"There Is No Spoon" Retreat
Playa Negra, Costa Rica
May 16th – 23rd, 2025
Reality is not what it seems. Step beyond illusion and into a journey of deep healing, transformation, and self-discovery through sacred Ayahuasca ceremonies, a traditional sweat lodge, and the raw beauty of the Costa Rican jungle.
About "There is No Spoon" Retreat
“Do not try to bend the spoon. That’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth: there is no spoon. Then you’ll see that it is not the spoon that bends — it is only yourself”.
What if everything you thought was real was just an illusion? What if the limitations you’ve accepted as truth could dissolve, revealing the infinite potential of your mind and spirit?
Inspired by the iconic scene from The Matrix, “There Is No Spoon” is more than a retreat—it’s an opportunity to break free from illusion, reconnect with your true essence, and awaken to a deeper reality.
Over the course of seven days in the pristine landscapes of Playa Negra, Costa Rica, you will immerse yourself in a journey of deep healing, self-discovery, and transformation through:
🌿 Three Sacred Ayahuasca Ceremonies – Guided by experienced facilitators, these ceremonies provide a gateway to expanded awareness, emotional release, and profound inner wisdom.
🔥 Traditional Sweat Lodge Ceremony (Temazcal) – Purify your body, mind, and soul in this ancient ritual, symbolizing death and rebirth—a shedding of the old self to emerge renewed and awakened.
🍃 Somatic and Integration Practices – Deepen your journey with guided breathwork, walking meditation, and intentional silence. These practices help you release stored tension, reconnect with your body’s innate wisdom, and integrate your experiences with clarity and presence.
🌊 Immersion in Nature – Surrounded by untouched jungle and the rhythmic waves of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find space to reflect, ground yourself, and integrate your experiences in the stillness of nature.
🌀 Breaking Through Illusion – Through guided practices, discussions, and sacred ceremonies, you’ll begin to see the fluid nature of reality, shedding limiting beliefs and embracing the truth of your own power.
This retreat is an invitation to step beyond the matrix, to remember who you are beyond conditioning, and to experience the freedom that comes with true self-awareness.
Are you ready to see beyond the illusion?
Join us in Playa Negra and rediscover the limitless nature of your being.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions, or would like to speak with us, feel free to reach out at darrenfaber@protonmail.com, and we’ll make sure to respond as soon as we can.
What's Included?
Included in the Retreat:
- Lodging for the entirety of the retreat
- 2 healthy, local, organic meals provided each day
- Complimentary yoga classes daily
- Shuttle to and from the Liberia airport
- 1 Sweat Lodge Ceremony
- 3 Ayahuasca Ceremonies
- Group Preparation and Integration Calls before and after the retreat
- Opportunities for somatic integration practices like breathwork and walking meditations
Not Included in the Retreat:
- Airfare to and from Liberia Airport
- Accommodation and travel costs outside of the dates of the retreat
- Additional Drinks & Snacks + Gratuities
- Spa Services, like massages, facials, scrubs, and more
Retreat Schedule
Day 1 (Friday)
Travel Day to Peace Retreat Wellness Centre & Spa – Shuttle from the Airport Included
4:00 – Dinner Provided
6:00pm – Sweat Lodge Ceremony with Alejandro
9:00pm – End of Day
Day 2 (Saturday)
7:00am – Yoga Class
8:30am – Breakfast Provided
9:30am – Rest and Relax
12:00pm – Lunch provided
1:00pm – Rest and Prepare for Ceremony
5:00pm – Ayahuasca Ceremony
Day 3 (Sunday)
12:00 – Wake up; lunch provided
2:00pm – Yoga Class
3:00pm – Group Walking Meditation to the Beach
6:00pm – Dinner provided
7:00pm – Rest and Enjoy
Day 4 (Monday)
7:00am – Yoga Class
8:30am – Breakfast Provided
9:30am – Rest and Relax
12:00pm – Lunch provided
1:00pm – Rest and Prepare for Ceremony
3:00pm – Group Somatic Breathwork Journey
5:00pm – Ayahuasca Ceremony
Day 5 (Tuesday)
Silent Fast Day – Encouraged to Be Silent as Much as Possible
12:00 – Wake up; lunch provided
2:00pm – Yoga Class
3:00pm – Group Walking Meditation to the Beach
6:00pm – Dinner provided, Break Silent Fast
7:00pm – Rest and Enjoy
Day 6 (Wednesday)
7:00am – Yoga Class
8:30am – Breakfast Provided
9:30am – Rest and Relax
12:00pm – Lunch provided
1:00pm – Rest and Prepare for Ceremony
5:00pm – Ayahuasca Ceremony
Day 7 (Thursday)
12:00 – Wake up; lunch provided
Rest and Integration day. Dinner will be provided, as well as at least one shuttle to the airport in the evening for anyone traveling the same day.
