Playa Blanca, Costa Rica
Awaken each morning to bird songs, monkeys playing in trees, and crashing waves in the distance. Relax under a mango tree overlooking the ocean, walk down to the beach and take a dip in the gentle waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, or meander your way through our gardens and groves across acres of unspoiled flora and fauna.
Easily accessible from the airport, yet tucked away on seaside cliffs overlooking the crystal blue Gulf, we invite you to an immersive experience letting nature unveil itself before you and surround you in harmony, compassion, and peace.
Intimate group sizes of 20 – 22 guests foster a personalized and close-knit communal healing experience, with individual attention from healers during ceremony
Choose from our luxury and eco-luxe accommodations, each offering unique views and amenities, from ocean views to immersed in the tropical forest canopy
Swimming pool, stardeck with sunrise views, fully stocked jungle gym, access to two nearby beaches, fire circles, open-air shala, and hammock spaces
Holistic and intentional retreat programs with the highest standard of care before, during, and after your retreat, and a full year of support & community
Enjoy our ayahuasca-friendly meals, organic and locally sourced to support sustainability and provide nutritional richness that complements your retreat experience
About This Location
Soltara at Playa Blanca, our original retreat center, draws its name from the warm, inviting beach nearby, reflecting the serene beauty of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. Perched atop cliffs in the mountainous tropical forest, our healing retreat space overlooks the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, offering breathtaking views of both sunrises and starry nights. Our location in one of the world’s five recognized Blue Zones is testament to the area’s life-affirming energy, where many local centenarians thrive in harmony with nature.
Nestled among a tropical forest filled with an abundance of diversity, from the twice-a-year yellow blooms of the Cortez Amarillo trees to the welcome shade of mango, starfruit, and Guanacaste trees—Costa Rica’s national symbol—our retreat space is a haven for wildlife, including playful monkeys, colorful birds, and flowers full of butterflies. The property seamlessly blends natural beauty with thoughtful amenities: a star deck for celestial observation, two nearby beaches for salt-water rejuvenation, peaceful hammocks for introspection, a refreshing pool, and a fire circle for communal gatherings. Our fully-equipped jungle gym encourages physical vitality, while the La Paz loop trail invites meditative walks.
We are deeply grateful to be part of our vibrant Playa Blanca community, working alongside local staff, farmers, and fishermen who contribute to our guests’ transformative journeys. This connection to the land and its people infuses our center with true Costa Rican spirit, creating an ideal setting for profound inner work and healing.
Our Playa Blanca Retreats
5 Night Ayahuasca Retreat
from $3375 USD
Our all-inclusive five-night program includes three ayahuasca ceremonies and extensive body-based, emotional, therapeutic, and spiritual support before, during, and after your retreat. This focused immersion includes a full day of integration after your ceremonies.
- 3 ayahuasca ceremonies
- 5 Nights, 6 Days
- A full year of online preparation, integration, and community support
- All-inclusive pricing with transportation to and from San Jose, Costa Rica
- Payment plans available
7 Night Ayahuasca Retreat
from $3625 USD
Immerse yourself in our one-week program with four ayahuasca ceremonies and two full days of integration during your retreat. We support your healing with body-based, emotional, therapeutic, and spiritual support before, during, and after your retreat.
- 4 ayahuasca ceremonies
- 7 Nights, 8 Days
- A full year of online preparation, integration, and community support
- All-inclusive pricing with transportation to and from San Jose, Costa Rica
- Payment plans available
12 Night Ayahuasca Retreat
from $6000 USD
Our 12 night/13 day integrative program offers 7 ayahuasca ceremonies intermixed with four full days of integration throughout your retreat. We support your healing with body-based, emotional, therapeutic, and spiritual support before, during, and after your retreat.
- 7 ayahuasca ceremonies
- 12 Nights, 13 Days
- A full year of online preparation, integration, and community support
- All-inclusive pricing with transportation to and from San Jose, Costa Rica
- Payment plans available
New Years Eve Ayahuacsa Retreat
from $4375 USD
Ring in the new year alongside a community of like-minded souls, and celebrate it in a way that encourages catalytic positive change in our lives. We’ll have ceremonies on the three nights leading up to the new year, with our final ceremony on Dec 31, to begin 2025 with a clear mind and an open heart. On the final evening, January 1, we will have a special (non-medicine) ceremonial gathering to to integrate your experience, welcome the new year with your fellow passengers, and visualize your path forward for 2025. You’ll be fully supported with body-based, emotional, therapeutic, and spiritual support before, during, and after your retreat.
