How do you describe an experience once you are home? It can be tempting to look for a dramatic conclusion. A more precise starting point is often a smaller observation: something you noticed, a conversation you remember, or a question you want to keep exploring.
Earlier guests of El Retiro have written about different parts of their stays. Those accounts belong to the people who wrote them and to the programs they attended. They do not prove what will happen in a different program or establish a lasting effect for every participant.
Notice what you can actually describe
Francelis Morel used the words “centrarme en el momento presente”—“focus on the present moment”—in her review. This is her description of her experience, not a claim that a particular activity produces the same result for everyone.
For your own reflection, try a simple writing prompt: “What did I notice today?” A concrete answer may be easier to revisit than a broad declaration. You could note a conversation, a moment outdoors, or a choice you made differently. There is no requirement to find a revelation.
Remember the people, without assuming the same experience
Cassandra Dietz wrote about a five-night stay: “The people I met became my family for the week and will remain a part of my life.” Her January 21, 2025 review expresses how she felt about those connections. It does not verify how those relationships developed afterward.
If a conversation mattered to you, you can reflect on what made it meaningful. Was it the time to listen, a different point of view, or a question you had not considered? A small, specific observation preserves the personal meaning without requiring an exaggerated conclusion.
Distinguish an intention from something you have done
A useful journal can have two short sections: “What I intend to try” and “What I actually tried.” The first holds possibilities; the second records actions. Keeping them separate lets you revisit a thought honestly, including when a plan changes or does not fit everyday life.
This is an editorial reflection exercise, not a practice quoted from a guest review or a clinical method. You can set it aside if it is not useful to you.
Ask what integration means in your chosen program
Integration is among the activities the organizer has confirmed for the September program. Before participating, ask what that means in practical terms: when conversations happen, who facilitates them, and whether anything is offered after departure. Do not assume ongoing follow-up, private sessions or unlimited support unless they are explicitly included.
A review can suggest a question worth asking. Your own experience may be different, and you do not need to describe it in anyone else’s words.
Review sources
Google reviews checked September 16, 2026. These links open the reviewers’ public profiles.
Ask about the September program
September 25–28, 2026 · Las Terrenas · Maximum 6 guests. Shared US$1,100 · Private US$1,450. Ask us for current availability.
The program includes meditation, cosmoenergy, yoga, breathing exercises, integration, sadhu boards and ancestral practices. It does not include ayahuasca.
Also read: What earlier guests remember after El Retiro.
