Sanctum • Retreats
Serene private beach retreat on the Bacalar lagoon. Private rooms with own bathrooms, A/C & Wi-Fi. Gardens, jungle trails, kayaking, cycling. Vegan/vegetarian detox meals available.
Bufo Reset Bacalar 5-Day Intensive:
Dissolve decades of stress, trauma, and emotions.
Bufo is approached with reverence for its capacity to break negative behaviour patterns with one session, release stored tension in the nervous system, and heal from both conscious and unconscious trauma.
People usually leave their first bufo experiences with extremely profound and life-changing experiences that support them for the rest of their life.
Experiences differ for each person; we do not offer medical care or make medical claims.
Schedule is approximate and may change.
Venue: Bufo Alvarius Sanctuary, Bacalar, Q.R., México.
Directions: Fly into Chetumal International Airport. We will provide private transportation to and from the airport in an air conditioned comfortable vehicle.
Simply let us know your flight details and we will pick you up and drop you off at the airport, no need to stress about flight delays - we'll be there to pick you up.
We’ll confirm details during screening and share best arrival times.
A/C in rooms
Free Wi-Fi
Open water lagoon swimmingKayaking
Towels
Private Beach
Coffee / Tea
Free Bicycles
Full Catering Included
Housekeeping
Café
Detox-fresh food, vegan or vegetarian; protein on demand; allergies & special requirements accommodated.
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut FreeVery worth a trip and stay, small crew but very attentive to your needs. Thank you again 🙏🏼
I had such an amazing NYE at Aldea Elvira! The beds are located in lovely little houses and very convenient with light, fans, electricity and also blankets as nights can be chilly sometimes. Ezequiel Joel and Sem were so very welcoming and helpful everytime and give this place a real feel-like-home feeling. Beautiful setting, and access to a private Laguna spot with chill atmosphere. Easily accessible walking or by bike (10mn) that can be borrowed for free. Amazing sunrise if you go there early. This spot was the most beautiful, peaceful and wild I’ve seen from the Laguna. It’s also really easy to meet and mingle with people, and different places around the garden to chill. Lots of activities to chose from and a nice restaurant too. I came renting a scooter from Bacalar but the road is the freeway so better come by car or colectivo. I actually extended my stay as I liked it so much. Thank you so much guys, highly recommending !
Had the best stay at Aldea Elvira thanks to the super hospitable team. We extended our stay 2 times as we loved how peaceful and magical this place was. As 2 female travellers we felt super safe. The private lagoon spot is 10-15mins away by bike and it’s super special and tranquil. Special thanks to Lupita whose omlettes (and the rest or the food) was exceptional and Joel who did everything with a smile!
The staff at the retreat was beyond our expectations. What you get at the sanctuary is a family. By the time we left, we were spiritually connected to each staff member.
The retreat is not a huge place. But it is everything you need. We stayed in the Eagle room which was on the 3rd floor. It literally feels like you are in a treehouse, with all glass walls, a huge private terrace and a big King size bed. The air conditioning was cold, there was a mini fridge, desk, nice bathroom and a living room area. Wished the bed was softer, and that it was more noise proof (lots of dogs barking and roosters crowing in the middle of the night), but nothing could have dampened our experience.
A Mexican Walmart type of store was across the street, and there were plenty of food options within steps of the retreat. In front of the retreat, they have scooters and bikes available for rent, a few artisan stands and even a little booth to book some excursions. We did the Cenotes and the monkey sanctuary tour and give it 10 stars. There is a wonderful food bar/bistro on site and closer to the front of the hotel. All fresh ingredients and nothing processed from breakfast to lunch and smoothies. Right behind the bistro area is the exercise area, then pool then rooms. There are 2 teepees for the ceremonies. They also have pets who live on the retreat and connecting with them was magical.
