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!

Warm welcoming staff who felt like family from the start.

The only thing I loved was the food and the kindness of the people

EVERYTHING! We had such a great time at the Vikara Retreat. From the moment we arrived we were greeted with smiles and a delicious homemade breakfast by Nali, the chef. Nali's cooking was amazing throughout the entire week. We've never eaten so well on vacation! Yoga with Elba was enlightening and challenging and was a great way to start off the day. And Roey, the owner, is honestly looking to provide you with the best experience possible. He is very patient when teaching surfing and had us up on the boards by the very first lesson, even catching waves by ourselves by the end of the week. The schedule is flexible and you can do as much or as little as you want during the week (although we recommend doing everything because it was amazing!). Come with an open mind and you will make amazing discoveries and friendships. We'll be back. -Brianna&Sophie

This retreat is extremely personalised, I was the only one staying (Roey has room for a couple or a single occupant) and there was no pressure to stick to a schedule...everything is as you need it to be. Elba the yoga is a wonderful human and very patient with my shaky and poor execution of the poses - she definitely seemed like she could cater for advanced students as well. Food was tasty and accomodation was clean and spacious with air con. The surfing again as a beginner was not too much, Roey was very patient and encouraging. I had a fabulous week, the opportunity to meet some of Roey’s friends was wonderful also, I was just surrounded by lovely people all week. Would highly recommend this to anyone.

We loved this retreat! Roey did a fantastic job designing the experience to cater to his guests' desires - we had wonderful yoga practices, great surf sessions (as a beginner surfer, I was already enjoying the waves by the first day!), and food so delicious and fresh that it blew us away. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, and Olon is the perfect village atmosphere that feels like home after just a few days. We would highly recommend this retreat to anyone looking to relax and rejuvenate!

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

This was an amazing experience that clearly surpassed my expectations. The location is perfect (quiet and peaceful Olón next to lovely Montañita), the beach beautiful, food excellent, but the best aspect is the Vikara community - people who are brought together by the aspiration to create a meaningful experience for the retreat participants. All activities were geared towards my needs, wishes and level of experience, very flexible schedules and a lot of space for my own agenda (e.g. Spanish classes). Roey is an amazing surf instructor (I was not aware of my passion for surfing before), Julie a great Yoga teacher and passionate massage therapist who taught me a lot about my body & stress management, and Elba a very experienced & deep Yoga instructor. Thanks everyone @ Vikara for this amazing time, it was more that only some kind of retreat, but a meaningful and fun experience that still resonates with me. I hope I will be able to come back and definitely will recommend this magic place!

A very big THANKS to Vikara Lifestyle!We just finished our 8 days stay in this wonderful and peaceful retreat right in the heart of the charming village Olon. The room is we stayed in was simple but very comfortable with a good matraz and pillows, clean and a good shower.Thank you Roey and Maura for your daily boost of positive energy. You made us feel at home from the very first day. Thank you for sharing your experiences and the inspiring talks about life, to let us feel part of the village. The last day Roey invited us to a local BBQ at the village were we met some amazing people and enjoyed the delicious food. However, Roey surprised us with his delicious and healthy meals every single day.

We received daily a wonderful and joyful yoga class from Elba, an amazing and very experienced yoga teacher with a beautiful heart that made us really feel and connect with the spiritual part of yoga!The surf with Roey has been fun and he always was helpful and full of patience during the lessons.We really enjoyed the waves!! Actually with Roey everything is easy going and he totally adapts to your wishes but on the same time he is empowering you to keep the activities going :-) We really recommend the excursion to Isla de la Plata. The combination of Yoga & Surf is just perfect!

Vikara Lifestyle for us means;relax & peace 24 hours but most importantly we activated our BODY, MIND & SOUL in a magical environment from beginning to end! We cannot thank you guys enough!

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.

I'm Mariam a 31 year old Londoner travelling trough Central America. I spent nine days in Vikara as guest of Roey and Nali in March 2018. I've enjoyed every single moment spent there, felt intellectually and physically challenged and left the centre with a heavy heart. It's been a wonderful time, spent surfing, practising yoga, eating incredible food and relaxing. Roey manages his centre extremely well (when they were changes of plan he was very pro active in finding alternative solutions and communicating with me) the yoga was excellent (I practice regularly and have a yoga teacher training qualification myself) and the surf very adequate for my level (I took it up over 18months ago and am still a beginner). I genuinely think I will return soon and very highly recommend this place if you are hoping for a chilled but physically active time in a very laid back and nurturing environment. Thank you Roey, Nali and Elba for a wonderful stay. Mariam.

A Peaceful & Friendly Oasis

I can't express enough how amazing this place truly is. I had no idea what to expect before we got there and from the moment my best friend and I walked into Vikara we were greeted with so much friendliness and warm hospitality. Roey, Elba, Cynthia and the rest of the team are the most lovely and accepting people and made us feel very at home. Roey also challenged us to try something new and we both surfed for the first time and had a blast! The meals were excellent and getting to meet the other retreat-goers and guests was a pleasure as well. It really was a wonderful escape and provided such a nice perspective of the Ecuadorian coast that I don't think we would have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. I can't recommend this place enough, Roey really works hard to ensure you have the experience that you want/need to have while you're there.

Fitness, Bliss and Elightenmnet

Vikara, is honestly what you make of it. My wife had sent me for two whole weeks, I did not want to leave!. Life is a journey and along the way we need time to reflect and grow and sometimes even get healthy and physically fit. Everything is available and more at this retreat. I went over to Ecuador with no expectations and found this cute little villa with a beautiful team of people who are there just for you and your experience. Situated on the majestic beach of Olan it doesn't get much better. So many things to do or do nothing at all. I chose to Surf, Yoga and Box most days with Spanish lessons and delightful Massages in between. Besides the sound of a luxurious retreat it really is a simple, humble and beautiful experience that you get out, what you put in. Totally up to you and each time it will be different. Its has changed my life in many ways for the best reasons and I will be back as much as I can. Roey is an incredible and tireless host, Elba is an amazing spirit who will fill your life full of energy and light and work you through your Yoga. I did not do Yoga before this trip I now do it most days. I couldn't recommend this experience more if I tried. Everyone needs to experience Vikara once in their lives at least. Oh and the ayahuasca medicine ceremony is legit and a must. It will be different for everyone and is not any where as scary as people write about on the internet. I will continue to practice this for life also. Thank you Roey and your team. I will see you soon. BC

I would like to thank all the vikara team for the time that I spent with them. It is not just a sacred experience that you take with you, they also make you fell like part of a small family that you ll belong for good. The yoga with Elba it is an experience that takes you to a new dimension. Her clases goes beyond yoga. Can you come back with me to Spain?? We know that we ll be always connected! The massage with Kimberly are one of the best I ever had. She has a great understanding of the human body and really knows how to tailor to the individual needs. Surfing with Juan makes it so easy and he had so much patience!! Surfing it is quite hard. Nali's vegetarian food it is amazing!! I learn so many new recipes!! I am going to miss your food and yourself, amiga! And the last but no the least Roey, the one that makes everything possible! Always there to help you with anything that you need even if it is only talk with a friend. See you soon amigos!