IBOGA FAQ

WHAT IS IBOGA?
These days there is already much information on the internet about Iboga, What is Iboga? Where does it come from? In our FAQ we will try to only address questions that are specific to us. 
WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?
It is different for everyone. You can do your own research as most people do, hopefully with an open mind. Make sure that you do not accumulate expectations. Personal testimonial videos you see on the internet will dogmatize the experience that is why we do not offer them here. One thing to remember about Iboga is that it is uniquely tailor made for you. It speaks to you from you to fix you. Nothing else exists. So in seeking Iboga, maybe your best course of action is to simply come and experience it in its beauty. It is safe. The first ceremony detoxes your body physically, the second, if your body is now ready, is more spiritual in nature and you can start the work. Everyone is different. 
CAN IBOGA HEAL ME?
You will heal yourself with Iboga. Iboga is a tool that can free up blockages preventing you from living the life you deserve. It can help remove negative emotional states, PTSD, trauma, OCD, repetitive thinking, fears, doubts, insecurities, physical states and open communications with your soul that may be blocked by you conscious self.
IS IT SAFE?
There is much fear based information about Iboga pervading the internet these day. iboga is a plant medicine that is for healing. It does not kill people. There have been people that have died while on iboga/Ibogaine. The cases have been few and this has always been through lack of care. or contraindication that were kept secret. It is important to divulge your full medical history to us. We will advise the relevant course of action for each individual. 
WHAT IS A NGANGA?
Servant to God.
IBOGA WITH SPIRITI & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Our Iboga root bark is sustainably harvested by Makonza in Gabon. He prepares all his own medicine and it is imbued with spirit. We do not use Total Alkaloids (TA´s) at our facility, we only work with spirit. Leoise de sacré. The sacred wood.
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TRAVELING TO COSTA RICA

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR COSTA RICA
For entry into Costa Rica you DO NOT NEED a COVID-19 test but you do need to obtain a "COVID Clause" on your travel insurance policy and to complete the Ministry of Salud´s health pass online. 

You can get the cheapest travel insurance online through Trawick. 

https://www.trawickinternational.com/products/safe-travels-voyager
They will issue a travel insurance policy that is fully compliant with the next step. Or you may use your own insurance company just make sure your insurer issues a certification in English or Spanish, noting: 

1. the validity of the policy during the dates of visit to Costa Rica,
2. guarantee of coverage for medicals expenses in cases of COVID-19 related medical treatment in the amount of 50,000 USD 
3. and, minimum coverage of 2,000 USD for extended lodging expenses due to COVID-19 related illness. 

The final step is to complete an online Health Pass (Pasa de Salud) 48 hours prior to your arrival in Costa Rica (don´t try and fill it out earlier or it will not work). The Health Pass can be found at https://salud.go.cr. The site is both English and Spanish and is easy and quick to complete. You will upload your insurance document here. 
FLIGHTS AND HOTELS
The airport you need to fly into is SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport. We will have a private vehicle picking up guests, from SJO international airport or hotels nearby, at midday on the day that the retreat begins. Travel time is around 2.5-3hrs to our centre. You may choose to fly in VERY early that morning or overnight in a hotel close to the airport. The first ceremony is that evening so a hotel may be preferred. 

The following hotels are close to the airport and have a free shuttle. Try to book a hotel close to the airport. Sometimes a small distance in km in Costa Rica can be a long time because of traffic in SJO. Some hotels that are close and look nice are:

- Palma Real Hotel and Casino $67 USD per night
- La Sabana Hotel Suites Apartments $78 
OBTAINING YOUR COVID TEST (IF REQUIRED BEFORE RETURNING TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY)
The return transfer will depart Ikara Retreat Centre at 9am on the last day of the retreat. travel time is approx 3 hours. You may choose to stay in a hotel again or fly out in the afternoon of that day. If you are planning on traveling around Costa Rica after the retreat we can certainly help you to arrange a rental car and get you to where you need to go. 

If you require a COVID test before returning to your home country we can help you organize this. The test date  is always dependent on when you actually fly out of Costa Rica. What most people found easiest is to return to a hotel and book an antigen test at SJO Airport. They operate 24 hours a day. This test needs to be done 4 hours before you fly out and you receive your test results via SMS or email. You can book this online https://covid.morphotr.com/  The testing facilities are in tents outside the airports and costs are as follows:

- Antigen Test: $65. Results in 1 hour. They recommend making your appointment 4 hours in advance of your flight.
- RT-PCR (Next Day): $99. Results are delivered the next day between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Results will take 2 business days when the sample is taken on Sunday.
- RT-PCR (3 hours): $240. Results provided in 3 hours.

​If you require an RT-PCR test to return home, we can co-ordinate this for you from the retreat centre as well and either organize a house call or take you to Quepos for your test.
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ABOUT IKARA RETREAT CENTRE

We are located in the beautiful lush subtropical jungle zone of Southern Costa Rica. International travelers should book a flight to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (SJO). Ikara Retreat Centre is  located ~2.5hrs (130km) hours south of San Jose. You may also catch a domestic flight from SJO to Quepos Airport and we can pick you up from there.

If you prefer to self drive there is plenty of parking available at our retreat centre. A 4wd is recommended when renting a car in Costa Rica. We are located close in the mountains above the town of Portalon and we can send you directions via Whatsapp.

 If you are driving. our centre is only 20 minutes from the Dominical Community, 10 minutes to Matapalo beach, 30 Minutes to Manuel Antonio National Park and 45 minutes to The Whale Tail at Uvita's Marino Ballena National Park.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR MY TRIP?

  • Toiletries (we do not offer single use toiletries)
  • Journaling notebook and pen. Prepare what you are seeking from iboga in advance
  • Water bottle (we have fresh spring water direct from our mountain to enjoy)
  • Torch / Headtorch (power outages are common)
  • Swimmers / Hat / Sunblock
  • Light Rainjacket
  • Walking shoes
  • Natural Insect Repellant
  • Light long pants or shirt if required for ceremony nights
  • Your balance in cash if it is outstanding​​

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

The weather at Ikara Retreat Centre is beautiful throughout the year. In the dry season, more tourists visit the area so it is busier. The days get hotter during these months but as we are situated in the mountains close to the ocean, our nights are always accompanied by cooling ocean breezes.. We personally rarely put the air conditioning on, preferring to be a part of the environment. 

​The month of May, officially marks the beginning of the wet season, but really the main rainy months are Sep to Nov with October being the wettest. The rain often comes just in the afternoon and creates a thriving ecosystem. It quieter in the rainy season, prices are cheaper and everything is lush. 

We ask that you bring some shoes you can easily slip off before entering the retreat centre and your rooms. Also, keep in mind that things can become slippery in the wet so please walk carefully when it is wet.

CAN I STAY ADDITIONAL NIGHTS?

Yes, if we have availability and we offer discounted room rates for retreat guests who wish to stay on after the retreat.  We are centrally located to many sites of interest - North of us you can do days trip to Manuel Antonio National Park, Jaco. To the south of us you can satellite around to Dominical, San Isidro, Uvita, Nauyaca Falls, Catarata Verde, Alturas WIldelife Sanctuary, the WhaleTail at Uvita's Marino Ballena National Park, Caño Island Biological Reserve, Finca 6, Corcovado National Park, Drake Bay and so many other great sites of interest.