Real Experiences From Our Guests
Stories of connection, transformation, love, and meaningful time in Costa Rica, shared in the words of people who have experienced Pranamor.
What a Private Retreat Can Feel Like
Every retreat is different because every person and every couple arrives with a different story, intention, and season of life.
Rather than trying to describe the experience only from our perspective, we wanted to create a place where our guests can speak for themselves.
These are real reflections from people who have spent time with us on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, from couples reconnecting or beginning a marriage to individuals creating space for clarity, healing, and new direction.
In Their Own Words
A few deeper reflections from guests who came with very different intentions and left with experiences that continued beyond their time here.
Drew & Kittie
Private Couples Retreat & Wedding • Playa Chiquita, Costa Rica
We wanted to get married in a setting that allowed us to focus on our love and union.
Fern and Maxim were very hands-on, providing instructional workshops, adventures, and experiences we will never forget.
We came seeking connection, clarity, and grounding and what we received was beyond anything we could have imagined. Fern and Maxim don’t simply host a couples retreat: they create a sanctuary. A space where love is nurtured, hearts open, and healing flows naturally. From the very beginning, their energy made us feel held, supported, and understood. It felt like arriving home, but to a home we’d never known existed until then.
Throughout the week, Fern and Maxim guided us through an incredibly thoughtful journey that included couples breathing techniques, cacao ceremonies, music, and sacred practices that brought me and Kittie closer than ever. These weren’t just “activities,” they were soulful experiences, masterfully led, and always offered with kindness and a spirit of deep wisdom.
Every element of the retreat felt intentional. The rhythm of each day allowed for both structured practices and free time to absorb, reflect, and simply be.
The pinnacle of our week, however, was our wedding ceremony. Fern and Maxim planned and officiated the most beautiful, meaningful, and ceremonial experience we could have dreamed of. Words truly fall short here. They held sacred space with such grace and presence that it felt like time itself paused to witness our union.
We left Costa Rica not only as newlyweds but as soulmates renewed, hearts wide open.
Holly & Jim
Private Couples Retreat • New Year Intentions • Psilocybin Ceremony
We wanted to set new intentions as a couple, since our adult children have all moved out and we are ready to face a new life stage together.
We were drawn to the intimate yet professional structure of Fern and Maxim’s itinerary, which turned out to be absolutely perfect for us. Our needs for privacy and unstructured time were equally matched by impactful sessions in a beautiful environment.
We were able to set intentions and meditate during the ceremony on what we want from our New Year together, which includes more travel and journeys like this one. We shed all guilt about using our middle years for ourselves and what we want.
Fern and Maxim are excellent, passionate teachers. They are supportive without being intrusive, professional without being impersonal, all in all, wonderful guides to new journeys.
Jess & Philip
Couples Retreat • Newlyweds • Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
My husband and I recently had the opportunity to enjoy this couple’s retreat with Fern and Maxim, and it was absolute magic.
They created a beautiful safe space for us, opening with a cacao ceremony, heart-opening singing, and breathwork. It was such a beautiful, peaceful experience, and our restorative yoga session with additional breathwork is something that we are continuing to practice at home.
Our retreat was such a wonderful experience; Fern and Maxim’s love for each other makes it all the more special. Their magic shines through and our retreat was such a powerful experience.
We are so grateful for our time with Fern and Maxim. Our experience brought us closer together and strengthened our bond as a couple. We hope to visit Puerto Viejo soon for another couple’s retreat with them.
Sean & Paola
Private Personalized Retreat • Couple • Caribbean Costa Rica
We booked a retreat with Fern and Maxim on very short notice, and they accommodated us so thoughtfully.
They created a beautiful, personalized nine-day experience filled with offerings like ecstatic dance, wildlife tours, yoga, and powerful ceremonies. One of our favorite parts was the private chef who delivered incredible meals right to our bungalow.
Spending time with Fern and Maxim showed us how deeply connected they are to Mother Earth and how much love they pour into everything they do. Our favorite experiences were the breathwork sessions with Fern and the sound bath they created together, truly magical.
We left Costa Rica feeling deeply loved, rejuvenated, and transformed, and we can’t wait for our next retreat with Fern and Maxim.
Kathryn & Rob
Private Couples Retreat • Connection, Reflection & Growth
This retreat was truly transformative for me, even if in ways I didn’t expect. Being in the presence of Fern and Maxim reminded me of what true love looks and feels like, the kind of love that honors deep connection and balance.
I was hoping to build a more conscious relationship, not just with my husband but also with myself. I wanted to learn tools and practices that would help us both grow individually and as a couple.
The atmosphere that Fern and Maxim created was nurturing, loving, and deeply intentional. I left feeling more connected to myself and with an important reminder, from real life examples, of what love means to me.