Checkout from the retreat center will be the following day (Friday, May 23rd) at 11:00am.
The Location: Peace Retreat Wellness Centre & Spa
Enjoy Delicious, Healthy Food Provided at the Nourish Cafe
“Our fundamental approach to guest’s nutrition is that “food is medicine.” We prioritize our guests’ health and are committed to buying local, organic, and in-season produce and products. We use a range of traditional ingredients. infused with Ayurveda food combining principles in our menus, in order to support our holistic approach.
We also believe in sustainable living and preserving the environment, supporting the local economy and culture as best as possible. We avoid buying imported foods to minimize our carbon footprint and to support local farmers. We avoid processed foods in general and are committed to serving the freshest ingredients possible that are delivered daily to our kitchen.”
Connect, Ground, and Integrate in Nature (and the Pool!)
Nature is our greatest teacher and healer. This retreat is an invitation to step away from the noise of daily life and reconnect with the wisdom of the earth. Whether meditating beneath ancient jungle canopies, feeling the grounding embrace of warm sand beneath your feet, or floating effortlessly in the saltwater pool, every element of this space is designed to support your journey inward.
We encourage you to slow down, breathe deeply, and integrate your experiences in harmony with the natural world. The rhythmic waves of the Pacific, the gentle rustling of the trees, and the stillness of the starlit sky all serve as reminders of your place within something greater. Here, you are free to ground, reflect, and emerge renewed.
Relax and Unwind with Complimentary Yoga or Spa Service Add-ons
Rest, restore, and realign your body and mind. Each day, you are invited to join a complimentary yoga session designed to support your journey—whether through gentle movement, deep stretching, or breath-centered flow. These practices help you cultivate presence, release tension, and integrate your retreat experience with ease.
For those seeking deeper relaxation, optional spa services are available as add-ons, offering everything from therapeutic massages to holistic body treatments. Whether you choose to flow on the mat or indulge in a moment of self-care, this is your time to unwind, reset, and return to yourself.
Your Hosts
Nacho
Nacho is a dedicated student and steward of plant medicine, having worked with ayahuasca for nearly 15 years. Living full-time in Costa Rica, he devotes his life to cultivating sacred plants and deepening his relationship with the medicine. Beyond his personal practice, Nacho pours his time and energy into projects that support and sustain the medicine community, ensuring that these sacred traditions continue to thrive. With a grounded and heart-centered approach, he holds space for others on their healing journeys, offering wisdom, presence, and a deep respect for the transformational power of this work.
Darren
Darren is a spiritual life coach and traditional medicine facilitator, with a passion for helping others step into deeper relationship with self and their divine nature in a grounded, pragmatic, and impactful way. Trained in the Shipibo lineage, he has been a dedicated student of ayahuasca for over eight years and facilitator of ayahuasca ceremonies for the past four. As a steward of this sacred medicine space, Darren’s intent is to channel and hold space for the wisdom and power of this medicine, helping each of us see through our personal illusions, awaken our ability to create the life we want, and discover the highest version of ourselves.
Katie
Katie is a somatic breathwork practitioner, psychospiritual coach, plant medicine facilitator, and clinical Doctor of Pharmacy who’s work focuses on the remembrance of self-sovereignty and personal empowerment through somatic work, plant medicine, and hypnomeditation. As a longtime student of entheogens, Katie holds space as a facilitator of psilocybin journeys, psilocybin microdose coach, and assistant in traditional ayahuasca ceremony. She is deeply committed to creating safe, intentional, and transformative containers for healing, supporting others to reconnect with their inner wisdom and innate capacity for expansion.
Retreat Package Options
All package options include everything listed above as part of the retreat. There are several accommodation options available – choose the one that most aligns with you!
How to Register
To Register, or to ask any questions you may have, please send an email to us at darrenfaber@protonmail.com.
A $300 USD deposit will reserve your space and will be applied to the full package price of your choosing, listed below. Deposits and package payments, minus a 15% processing fee, are refundable up to 31 days prior to retreat start date. The 15% processing fee will apply to all refunds and this fee covers credit card charges and administrative processing fees.
Your full retreat payment will be due on May 1st, 2025. If you would like to discuss alternate arrangements or a payment plan, please feel free to contact us directly and we would be happy to work something out.
Payments can be made either through Venmo (@darren-faber) or by Credit Card. Credit card payments will have 3% added for credit card processing fees.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions, or would like to speak with us, feel free to reach out at darrenfaber@protonmail.com, and we’ll make sure to respond as soon as we can.