- 3 ayahuasca ceremonies
- 5 Nights, 6 Days
- A full year of online preparation, integration, and community support
- All-inclusive pricing with transportation to and from San Jose, Costa Rica
Retreat For Experienced and Return Guests
from $3875 USD
This program balances ceremonial depth with the freedom to immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s breathtaking nature and culture, with less emphasis on introductory teachings and more space for personal exploration. Enjoy relaxed pacing, allowing for reflection, integration, and connection with nature. Additional plant treatments with medicinal plants lovingly prepared by our Shipibo healers as well as a mid-retreat off-site excursion to the stunning Isla Tortuga, featuring a boat tour across the beautiful Gulf of Nicoya, snorkeling, lunch, and free time on idyllic beaches. Plus a unique cultural experiences, including a Shipibo-style cookout and a beach bonfire (weather permitting).
- 4 ayahuasca ceremonies
- 7 Nights, 8 Days
- A full year of online preparation, integration, and community support
- All-inclusive pricing with transportation to and from San Jose, Costa Rica
Accommodations
We work with the land, the locals, and a lot of love to bring you beautiful and spacious rooms with stunning ocean vistas and sustainability in mind. Decorated with handcrafted Costa Rican decor and personal artisanal touches, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of the tropical forest and crashing waves as you relax and restore in quiet serenity and comfort.
Double Shared Suite
(2 King beds | Shared accommodations)
Our shared double suites offer spacious and beautiful accommodations for up to 2 guests of the same gender. For guests booking as a single passenger, you will be assigned a roommate of the same gender. This room has a large seating area to relax in comfort against the stunning backdrop of three different islands and a sunrise over the ocean, as well as:
- An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding jungle
- A gorgeous balcony with comfortable seating area overlooking the forest and Gulf of Nicoya
- A writing desk/creative space
- Air-conditioning
- Orthopedic beds & luxury linens
- Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches
- Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay
- Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request)
- Full laundry service (on request)
Private Double Suite
(2 King Beds | Registration books entire room)
For guests booking together or couples who prefer spaciousness and privacy during their journeys, this luxury suite features a king-size bed with Soltara’s best views, and plenty of space to relax in comfort against the stunning backdrop of three different islands and a sunrise over the ocean. This private suite also includes:
- An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest
- A gorgeous balcony with comfortable seating area overlooking the Gulf of Nicoya and surrounding mountains
- A writing desk/creative space
- Air-conditioning
- Orthopedic beds & luxury linens
- Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches
- Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay
- Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request)
- Full laundry service (on request)
Private Single Suite
(1 King bed)
For singles who prefer spaciousness and privacy during their journeys, our private single suites feature a king-size bed with gorgeous ocean views, allowing you to relax in comfort and privacy against the stunning backdrop of three different islands and a sunrise over the ocean. This room also includes:
- An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest
- A gorgeous balcony with comfortable seating area overlooking the forest and Gulf of Nicoya
- A writing desk/creative space
- Air-conditioning
- Orthopedic beds & luxury linens
- Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches
- Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay
- Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request)
- Full laundry service (on request)
The Canopy Suite
(1 King bed)
Seated at the highest point on our property, this premium suite looks out over the forest canopy with breathtaking 270-degree views of the mountains, ocean, and tropical forest. With additional spaciousness compared to our regular private suites, relax in comfort with indoor and outdoor seating areas, plus room for yoga and meditation to support the integration of your healing. Wake to stunning sunrises over the ocean in the mornings, and watch the entire surrounding tropical forest turn a beautiful golden hue to greet the day. For singles and couples who prefer spaciousness and privacy during their journeys, this luxury suite features a king-size bed with Soltara’s best views, as well as:
- An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest
- A gorgeous balcony overlooking the forest and Gulf of Nicoya
- A writing desk/creative space
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Meditation/yoga space
- Air-conditioning
- Orthopedic beds & luxury linens
- Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches
- Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay
- Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request)
- Full laundry service (on request)
Eco Tambo
(1 Queen Bed | No A/C | Shared Bathrooms)
Our economical option is our Private Eco-Tambo. Designed for individuals who prefer privacy and desire an economical option, these are beautiful wooden tambos (huts) surrounded by Costa Rican tropical forest. Close to the Maloca ceremonial space and common areas, each Tambo has its own private balcony and spacious interior, with shared bathrooms and showers. Tambos have electricity and fans, and do not have A/C, but because they are located under the canopy on the south side of the hill, they tend to stay cooler during the day and night than the rest of our center. These rooms include:
- Private balcony looking out into the Costa Rican tropical forest
- Electricity & ceiling fan
- A writing desk/creative space
- Orthopedic beds & luxury linens
- Beautiful handcrafted, locally-sourced decor & personal artisanal touches
- Daily room service & linen changes throughout your stay
- Clean, fresh towels changed regularly (additional towels available upon request)
- Full laundry service (on request)
Our travel logistics information will help you make the most out of your experience.
