A Gabor Maté-inspired Retreat Open To All

Holding Compassionate Space for Plant Medicine Healing

For the serious seeker who is desires deep healing with sacred plants under the guidance of indigenous healers as well as facilitators trained by Dr Gabor Maté.

In the spirit of Gabor Maté’s ayahuasca retreats, this retreat will implement many of its guidelines to help guests connect more fully with the plants and the pharmacy of the jungle, while emphasizing processing and integration for more impactful ceremonies and post-retreat life transformation.

In addition to life purpose coaching, Compassionate Inquiry (inspired by Gabor’s work with ayahuasca) will be offered to guests as the core foundation of the daily group and individual processing sessions.

At the heart of the retreat is the belief that by working with the mind, body, and spirit, the plants can guide us in shifting our consciousness to heal ourselves and all our relations.

What to Expect

The container of the retreat will bridge the strictness of a true dieta with the structured ease of a traditional ayahuasca retreat at Soltara Healing Center, where Gabor Maté serves on the Board. Participants can anticipate surrendering their electronic devices for the duration of the retreat, processing their experiences in a very intentioned way, observing silence, engaging in an individual, inward journey (no couples or family members), personalized attention and sacred teachings of Shipibo cosmology and the plants, and an extended post-dieta.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT

  PRE-RETREAT

  • (1) One live ’90-minute Zoom’ group session with Mee Ok Icaro
  • Dieta information, important documents, and live support for preparation for guest’s retreat experience before arriving in Costa Rica.

ACCOMMODATIONS & MEALS

  • 7 Night/8 Day accommodations at Soltara Healing Center in Playa Blanca, Costa Rica
  • Group transportation to and from the San Jose airport and the Retreat Center on a set schedule.
  • Dieta-guided organic meals are freshly prepared for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

RETREAT & PROCESSING

  • 3 Ayahuasca Ceremonies at Soltara led by professionally trained facilitators and Shipibo (indigenous Peruvian) Shamans
  • 1 day of additional plant medicine treatment
  • 6 days of processing and integration inspired by Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry and his ayahuasca retreats
  • A specialized program which includes Life Purpose Coaching, plant medicine wisdom, and guided meditations allowing guests to strengthen their connection to the medicine path
  • A digital detox (phones will be surrendered upon arrival)
  • Energetic movement, breathing and yoga

POST-RETREAT

  • (6) Six live ’90-minute Zoom’ integration group sessions with Mee Ok Icaro using tools developed by Gabor Maté as well as teachings from indigenous wisdom traditions
  • A unique opportunity to be a part of a container for guests to be supported in the transition home, to make changes in their lives, and to bring the truth of their ceremonies into reality

MEET YOUR HOSTS

Mee Ok Icaro

Mee Ok Icaro (pronounced “Mee Oak Ee-car-oh”), is a unique and powerful voice in the world of visionary medicine and personal growth. As a Writer, Book Doula, Sacred Medicine Advisor and Integration Specialist, Life Purpose Coach and Guide, Mee Ok is dedicated to helping individuals heal and find their path in life. Skilled in Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry approach, a method she has personally integrated for over a decade to transform her own life, she integrates many teachings from a variety of traditions, from ancient to modern.

With a passion for writing and a talent for prose, Mee Ok is an award-winning stylist and poet. Her work has appeared in notable publications like the LA Times, Boston Globe Magazine, and Michael Pollan’s Trips Worth Telling anthology. She was even featured in Gabor Maté’s New York Times bestseller The Myth of Normal and the Netflix docuseries [Un]Well. With over a decade of experience working with ayahuasca and dieting seven master plants, Mee Ok is curing a near-fatal autoimmune disease, scleroderma, and is dedicated to helping others heal and recover their birthright of authenticity and truth.

Mee Ok holds a BA in Philosophy from Boston University and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction, and has studied the history of sexuality and medicine at Harvard. She is currently in the process of being initiated in her own indigenous tradition of Korean shamanism (mudang) and as an ayahuasquera in the Shipibo lineage. With a diverse set of passions, including racial and disability equity, adoptee advocacy, social justice, film, literature, doggies, and drag, Mee Ok is a curious soul with a wealth of knowledge and experience she loves to share. To learn more about her writing and work, visit Mee-ok.com

Tania Siglinde

Tania Siglinde is a passionate advocate for health, healing, and integration processes. She’s been blessed with formal training in various disciplines throughout the world such as Mexico, Canada, India, Vietnam and Peru, where she also learnt from the elders of the local indigenous nations and dove into their ancestral wisdom and traditions.

As a soprano, she performs professionally, but I also uses her voice to connect with Spirit through Medicine Songs. As a multilingual translator, Tania translated the written materials for the Compassionate Inquiry professional training program into Spanish, and acts as the simultaneous interpreter for monthly calls and masterclasses with Dr. Gabor Maté as well as for the the biennial world conference. She is also a regular interpreter for the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund, and occasionally for other similar organizations.

