Eden
Sanctuary
About Eden Sanctuary
Eden is an independent retreat center in Vale do Capão, surrounded by the mountains and nature of Chapada Diamantina.
We host our own Know Thyself Ayahuasca and well-being retreats, welcome retreats led by independent facilitators, and offer individual stays for those who simply want to rest and spend time in nature.
Eden is intentionally small and personal — a place shaped around meaningful experiences, genuine human connection and attentive care.
Our Story
Eden began with a personal change of direction.
Originally from London, Paul reached a point in his life when the conventional path no longer felt like the one he wanted to follow. He left familiar surroundings and began looking for a life with greater meaning, purpose and connection to what genuinely mattered to him.
In 2009, that search brought him alone to Brazil. What was initially a journey became the beginning of a much longer relationship with the country, with Ayahuasca traditions and, eventually, with the work of facilitating retreats.
Over the following years, Paul lived, studied and worked in Brazil and Europe, gradually developing the experience and relationships that would later become part of Eden.
Chapada Diamantina eventually became home. Surrounded by the mountains and nature of Vale do Capão, the idea of creating a permanent sanctuary began to take physical form — not simply as a place for ceremonies, but as a place where people could stay for several days, be well cared for, spend time in nature and have enough space for meaningful inner work.
Eden Sanctuary officially opened in 2022.
Since then, the center has continued to grow organically. Gardens have matured, new spaces have been created, the team has grown, and the ways people come to Eden have expanded.
Today, Eden hosts our own Know Thyself retreats, retreats led by independent facilitators, individual stays and other experiences — while remaining close to the original intention behind the place: to create an environment where people can step outside their usual lives for a while and give genuine attention to what matters.
Eden Today
Eden has grown into a place with several different ways to experience it.
We host our own Know Thyself Ayahuasca and well-being retreats, as well as retreats created and facilitated by independent professionals and groups who choose Eden as their home for a few days.
Outside of scheduled retreats, we welcome individual guests looking for rest, nature and a more personal stay, with the possibility of adding practices and treatments such as yoga, massage and Ayurveda.Eden also opens its doors for private retreats, intimate gatherings and weddings — each taking its own form while sharing the same environment, care and connection with the nature of Chapada Diamantina.
Meet the Team
Eden is shaped by the people who live, work and spend their time here.
Our team brings together different backgrounds — ceremonial experience, psychology, music, Ayurveda, meditation, breathwork, hospitality and years of living and working in Chapada Diamantina.
Some of us are present throughout the retreats, others contribute through particular practices, treatments or behind-the-scenes care. Together, we make Eden the place it is.
Paul Mallon
Founder of Eden Sanctuary | Lead Facilitator
Paul is one of the first people you will speak with when considering a retreat at Eden. He responds personally to enquiries, arranges an individual call, guides participants through the intake and screening process, and remains closely involved throughout the retreat and integration that follows. During the retreat, Paul is the main facilitator. He guides meditation, breathwork and accessible yoga practices and accompanies the group throughout the daily program. During Ayahuasca ceremonies, he is part of the facilitation team, supporting participants alongside Jorge and the other ceremonial facilitators. Originally from London, Paul reached a point in his life when he wanted to step away from the conventional path and look for greater meaning and purpose. His journey eventually brought him to Brazil, which became the beginning of a very different direction in his life. His apprenticeship with Ayahuasca began in 2008 under the guidance of a native ayahuasquero and developed into three years of intensive training. In 2011, he became an initiate of the Santo Daime tradition in the Amazonian community of Mapiá. Eden itself is deeply connected to Paul's story. He conceived the project and personally designed and developed the sanctuary, shaping its buildings, gardens and spaces around the kind of retreat environment he wanted to create. In 2022, Eden officially opened as a permanent home for this work. Over more than 15 years, Paul has facilitated retreats and worked with participants in Brazil and Europe. Today, his role extends through the entire experience — from the first conversation with a potential participant to preparation, the retreat itself and the process of returning home afterward.
