A First-Timer’s Guide to the Rythmia Life Advancement Program in Costa Rica

September 3, 2025

To say the past two years have been difficult would be the understatement of the century. After caring for two terminally ill family members, their deaths, a move across the country, a shocking betrayal leading to the ending of a 7 year relationship I thought was my forever, I felt like my life was in shambles. In true Sagittarius fashion, my solution was to jet off to Europe for a solo trip. But the universe had different plans for me. None of my Europe plans were working out, and I felt a hesitation in my gut. Then I came across a plant medicine retreat in Costa Rica and everything started to fall into place like never before.

After so much deep personal change, I wanted to take some time to fully commit to caring for my mind, body, and spirit, which is why when I came across Rythmia, I knew it was the direction I needed to go. I pivoted from Europe to Costa Rica and partnered with Rythmia Life Advancement Center to experience their signature Life Advancement Program. If you’re in a similar boat and considering plant medicine, this post will tell you what it is, how it works, and what you can expect if you are thinking about attending.

What is Rythmia?

Rythmia Life Advancement Center is in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, about 90 minutes from Liberia airport. The energy of the property is peaceful, welcoming, and supportive. One of the first things I noticed was the statues scattered throughout the grounds, representing different religions and spiritual traditions. It felt inclusive and accessible, like there was something for everyone.

Rythmia is often described as a luxury retreat, but I would call it intentional simplicity. The focus is not on over-the-top indulgence. Instead, it is about creating a comfortable, grounded environment where there are fewer distractions, allowing you to fully immerse in the healing work.

For those researching ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, Rythmia is the only medically licensed center in the world that offers plant medicine ceremonies in a setting that is both sacred and clinically safe.

The Life Advancement Program

The program is a seven-day immersion that includes yoga, breathwork, workshops, spa treatments, and of course, the four Ayahuasca ceremonies. Each part of the program builds on the next, and showing up fully makes the experience so much more powerful.

For me, the most powerful non-ceremony moment happened at dinner on the last night. I was talking to a friend I had made throughout the week, and as we shared our relationship stories, I realized how unbalanced and unhealthy mine had been. That conversation lifted the last remnants of longing for what once was. It was gone, replaced with clarity and self-worth.

The staff also made a huge difference. They are deeply experienced with the medicine, compassionate, and supportive. One massage therapist I met in the spa encouraged me in a way that shifted my mindset, and that same night I had my best ceremony of the week.

This is what people often talk about when they share their Rythmia Costa Rica reviews: it is not just the ceremonies, but the entire environment that holds you.

You can learn more about the program and book directly through Rythmia Costa Rica.

Why I Chose Rythmia Costa Rica

Before booking, I had read countless Rythmia Costa Rica reviews and researched other ayahuasca retreats Costa Rica had to offer. What made Rythmia stand out to me was the combination of medical support, structured programming, and a sense of safety that many other retreats could not promise. In the end, it was not just about finding an ayahuasca retreat. It was about finding the right container to hold the depth of healing I knew I needed.

A Typical Day

The program is fairly structured. Each day begins with sunrise yoga, followed by meals, workshops, and free time before the ceremonies at night. Even during free time, you are usually recovering from the medicine, writing in your journal, or resting. This is not the kind of place where you are lounging poolside with a drink in hand. Instead, your free time becomes an extension of the work, resting, journaling, or letting insights settle.

That said, it never felt overwhelming. The week naturally flows in phases: the first couple days are gentle and relaxed, then the ceremonies begin, then integration and recovery, and finally, the closing days which bring both reflection and peace.

This is why so many people interested in ayahuasca retreats Costa Rica end up choosing Rythmia. The structure gives you safety while still allowing for personal transformation.

Accommodations and Amenities

I stayed in a solo king suite. The room was simple and comfortable, with everything I needed for the week. There are no TVs, no mini bar, and none of the usual extras you might expect at a resort. That is very intentional. Rythmia is not about indulgence or distraction. It is about creating a peaceful environment where you can fully focus on your healing.

The food was a highlight for me. Clean, intentional, and nourishing, every meal is prepared to support the medicine. It is light, mostly plant-based, and easy to digest. While buffet-style dining is not usually my preference, I came to appreciate it because it encouraged connection and conversation with other guests. Sharing meals together became one of the most healing parts of my experience.

The spa was another favorite. I had a beautiful massage with the therapist I mentioned who not only worked on my body but also encouraged me emotionally, helping me shift into my best ceremony of the week. Beyond that, there is a saltwater pool, hammocks to lounge in, and plenty of quiet corners to rest, reflect, and process.

Preparing for Your Week

I did not have to prepare much because I was already well into my healing journey, which helped me tremendously. For me, Rythmia was more about solidifying what I already knew and closing one chapter before beginning another.

Many guests find that the preparation process, from diet to setting intentions, becomes a powerful part of the experience. Rythmia provides a full guide beforehand, which includes dietary restrictions like avoiding alcohol, caffeine, red meat, and processed foods, and checking medications for contraindications.

A few packing tips based on my experience:

• Bring sugar-free mints or peppermint oil
• Bring small tokens or trinkets to create an altar in ceremony
• A childhood photo can also be a powerful anchor

Rythmia also provides a packing list, but these little things not mentioned there made a big difference for me.

Who Rythmia is For

Rythmia is for anyone open and ready to face themselves with honesty. It is for people in transition, in grief, at a crossroads, or simply feeling called to something deeper.

Ayahuasca is a powerful medicine and it is not for everyone. Rythmia does a wonderful job of carefully screening guests and making sure each person is supported safely. What they say is true: when it’s time for you, you will have the calling, which is exactly what happened in my case. In fact, I had heard about ayahuasca several years prior to my visit and never had even the tiniest desire to sit with the medicine. But when it was time for me, I knew it was my path.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, my week at Rythmia was not the very beginning of my healing journey. It felt like the moment everything came together, a confirmation of the work I had already done and a doorway into the next chapter.

If you have been reading Rythmia Costa Rica reviews or exploring ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, I hope this gives you a grounded sense of what to expect. For anyone searching broadly for ayahuasca retreats, Rythmia offers one of the most structured and supportive paths you will find.

One final recommendation: give yourself space after the program. Stay in Costa Rica for a few days, near the ocean or in the jungle, to let everything settle before returning to the noise of everyday life. This is not just a retreat, it is a profound reset, and your soul deserves the time to integrate it fully.

If you feel called to explore this path, you can find out more and book your stay at Rythmia Costa Rica.