What words can describe a weaving so beautiful? To receive these medicines in such a sacred commitment shown by Santiago and Ximena is a true honor. It is a true blessing that such a place exists that such a path is shown. The teachings that this family shares from their hearts is beyond language. From the moment you enter the property you are part of the family. You become woven into this web of healing that they have created and suspend over an aching world. They greet you as you are and offer their hand to help you reach your knowing potential. I met Santiago many years ago and his few choice words that spoke directly into my heart have remained a blueprint on how to honor my truth. He is a human who understands the many turmoils of this experience known as life yet, he grants you the remembering of your highest self. No games just an arrow of intent and potentiality and through this arrow an understanding that you are the one you’ve been waiting for. Over the time span of quarantine I had the true blessing to meet Santiagos family via Skype and finally in person over the past month. Ximena his wife and true beacon of light who guides this space and wisdom selflessly ( her laugh could clear a cloudy day ) her discipline ripples into every breath within casa del sol her lightness reminds you to let down your shield and step into vulnerability. Her songs are the very particles that form a beautiful sunset. Her knowledge of the path is a true compass for the art of good living. And last but not least by any means Mateo, their son and one of the wisest people I’ve ever encountered. His prayers and the way he reminds you how to speak from the space of your heart not intersected by logic but woven together to create pristine cognition. He connects the experience with a thread of humility and discipline. A perfect balance of commitment and enjoyment his very presence is some of the best medicine available. This is so much more than a retreat center. This is family, this is a right of passage, this is the most beautiful weaving I have ever experienced, and the gift of carrying my own thread into my own life has been the most beautiful honor I have every received. To Casa del sol I thank you for this great remembering in a time when its so easy to forget. It is with much love I say I will see you soon. Aho !

Where do I even begin... wow. My heart is bursting with love and gratitude for this home away from home. This experience was the most incredible, healing, and opening of my entire life. I truly never knew the vast beauty that existed within plant medicine, within humans like Ximena, Santiago, and MaTeo, and within my own heart. I’ve never felt so held in a space before than I did at Casa del Sol. This is the purpose. The purpose is not just to drink plant medicine - it is to learn. To learn how to appreciate. To learn how to give gratitude. To learn how to love. To learn how to be present. These plant teachers will show you how to listen. How to listen with your heart. How to listen with your eyes. How to make peace. Through the guidance and safety of Ximena, Santiago, and MaTeo, they allow the medicine to speak to you in such a gentle, yet traditional and respectable way. Through this, you’ll find acceptance. Acceptance in what was. Acceptance in what is. Acceptance in what you have yet to know. You’ll learn how to feel. How to trust. How to exist in your own beautiful way, and allow all things to exist in their own beautiful way. I feel encouraged to flourish and to bloom and to live so freely in this life. I have found the woman I am meant to be on this Earth through the guidance of our plant teachers and our human ones. I am beyond honored to have been given the gift of experiencing Casa del Sol. I am humbled and so in love. Thank you thank you thank you. Buen Dia, Buena Vida. To my family in Ecuador, my heart is forever yours. Aho 💗

Casa Del Sol holds a special place in my heart since I attended the 12 day retreat in February 2019. This was my second time using plant medicine in the past few years. I chose Casa Del Sol by the many recommendations for Santiago & Ximena because they are true Shamans and indeed they are. As well I wanted to work with a few different plant medicines & be apart of a smaller group. It was also important for me to experience nature’s powerful healing energy in a lush green mountain setting, which they have created a wonderful comfortable home by the river & powerful healing ceremonial spaces on their property. I felt safe & comfortable the moment I arrived but I have to be honest, my experience during the first ceremony was not what I hoped for and was quite difficult for me. The day after I thought maybe plant medicine wasn’t for me and I should leave the retreat. I spoke with Ximena about this and thanks to her I stayed experiencing strong transformative healing throughout the remaining ceremonies. I left the retreat having gotten more than I EXPECTED & EXACTLY what I needed. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve returned home with the first few days being extremely challenging for me but since then with daily integration of the lessons I learnt & more being revealed, life continues to unfold for me in the most beautiful magical ways I used to only dream about. I was HUMBLED, HONORED & filled with BLISSFUL GRATITUDE to have had the opportunity to sit in ceremony and work with Santiago & Ximena. Thank you so much for sharing your teachings, traditions, wisdom & love with All my Relations. I look forwards to returning January & February 2020.

No words can begin to express my love for this family. My brothers, and Sisters never showed anything but unconditional love and support. They have raised some incredible kids, that often help out around the retreat and who carry themselves in years far beyond their age. It was an absolute honor getting to know this family and continuing our bond over the years to come. Santiago is a very approachable shaman, who’s care and compassion are bar none. The love he has for his wife is a marvel in itself, and a beautiful companionship to witness. His patience during ceremonies, making sure my dosing was correct during ceremony (I had quite a high tolerance and needed several doses to get to where I needed to get) is a true reflection of the sheer experience and connection he has to the medicine. Holding space, and leading ceremony is always a huge responsibility ; always there when someone needed him, valuing group safety above all else, I felt safe to completely surrender to the medicines and have the opportunity to really address all my intentions. Thank you for your service to the medicine and this work brother. Ximena, what a beautiful goddess. You hold my heart, with your beautiful Icaros, thoughtful teaching and a connection and love for this planet and its beings that will always hold strong with me. Your smile, and motherly love was a blessing to have around. We had many blessings during ceremony, including rainbows, eagles, an earthquake, and a thunder storm to bless the children of thunder. You always held prayers and taught me much about offerings from the water, the land, the sky and all living creatures. Not out of show, but because it was important. You can really feel the respect far beyond a “retreat center” I have been blessed to share these times with you. Thank you for your beautiful soul, your path, and just being you. Family: Not much to say, all beautiful humans, you have done a fantastic job. Matteo is a incredible kid with a great head on his shoulders and have no doubt all your kids will grow up to bless the world with their presence. I look forward to hosting you when I settle to this wonderful country. Final Notes: Thank you to all the retreat goers that I shared this experience with, you will always hold my heart, and thank you for your work in your own personal growth. For all those looking for a retreat center, I can recommend this slice of paradise, with all my heart, and will definitely be returning. (Who knows, maybe I will take Santiagos offering of a vision quest on the Mens retreat) It is a big step to take, to address yourself and grow. This is the perfect place to allow that growth and start your rejuvenated life. You owe it to yourself, because YOU are worth it.