Gaia Sagrada Retreat Center Reviews

I had an absolutely transformative experience at Gaia Sagrada. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this is a place built with intention, integrity, and deep care for the people who come here. The shamans are extraordinary—grounded, humble, and deeply connected to the medicine and the traditions they carry. Every ceremony felt safe, purposeful, and thoughtfully held. I chose to participate in every ceremony offered, and each one provided something meaningful and unique. Together, they created a powerful arc of insight, healing, and clarity. The staff and volunteers deserve special recognition. Their presence, kindness, and attention to detail made it possible to fully surrender to the experience. They held space with compassion and professionalism in ways that don’t always get seen, but are absolutely felt. Being held by the Andes while doing this work brought a sense of peace and grounding that I will carry with me long after leaving. Gaia Sagrada is a truly special place, and I am deeply grateful for the people who make it what it is. If you are seeking a retreat that honors the medicine, the land, and the individual journey, this is a place I would recommend without hesitation.

I travel for work, limited times I may be unavailable by phone. open minded though data-statistics driven. I will listen to different/experiences, research before committing to spending time on something i am unsure attended 6-day retreat in May, (3) Ayahuasca & (1) San Pedro ceremony. no idea what San Pedro ceremony was. advise my friends, important to incorporating as it brings a balance and another beneficial dynamic to experience(s) and increased clarity/growth. There is a right (better/best) way to doing something for maximum benefit and there are So many “rights) at Gaia Sagrada. experienced volunteers, staff, shamans, medicine women, fire keepers, taught and practiced traditional ways that are explained to you vs getting an online certificate after watching (1) YouTube video 🙂 i assure anyone that you will have more clarity and truth vs acting unconsciously as you reconcile with your real past, present and future during the ceremonies and beyond when you leave. The permanent and volunteer team make it so much better with guidance, safety and being there all the time plus the amazing food give every day. Book here with confidence and watch your own confidence soar to the stars 🙂

What an amazing experience! I have done various retreats here because I feel totally safe and know that they are the real deal. The medicines are fantastic and the people are wonderful. Being on the grounds is a medicine in itself and the photos dont do it justice. Thank you so much to Christine, Bruce and staff!

So much love, wisdom and kindness here. The experience with the medicines and ceremonies is unique for everyone. Show up with courage and an open heart, or at least a humble one, and you will get what you need. It will take a leap of faith to know that you can’t predict what that might be. But so worth it.

Hi! I decided to write this review. It's been more than one year. I've been in the November 2023, 10 days retreat. I know I'm late but I want to say thank you to all the great people that I've met at Gaïa Sagrada. The volunteers Shamans and participants. We were strangers at first but became friends and a family at the end. We still have a what's app group from the experience and share experiences and updates of ourselves. About my experiences, the medicine (Ayahusca and San Pedro) were very strong, potent. And yes, it shows a lot of part about myself. The shamans were great. Titi helped me, I was going into intense pain during Ayahusca. The volunteers and Shaman did a wonderful job. I wouldn't say job, because I've felt they really care about everyone and ready to help. I still do integrate what I've learned and I'm very grateful about everything. It helped me to move forward in my life. I would say I was very numb out and operate from my head most of my life. But since, I meditate every day, getting in touch with my body, heart, emotions and practicing to feel love and being grateful. The food from Carol (Kitchen chef cook) is really tasty and fresh. So yeah Vegetarian diet can be cool :) Thank you Carol! Thanks to the owner Christine, Gaïa Sagrada and everyone. I will remember you guys for the rest of my life.

This place is awesome ! You cannot choose a better place to heal and experience different medecine. The environment, the staff, the food, the service, everything is on point ! It was probably the best 12 days of my life

I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s truly heaven on earth!!! The facilities are spotless (the staff does an amazing job with cleaning every day). The hot tubs, cold plunge, & steam room were an amazing way to relax after a long day. The grounds were spectacular with the most stunning views. There was plenty of space to roam and enjoy a peaceful time. The hikes on the property were very enjoyable! The staff, volunteers, and shamans were outstanding in providing a safe & authentic place to sit with plant medicine & heal. Thank you Carol for the delicious meals. Thank you Wendy for your insightful words. Thank you Cary and Katy for your supportive presence and help with navigating the experience. Thank you Fernanda, Paula, Titi & Eileen, Namur, Veronica, and the rest of the familia for your service in providing an insightful & profound experience. You all are appreciated!!!!

