Questions About Ceremony at La Matriztica
Everything you need to know before you reach out. If you don't find your answer here please contact us.
Last Updated: 07/26
Preparations & What to expect
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Bring the essentials: a journal and pen, a refillable water bottle, comfortable sleep clothes, and insect repellent. If you have a small object that holds personal meaning — a stone, a photograph, something from home — you are welcome to bring that too.
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Begin a simple, light diet at least three days before ceremony — avoid processed foods, heavy meats, and excessive fats. Set aside caffeine, alcohol, and marijuana for at least a week before attending. Stay hydrated and eat gently. For the full dieta guidelines, visit the Dieta page.
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The dieta is a traditional preparation practice that runs through everything we do at La Matriztica. It involves following specific dietary guidelines and avoiding certain substances in the days before ceremony. We ask you to follow it not as a rule but as an act of respect — a way of arriving with care and attention. For the full guidelines visit the Dieta page.
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Certain medications — particularly SSRIs and MAO inhibitors — require careful consideration in a ceremonial context. It is essential that you let us know about any medications you are taking well in advance. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication. Your safety matters to us.
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Setting a clear intention is a meaningful part of preparing for ceremony. Your intention acts as a compass — something to return to when you need grounding, and something to carry with you as you step into the space. Take time before you arrive to reflect on what is present for you. What are you ready to look at? What are you willing to release? What question feels most alive in you right now? You do not need to arrive with answers. An honest intention is the perfect place to start.
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The closing circle takes place the morning after ceremony. It is a space to reflect, to speak if you feel called to, and to listen to others. Sharing is not required — you are welcome simply to sit and be present. Brad and Sarah are there to offer grounding and support as you begin to return.
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We ask that you refrain from sexual activity in the days before and after ceremony. This is traditional guidance rooted in the understanding that energy directed inward serves the work differently than energy given outward. It is your choice to honour it. We also ask that you be mindful of what you give your attention to — what you watch, listen to, and allow into your mind in the days before you arrive. The preparation is not only physical.
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We ask that you avoid alcohol and marijuana for at least seven days before ceremony. The reasoning is practical — both affect the quality of attention and presence you bring into the space. Longer periods of abstinence are welcome if you feel called to them.
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La Matriztica is based at Casa Sagrada near Playa Negra, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Approximately 1 hour from Nosara. The nearest international airport is Liberia (LIR), approximately 1.5 hours away. Details on how to find us are shared once you are in contact with the team.
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Brad and Sarah are the founders of La Matriztica and the ceremony holders at Casa Sagrada. They have devoted their lives to this work — bridging indigenous ancestral traditions with the needs of the modern Western mind. They personally hold every ceremony and gathering at La Matriztica. You can read more about them on the About page.
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All ceremonies at La Matriztica are limited to a maximum of 10 participants. This is by design — small groups allow for a more intimate, carefully held experience where every person is seen and supported.
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Several things. Brad and Sarah personally lead every single ceremony — there are no rotating facilitators or junior guides. The group is always small — never more than 10 people. Both Ayahuasca and Iboga ceremonies are offered separately, each given the full reverence their traditions demand. And the space itself — Casa Sagrada in Guanacaste — is a private family lead sanctuary, not a commercial retreat centre.
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Ayahuasca is not prohibited under Costa Rican law. La Matriztica holds ceremonies within the context of indigenous ancestral traditions and operates with care, integrity, and respect for the traditions it holds.
About La Matriztica
Ceremonies & Booking
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Ayahuasca and Iboga are two distinct ancestral traditions. Ayahuasca is rooted in Amazonian indigenous traditions. Iboga is a root bark rooted in the Bwiti tradition of Central Africa. Each has its own ceremonial structure, duration, and experience on the body and spirit. At La Matriztica both are offered separately — never combined in the same ceremony. If you are unsure which is right for you, reach out to Sarah and she will help you explore that question.
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Yes — both are offered separately at Casa Sagrada and it is possible to attend both. The timing and sequencing of attending both ceremonies is something to discuss directly with Brad and Sarah before booking. Get in touch to start that conversation.
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Yes. Brad and Sarah personally hold every ceremony at La Matriztica. There are no exceptions. This is one of the things that makes Casa Sagrada what it is — the same two people are with you from the opening circle to the morning close.
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The Conscious Medicine Mentorship — CMM — is a one-month in-house ceremonial study programme at Casa Sagrada. It is for people who feel called to go deeper into indigenous traditions, ancestral practices, and the study of ceremonial space. The programme includes accommodation and transportation and is limited to two people per month. To find out more or apply, visit the CMM page.