Our ceremony facilitators were amazing and will have special places in our hearts forever. They knew what we needed, way before we knew. I owe them my entire life! They allowed us to record our ceremonies and I am so glad I have this video to show other potential guests or friends the power of this medicine and how there is nothing to fear. It’s hard to explain how each ceremony went but we both agree that we visited the after-life. Being fully cognizant and waking up with full memory of where I just was has changed my soul and re-energized my spirit. It is impossible to explain it to people, but I can tell you, that I will do it again in my life, 100000%!
We expected we would be going home the day after our ceremonies, but the Universe intervened and our flights were canceled, so we stayed a couple more days and it wasn’t by mistake as our bodies needed that time to purge and heal. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you stay 2 days after your ceremony to allow your body to recover. When it was finally time to check out we defiantly felt like everyone was family and it was sad to say goodbye. Especially when you know that thank you or tip money is completely inadequate to express the love and gratitude we felt for our LIFE CHANGING curing treatment. I took almost a month after our visit to write this so I could reflect on my experiences.
Prior to my Sanctum Healing retreat visit: I was suffering with my metal health, chronically. I was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression (Bipolar), PTSD, OCD, and ADHD, many years ago. I have undergone many years of therapy, some out-patient, but I’ve also done over 2 years of in-patient. I’ve also been under the care of a Psychiatrist and on many pharmaceutical medications. I took 13 pills 2 times a day with a mixture of psych meds, supplements and tons of other pills for allergies, migraines, acid reflux, pain, etc….None of which seemed to really help, and I couldn’t ever shake the negative self-talk and would still have very deep depressive lows.
But since my visit to the Sanctum Healing retreat and having an ancient tribal 5Meo-DMT medicinal ceremony, I have been released of those mental blocks that were holding me down. I immediately felt LOVE and gratitude fuels our energy. All negativity was released and I was ready to return home to my loved ones and my business which had been neglected for the last 6 months due to my depression. There isn’t crippling fear causing debilitating self worth and self esteem doubts.
I NOW consider myself to be cured and I have not taken pharmaceuticals since my treatment. The biggest change that I never expected is the way in which my body will no longer allow me to eat. If I try and eat anything processed or more than a few ingredients, I will get nauseas just thinking about it and if I fight it and buy and eat it anyway, then my body rejects it. All my food now has to be fresh, organic and Whole Foods. Its been mind-blowing how I haven’t eaten anything from a box, can or freezer since the ceremony on 7/31. I also now, after 44 years, no longer am a Christian and no longer believe in any organized religion. I believe in the energy and it’s power that I now know exists.
This “cure” has given me my life back, got me focused on what things and people in my life are important to me, I am even writing a memoir and I’m back, stronger and clearer and more sure of myself and my purpose here and my place and my importance to those in my life and to my clients, than ever before.
I’ve talked to a lot of people who are afraid of this controversial treatment. Only be scared if you are afraid to be happy, healthy, healed and free. If you are ready to release everything that doesn’t serve you and you are ready for your abundance to begin, then this is the experience for you.
The Kambo ceremony was far more rewarding than I expected. The Bufo ceremony changed my life. The facilitators helped me rebuild into the best version of myself. Everyone should have access to this. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done — my soul feels free and healed.
Sanctum Retreat showed me deep acceptance of life and love. I’m still integrating what acceptance means for me, but I already feel a peace and presence I’ve never known before. The facilitators hold a sacred space for transformation — I’m full of gratitude for this place.
Beyond words. Just go!
The Kambo and Bufo experiences for both my partner and I were beyond words. The facilitators made us feel relaxed, supported and safe the entire time. We highly recommend this retreat — a peaceful and transformative place to heal.
My husband and I came for my 40th birthday — a truly life-changing experience. I left feeling peaceful and free. The staff are very kind and helpful. Highly recommend Sanctum Retreat.
I was welcomed to a beautiful retreat on the Bacalar lagoon. Everyone was peaceful and authentic. My room was humble yet perfect. I cleansed with Kambo then experienced Bufo — I am never the same again. Thank you Sanctum Retreat for everything.
My experience with the Bufo ceremony has been life-altering in the best way possible. The accommodations were great, and everything you need is here with good AC and kind people.