Our entire experience at Vikara was amazing and perfect! The location in idyllic, friendly, and charming Olon, combined with the beautifully designed and appointed facilities of Vikara, with an amazing staff of kind, professional and wonderful people was everything we could have asked for. Roey and Lindsy have created such a wonderful space that provided for and encouraged the physical and spiritual journey we came for. The yoga with Elba was perfection every day....she is truly a gift and gifted at what she does! The plant ceremonies with Amalia were so powerful, and truly life changing! We absolutely love and honor Amalia...she was so incredible! The food was healthy, beautiful, and delicious! The surfing was so much fun and literally right outside our door! We couldn’t have dreamed of a more PERFECT and enjoyable experience than we had at Vikara! We can’t wait to come back again!

My retreat at Vikara was one of the best trips of my life. From initial booking to departure Roey, Lindsey and the whole Vikara team were on top of their game. If you're looking to relax and reconnect with what matters in an intimate and personalized setting then i urge you to look into Vikara- you definitely won't be disappointed. The beachside location is ideal the facilities are beautiful and the food is amazing, but more importantly the staff puts their whole heart into everything they do and it really shows.

Everyone who works at the retreat center is kind and amazing, the accommodations are fantastic, and the food is delicious. The beach is right out a private gate out the back, which is close to beach shops and the gorgeous warm ocean. I can’t wait to go back.

Food was great. Surfing class was amazing. However the rest of the facilities and the program was not enough to fulfil my expextions.

Breakfast and lunch are delicious. Yoga and surf classes are excellent. The staff immediately made me feel comfortable. Very flexible schedule to mix and match whichever activities you prefer.

I arrived here and immediately felt like family. I cannot day enough amazing things about Vikara and the entire crew here. They truly made the experience so easy and enjoyable. The teachers are so informed and patient as you learn. The food was AMAZING. And the entire team was welcoming. Cannot wait to come back!

I recently returned to the states from my 1st retreat at Vikara. As a newbie to this type of excursion, I had few expectations but my time spent at Vikara was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I will continue to thank myself for taking the plunge and booking the trip and giving myself the most special gift I have ever received. From the moment the communication began with the team members at Vikara I felt comforted, excited, and hopeful. During my time at Vikara I had the opportunity to listen to my body during our yoga classes. I wasn’t bound to the clock, pressured by a room full of people, or judged in any way. In some ways I feel like my first session with Elba was my very first yoga class. She showed me the true celebration of the practice. She listened to my body and provided the confidence, experience, and guidance I needed. Our yoga classes were fun, exploratory, and informational. A spark was definitely ignited inside that can't wait to continue see what else I’m capable of!I really appreciated the variety of meals provided by Nali. Shutout to her for listening when I told her that pesto was my favorite and then packing me pesto/mozzarella sandwich while away on an all day trip. All other aspects; surfing, massage, rooming accommodations succeeded expectations. I truly felt right at home. I even stayed an extra day.The lessons I learned while at vikara will continue to inspire me always go for what I want and to listen to my heart.

Every person associated with this retreat has a gift and is willing to share it with the clients. Elba's yoga is steeped in spiritual awareness. Her 2 hour daily yoga and her 1 hour meditation provides a comfortable yoking of true self and our bodies resulting in a transformational experience in every class. Flexibility, balance, awareness and unconditional love express themselves through Elba. Unforgettable. Speaking of love, there is so much love in Nali's cooking that we can taste it. From home style Venezuelan meals to improvised creations using whatever is available and fresh and healthy, I looked forward to and was never disappointed by each of her beautiful meals. I'll never forget the black bean and Cacau brownies. Aime and Hewaneeta, exists as channels on this planet for spiritual healing the revelation of life paths. The Ancient Medicine Healing Ceremonies are undertaken with careful attention to ancient traditions establishing a safe, peaceful, and enlightening experience. A couple of these ceremonies start at night and continue until dawn. For the great majority of this time Time and/or Hawaneeta are expressing through ancient music, songs and prayers of the ancestors that ring out from the fire of the teepee to the lives of the participants, to nature, and wildlife within miles and miles , who each respond as a part of the unfolding natural spiritual symphony. Not something one gets much opportunity to experience these days. But its offered here.