Maxim provided the grounded, masculine energy that was needed to balance the retreat. His firm, practical, and emotionally intelligent presence created a sense of stability. Fern’s energy is radiant and her approach was incredibly nurturing. Together they created a harmonious environment where true growth could take place.
Although my journey didn’t follow the path I originally thought it would, it has set me on a much more aligned course. My favorite part of the retreat was spending time with Fern and Maxim. I felt so connected to them as if we had been friends for a long time.
I am grateful for the space they held, the tools they offered, and the gentle guidance they provided throughout the experience. I will carry these lessons with me for a long time and would absolutely recommend this retreat to anyone seeking true connection, love, and growth.
Laura
Private Personalized Retreat • Solo Guest • Caribbean Costa Rica
I did a week-long cleanse and yoga retreat with Fern and Maxim in Costa Rica and it was amazing.
Based on our previous journey, together we created my own dream retreat. I could choose from the various activities and healing modalities they offered and I loved the individual approach and flexibility.
Some of my highlights were yoga classes by the beach, super delicious smoothie bowls, a cacao ceremony, hikes in nearby national parks, and a sound healing journey and vocal activation where I could go really deep and initiate a deep healing process.
Another truly unique and special experience was visiting a local Bribri family. It was so special to connect with the indigenous people and we learned a lot about medicinal plants and their usage and also made cacao.
After this week I felt so much more centered, calm, and connected to myself.
I can highly recommend going on a retreat with Fern and Maxim. They are so kind and supportive, the experiences they offer are incredible and Puerto Viejo and the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica are such a beautiful place.
More Guest Reflections
We were entering a new life stage and wanted to set intentions together and do something special over New Year’s. The retreat balanced privacy and free time with impactful sessions (including a psilocybin ceremony) perfectly. Fern and Maxim are passionate, supportive, and wonderful guides for couples looking to reconnect and explore new paths.
We needed to reconnect and integrate big life changes. This retreat with Fern and Maxim helped us open up, communicate honestly, and reconnect deeply. We feel a permanent shift within, a softening and an opening with each other, and our communication is now stronger.
We booked a retreat on very short notice, and Fern and Maxim accommodated us so thoughtfully. They created a beautiful, personalized experience filled with offerings like ecstatic dance, wildlife tours, yoga, and powerful ceremonies. We left feeling deeply loved, rejuvenated, and transformed, and we can’t wait for our next retreat with them!
This was a much needed trip just for the two of us. We loved the relaxed jungle living atmosphere and the experience as a whole! I gained a deeper connection with my spouse.
We did a week of Yoga with Fern and 5 days of couples Tantra with Fern and Maxim. The purpose was to further build and strengthen our own love and connection as a couple. 11 amazing days total on the 2 back-to-back retreats. We had some deep emotional epiphanies during the Tantra phase.
We chose this retreat to get married in a way that felt intentional and deeply connected. What we experienced went far beyond anything we imagined! Fern and Maxim created a sanctuary where our love could be fully seen, felt, and celebrated. The wedding ceremony they held for us was intimate, meaningful, and truly unforgettable. Words fall short here. The entire week brought us closer than ever through music, cacao, and shared experiences. We left not just as newlyweds, but with a deeper connection, renewed love, and a sense that this moment will stay with us for life.
Fern and Maxim created an incredibly special experience for our wedding. We had the most gorgeous private marriage ceremony on the beach with them, which Fern so beautifully officiated. The ceremony, music, and cacao journey were magical, and we felt so loved and welcomed, like part of their family. We can’t wait to return.
Their music is as potent and rich in love as anything I’ve experienced. Combined with the location and cacao, it was pure bliss. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for something truly special in Costa Rica.
This retreat reminded me what true love feels like. The space Fern and Maxim created was nurturing, intentional, and deeply transformative. I left feeling more connected to myself, with a renewed understanding of love and what truly matters.
This was my dream retreat, fully personalized and deeply transformative. From yoga by the beach to sound healing and visiting indigenous communities, every experience felt special. I left feeling more centered, calm, and connected to myself.
My husband and I had the opportunity to enjoy this couple’s retreat with Fern and Maxim, and it was absolute magic. It was such a wonderful experience; Fern and Maxim’s love for each other makes it all the more special. Their magic shines through and our retreat was very powerful. Our experience brought us closer together and strengthened our bond as a couple. We hope to visit Puerto Viejo soon for another couple’s retreat with them!
More Stories Are Coming
We’re continuing to collect conversations with guests about what brought them here, what they experienced, and what stayed with them afterward.
Guest Video Story
Video coming soon
Guest Video Story
Video coming soon
Could This Be Your Story?
If something in these stories resonates with you, we’d love to hear what you’re looking for and explore what a private retreat could look like for you.