Nothing but great things to say about Gaia. Wonderful team, well organised, and super safe. If you are looking for a spiritual experience, one that centres around understanding yourself and the world better rather than a place to simply try the medicine, then Gaia is the right place. The people, method, and environment helps you understand and integrate your experience. It was my first time and despite it being challenging (the medicine is challenging) Gaia made it fantastic. I walked away a better person with greater insights about myself. Because of their approach and view of the medicine (e.g. it is not a silver bullet/substance that just magically fixes things, rather it is a spiritual experience/way to learn/experience perspective) it also attracts the right type of people. Having a supportive group of other participants is also very important, as you will spend a lot of time with them too. Gaia really attracts great people.

I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend an Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreat at Gaia Sagrada, and I cannot speak highly enough about the eye-opening experiences it provided. This retreat truly exceeded my expectations in every sense, offering me countless insights and realizations that have had a profound impact on my life. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by a team of incredible staff and volunteers who were not only supportive, but also incredibly kind, making me feel welcome and comfortable throughout my stay. Their deep knowledge and expertise created an environment in which I could fully trust and surrender to the transformative process. The overall experience was truly beyond great. Every aspect of the retreat, from the ceremonies to the integration sessions, was thoughtfully planned and executed. The facilitators guided us in a gentle and compassionate manner, enabling us to fully explore our inner selves and release any emotional baggage or negative patterns that may have been holding us back. What truly stood out for me was the sense of community I found during my time there. I had the privilege of connecting with fellow participants who were on their own paths of self-discovery. It felt like I had found my soul family, a group of like-minded, supportive individuals. The combination of Ayahuasca and San Pedro was exceptionally powerful and complementary. It allowed me to access profound insights and go deeper into my own healing journey. Through these plant medicines, I was able to gain clarity and perspective, and I left the retreat feeling renewed, refreshed, and ready to take on the world with purpose and passion. I am eternally grateful for the guidance, wisdom, and genuine care that the staff and volunteers provided. This retreat truly created a safe and nurturing space (could not imagine a better place than Gaia) for self-discovery and healing, and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone seeking to embark on their own transformative journey. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for this life-changing experience. I am forever grateful. With love and gratitude, Jojo ❤

One of the greatest experiences of my life... the staff and work exchangers, shamans, the food, accommodations, scenery, and the MEDICINES! What a week! Mind blown in the best way possible. Don't expect a walk in the park... change is hard - buy the ticket, take the ride! Love you guys!

I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who is ready to make a real change. The ceremonies, the facilities, the staff, the location, the support, everything, has been massaged to brilliance, so you can really focus on healing. The only drawbacks are the ones you create in yourself.

This is the best place where you can live this experience if you are new to medicines. It has beautiful views, the staff in general is very attentive and helpful. All the shamans are certified, due to the laws of Ecuador. The food is created especially with the requirements of its visitors. Simply Gaia Sagrada is sensational!