View Our Travel Logistics
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
A “Blue Zone” of the World
Soltara Healing Center is located on the calm and pristine Gulf of Nicoya in the mountainous jungle of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. Possessing the highest density of biodiversity of any country in the world, it is also labeled as one of the 5 “blue zones”, a term coined by National Geographic author Dan Buettner, describing places where a high percentage of the population lives active lives over the age of 100.
So, what’s the secret?
Despite spending only a fraction of what many countries spend on healthcare, Nicoyans are twice as likely to reach a healthy age 90 compared to Americans, and seven times more likely to reach age 100 than a Japanese male (Okinawa, Japan is also considered a blue zone). The secret lies not just in quantity, but in quality of life – and make no mistake, those living longer are still enjoying the riches of life! The Blue Zone study identified key aspects of the Costa Rican lifestyle that contribute to happy, healthy longevity:
- Have a plan de vida (reason to live): Having a strong sense of purpose in life, and wanting to contribute to the greater good, helps keep successful centenarians active and healthy.
- Keep a focus on family and community: Nicoyan centenarians frequently visit with neighbors, and they tend to live with families and children or grandchildren who provide support, as well as a sense of purpose. They also have an exceptional ability to listen and laugh, which we especially love and consider the best medicine!
- Keep hard at work: Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work of all their lives. They find joy in everyday physical chores.
- Eat a light dinner: Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. With lunch as their main meal of the day, Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known.
- Drink hard water: Nicoyan water has the country’s highest calcium content, perhaps explaining the lower rates of heart disease, as well as stronger bones and fewer hip fractures.
- Get some sensible sun: Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy body function. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a host of problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, but regular, “smart” sun exposure (about 15 minutes on the legs and arms) can help supplement your diet and make sure you’re getting enough of this vital nutrient.
- Embrace a common history: Modern Nicoyan’s roots to the indigenous Chorotega and their traditions have enabled them to remain relatively free of stress.
This is an excerpt from Blue Zones:
Lessons For Living Longer From The People Who’ve Lived The Longest by Dan Buettner, copyright 2008, all rights reserved.
Disclaimer: Soltara Healing Center is in no way affiliated with Blue Zones, LLC. This information is meant to be informative and does not represent an endorsement or affiliation between Blue Zones, LLC and Soltara Healing Center.
There is much we can learn from this way of living, both individually and as a collective. Costa Rica as a whole is highly regarded as one of the most progressive, sustainable, and greenest countries in the world. It is a country that understands the need to protect Earth’s biodiversity, and follows through in action and policy. Rated the greenest country in the world in 2009, Costa Rica also has the highest percentage of land dedicated to national parks and reserves. In 2016, over 98% of Costa Rica’s electricity was generated from green sources, and the country plans to be entirely carbon neutral by 2021. It is also ranked the highest in the Latin Americas on the Human Development Index (a composite index of lifespan, education, and per capita income), and is one of the only democracies in the world without a standing army (preferring instead to have “an army of teachers”). For this reason, Costa Rica was chosen as the location for the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as well as the United Nations’ University for Peace. (Source)
By living out the values of our ethos and our home, we hope to contribute to a global awakening that inspires balance, harmony, respect, healing, transformation, and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to live a pura vida.
