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Packing for an ayahuasca retreat requires a different mindset than packing for your typical vacation. You won't need a suitcase full of different outfits or fancy shoes, and you certainly won't need a bag of gadgets. The focus here is comfortable, simple clothing, the right toiletries (sunscreen is a must) and a few items that help you slow down and reflect, like a journal and one or two books. If you're heading to Costa Rica, plan for warm days, high humidity and the occasional tropical downpour, which tends to pass pretty quickly. Our checklist covers the essentials, but every retreat has its own guidelines depending on the country, so review your retreat's preparation instructions before you start packing.
Clothing Essentials for an Ayahuasca Retreat
Costa Rica's climate makes clothing choices pretty simple. Think light, breathable pieces that are easy to move in, in fabrics like linen or soft cotton. You'll want a few pieces for warm days, something comfortable for ceremony nights (no, you don't always have to wear white) and a layer or two in case the weather turns and the night feels chilly.
Lightweight Clothing for Warm Costa Rica Weather
Guanacaste is hot and humid for most of the year, so breathable fabrics like we’ve previously mentioned will keep you comfortable. A few T-shirts, tanks, shorts and lightweight pants will cover most of your days. Choose pieces you can rewear and remix easily.
What to Wear During Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Ceremonies can last for hours, and you'll spend much of that time sitting or lying down. Wear loose clothing that doesn't pinch or restrict your breathing. Rythmia recommends light or neutral colors, but the real goal is comfort. If that means your feather-grey Van Halen T-shirt, go for it.
Layers and Rain-Ready Clothing
Tropical weather can change quickly, so it's important to bring a light sweater or long-sleeve layer for cooler evenings and ceremony nights. If you're traveling during the green season, roughly May through November, add a compact rain jacket and shoes that can handle a wet path. Rythmia also keeps umbrellas on site for guests throughout the resort, so you can leave yours at home.
Swimwear and Relaxation Clothing
Between ceremonies, there's time to rest, swim in our saltwater pool, unwind at the Ra Spa with a mud bath, hot and cold plunge and sauna, or recover with a relaxing massage. Pack a swimsuit or two, a cover-up and some loungewear for downtime. Sandals or flip-flops work well around the pool, and if you plan on joining our beach excursions, water shoes can help you navigate the rocks and jetty.
Toiletries and Personal Care Items
You don't need to bring your entire bathroom cabinet. Pack the basics you use every day, like moisturizer, deodorant and aloe vera if you have sensitive skin. Bring feminine-care products too, though Rythmia keeps them on site in case your cycle arrives unexpectedly. Add protection from the tropical sun and bugs, and you're mostly covered. Shampoo, conditioner and soap are provided in the rooms, but feel free to bring your favorites. Go light on perfume, especially in shared spaces, and leave most of your makeup at home. You won't need much of it here.
Essential Toiletries to Pack
Start with your everyday items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush and any skincare you rely on. Bring enough feminine-care products for your stay if you’re expecting your cycle, plus contact lens solution or glasses if you need them. Travel-size bottles save space.
Sun and Insect Protection
The Guanacaste sun is strong, even on cloudy days. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat if that’s your style. Mosquitoes come with the territory, so pack repellent too. Rythmia recommends using a natural, DEET-free formula.
Personal Comfort Items
Small comforts go a long way during a retreat. Lip balm and a good moisturizer help with sun exposure and air-conditioned rooms. Rythmia provides eye masks and water bottles, but bringing your own pair of earplugs can make it easier to rest after a late ceremony night. Pack anything else that helps you feel at ease, like a favorite essential oil or a cozy pair of socks.
What May Already Be Available at Rythmia
At Rythmia, soap and shampoo are available in the rooms, so you can skip the full-size bottles. If you forget something or run low, additional personal-care products can be purchased on site at the Luna gift shop. Bring the specific products you're loyal to and leave the rest at home.
Health, Medication and Retreat Preparation Essentials
Your health prep starts well before you pack. Reputable retreats screen guests medically, and what you bring should follow that guidance. Ayahuasca can interact with certain medications and supplements, so this is one area where you'll want to follow the instructions closely.
Prescription and Approved Medications
Bring only the medications your retreat has cleared through the medical screening process. Some prescriptions need to be tapered or paused before ceremony, and that should only happen with your doctor's guidance. Keep medications in their original labeled containers in your carry-on.
Medical and Travel Information
Keep your medical information, insurance details and emergency contacts somewhere easy to reach. A printed copy in your bag and a digital copy on your phone can also cover you if one goes missing. Our team will also have all of your information on file and on hand throughout your stay.
Understanding Retreat-Specific Preparation Requirements
Generic packing lists online can't always account for your retreat's specific rules. Read your retreat's official preparation guide before you start packing, including any dietary, medication or supplement guidelines, and follow it diligently.
When to Contact the Retreat Before Traveling
Reach out to the retreat before you travel if you have questions about a medication, a health condition, a supplement you take or whether an item is allowed. It's much easier to sort out ahead of time than at check-in.
Ceremony and Journaling Essentials
Ceremony nights require very little. A few simple items can help you settle in and reflect afterward. Leave your phone and any other technology in your room, and let the experience have your full attention. AI glasses are never allowed in ceremony.