I had my call to Gaia Sagrada at the beginning of this year (2023) after a 12 year fascination with Ayahuasca plant medicine. I am so glad I found this retreat while searching for a destination to attend an Ayahuasca ceremony. I attended a 7 day retreat at the end of May (1-Ayahuasca ceremony, 1-San Pedro ceremony, and 1-sweat lodge ceremony consisting of Ayahuasca and San Pedro). From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with love and kindness. All of the staff were amazing. The week felt like one big long eventful day but I was sad it was over at the end of the week. There were plenty of workshops to attend along with bonding with other participants. My only regret is that I didn't book the 12 day retreat. Gaia Sagrada sits on 55 acres in the beautiful Andes mountains. The views are breathtaking. On site there are several different buildings for housing, ceremonies, common areas, places for workshops, and places to sit/relax/meditate/hike etc. I stayed in the dorms which I chose to take myself out of my comfort zone. It turned out to be the best choice I made because it kept me from secluding in my own room and created an environment to get to know everyone there. The food was amazing. Thank you Matt. His culinary creations were way above my expectations of what a vegetarian diet could be. The smells and flavors had me looking forward to every meal. I need a copy of his "kitchen bible" to replicate those meals into my daily life or find a "Matt" close to home to cook for me. Christine has really created a magical place to explore your inner self. The way she breaks through and touches your heart you will know that she is not doing this for the money. She is creating an army of "007 secret agents of love". She really makes you feel comfortable jumping into plant medicine feet first and let it have its way with you. The other people attending the ceremonies while I was there have become my new family. The bond created because of the struggles we took together is like no other. We all grew together while searching within ourselves and sharing our passages during the integration meetings after each ceremony. It was suggested to create a WhatsApp group so we could all keep up with the growth and healing once we integrate back to our normal lives. We will always be there to support each other and witness the changes/transformations we have made in our journey from that first day at Gaia. I will miss the interactions with the participants and staff but I will be back to visit again in the future. I could not say enough nice things about Gaia Sagrada. If you are looking for a retreat to attend, take a look at the reviews and get there to see that they are all accurate. Thank you Christine, Wendy, Paula, Fernando, all the shamans, the rest of the staff and volunteers. You all make Gaia a very special place. Thank you Todd G

For a 60 year old unfit woman this was a challenge physically but i came home fitter and my husband says looking younger. Before my stay at Gaia Sagrada i was on 2 blood pressure pills, antidepressants, had a lot of aches and pains. I also had a chronic auto immune problem. I have been back now for around 8 weeks and dont need to take any pills, my blood pressure is on the low side for my age, no sign of autoimmune disorder. i have maintained my fitness with Pilates and feel younger and healthier than i have for 10 years.

Gaia Sagrada provided the most profound experience of my entire life. The beautiful Shamans Titi, Namur, Anti, Santiago and Fernando were perfect. Their music and ability to hold the space during the ceremonies was mind blowing. My first experience was with Titi who provided a fun and carefree space. There was singing, dancing and minimal rules that allowed for play. I felt like a kid again. The next two ceremonies with Namur were more serious, structured and genuinely challenging; however, they were my favorite. These ceremonies is where I truly realized that Ayahuasca is a medicine. Namur and his apprentices, Santiago and Anti, were raising everyone's vibration through energetic surgery. I was in absolute awe watching them work. After putting in the work with Mother Ayahuasca, I feel lighter, happier, and more confident after these life changing experiences. There is no other place I would rather go to take this beautiful medicine, Gaia Sagrada has perfected their craft. The San Pedro ceremony was surprising, since it was just as impactful as the Ayahuasca ceremonies. Christine Breese, the owner of Gaia Sagrada, is a revelation. She has been taking the medicine since she was only 19 years old, and at 57 she is beyond deserving of the designation of Shamanic Elder. It is conspicuously apparent that Christine is a master of her craft. She held the space for the entire ceremony, listening to every person's story with care. She was able to provide years worth of professional grade therapy to every single person in only one ceremony! Her desire to heal others is inspiring and the community she has created is truly a blessing. I learned so much listening to others willingly unload their stories in the loving space Christine created. My group became a family that day, and we all keep in touch afterwards in our Whatsapp group. I am very much looking forward to visiting my new family around the world in the years to come. Gaia Sagrada is a beautiful oasis in a chaotic world. The grounds are well kept, full of natural love and life. The vegetarian meals are delicious and promptly provided 3 times a day. There are adorable dogs, cows, chickens and other animals on the property. There is laundry, wifi, clean beds and all the blankets you will ever need. There was never a time I was left wanting, and I felt so grateful to have chosen this place. I honestly will never go anywhere else and plan on bringing all of my friends and family to this magical place. You can tell Christine has created Gaia Sagrada to make the world a better place. She is healing and raising every guest's vibration, one beautiful soul at a time. I am honored to have realized my purpose as a visible light bearer, to heal anyone who asks for my help. Cheers, Amir Oueid

