7 Day Guided Water Fasting Detox in Costa Rica's Jungle

What makes this retreat different is the combination of a serious water fast with an intentional, simple setting and a facilitator who has been running these fasts for 25 years. You're not left to figure it out alone. Each day includes a morning colonic, an afternoon enema, and nutritional talks that cover why your body reacts the way it does when you stop eating, the science of gut biome, the role of sugars, proteins, fats, and grains, and how ancient fasting traditions connect to modern practice. There's also a group check-in every morning, so you can talk through how you're feeling with the other participants and the team.

Dao, who has led water and juice fasting retreats for a quarter of a century, anchors the program. His path ran through Tai Chi in Taiwan, yoga and Ayurveda in India, and raw foods, before he landed on fasting and colonics as the simplest way to work with the body. He's a plain-speaking presence, and his talks are about what actually happens physiologically when you fast, not abstract philosophy.

The eco-village itself is part of the experience. PachaMama sits on 500 acres that were farmland and have been regenerated into jungle over more than 20 years. The paths between the restaurant and the temples are steep in places, and you walk them in the dark with a flashlight. There's no belief system imposed, but meditation, silent sitting, kirtan, and movie nights are part of the weekly rhythm. It's a community as much as a retreat center—volunteers live here, and guests often find themselves drawn back for longer stays.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a private bungalow, studio, AC room, or cabina - 5 days of water fasting with daily fiber drinks and supplements - Daily morning colonic - Daily afternoon enema - Optional daily yoga and meditation classes - Daily nutritional talks and group check-ins - Evening activities, kirtan, and movie nights - Free parking - WiFi connection - Access to the eco-village's gardens and common areas

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Meals (before and after the fast, available for purchase at the restaurant) - Additional treatments or activities not listed in the itinerary