With Eli Rechtschaffen, Dany Osorio, Mishy Matthews, and Sathya Riveros.
May 30 – June 6, 2026
The week-long journey centers around ancestral Ambiwaska ceremonies, complemented by preparation and integration activities that bring balance and clarity.
There is also time for relaxation and embracing the healing energy of Costa Rica and Blue Spirit. Located just minutes from the Pacific Ocean, our center offers excursions, a longevity center, massages, healthy meals, and more. If you’re seeking a retreat to recharge and start fresh, you’ll find comfort and support in the safe, nurturing environment created by our experienced team.
To enhance your integration post retreat and prepare both mind and body for your sacred medicine experience, we have created a bespoke 8-week preparation program with your growth and journey in mind:
Our retreats are grounded in safety, care, and experience. We are supported by a highly skilled team, with the ceremony leaders holding combined over 30 years of experience, and the entire team trained to hold space for deep healing work.
At the heart of our retreats is Ambiwaska medicine, making its proper preparation a sacred priority. With deep intention, we carefully oversee every step—from selecting where the medicine is harvested to how it is prepared and the prayers infused into its cooking. We also ensure that the plants are harvested sustainably, honoring a right relationship with Mother Nature.
Finally, you will arrive at the serene retreat setting of Blue Spirit, where nourishing meals, a longevity center, ocean views, and wellness treatments await you. This peaceful sanctuary allows you to fully rest, renew, and immerse yourself in the journey of transformation.
Costa Rica, spanning 20,000 square miles in southern Central America, holds nearly 5% of the world’s biodiversity, protected within National Parks and nature reserves. Known for its ecological tourism and peaceful values, it boasts the longest democracy in Central America, no standing army for over 50 years, and a 95% literacy rate. As a leader in environmental stewardship, Costa Rica is committed to sustainability and reducing its ecological footprint. With successful forestation efforts and progress in lowering CO2 emissions, the country aims to become the first carbon-neutral developing nation.
Blue Spirit provides an exceptional setting for those dedicated to spiritual transformation, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Nestled on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a protected three-mile white sand beach, Blue Spirit offers stunning natural beauty on one of Costa Rica’s most renowned beaches. During your stay, you’ll enjoy comfortable, elegant accommodations, gourmet vegetarian cuisine, a saltwater infinity pool, koi pond, café, gift shop, spa and wellness services, outdoor excursions, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Boost your health and vitality during the week.
Savor three gourmet healthy meals daily.
Enjoy mountain and jungle views from the pool.
Visit the turtle refuge along the beach.
Relax with a variety of beverages in the café.
Bring home a gift from Costa Rica.
Free wireless available throughout the main building and rooms.
It is mandatory to read our Safety Guidelines prior to booking.
Please take note that, in this tradition, women who are pregnant or on their menstrual cycle do not participate in the ceremonies. If you have your cycle during the retreat and can’t partake in the plant medicine ceremonies. In our retreats, we always have a moon ceremony for you.
The ceremonies are led by Eli Rechtschaffen, who brings over 15 years of experience in the sacred medicine traditions. Eli has spent over 15 years devoted to meditation, intensive retreats, and training in the Amazon with the Ingano people, integrating self-practice modalities such as breathwork, Internal Family Systems, and silent practice. His intention is to share these sacred tools in support of collective awakening.
Our team also ensures quality at every level. We carefully monitor the origin and preparation of the medicine, including where the plants are harvested, who prepares them, and the prayers infused into the sacred brew.
The Blue Spirit Retreat Center provides an impeccably maintained environment with nourishing food, a longevity center, ocean views, massage offerings, and beautiful surroundings. All of this creates a safe haven for rest, healing, and deep transformation.
If you were preparing for heart surgery, you would want to ensure that the procedure is performed by the best specialists available. Going to drink plant medicine is like going for a spiritual surgery where we are healing old karmic wounds, clearing energy stagnation in your subtle body, and coming back to wholeness. Who knows if this will be your only time drinking the medicine or if you will come to drink again.