My overall experience at the center was life changing, inspiring, enlightening, alining and magical. It was way more then a healing center. Not only I feel better then ever within myself, but I also feel in my full creative power to make a significant difference in this world. I already recommended the center to many of my close friends that I think can benefit from it as well. One of the most important aspect before doing a medicine ceremony, is trust. And I 100% trust the people running GaiaSagrada. They all have pure intentions. It is close from the city of Cuenca, 30 mins driving. There is Wi-Fi and cellphone connection. So when I was there I felt really safe. All the shamans, staff, volonters and animals living at the center were very kind, patient and caring. My room, all the building of the center and the nature around were simply magical. Also the food was great! I made life lasting connections with staff and other participents. After a 12 days retreat at the center, I will never be the same in the most positive way.

What a magical place. The ceremonies are amazing and I got so much out of it, I have come out a much happier and better person. The best part is the people though, every single person who volunteers, works or takes part in the retreats are truly special and even if I didn’t have any medicine I feel I would have still come out of this experience a much happier man. Thank you all so much and I will definitely be returning one day. Aho!

I cannot possibly say enough wonderful things about Gaia Sagrada, it is truly heaven on earth! From the beautiful property in the mountains, to the angels that are the volunteers and staff, to the absolutely delicious food! And that is all without even mentioning the pure magic of the power plant ceremonies! Truly the greatest thing I have ever done for myself in my life. The shamans and every single detail of the ceremonies are absolutely divine. It is the most supportive, safe, and transformative place on earth. I tell everybody in my life and everybody I just met to go to Gaia Sagrada, and now I am telling you! It'll be the best decision you'll ever make

I went to the 12 day retreat at Gaia Sagrada, and did an additional ceremony, covering 6 in 12 days. I also stayed an extra night either side for resting up before and after. Coming to this space was like coming home to myself. For anyone reading this that has not worked with plant medicine before, you need not have any apprehension as you are in the best of hands. The team, each one of them, from the ones maintaining the property, cooking, cleaning, the office staff, to the Shamans that hold the ceremonies are highly experienced and have great skill in what they do and how they do it. The volunteers are invested in each guests well being and care. They also share my of their own talents and skills. A lot of care and consideration is taken towards everything and everyone in this space. The attention to detail on sustainability aspects and working as closely with nature as possible were also beautiful. The pricing is low compared to other retreats because of how the centre is set up and runs as not for profit, not in anyway indicative of the quality of experience you will have. More money does not equal better retreats. The pictures do not do the facilities justice, nor the raw beauty of the location. It is hard to put into words what I gained from my time here. I love the medicine, it has helped me with things that conventional types of western therapy could not. It has changed my life for the better and continues to do so, and the structure of the overall programme here is incredible in supporting that process and my Work. This place is pure love, just come and see for yourself with an open heart and mind. You won't regret it.

I partook in the Spiritual Retreat early February 2023 at Gaia Sagrada and it was so much more than I expected or even hoped for. All of the communication before arriving was smooth and easy. Upon arrival I was greeted with love and affection by the staff, the location is amazing, beautiful and peaceful in the mountains with the ideal climate. All the practical arrangements - room, eating, sleeping, places to hang out chill and chat - worked really well. The staff and volunteers, all of them without exception, were kind compassionate, knowledgeable and made me feel at home from the first to the last. All of the Shamen, the fire-keepers and assistants did a wonderful and professional job, greatly assisting the participants in their personal spiritual journeys. Christine says that she is just a hippy chick from California, but she is so much more than that. Try and spend some time with her, she is a wonderful teacher with a great depth of spiritual knowledge, who wants to share it with as many as possible. The fact that Gaia Sagrada is run as a non-profit was an important factor in my choosing to attend. When you are there you feel that money is not the motivating factor for Christine and her team, unlike many other places. You feel that the motivating factor is to share the spiritual knowledge with as many as possible and thereby change the world. For me this was like a warm comfort blanket of unconditional love wrapped around me. If you are considering a spiritual retreat, and I guess you are as you are reading this, be good and kind to yourself and choose Gaia Sagrada, you will not regret it. Peace - Nique