Jorge Seixas
Ceremonial Leader
Jorge is the principal ceremonial leader at Eden and guides the Ayahuasca ceremonies during our retreats. At 71, he brings more than two decades of experience serving Ayahuasca within his community. Originally from Marajó Island, in the Brazilian Amazon, Jorge has lived in Vale do Capão for the past 25 years. His life here combines a close relationship with nature and plant traditions with decades of study in Hermeticism, alchemy and esoteric medicine. Jorge is an initiate in the Santo Daime tradition, within the Unified Lineage of Chandra Lacombe. His experience with the medicine has developed through many years of practice, community life and ceremonial work. During retreats, Jorge is present not only for the ceremonies but throughout the wider experience. Participants have time to speak with him individually, ask questions and receive support when needed. His way of working is calm, direct and deeply grounded in experience — bringing both seriousness and a very human warmth to the ceremonial space.
Martina Esperon
Retreat Facilitator & Ayurvedic Therapist
Martina accompanies participants throughout our retreats, offering support during Ayahuasca ceremonies, facilitating breathwork practices, guiding visits to waterfalls and being available for individual conversations and therapeutic treatments. Originally from Pergamino, Argentina, she studied Music Therapy at the University of Rosario before moving to Vale do Capão in 2012. Since then, she has trained and worked extensively with Ayurveda, developing her practice through individual treatments as well as retreats, courses and workshops. Her relationship with Ayahuasca began in 2016 with Alonso del Río in the Sacred Valley of Peru, where she spent nine months studying medicine songs and deepening her experience with ceremonial plant traditions. Martina is also closely involved with our private and restorative stays. She works individually with guests to arrange additional practices and treatments and can create a more complete private retreat program according to the needs of an individual, couple, family or small group of friends. These programs may combine Ayurveda, breathwork, meditation, therapeutic treatments, nature and time for rest. Having lived in Vale do Capão for more than a decade, Martina brings an intimate knowledge of the surrounding nature into her work. Her role at Eden moves naturally between retreat facilitation, individual care and creating personalized experiences for the people who stay with us.
Diana Oliveira
Retreat Facilitator & Psychologist
Diana accompanies participants throughout the retreat, with particular attention to emotional well-being and individual support. She is an integrative psychologist and neuropsychologist, trained in Psychology at the Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, with further specialization in Jungian Psychotherapy. Before dedicating more of her work to therapeutic and group processes, she spent 15 years working as an organizational psychologist. Her relationship with Ayahuasca began in 2008 within the Santo Daime tradition, giving her many years of personal experience in ceremonial settings alongside her professional background in psychology. At Eden, Diana is present during the Ayahuasca ceremonies and remains available throughout the retreat for personal conversations and private integration when participants need additional support. She also offers Reiki and aromatherapy sessions and, alongside Paul, facilitates the Kambô sessions offered during our retreats. More recently, Diana's work has also included facilitating women's groups focused on self-knowledge, emotional processes and the Sacred Feminine. Her combination of psychological training, long-term familiarity with Ayahuasca traditions and attentive presence makes her particularly valuable during moments when participants may feel emotionally vulnerable or need more individual support.
Isabel Cardona Colina
Music & Ceremonial Facilitator
Isa joins the retreat for the Ayahuasca ceremonies and cacao ceremony, bringing music, voice and percussion into these important moments of the program. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, she has lived in Brazil since 2013. She is a singer, percussionist, composer, voice coach and improviser with more than 20 years of professional experience working with music and collective practices. Isa is the creator of CantaqueteCura (“Sing for Your Healing”), a project exploring voice, improvisation and collective singing as forms of expression, connection and well-being. Her work includes musical initiation, vocal expression, circle music and therapeutic musical practices. Over the years, she has performed and facilitated musical experiences across Latin America and Europe, developing a way of working in which music is not simply a performance, but something created and experienced together. At Eden, this is particularly present during the cacao ceremony, which Isa leads through music, voice and collective participation. She also supports the Ayahuasca ceremonies through live music and attentive presence alongside the ceremonial team.
