Plant Medicine Ceremonies

We provide transformational ceremonies using plant medicine such as Ayahuasca, Sananga, Cacao, and Rapé (Hapé), at our retreat center in Buzios, Rio Janeiro, Brazil. Our experienced shamans and wellness facilitators lead these sacred rituals that offer powerful spiritual and therapeutic experiences.

We have upcoming retreats here at Maravilha but haven’t posted the dates. Please contact us for more information or if you’d like to schedule a personal plant medicine retreat for you and/or your group.

Woman drinking ayahuasca during an indigenous plant ceremony at Maravilha Retreat in Buzios Brazil close to Rio De Janiero, Brazil

ROBYN

“2023 proved to be a very challenging year for me with a lot of heartbreak. I had been dealing with a hard break-up, getting run over by an SUV and my brother passing.  I had heard of Plant Medicine but never had the opportunity to explore it from a trusted source. Toward the end of the year (2023), I was introduced to Mara and Chris through a friend of a friend. They were super responsive. I primarily communicated with Mara and immediately felt comfortable sharing my situation.

I can not say enough about Mara, Chris, Henrique, Guora, Mother Aya and so many others that contributed to an amazing experience. Mara is soft, kind and giving. From the beginning, I felt like she truly understood a lot of the pain I was going through. She created a healing experience like nothing I have ever experienced. Our Shaman, Henrique Damodara, had an incredible peace about him. It was a small group of five people with three ceremonies. Each ceremony had a different focus with a unique offering of healing. The music was so calming and made me feel safe. 

The last ceremony was about forgiveness, something that will remain with me forever. The experience was pretty indescribable but I can tell you it was better than any therapy EVER. I now understand the medicine of Mother Aya. I went there feeling I needed healing from one thing. Mother Aya knew I needed healing from something that stemmed further back in my history.  When she took it in her hands it felt like she was taking the trauma from the roots. She took it from the roots and emptied it from my body. I never felt so much relief.  I felt like I was able to let go of something that was making such an impact on my life and I was not even aware of it. I felt so much lighter. I was/am able to think clearer. “

Rex

If you are looking for a place set in paradise to discover what Mother Ayahuasca has for you, 

then look no further than Maravilha Retreat, the Sacred Men's Week and Chris & Mara, our hosts who took good care of our bodies and hearts. This is their Mission and it shows!" Rex Downing, San Diego, CA.

Rick Broniec lead our Men's Retreat magically! He asked brilliant questions of us all week, facilitated masterfully with Breathwork, Psychodrama, MIssion and so much more! Rick was present to our needs and provided the sacred energy, grounded leadership, and deep expertise & experience we all required to get the most out of our week together! Rick's Men's Work, combined with the powerful ayahuasca ceremonies was truly transformational!"  Rex Downing, San Diego, CA.

Maru Huni Kuin Ayahuasca
BiBi Cacao Ceremony
Henrique Happe ceremony
ayahuasca ceremony
sound bowl healing
ayahuasca shaman
woman ayahuasca
music ayahuasca
sananga ayahuasca ceremony

Plant Medicines We Work With in Ceremony…

  • A metal pot filled with green leaves and drying plant stems soaking in water, outdoors.

    Ayahuasca

    Indigenous communities in Brazil have been using the potent plant medicine Ayahuasca, originating from the Amazon jungle, for millennia to promote healing and spiritual enlightenment.

    Made from the Ayahuasca vine and the Chacruna plant, this sacred elixir guides people on a path of self-discovery and inner healing by invoking visions and reflection. Ayahuasca ceremonies offer a guided space for exploring the depths of the psyche, releasing emotional blocks, and connecting with higher states of consciousness. For those who seek its knowledge, this age-old tradition continues to be a pillar of Brazilian spirituality, providing deep insights and healing.

  • Close-up of a white flower with five petals and yellow center, surrounded by green leaves.

    Sananga

    Native American communities in the Amazon jungle work with sananga, a traditional eye medicine made from the roots and bark of the Tabernaemontana undulata plant. Renowned for its potent cleansing and healing qualities, this plant treatment is said to improve vision, concentrate, and remove energetic blocks.

