Intimate, Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Retreats in Costa Rica
Heart-centred Ayahuasca retreats, ceremonies and master plant dietas, held in the jungle of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. A deeply held space for real transformation, small groups of six or fewer, and guided with reverence and care.
WHAT WE DO
Sowa Soma is a small, trauma-informed plant medicine retreat on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. We hold ayahuasca ceremonies, master plant dietas and deeper healing work, both privately and in groups of six or fewer, so every person receives close and personal care. Surrounded by jungle and ocean, you are met with safety, warmth and respect at every step.
Our approach to plant medicine healing
Healing happens in relationship. With the plants, with the land, with the people holding the space, and with the parts of yourself that are ready to be met.
Our work centres on a respectful relationship with plant medicines, from Ayahuasca to the master plants we diet and gentle but strong allies such as cacao, tobacco and rapéh. The ceremony is one part of a longer journey. The preparation of mind, body and spirit with a cleansing diet beforehand and the integration afterwards matter just as much as the experience itself.
We live deep in the rainforest of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast (but only a 15 minute drive to the beach), where the sounds and frequencies of nature carry their own medicine. It is from this place that we welcome you.
Groups of six or fewer.
We keep every retreat small, so you are truly seen and cared for, never one of a crowd.
why people choose Sowa Soma
Led by us, personally, every step of the way.
You work directly with Fiona and Neil, who hold every ceremony themselves.
On the Caribbean coast.
Our home sits between jungle and ocean, on a quieter and gentler side of Costa Rica.
Trauma-informed care.
Safety and trauma-informed practice guide every decision we make, before, during and after your retreat.
YOUR JOURNEY WITH US
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1. Preparation.
Before you arrive, we guide you through careful screening and a cleansing diet that prepares your body and mind for the work.
Our intake process follows these steps:
Initial enquiry & video call
Completion of medical screening form
Review of form & place confirmed
payment of 50% deposit to secure place
Balance 30 days prior to the retreat
Group preparation call 2 weeks prior to retreat.
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2. Ceremony.
During your stay, you take part in small, carefully held ceremonies in a safe and intimate setting, supported closely at every moment.
All aspects of the ceremony are non compulsory, if there is anything you do not want to participate in, we fully respect your choices.
Ahead of this work, we provide a detailed briefing and conduct 121 sessions with each participant.
Our ceremonies start at sundown, as we prioritise as much rest as possible.
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3. Integration.
The ‘real’ work continues after the medicine ceremony as you step back out into your life. We offer integration support during your retreat and online once you return home, so the lessons take root in daily life.
We also work with some recommended trauma and somatic therapists for any additional support you may need.
A Safe Space to Heal
We take safety seriously, because this work asks a great deal of trust.
Our team is trauma-informed, and our screening process is careful and personal, so we can be sure the work is right for you before you join. We keep ceremonies to six guests or fewer, which lets us offer close guidance and a high standard of care throughout.
We are also a verified centre on journeyaya.com, an independent resource that lists safe and trusted places to drink ayahuasca.
Meet Fiona & Neil
We are Fiona and Neil Kirwan, founders of Sowa Soma.
Between us we hold 30 years of combined experience in this work, and we have spent the last 5 years living and serving on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.
Before this life, we built careers in the outside world. The healing we found on this path led us here, and it is what we now hold for others.
When you come to Sowa Soma, you work with us directly. We hold every ceremony ourselves, and we walk beside you through the whole journey.
Ways to Work With Us
Whatever brings you here, there is a way to begin working with the plants that meets you exactly where you are.
Our Retreats.
Set date ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, held across 4, 5 and 7 nights. A maximum of 6 participants.
Psychedelic Coaching.
One-to-one preparation and integration support, wherever you are in the world. This is available for anyone to access, you do not need to be sitting with us.
Couples Private Mini Retreat.
A private tailored experience, two, three or four-night retreat for couples, held in our home.
Diet and Integration.
Everything you need to prepare for and make sense of your experience.
Master Plant Dietas.
Deeper, dedicated work with a single master plant over the course of one month. These are group or private online containers.
Women’s work.
Healing work for women, through cycle, motherhood, menopause and beyond. Honouring and marking the these important portals of change.
What is included?
Our retreats are all-inclusive, so you can arrive and simply be present.
Comfortable, private accommodation with ensuite bathrooms at our ocean view retreat space
All organic & fresh meals, prepared with care for the diet
Your ceremonies, held in small groups
Preparation guide and group call
Integration circles and one-to-one support
Supporting therapies such as trauma release work, massage and sound therapy
Aftercare and online integration once you return home
Transfer from San Jose the day of the retreat start (return transport in not included but we can help arrange it)
It is one of the more complete and personal all-inclusive wellness retreats in Costa Rica, shaped around a small group rather than a crowd.
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY…
Frequently Asked Questions
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A plant medicine retreat is a guided stay where you take part in ceremonies with traditional plant medicines, such as ayahuasca, in a safe and supported setting. At Sowa Soma in Costa Rica, this includes careful preparation, small-group ceremonies and integration support, so the experience leads to lasting healing rather than a single moment.
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You arrive, settle into our space on the Caribbean coast, and begin with rest and preparation. Over your stay you take part in small ceremonies, supported closely by our team. Your days also hold integration circles, gentle therapies and time in nature, all within a group of six or fewer.
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We work mainly with ayahuasca, alongside master plants that we diet and gentle allies such as cacao and rapéh. The medicines in your retreat depend on your needs and intentions, which we talk through with you beforehand, so the work is always right for you.
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We are on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, near Puerto Viejo, surrounded by rainforest and close to the ocean. Most guests fly into San José (SJO), and we arrange onward travel to us. We share full travel details once you book, so the journey is simple.
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We hold retreats of 4, 5 and 7 nights, so you can choose the depth that suits you. Longer retreats allow more time for ceremony, rest and integration. We also offer private and couples retreats with flexible dates, held in our home.
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Our retreats suit adults seeking meaning, healing or a deeper relationship with themselves, including those carrying past trauma. They are not right for everyone, which is why we screen carefully and speak with you first. If the work is not suitable for you or we are not the right fit, we will tell you honestly and kindly and help you identify alternative routes.
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Safety is at the heart of our work. We screen every guest carefully before they join, our team is trauma-informed, and we keep groups to six or fewer so no one is ever without close support. We are also a verified centre on journeyaya.com, an independent guide to trusted ayahuasca centres.
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We hold every retreat in a group of six guests or fewer. This is one of the most important parts of how we work. Small groups let us offer close, personal guidance and a calmer, safer space, with care shaped around each person rather than a crowd. Ceremonies at our home are for a max of three guests.
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Your retreat includes accommodation in our retreat space, all meals prepared for the diet, your ceremonies, integration circles, one-to-one support and supporting therapies such as massage, sound and trauma release work. Aftercare and online integration once you return home are included too, so you are supported well beyond your stay.
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Integration is part of the journey, not an afterthought. We offer integration circles during your stay and online support once you return home, so the insights from your ceremonies settle into daily life. One-to-one coaching is also available if you would like deeper, ongoing support.
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The first step is a relaxed discovery call with us, so we can understand what you are looking for and answer your questions. From there you complete a short health and screening form, and once we are both happy it is the right fit, you reserve your place. You can book a call from this page.
Begin With a Conversation
If something here speaks to you, the next step is simple. Book a discovery call with us, a relaxed conversation with no pressure, so we can get to know one another and see whether this is the right path for you.
How your experience meeting the spirit of Ayahuasca goes is often hugely dependent on how you prepare. The work you do before the ceremony is the beginning of the relationship and often sets the tone for how things will go.