Niños Santos (Sacred Mushrooms) Ceremony
The sacred mushrooms of the Mazatec people: a medicine of light for introspection, self-knowledge and reconnection.
Meet the medicine
What is this ceremony?
Niños Santos are sacred mushrooms (Psilocybe) used for centuries by the Indigenous peoples of Mexico, especially the Mazatec, as a medicine to open the doors of perception, heal the soul and connect with expanded consciousness.
At our centre they are offered in daytime ceremonies, in a natural and communal setting, guided with respect for the tradition and with a safety protocol that ensures a deep and well-held experience.
The Niños Santos tradition is rooted in the Mazatec culture of Oaxaca, where healers such as María Sabina described them as “sacred children” for their purity and wisdom. They are worked as a medicine of light: gentle on the body, deep in spirit.
Duration
Daytime ceremony (approx. 6–8 hours) with group integration at sunset.
Elements
Body, mind and spirit
Benefits of the ceremony
An honest look at what tradition, participants and science recognise.
Recognised by participants
- Emotional openness and greater empathy
- Reduced rumination and anxiety in controlled studies
- Greater sense of connection and belonging
- Clarity to make life decisions
Traditional medicine
- Self-knowledge and inner observation
- Reconnection with Mother Earth
- Healing of wounds of the heart
- Spiritual vision and guidance
Psychological and therapeutic
- Processing of repressed emotions
- A shift in perspective on oneself
- Reduced fear of death in studies
- Fostering of gratitude and presence
Modern evidence
Scientific studies
Modern science is rediscovering what tradition has known for millennia.
Psilocybin, the active principle of Niños Santos, is one of the most studied psychedelic substances in modern research. Studies at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University have documented positive effects on wellbeing, the reduction of existential anxiety and, in clinical contexts, treatment-resistant depression.
The available scientific evidence supports the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, although the results come from controlled studies and should not be extrapolated to ceremonial use without supervision.
This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute a medical indication. For any health condition, please consult a healthcare professional.
Sacred moments
Images of the ceremony
100,000 m² · Costa Rica
A sanctuary open 365 days a year
Ceremony hall in Costa Rica: participants dressed in white seated in a circle with candles and a central altar
The process
What can I expect?
The ceremony takes place during the day, in contact with nature and in community. Participants settle into a carefully prepared space and are accompanied throughout the journey.
The experience is usually luminous and emotional: thoughts, memories and emotions surface with clarity. Physical purging is less frequent than with ayahuasca; the work is more mental and emotional.
Natural setting
Outdoor ceremony or in contact with nature, ideal for this medicine.
Group containment
The group holds the process and integration is shared in a circle.
Integration at sunset
A space for sharing to settle and understand what was lived.
Before and after
Recommendations
Preparation and integration are as important as the ceremony itself.
Before the ceremony
- Complete the mandatory health questionnaire
- Light, vegan diet 3–7 days before
- Avoid alcohol and substances 48 h before
- Arrive with a clear intention and an open mind
Recommended diet
- Fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Avoid sugar, coffee and stimulants
- No red meat or ultra-processed foods
- Declare any medication in the questionnaire
Afterwards and integration
- Rest and gentle eating
- Write or share the experience
- Avoid isolation: talk with the group
- Integration with a guide if difficult material arises
Voices of the community
Real testimonials
"A luminous medicine. I saw with clarity patterns I had carried for years and left with enormous peace."
Andrea
Spain
"The daytime ceremony in nature was magical. I felt my heart completely open."
Pavel
Russia
"Niños Santos taught me to look at myself with kindness. The team’s support was exceptional."
Sophie
France
Reviews and opinions from our participants
+10,000 Members from 30 Countries
Thousands of people from all over the world have experienced their Ayahuasca ceremonies with us. Their trust is our greatest guarantee.
102 reseñas en Google
Centro Holistico Afinando el Alma
Cox, Alicante, España
Última comprobación: 16 de agosto de 2026 · Fuente: Google
Las opiniones mostradas en Google son publicadas por participantes y usuarios de forma independiente. Consulta la ficha de Google para ver el conjunto completo de reseñas. Te invitamos a compartir una opinión honesta, sin incentivos a cambio.
Testimonials published on our website
“A truly transformative experience. The team accompanied me with exceptional depth and care. The ceremony was a journey inside myself that I will never forget. Highly recommended for those seeking real healing.”
María González
2 weeks ago
“I arrived with a lot of fear and left renewed. The space is absolutely sacred, the team very professional and the care before, during and after the ceremony is impeccable. The medicine helped me release burdens I had been carrying for years.”
Carlos Martínez
1 month ago
“The Afinando el Alma centre is a magical place. I went to the healing retreat and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Professional, respectful and with impeccable preparation. Ayahuasca is powerful and they know how to work with it.”
Ana Ruiz
3 weeks ago
“I have participated in two ceremonies with them and each time the experience is deeper. I fully trust their guidance. They are a reference in Spain for working with ancestral medicines. Very grateful to the whole team.”
David Torres
2 months ago
“Thanks to the association I have been able to heal wounds I did not even know I had. The intensive retreat exceeded all my expectations. A safe, contained space full of love. I recommend them with all my heart.”
Laura Sánchez
1 week ago
“Everything is taken care of down to the smallest detail. Juan Diego has a special gift for guiding ceremonies. I left completely transformed. If you are looking for a trusted place to work with master plants, this is the place.”
Roberto Navarro
3 months ago
These testimonials are experiences shared by participants on our website and do not correspond to public Google reviews. To check verifiable Google reviews, use the block above.
Your journey to Costa Rica begins here
Valle La Estrella · Limón · Costa Rica
All our ceremonies and retreats will take place from 15 February 2027 in Valle La Estrella, in a jungle setting on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. We guide you through travel planning, arrival, accommodation and retreat preparation.
Our center in Spain remains open as a meeting point for talks, preparation and community gatherings — no ceremonies.
Sacred jungle
Ceremonies surrounded by pristine nature
Organized trip
We coordinate flight, transfer and lodging
Traveling community
Small groups, full accompaniment
Centro en Valle La Estrella