It’s Almost Impossible to Write a Review for a Place Like Tula Vida… Why? Because it’s hard to capture the magic of a place you feel you’ve never been to— and yet, somehow, like your soul remembers it. Tula Vida isn’t just a destination. It’s a feeling. A breath. A surrender. Nestled in the hills of Tierras Morenas, this serene sanctuary is the very definition of unplugged peace—ironically, with all the Wi-Fi you could need if you do wish to stay connected. But the truth is, you won’t want to. Because what’s calling you here is the real connection. The landscape stretches in every direction—fields, pastures, trails—offering a full immersion into the rhythms of nature. Horses roam freely, and there’s nothing quite like waking up to the gentle sound of hooves just outside your door. Morning, noon, and night, these beautiful creatures become your neighbors, your meditation, your joy. The rooms are cozy, airy, and absolutely perfect. The showers? A dream. Everything is designed for comfort, rest, and deep exhale. And then—there’s the food. Authentic Costa Rican cuisine, made with love and served with such warmth it almost feels like a spiritual experience. Each meal becomes a gathering, an offering. Sally, Eric, and the entire staff welcome you not as guests—but as family. Their hospitality is beyond generous; it’s sincere. You feel seen. Held. Nourished. Tula Vida is not just a retreat from the world. It’s a return to yourself. If you’re longing to rest, to breathe, to remember what life feels like— This is the place. I look forward to coming back ! Deborah Hanlon

Tula Vida is a beautiful ranch in Costa Rica where I experienced a life changing experience with Danielle MacKinnon and Tula Vida’s Sally, Eric and Nora, and of course, the horses and dogs at the ranch. This was my second time being at Tula Vida and practicing animal communication and connecting with the horses. Afterward, when I reflected on my week there, I was honestly surprised by how many soul lessons I had received in such a short time. I am truly grateful for the life management skills and energy management techniques I practiced during my time at Tula Vida, and I am amazed by how much I have been able to integrate these into my everyday life after arriving home. When I got home, I reread my journal and was stunned by how much I had grown during that short time. I am unable to articulate the profound, life-changing activities that my group participated in-these should be experienced in person. Thanks to my time at Tula Vida, I am a different person than I was when I arrived at Costa Rica!

My experience was an adventure of the soul. To ride on horseback along isolated, spectacular beaches, as far North as the Nicaraguan border was something very special. Costa Rica has such captivating beauty. Sally, Eric, Enrique and his family handled all the details with mastery. We were well fed on home made and delicious local cuisine, and everyone was so kind. This is a trip I will remember fondly.

I am so pleased to have the opportunity to submit a review for the Wonderful Tula Vida, which I have visited several times. While it is hard to describe without being there, Sally, Eric, Nora, and all of their helpers, human, equine, and canine, provide the type of healing experience we all hope to find. The land and space are vastly beautiful and centering. Sally and Eric are amazingly tuned in and great healers, and the horses are wise beyond measure and help bring us to the place of calm and truth within ourselves that we seek. And, on top of this spiritually grounding experience, the accommodations and food are fantastic! Super sustainable, so well thought-out, and comfortable. I would highly recommend attending a retreat at Tula Vida!

I had an amazingly profound experience with Sally, Eric, and the herd at Tula Vida Ranch. In fact, the impact of my stay at the ranch is still unfolding, and it’s taking me a couple of months even to begin to describe it. I had never been around horses, or even met a horse until I went to the ranch. A couple of years prior, I saw a YouTube video about horses, and it occurred to me that I would like to become a “horse friend” and that soulful calling is what guided me to Tula Vida. After a COVID-19 infection at the beginning of 2022 was followed by about 3 years of long-COVID symptoms, during which my stepfather, father, and mother all passed away within a year, my nervous system was deeply affected. I saw Sally in a video on the Instagram account of another creator that I follow who was visiting the ranch, and Sally was discussing the ways that horses regulate one another’s nervous systems and can also teach us how to regulate our own. Upon hearing that, I knew it was exactly what I needed. I reached out to Sally a few months prior to my trip to Costa Rica to ask about a private retreat, and with her thorough planning (and patiently answering my million questions), we mapped out my stay at Tula Vida, which included several “off-campus” excursions to go horseback riding in La Fortuna, tour the Hanging Bridges, visit the Las Pumas animal sanctuary, a Caño Negro riverboat tour, a visit to Lago Cote, and of course numerous coaching sessions with Sally, private experiences with the horses, Qi Gong led by Eric with the horses, delicious traditional Costa Rican meals, brilliant conversations, and so much more. While at the ranch, on hundreds of acres surrounded by volcanoes, I also had many spiritual experiences and my spiritual gifts opened up throughout my stay and even after leaving. I am incredibly grateful to have had this experience at Tula Vida, and I definitely plan to return to the ranch at some point. If you’re wondering if Tula Vida is for you, then it’s probably for you. I absolutely recommend a retreat at Tula Vida Ranch.