Either way our spiritual growth is the most important thing we can invest in our whole lives. A well-nurtured spiritual path can bring balance and harmony to all other aspects of your life.
At our retreats, we recognize that each individual comes from different backgrounds and requires a unique set of tools to find peace. We integrate a wide range of modalities from various traditions, ensuring you have the most supportive tools to leave empowered and continue your journey toward true freedom.
With The Nature Within team, you can expect excellence and dedicated support. We look forward to supporting you on this transformative journey.
We cannot make any guarantees. In the end it takes a certain desire and openness from each participant to walk through the door and step into a better life. However, we can guarantee that you will feel loved and supported by a community who will walk you towards the door. We do have many participants that have resolved all sorts of traumas, physical illness and other ailments.
The medicine is a very powerful ally who can support us in this healing process. Sometimes we may leave a retreat with a trauma completely resolved or other times we may leave with new found strength to continue our healing journey.
Blue Spirit is located in Nosara, Guanacaste in the Nicoya Peninsula. It is about 2.5 hours from the Liberia airport and is located on the beach. It is approximately a 10 minute drive from the town of Nosara.
For more location details, visit this link.
The retreats at Blue Spirit are from Saturday to Saturday. The first retreat activity takes place on Saturday evening and the last one is Friday evening. Arrivals and departures are best on Saturdays.
Due to the nature of this retreat, we ask all the participants to stay for the whole week. The first days are designed to prepare you for the ceremonies and after the ceremonies, there are integration tools that will be shared. Everything is important. Please, if you need to leave, contact a team member.
CHECK IN & CHECK OUT TIMES
If you would like to arrive early or stay extra, please see the answer to this question below.
WHAT-TO-BRING-LIST
THE CLOSEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO BLUE SPIRIT IS LIBERIA INT’L AIRPORT (LIR)
Approximately a two-hour drive, Blue Spirit has multiple shuttles picking up guests at the Liberia Airport on Saturdays ONLY.
Note: shuttle not included.
According to the arrival times of all major airlines, there are group shuttle pickup times ranging between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for all flights arriving from midday to early afternoon, and between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for all flights arriving in the evening.
You can book your shuttle to/from LIR airport here.
***IMPORTANT: Please reserve your shuttle on the Thursday prior to your arrival before 12pm CST at the latest. Transportation requests and/or changes after this deadline must be made directly via e-mail to info@bluespiritcostarica.com or via a phone call. If you are already in Costa Rica dial +506 2656-8300, otherwise please call our US number (845) 684-2007.
Shuttle reservations sent via this form later than Thursday prior your arrival 12pm CST are NOT processed, even though you may receive a confirmation e-mail.
If you are arriving out of schedule contact Blue Spirit for options at shuttle@bluespiritcostarica.com.
If flying through SJO airport (4 hours driving distance), we recommend this transportation company.
Upon request, booking a private taxi is possible but there is limited availability for this service.
If you would like to arrive early or stay extra nights, please contact Blue Spirit directly: reception@bluespiritcostarica.com
The Nature Within reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If The Nature Within cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. A refund, minus 5% credit card processing fee of your room cost and a $200 processing fee, will be offered for cancellations made on or before the close of business, 45 days before each program.
No refund or credit will be offered for cancellations made with less than 45 days notice; if you do not show up; or if you leave a program early.
We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance, which insures you against unforeseen sickness, injury, job loss, inclement weather, and more.
We understand that plans can change. Please get in touch with us immediately if you need to make adjustments or discuss your options. Your cooperation allows us to maintain the integrity of our retreats and provide the best experience for everyone involved.
To honor this beautiful commitment, we ask that you review and agree to the following terms:
At The Nature Within, our retreats require thoughtful preparation and care to create a safe and nurturing environment.
We strongly encourage participants to purchase travel insurance to protect against unexpected events such as illness, travel disruptions, or unforeseen emergencies that may prevent attendance.
Thank you for understanding and helping us uphold the sacred space of our work together.
Do you have any questions or concerns about joining a retreat? Schedule a free discovery call and let’s explore the possibilities together.