Jungle Bungalows
Double Occupancy – $2,300 per person
Private Bungalow – $2,750
4 Bungalows Available with 2 single beds
1 Bungalow Available with a queen bed* (for couples or private accommodation)
These private, luxe air-conditioned bungalows feature two single beds*, ceiling fan, safe, ensuite bathroom, and a large terrace perfect for enjoying your morning coffee while watching the monkeys in the trees above.
For double occupancy, you can either book with someone you know, or we will match you with another participant.
$300 deposit required to reserve your spot. 5% transaction fee added for credit card deposits.
Casa Yoga Rooms
Double Occupancy – $2,150 per person
Private Room – $2,600
2 Different Rooms Available – Details below
Beautiful private rooms in a shared building overlooking the pool. These rooms feature an ensuite bathroom, and are equipped with a ceiling fan, an armoire, and a safe for valuables.
Om Room: The Om Room has one queen size bed and one single bed.
Shanti Room: The Shanti Room has two single beds, or one queen bed.
$300 deposit required to reserve your spot. 5% transaction fee added for credit card deposits.
Jungle Cabinas
Double Occupancy – $2,000 per person
Private Cabina – $2,250
8 Cabinas Available
Constructed and furnished with reforested teak wood, the cabinas have screen-windows, a ceiling fan, safe, closet and storage space. Each cabina is positioned on the property to utilize the breeze and maintain a comfortable temperature. Open air community washroom with beautiful outdoor stone showers and sinks.
Each cabina also has 2 single size beds that can be arranged into one bed for couples.
For double occupancy, you can either book with someone you know, or we will match you with another participant.
$300 deposit required to reserve your spot. 5% transaction fee added for credit card deposits.
Casa Verde Spaces
Dorm-Style Room – $1,850
6 Rooms Available
This large teakwood screened-in structure with 6 semi-private spaces cooled off by the natural breeze. Your space includes a single bed, privacy curtain, and direct access to beautiful outdoor stone showers, sinks, and open air community washroom. Fall asleep listening to the sounds of the jungle.
$300 deposit required to reserve your spot. 5% transaction fee added for credit card deposits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Peace Retreat Wellness Centre & Spa Located?
Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Peace Retreat is an approachable wellness centre and spa specializing in tailored retreats for groups and individuals who are looking for a safe and supportive place to rejuvenate, reset, and restore.
Peace Retreat is located in the town of Playa Negra, along the stunning Pacific Gold Coast in the Province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, near Tamarindo. The Centre is located 75-minutes from Liberia International Airport (LIR).
Can I request menu changes for food restrictions?
Yes, if you have any dietary restrictions, we will be able to accommodate you. Those who have special dietary requirements are encouraged to let us know in advance.
What should I pack?
An itinerary and packing checklist will be sent out to the group a few weeks before the retreat.
Do I need a passport?
Yes! You’ll need a valid passport, make sure it is not expiring soon. Get ready to add another stamp to your book! 🙂
Once I sign up, is there anything else I need to arrange or organize?
Outside of your passport and flights to and from the Liberia Airport, you shouldn’t have to organize anything else!
Our goal is to make your retreat experience as easy as possible. Our team will manage all the logistics for you, from the time your arrive in Costa Rica until the time you leave.
This includes the shuttle to and from the airport, your accommodations, your meals, and your itinerary.
How Many People Will Be In the Ceremonies?
We always maintain an intimate setting in our ceremony spaces. We expect there to be between 14-16 people in each ceremony – 20 at the very most. This includes the two shamans, and at least two assistants.
Are There Medical Protocols in Place?
Yes, we will have safety protocols in place to make sure we are prepared in case of any emergency.
First, We prepare well in advance by asking each participant to provide their medication list and medical history to ensure that we and the participants prepare accordingly.
Second, we will ensure that there is a protocol in place with the Peace Retreat and personnel available to help in the event of any emergency.
Where is Our Medicine From?
The plants we will use for the medicine has been ethically and organically grown locally in Costa Rica, and will be harvested and prepared specifically for this retreat just before we begin. It is prepared with great focus, intention, songs, and prayers throughout the entire preparation process.
What is the Ceremony Format?
The ceremony format is rooted in the Peruvian Shipibo tradition. Ceremonies will be held in the evenings in darkness with candlelight when light is called for. Ceremony is accompanied by the playing of instruments and drums, the singing of icaros or channeled medicine songs, and periods of silence or discussion. We honor the lineage in which we were trained, and also, allow space for the flow of what is needed by the group.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions, or would like to speak with us, feel free to reach out at darrenfaber@protonmail.com, and we’ll make sure to respond as soon as we can.
