We are excited to share the story of a very special Ayahuasca plant that grows here in Costa Rica. This particular species of Banisteriopsis Caapi was introduced in 1983 to a private reserve in Sarapiquí, Heredia, by the renowned ethnobotanist Tim Plowman. Plowman, a student of the famous Richard Evans Schultes (author of The Plants of the Gods), received this plant from a shaman in South America named Don Elias Ávila. Plowman envisioned Costa Rica as a new home for this plant, and over the past 40 years, the ideal weather conditions in Sarapiquí have allowed it to thrive.
The primary forest environment in Sarapiquí provides an excellent habitat for this Ayahuasca, enabling it to develop beautifully. We are fortunate to have access to this plant at Casa de la Luz. Unlike many other Ayahuasqueros who prefer to buy premade brews from Peru or Colombia, we take pride in being the only customers from this private reserve who purchase Ayahuasca for cooking. The Ayahuasca grown in Costa Rica is just as potent as that found in South America, and many find it to be more gentle and enjoyable, making it an excellent option for those looking to explore this powerful medicine.
In addition to this Banisteriopsis Caapi that was brought from Peru, other types of Ayahuasca or related plants grow naturally in Costa Rica, it´s not a casualty that it ended here. This whole family of plants might enable you to make different types of brews, such as Banisteriopsis Muricata (known as “El Ayahuasca de los Brujos”), Virola sp., Psychotria alba, Jurema, and more. These variations contribute to the rich tradition of plant medicine in the region. So when someone says that Ayahuasca traditions are not from Costa Rica, they need to look deeper. Our indigenous people have also used forms of Ayahuasca in the past, though in different ways than in South America, such as for fertility, sexual potency, and mental illness.
We are grateful for your support and look forward to sharing this incredible medicine with you.
What’s your favorite Ayahuasca brew?