click here to view Updated requirements for travel due to Covid-19

Soltara Healing Center Policy

These rules and policies are subject to change at any time.

      1. To book your reservation and reserve your spot, a 50-75% deposit is due upon registration, depending on the retreat type, payable electronically. The remainder is due in cash on arrival (in crisp USD – we appreciate your understanding as on-site operations are run entirely in cash).
        1. We only accept the remaining balance in bills of crisp, like-new quality; you can usually find these bills of this quality if ordered from your home bank. To avoid circulation of forged bills in other countries, most Costa Ricans banks do not accept bills with signs of tear, extensive wear, or any markings on them, and cannot be accepted for exchange.
        2. Please do not depend on withdrawing your remaining balance while in Costa Rica. It’s very challenging to withdraw enough of it through the bank machines, because there are daily and weekly limits. Therefore, we ask you to kindly bring the remaining balance with you in US bills of good quality.
      2. In case of a last minute registration, while you’re already in Costa Rica, for example, the full balance due is to be paid BEFORE starting your retreat.
      3. If one leaves the Center, before their reserved stay is over, no full or partial refunds will be credited. The guest leaving is responsible for transportation back to the city.
      4. If one must cancel their reservation, we will not refund your deposit, with the exception of known medical issues during the intake screening process, which are deemed unsafe to combine with ayahuasca ceremony. If one cancels their registration within 24 hours of booking, we will refund your registration, less transaction and administrative fees ($250). Otherwise, your deposit can be transferred to a future date or another person. If one wishes to reschedule to a different date, and has given us a four-week notice, the guest will be allowed to transfer their deposit to another retreat in the following ways:
        • 4+ weeks notice – 100% of deposit transferable
        • 2 – 4 weeks notice – 80% of deposit transferable
        • 2 days – 2 weeks notice – 60% of deposit transferable
        • 0 – 2 days – 0% of deposit transferable
            1. In case of a no-show or cancellation within 48 hours of the retreat start date, you will be charged the full price of the retreat.
            2. If you are not able to come to the center, you may transfer your deposit to someone else (friend, family member, etc.) with the appropriate four weeks notice given, at no additional cost.
            3. One can transfer their deposit to a new guest’s initial deposit, or, use their deposit for a later retreat. One cannot use their deposit to pay off another guest’s balance.
            4. If you reschedule for any retreat, within one year of your cancellation, your deposit is transferable. You can reschedule for any dates you wish in the future, but your credit will expire if you do not let us know which dates you would like within one year of cancelling. The exception for this is retreats which were cancelled by Soltara due to the 2020 novel coronavirus. These deposits are good for life.
            5. **Update** In light of the coronavirus outbreak, Soltara requires all retreat participants to purchase flight and travel insurance to cover all contingencies and nonrefundable deposits and expenses – see more information in section below. If flights or retreats are cancelled due to coronavirus, deposits are nonrefundable but will be transferred to personal credit to use for a future retreat with no change fees. Soltara disclaims all liability from travel disruptions due to coronovirus, and recommends purchasing flight and travel insurance.
      5. We value all guests’ experiences, healing processes and personal boundaries. We expect our guests do the same. The following offences are intolerable, and will result in being sent home without question and without a credit for your stay at the sole discretion of Soltara Healing Center staff:
          • Sexual harassment toward any of the guests or staff.
          • Behavior that puts your own or others’ safety at risk.
          • Repetitive disruptive behaviors inside or outside ceremony that creates discomfort for other guests, or significantly interferes with the healing process of other guests.
          • The use of substances/drugs of any kind taken to or consumed at the Center.
          • Behavior that puts your own or others’ safety at risk.
          • Theft of any kind – we aim to cultivate a trusting and family-style culture at the Center, where every person and their belongings are safe and secure.
      6. Soltara Healing Center staff reserves the right to send anyone home at any time at our discretion.
      7. We do not share personal or contact information between guests without the explicit permission of the guest.
      8. If one is deemed medically unsafe (i.e. recent prescriptions taken that are contraindicated with ayahuasca), we reserve the right to withhold any ceremonies happening at the Center.
      9. We reserve the right to not accept guests at the discretion of Soltara Healing Center staff

Addendum – Additional Participant Terms and Conditions due to Novel Coronavirus COVID-19

Effective as of July 1, 2020, for retreats booked between November 1, 2020 – May 7, 2021

The safety of our guests and staff is of utmost priority. In addition to our on-site safety protocol, below we outline additional terms the Participant must agree to during the booking process, to minimize risk and help prevent the spread and transmission of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

In addition to our regular terms and conditions for booking a retreat at Soltara, the following are required for participants to agree to and do for their retreat:

