Shanti Wasi

Ceremony, song, forest and sea

Costa Rica Puntarenas Province paid

On Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, ceremony is accompanied by live icaros, the medicine songs sung by guides devoted to the healing arts. Shanti Wasi has worked with master teacher plants since 2008, drawing on Mestizo lineage alongside other Amazonian traditions. Its retreats are intentionally intimate, with a welcoming, unhurried feel and an emphasis on reverence rather than a crowded itinerary. The setting is Ojo del Mar, an ecolodge where natural structures sit between lush forest and a quiet beach, in a region known for remarkable biodiversity. Between ceremonies, guests share satisfying vegan meals prepared with the dieta in mind, using fresh local ingredients. A pool, yoga studio, restaurant, Wi-Fi and housekeeping add practical comforts, while the landscape invites time outdoors. Retreat dates, duration and rates vary, so contact Shanti Wasi directly before making plans.

Highlights

Live icaro singing by guides who are musicians
A retreat practice shaped by Mestizo lineage and other Amazonian traditions
Vegan meals prepared with the dieta in mind from fresh local ingredients
Natural ecolodge structures between forest and a quiet beach

Good for

Plant-medicine retreat guestsNature loversPeople drawn to music-led ceremonyVegan travelersGuests seeking an intimate retreat

Setting

Ojo del Mar is an ecolodge on the Osa Peninsula, with natural structures set among lush forest and along a quiet beach. The surroundings bring the rhythms of rainforest and shoreline close to the retreat experience, with time between ceremonies left open for rest and connection with nature.

The practice

The retreats center on ayahuasca, a plant medicine from the Amazon basin, within a ceremonial setting. Shanti Wasi’s musician guides sing icaros, or medicine songs, as support during the experience, drawing on Mestizo lineage and other Amazonian traditions. Those new to this practice can ask the host about preparation, suitability and what to expect before booking.

A typical day

The daily rhythm varies by retreat, with ceremonies at its heart rather than a fixed activity schedule. Guests also share vegan meals prepared with the dieta in mind, and have time in the forest-and-shore setting between sessions. Ask Shanti Wasi for the schedule for your specific dates.

Accommodation

Guests stay at Ojo del Mar, whose natural structures are set in the jungle and along the beach. Specific room types and occupancy arrangements are not detailed, so ask the host what is available for your retreat dates.

What to bring

Ask the host about any dieta or preparation guidance before packing for ceremony. The Osa Peninsula’s rainforest-and-coast setting calls for light, quick-drying clothes, a rain shell and insect protection.

Website shantiwasi.com

Address 245, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica

How to get there

From Puerto Jiménez, travel 17 km toward Cabo Matapalo and Corcovado National Park. Turn left at the white sign just after the first small river crossing.

Languages

English

How to book

Contact Shanti Wasi through its website to ask about upcoming retreats and make a reservation.

Pricing

Retreats are paid, but rates are not listed here. Ask Shanti Wasi for current prices and what is included.

Interested in this center? Check availability and upcoming retreats on their official site.

Visit Shanti Wasi website

Climate

The Osa Peninsula is a humid tropical rainforest-and-coast environment, so warm conditions and rain are part of the setting; pack for both outdoor time and showers.

Frequently asked questions

What does a typical day at Shanti Wasi include?

Ceremonies, shared meals and time in the natural surroundings shape the retreat, but the schedule varies by retreat. Ask Shanti Wasi for the daily plan for your dates.

Can beginners attend a Shanti Wasi retreat?

Shanti Wasi describes its atmosphere as welcoming and its practice as accessible. Contact the host to discuss your experience and whether a particular retreat is suitable for you.

What food is served during the retreat?

Meals are vegan and prepared with the dieta in mind, using fresh locally grown ingredients. Ask the host about accommodating any additional dietary needs.

How do I get to Ojo del Mar from Puerto Jiménez?

Travel 17 km from Puerto Jiménez toward Cabo Matapalo and Corcovado National Park. Turn left at the white sign just after the first small river crossing.

How can I find dates and reserve a place?

Contact Shanti Wasi through its website to ask about upcoming retreat dates, duration, rates and reservations.