Rapéh Offerings
Facilitator Ratio: 1 facilitator per 5 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, daily flower baths, and personal support.
Indigenous-trained shamanic team led by Kat Courtney.
4 weeks of post-retreat integration support.
Built for seekers of deep transformation and heart-centered connection with a Master Plant ally.
All You Need to Know
TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
Arrive at San José (SJO) Airport on December 28, 2025
One-night hotel stay in San José (group rate provided)
Luxury shuttle to retreat on December 29 (3.5 hours)
Return shuttle to San José Airport on January 5 (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
Your 9-Day Journey - Itinerary
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Arrival at any time during the day or evening in San Jose, Costa Rica. We have reserved a block of rooms in a local lovely hotel (not included in retreat cost), but you can stay anywhere you choose in the San Jose vicinity. The shuttle to the retreat location will leave at 730 am the next morning at our selected hotel.
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Arrival and acclimation to our heavenly tropical location. We will connect with the land, ask permission for the local spirits to work with us, and set our intentions for our experience, as well as get to know each other a bit. Ceremony facilitators will talk through the Ayahuasca process with the group; we will get to know each other, share our intentions, and then the maestros will open each participant's dieta in a mini-ceremony (no Ayahuasca the first evening so we can ground in and connect with our Master Plants.)
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After a delicious breakfast, the day will also include flower baths, the first Temazcal ceremony and waterfall hike, talking circles to lay the groundwork for the first Ayahuasca ceremony, and a healthy, grounding lunch. We will then do one on one interviews with each participant, and have the first ceremony that evening.
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After breakfast we will offer Flower Baths, nature walks, massages, and some down time to integrate the ceremony experience. After lunch, we will meet for an integration circle and start giving language to what is transpiring in the healing portal. We will then have interviews and dive into the second Ayahuasca ceremony, in celebration of the New Year!
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The second Temezcal/Waterfall walk happens in the AM postbreakfast, then we will have a big supportive lunch, flower baths, and time for massages and rest. That night we will have a new year’s feast, and plant some seeds for our new year that evening.
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NOBLE SILENCE DAY - This day is all above a profound connection to our Master Plants. We will awake and honor noble silence all day - have a quiet contemplative morning, eat our two meals in silence, enjoy meditative flower baths, and prepare for the final Ayahuasca ceremony that evening. At the end of the ceremony, we will break Noble Silence by inviting everyone to sing the Icaro we learned the day before. A bon fire will gather all those who wish to use their voices so we can talk about what's been transpiring.
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The last day in the dieta portals, participants will have lots of time to connect with the land and their master plants. We will have two powerful integration workshops, 3 organic meals, and we will close each dieta portal throughout the day.
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Our last full day as a tribe will be spent in celebration; after a light breakfast we will connect with Mama Cacao in an authentic ceremony portal, as well as an afternoon tree planting ceremony to give back to the beautiful land. We will also have a big feast and fireside connection with music and laughter that evening.
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We will enjoy breakfast together one last time and hop on our early morning shuttles to the San Jose airport. Flights leaving early afternoon from 2:30 pm on are recommended.
Pricing & Packages
Shared Accommodations
$3,750
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 April 25th 2025: $3150 (Shared), $4250 (Private)
Phase 2: April 26th through November 24th 2025:
$3,450 (Shared)
$4,550 (Private)
Private Accommodations
$4,850
Enjoy a beautiful bell tent all to yourself!
Deposit: $1,400
To Apply
Fill out the questionnaire and a team member will respond within 24 hours to confirm participation and availability. You do not need to pay a deposit until after your application has been accepted. Installment plans most welcome too - we can create one tailored for your needs once the application is accepted.
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 begin the new year with deep healing, 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