    When used as eye drops, Sananga produces a sharp, short-lived stinging sensation that is followed by increased perception and clarity. Sananga is known for its capacity to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing as well as a stronger connection to oneself and the natural environment. It is used in conjunction with Ayahuasca in ceremony.

  • A person with tattoos on their arm is pouring hot chocolate from a ladle into a paper cup, with a planter and pink flowers in the background.

    Cacao

    Brazil is known for producing high-quality, flavorful cacao, grown in the lush tropical regions of the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests.

    Historically, Cacao was associated with fertility and female divinity in some cultures. In Mayan mythology, for example, the goddess Ixcacao was considered the protector of lovers and pregnant women. She was honored and revered in the energy of the Cacao ceremony.

    The energy of cacao is related to nature, and fertility, creation and spirituality are linked to feminine energy. Cacao is considered a living substance of energy, pleasure and calm at the same time, because we women are passionate about chocolate during periods of menstruation, sadness and anxiety.

    Brazilian cacao is also a potent superfood that improves cardiovascular health, elevates mood, and fosters general well-being due to its high antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral content. Brazilian cacao is still treasured as a delicious delicacy and a powerful healing tool. It has historically been used in ceremonies to awaken the heart and promote deep emotional connections.

  • Close-up of a person's hand holding a traditional old-fashioned pipe.

    Rapé (Hapé)

    Indigenous communities in Brazil utilize rapé, a traditional Amazonian snuff made from a blend of medicinal plants and finely crushed tobacco.

    Rapé, which is administered through the nose with a pipe, is well-known for its purifying and grounding properties. Rapé helps with improving attention and concentration, removing emotional and energetic blocks, and fostering spiritual connections and can be used in conjunction with Ayahuasca in ceremony.

“What a wonderful week had! The food was incredible! The ceremonies were so inspiring. The gals in the kitchen were so accommodating. I won’t say “goodbye” just see you in orange county. I look forward to coming back to Buzios and having another beautiful experience at your beautiful property."

— Bechie

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Interested in Ceremony?

Inquire onsite with our facilitators to learn more. You can also fill out this contact form and we will return your message shortly.

  • The Amazon rainforest, Chapada Diamantina, and the Atlantic Forest are among the well-known Ayahuasca retreat destinations in Brazil.

    Maravilha Retreat offers Ayahuasca Retreats and ceremonies with our experienced Shaman Henrique and Facilitator Mara Miranda surrounded by the lands that the plant originates from. These ceremonies can bring deep inner transformation, growth and profound realization and understanding. Contact us if you are interested in an Ayahuasca ceremony or learn more about our Ayahuasca retreats on our upcoming calendar.

  • Our Ayahuasca retreat options are three or six days to give you time to integrate your experiences and participate in multiple ceremonies. You can speak with our team to discuss what would be the best length of time for you that would suit your experience and needs with the plant medicine.

  • We recommend that you bring layers for different weather situations and loose, comfortable clothing appropriate for ceremony and meditation. During ceremonies, extras like an eye mask might make you more comfortable. We will provide mats, blankets and cushions on site for your comfort.

  • We offer different packages to accommodate your needs. You can stay for a personal healing wellness retreat and add on an Ayahuasca ceremony, or participate in a three or six day Ayahuasca retreat with us, depending on your budget and needs. You can learn more about our personal healing wellness retreats here, or see upcoming retreat dates on our calendar here.

  • At an Ayahuasca retreat, you can expect a transformational experience guided by our experienced shaman and facilitators. The retreat typically begins with an orientation session to prepare you for the journey and check in with your health history.

    During the ceremonies, you'll consume ayahuasca in a supportive space, often followed by periods of introspection, ceremonial music and processing. Following the ceremonies, there may be group discussions and integration sessions.

    Expect to participate in complementary activities such as meditation, yoga, breath work to assist in processing your experiences. There will be both emotional and physical cleansing as part of the healing process with this medicine.

  • We have three and six day long Ayahuasca retreats to suit your needs. You can see our upcoming calendar of dates here.