Everything! Roey, Nali, Elba, and the rest of the staff were beyond wonderful. Each activity challenged both body and mind which made every moment worth the trip.

Roey is an amazing host! He is very personable, fun, and consistently checked in to make sure you were enjoying every moment. Roey is always there if you have any questions or needed a buddy to hang out with. He has great recommendations when it comes to free time outside of your scheduled activities.

Elba is a goddess of yoga! She really focuses on helping you reach your yoga goals/intentions as well as leads a fantastic yoga practice. The consistent thought I had after each practice was "wow, she put me into another spiritual dimension!"

Nali is a QUEEN in the kitchen and the sorority house mother I never had but wished I did. Her meals were delicious, healthy, AND instagram-able. Thanks to Nali, I not only tried new and healthy foods, but I also learned quite a lot about the foods she cooked with. Her energy and personality have inspired me to cook more.

The team at Vikara is truly a family and they welcome you as one of their own. I can not WAIT to go back and visit them!

Roey, Elba, and Nali provide an amazing foundation for this retreat. It was a perfect trip for me, and I enjoyed it immensely. Ecuador is full of amazing and wonderful people and experiences. I'm glad that I went with Vikara on my first journey to this magical place. The yoga was amazing, the surf was very good, the beach is great, and Olon is perfect for those of us who like a peaceful and not crowded destination.

Elba is a gift. Yoga with her is a perfect blend of the physical and spiritual. The lessons that I learned in poses, asanas, and breathing go beyond the yoga mat. I wish everyone who enjoys yoga has the opportunity to practice with her, it is transformational. I really cannot express just how beautiful of a human being she is. I wish that I could do yoga with her every day!

Nali does an amazing job of preparing fresh and tasty meals every day. I had some dietary restrictions that were completely accommodated. Not only that, meals were delicious! I especially miss breakfast. And Nali.

Roey does a great job of balancing the offered activities with what you want to do. I enjoyed the relaxed and flexible schedule, and it was a good mix of being busy and relaxing. He is also very fun and funny, and I enjoyed hanging out with him, Elba, Nali, and his local friends.

You'll get out of the trip what you put in. If you were like me and on the fence about whether you should do this trip or not... You should. You will have a unique experience that you will enjoy!

thank you Nali, Elba, Roey, Matt and Gisela for making my retreat perfect! Nalis food is the best!! And Yoga with Elba was pure relaxation and so calming. They way she teaches is unique and touching, thank you for the best Yoga sessions I ever had! Thanks to everyone for making me feel home right away! Thank you Nali and Roey for helping me when my luggage didn’t arrive. Lots of love to all of you!! Hope to see you again, I’m definitely coming back to Olón!! Natalie

I am more than glad I chose Vikara Retreats. I felt really welcomed from the first minute. Every one payed a lot of attention to me, my well beeing and my personal expectations about the retreat and my own healing-process. We create a individual schedule for my personal needs. The yoga classes were brilliant. I learned so much more about the different asanas and the real meanings. I appreciate learning all this little detail in each asanas. I had my most wonderful yoga lessons with Elba.The ceremony was very impressive and a real changing experience. The shamans were so kind hearted and supported me together with Roey throw the whole process. It was an amazing exerience. The energy and the spirit we felt was incredible.Roey always gave the best to make the most out of my stay and to make me feel comfortable and safe. It felt very familiar. We had a really great connection.

Also I got spoiled with all the delicates food Nali served every day. It is a daily fresh prepaired meal, with the taste of all the beautyful fruits and vegetables Ecuador can offer. But if you eat fish and meat Nali can cook everything and she might even ask you about your preferences.

The place itself was very lovely, I could feel the love and peace immediately when I entered the place the firts time.

All in all I can say the stay helped me to advanced my healing process, my inner peace and my purpose of life. The combination of yoga, meditation and the ceremonies is like a key, that connect the body with your mind/soul and the universe.