The Sanctuary & Spaces
All accommodations are comfortable and well-equipped, offering hot showers, air conditioning, and everything needed for a good rest. Large windows in every room allow natural light to flow in, so you never feel enclosed — instead, it feels as if nature is gently holding you from all sides.
We offer two types of rooms:
Private Accommodation
The Chalet
Spacious & Private
A 40 m² private accommodation designed for comfort and flexibility, ideal for couples.
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Queen-size bed
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Flexible configurations, accommodating up to 4 people.
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Air conditioning (heating & cooling)
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High-pressure shower with gas heating
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Fully equipped kitchen
Superior Suite
Refined Comfort with a View
A 30 m² suite designed for comfort and privacy, offering refined simplicity and beautiful views of Morro Branco.
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King-size bed
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Option to add a single bed
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20 m² private balcony
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Open views toward Morro Branco
Ground Floor Suite
Comfort, Simplicity & Quiet
A welcoming suite designed for rest and practicality, with easy access and a relaxed connection to the outdoor spaces.
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Double bed
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Veranda with hammock
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Air conditioning (hot & cold)
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Closet
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Private bathroom
Standard Room
Simple, Comfortable & Flexible
A welcoming room suitable for both single or shared stays, offering adaptable sleeping arrangements and easy access to the surrounding spaces.
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One double bed or two single beds
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Access to the terrace
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Views of Morro Branco
Shared Accommodation
Dormitory
Comfortable & Cozy
A spacious and comfortable shared room for small groups, offering plenty of space while keeping the atmosphere simple and relaxed.
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Up to 3 guests during our retreats
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Large private bathroom
Cabana
Simple Living, Close to Nature
A spacious, rustic accommodation surrounded by the gardens, offering a simple and comfortable stay with a closer connection to the nature around Eden.
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Up to 3 guests during our retreats
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External private bathroom
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Gas-heated shower
Around Eden Sanctuary
At Eden, every space is part of the experience. From the Oca, a place for spiritual practices, yoga, and meditation, and the spacious deck above the Mother House with panoramic mountain views, to the sauna, fireplaces, and surrounding gardens, the sanctuary offers beautiful environments that support both guided practices and quiet personal moments.
These spaces are meant to be enjoyed throughout the retreat: during activities, shared gatherings, and also in your free time — inviting you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and simply be present.
Nourishing Food
Meals at Eden are healthy, balanced, and prepared with care — supporting a calm mind and a light, grounded body throughout the retreat. Our kitchen works with fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers and markets whenever possible.
We welcome a variety of dietary preferences and offer thoughtful options to suit different needs. If you have specific restrictions or allergies, our team will do their best to support you with attention and care.
Chapada Diamantina
Eden is located in Vale do Capão, surrounded by the mountains of Chapada Diamantina National Park — a region of waterfalls, rivers, natural pools, caves and extensive mountain trails.
Nature is part of everyday life here.
During our retreats, we visit nearby waterfalls and rivers, walk through the valley and spend time outdoors between practices and ceremonies.
Many members of our team have lived in Vale do Capão for years, and Eden has grown as part of this unique place and community.
Getting Here
Despite being immersed in nature, Eden is relatively easy to reach.For international guests, the main gateway is Salvador International Airport (SSA), with direct connections from Europe including Lisbon and Madrid.
From Salvador, there are two main ways to reach Eden:
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Private transfer — door-to-door from Salvador Airport directly to Eden.
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Bus + taxi — a comfortable bus from Salvador to Palmeiras, followed by a taxi directly to Eden.
Transfers are not included in the retreat price, but we can organize the entire journey from Salvador on your behalf. Simply let us know your preferred option and we will coordinate the arrangements in advance.
Come to Eden
There are different ways to spend time at Eden — by joining one of our Know Thyself retreats, coming for an individual or private stay, or bringing your own group or retreat to the sanctuary.
If you would like to understand which option might suit you, you are welcome to contact us directly.