  1. Participant agrees to purchase flight and travel insurance to cover all contingencies and nonrefundable deposits and expenses– Travel insurance must be purchased from an authorized agency by the Costa Rican Insurance Authority (Superintendencia General de Seguros de Costa Rica) or international insurance approved by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) that covers all possible medical expenses and accommodation in case of a COVID-19 infection.
  2. Participant understands that deposits are non-refundable, except in the case of known medical issues screened during the intake screening process, which are deemed unsafe to combine with ayahuasca ceremony. If flights or retreats are cancelled due to coronavirus, deposits are nonrefundable but will be transferred to personal credit to use for a future retreat with no change fees. Soltara disclaims all liability from travel disruptions due to coronovirus, and refers to participant flight and travel insurance for associated costs.
  3. Participant must submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken from their home location within 72 hours of travel. Form to submit proof is detailed in the next policy. The only test that is accepted is the real-time polymerase chain reaction test, also called PCR-RT for COVID-19. Rapid test results, serological tests, or immunity tests will not be accepted.
  4. Participant agrees to fill out an online form called “Pase de Salud” (Health Pass). This form is available online at https://salud.go.cr/ and is where the Participant can submit proof of Policy #3.
  5. Participant agrees to arrive to Costa Rica at least 2 days prior to their retreat start date (all retreats except NYE retreat), in order to take a second, post-arrival COVID-19 test. Soltara will coordinate group testing to be performed at the Wyndham Herradura Hotel at 12 pm the Friday (2 days) before each retreat start date.
    • If the Participant prefers to get tested on their own, they must do so after arriving in Costa Rica, no more than 5 days prior to their retreat start date.
    • NYE 2020/2021 Retreat ONLY: Participant agrees to take a COVID-19 test within 5 days of December 27, 2020, either in Costa Rica or from their home location. The test required for entry into Costa Rica from their home location can count for this, as long as it is performed within 5 days of December 27th. All guests for this retreat will need to bring written or electronic proof of a negative COVID-19 test with them in order to board the Soltara bus.
  6. Participant agrees not to travel if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms prior to their departure, or immediately alert hotel or Soltara staff if experiencing the following while traveling or after arrival in Costa Rica:
    • Fever
    • Respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath
    • Flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches, chills, or severe fatigue
    • Changes in sense of taste or smell
  7. Soltara recommends that persons who are considered an at-risk population for transmission of the coronavirus (over 70 years of age, immunocompromised, or pre-existing health conditions) do not book a retreat at Soltara until 2021, or after travel risk is considered negligible by the World Health Organization.
  8. Participant agrees to adhere to the following guidelines while traveling to Costa Rica:
  • Wear a mask or face shield while traveling. Proper guidelines for use of mask include:
    1. Place mask carefully to cover mouth and nose and tie securely to minimize any gaps between the face and the mask;
    2. While in use, avoid touching the mask;
    3. Remove the mask by using appropriate technique (i.e. do not touch the front but remove the lace from behind);
    4. After removal or whenever you inadvertently touch a used mask, clean hands by using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water if visibly soiled
    5. Replace masks with a new clean, dry mask as soon as they become damp/humid;
    6. Do not re-use single-use masks;
    7. Discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of them immediately upon removal.
  • Perform hand hygiene frequently, particularly after contact with respiratory secretions. Hand hygiene includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub. Alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred if hands are not visibly soiled; wash hands with soap and water when they are visibly soiled;
    • It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
  • To the extent possible, avoid touching public door handles, handrails, and other frequently touched surfaces in public places. Also avoid shaking people’s hands.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or paper tissue when coughing or sneezing and disposing immediately of the tissue and performing hand hygiene;
  • Refrain from touching mouth and nose
  • Avoid agglomerations and frequency of closed crowded spaces;
  • Maintain distance of at least 1 meter from any individual with 2019-nCoV respiratory symptoms (e.g., coughing, sneezing)

9. Participant agrees to receive a temperature check from a touchless thermometer on their retreat start date, prior to boarding the bus.

10. Participant agrees to sign a waiver stating that they are not currently exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 such as:

  • Fever
  • Respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath
  • Flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches, chills, or severe fatigue
  • Changes in sense of taste or smell

11. Participant understands that they will not be permitted to board the Soltara bus without a confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test taken in Costa Rica within 5 days prior to the start of their retreat, and a temperature check from a touchless thermometer on the retreat start date which does not exceed 100°F.

12. In the event that the Participant tests positive for COVID-19, or is experiencing a fever in excess of 100°F the morning of the retreat start date, they will not be permitted to board the Soltara bus to the retreat. Soltara will provide comfortable accommodations in San Jose near medical facilities, to wait out the duration of their originally booked retreat dates. Their deposit will be fully transferable to a future retreat date, and they will be required to take another test and test negative before their next retreat. The hospital recommends those who test positive for COVID-19 wear a face mask, remain in self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days, and alert hotel staff if applicable.

13. Participant agrees to review the CDC’s guidelines on symptoms, testing, prevention, and travel as related to COVID-19.