As a women’s health specialist, Tania contributes to the School for Women’s Freedom in Oaxaca, Mexico, providing education and awareness of hormone cycles and their potential impact on all levels. She performs various ceremonies and rituals involving womb healing, stones, moon cycles, and sacred plant spirits such as garlic. As a mental health and wellness practitioner, she offers services in yoga, meditation, breathwork, family constellations, Compassionate Inquiry, and as a Suicide Attention mediator. She has also taken part as a supporting member for retreats with sacred master plants led by Dr. Gabor Maté, as well as healers from the Shipibo and Mapuche traditions. Additionally, she regularly writes articles on menstrual health and has completed a book for children to be published in 2025.

Additional Services

By the end of the retreat, participants will have gained practical skills for deepening the ceremonial experience, and support to integrate the teachings they received, with a clear understanding of dietas (initiation with a plant spirit), what they involve, and the healing they offer.

In addition to the preparation and integration sessions that are included, we are here to help focus your journey and hold compassionate space to ensure you feel safe, prepared, and open to experience profound shifts.

The option to add on 1-on-1 personal sacred medicine and Compassionate Inquiry consultation and coaching packages with Mee Ok Icaro are available before and after your journey for a discounted cost.

Compassionate Inquiry sessions and women’s wellness support and consultation packages are offered with Tania Siglinde for a discounted cost.

BOOK A CONSULTATION

ACCOMMODATIONS

*75% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space. To eliminate fees contact Mee Ok directly to send payment via Paypal or Venmo. Remaining payment is due 60 days from the start of the retreat. A portion of these proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund for marginalized dieters and the Shipibo.

Canopy King Suite

Seated at the highest point on Soltara’s stunning property, this premium spacious suite looks over the forest canopy with breathtaking 270-degree views of the mountains, ocean, and tropical forest.

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.

  • An en-suite bathroom with a spacious private shower overlooking the surrounding tropical forest
  • An outdoor balcony with comfortable seating area 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
  • Daily room service & linen changes
  • Clean, fresh towels changed regularly
  • Full laundry service (on request)

$9,750 + fees

Buy now

Private Single King Suite

For travelers who prefer spaciousness and privacy during their journeys, Soltara’s 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 outdoor 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
  • Clean, fresh towels changed regularly
  • Full laundry service (on request)

$8,500 + fees

Buy now

Double Shared Suite

Soltara’s shared double suites offer spacious and beautiful accommodations for 2 guests. Each participant will be assigned a roommate of the same gender. This room has a large balcony 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 tropical forest
  • A outdoor 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
  • Clean, fresh towels changed regularly
  • Full laundry service (on request)

$6,5000 + fees

Buy now

Eco-Tambo

Soltara’s economical option is their Private Eco-Tambo. Designed for individuals who prefer privacy and desire a more traditional jungle setting, 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 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 tropical forest
  • Electricity & ceiling fan
  • A writing desk/creative space
  • Orthopedic bed & luxury linens
  • Daily room service & linen changes
  • Clean, fresh towels changed regularly
  • Full laundry service (on request)

$4,500 + fees

Buy now

About the Property

Immersed in the tropical forest and with stunning ocean views, Soltara offers an optimal environment for medicine work.

With a gym, pool, access to two beaches, trails, natural beauty, and fresh, nourishing food it supports care of the body, mind, and soul to support you in and out of ceremonies.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1

4pm

Arrivals

4:30pm

Orientation – Shipibo Cosmology/Moontime Talk

6:30pm

Introduction to Ayahuasca (first time drinkers only)

7:30pm

Dinner

Day 2

9am

Breakfast

10am

Processing/Naming Intention

1pm

Lunch

1:30pm

Health Checks

2pm

Processing/Naming Intention

4:30pm

Flower Bath

Silence Begins

6:30pm

Pre-Ceremony Yoga

7:30pm

CEREMONY ONE

Day 3

9am

Silent Breakfast

10am

Consultation with Healers

1pm

Lunch

2pm

Processing/Integration

Additional Plant treatments

7pm

Dinner

Day 4

9am

Breakfast

10am

Processing/Integration

1pm

Lunch

2pm

Processing/Integration

4:30pm

Flower Bath

Silence Begins

6:30pm

Pre-Ceremony Yoga

7:30pm

CEREMONY TWO

Day 5

9am

Silent Breakfast

10am

Processing/Integration

1pm

Lunch

2pm

Free time

Additional Plant Treatments

1-on-1 Consultations with Facilitators

7pm

Dinner

Day 6

9am

Breakfast

10am

Free time

1-on-1 Consultations with Facilitators

1pm

Lunch

2pm

Processing/Integration

4:30pm

Flower Bath

Silence Begins

6:30pm

Pre-Ceremony Yoga

7:30pm

CEREMONY THREE

Day 7

9am

Breakfast

9:30am

Shipibo Market

10:00am

Processing/Integration

1pm

Lunch

2pm

Processing/Integration

Integration talk

Introduction to Dietas

7pm

Dinner

Day 8

10am

Breakfast

11:30am

Departure

MEE OK ICARO
RETREATS

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“We are all taking the same journey — from the head to the heart.”

 

— Gabor Maté