Bring a Journal and Pen
A journal gives you a tangible place to set intentions, record dreams and capture insights before they fade. Rythmia recommends bringing one and starting your entries before you arrive, so you have a record of where you began to look back on as you continue on your healing journey.
Comfortable Items for Ceremony
Rythmia provides eye masks, blankets and pillows in ceremony, so you can skip packing them. Bring a light layer if you tend to run cold, and cozy socks and slip-on shoes make moving in and out of the ceremony space easier. Shoes are not allowed inside of the Maloka.
Travel Essentials for Costa Rica
Get your documents and logistics in order before you leave home. Keep the important things together in one secure, easy-to-reach spot so you're not digging through your bag at the airport.
Passport and Travel Documents
Check Costa Rica's current entry requirements for your nationality before you book. You'll need a passport that's valid for your entire stay and proof of a return or onward flight, so keep your return ticket and retreat confirmation handy for airline check-in and immigration.
Money, Cards and Emergency Information
Rythmia is all-inclusive, so you'll only need cash for tips. A credit card covers anything you buy at the gift shop or on site. US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica. Let your bank know you're traveling and keep a list of emergency numbers separate from your wallet.
Chargers and Travel Accessories
Pack your phone charger and any cables you need. Costa Rica uses the same plug type and voltage as the US and Canada, so North American travelers usually won't need an adapter. Travelers from elsewhere should bring one.
Getting to Rythmia from Liberia Airport
Rythmia is located in Hacienda Pinilla in Guanacaste. Fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR), about an hour's drive away. Rythmia offers shuttle transportation from the airport, so you can skip the rental car.
What to Leave at Home
A retreat is a chance to simplify, and that starts with your suitcase. The less you bring, the less you have to manage, and the more space you have for the work you came to do.
Unnecessary Electronics and Work Equipment
Leave the laptop and work gear at home if you can. Your phone is useful for travel, but tablets, gaming devices and anything that pulls you back into your inbox can wait.
Excessive Clothing and Accessories
You'll mostly live in comfortable basics, so skip the full vacation wardrobe. A handful of versatile pieces you can rewear will cover your stay, and you'll be glad for the lighter bag. Rythmia also offers affordable on-site laundry service if you need a refresh.
Alcohol and Restricted Items
Rythmia is an alcohol-free facility with a zero-tolerance policy. Don't bring alcohol, recreational drugs or any other prohibited substances or items, and follow the property rules throughout your stay. Guests who violate the policy will be asked to leave.
Items That Conflict With Retreat Guidelines
Some foods, supplements and medications can conflict with ceremony preparation. Check your retreat's official instructions before packing anything you're unsure about, and ask the team directly if you’re uncertain about something.
Printable Ayahuasca Retreat Packing Checklist
Screenshot or print this list before you depart for your retreat.
Clothing Checklist
- Breathable T-shirts, shorts and lightweight pants
- Loose, comfortable ceremony clothes
- Light sweater or long-sleeve layer
- Compact rain jacket (green season)
- Swimsuit and cover-up
- Loungewear for downtime
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Water shoes for beach excursions
- Slip-on shoes for ceremony
- Cozy socks
Toiletries and Wellness Checklist
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Moisturizer and skincare
- Aloe vera (for sensitive skin)
- Feminine-care products
- Contact lens solution or glasses
- Sunscreen
- Natural, DEET-free insect repellent
- Sunglasses and hat
- Lip balm
Ceremony and Reflection Checklist
- Journal and pen
- Earplugs
- Light shawl or blanket
- One or two books
Travel and Document Checklist
- Passport
- Return flight and retreat booking confirmation
- Medications cleared through your retreat's screening
- Medical, insurance and emergency contact info
- Credit or debit card and some cash
- Phone charger and cables
- Adapter (if traveling from outside North America)
FAQs
Can I bring my medications to an ayahuasca retreat?
Only bring medications cleared through your retreat's medical screening. Ayahuasca can interact with certain prescriptions, including some antidepressants, so never stop or change a medication on your own. Work with your doctor and the retreat's medical team, and keep any approved medications in their original labeled containers.
What toiletries should I pack for my retreat?
Pack your everyday basics like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and moisturizer, plus reef-safe sunscreen and a natural, DEET-free insect repellent. At Rythmia, shampoo, conditioner and soap are provided in the rooms, and feminine-care products are available on site. Go light on perfume and makeup. You won't need much of either.
Do I need special clothing for an ayahuasca ceremony?
No. What matters most is loose, comfortable clothing you can sit or lie down in for hours. Rythmia recommends light colors, but comfort comes first. Bring a light layer too, since nights can feel cooler once you've been still for a while.
What shoes should I bring to an ayahuasca retreat?
Bring sandals or flip-flops for the pool and around the property, water shoes for the rocks and jetty on beach excursions, and an easy slip-on pair for ceremony nights. If you're traveling during the green season, choose a pair that can handle some mud.
Prepare for Your Rythmia Journey
Knowing what to pack your bag is an important step! If you're ready to experience Rythmia for yourself, book your retreat today or reach out to our team with any additional questions you may have.
