A retreat center for self discovery, with no religious affiliation, inside Piracanga Ecovillage on the Maraú Peninsula. More than 2,500 people have already lived the Unah Retreat.
Who we are
Unah means seed: a tiny grain that holds everything life needs to bloom. We believe each experience here can be the beginning of a great transformation.
We are a center for spiritual retreats and self discovery, with no religious affiliation. We follow no doctrine: we create a space for personal exploration, through reconnection with yourself, with others and with Nature.
Today we are the main organization active in Piracanga Ecovillage: we employ dozens of people from the local community, support community projects and welcome participants from all over Brazil and the world.
Our story
In 2020, with the pandemic and the end of the former Inkiri community, the retreat center closed for about two years.
During that time, many people left Piracanga Ecovillage and the future of the place became uncertain.
It was love for Piracanga that brought together a group of friends, some of them former members of the Inkiri community. From the lessons of the past, Unah Piracanga was born: a new center for retreats and self discovery, connected to Nature.
The new dream came to life in December 2021, with Unah’s first big retreat: New Year 2022.
All the residents of Piracanga Ecovillage came together to offer their gifts and talents. That gave birth to a diverse and inclusive gathering, a moment to plant unity.
Since then, we keep integrating and uniting, bringing prosperity and collaboration to the vulnerable communities around Piracanga as well.
If you also believe that unity transforms us and the world, welcome to Unah Piracanga, the largest and most recognized self discovery retreat center in Bahia.
Where we are
Piracanga Ecovillage is on the Maraú Peninsula, in southern Bahia, Brazil, between a clear river, the Atlantic Forest and a paradise beach. It is a community that lives simply and ecologically, with biodegradable products, solar energy, plant based food and agreements to live in harmony with Nature.
Unah is located inside the ecovillage. The nearest airport is Ilhéus (IOS), about 2 hours away, and we offer full guidance and transport support.
You don’t need to join a retreat to visit Piracanga: we welcome guests for lodging stays, with a minimum of 3 nights.
Living together
To live in harmony with the Nature of Piracanga Ecovillage, we follow a few simple agreements:
Conventional hygiene products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste) pollute the groundwater. That is why you receive a 100% biodegradable kit on arrival, and you can buy other items at the Plante! lab, which makes local, ecological products. We also use biodegradable products in our laundry.
We do not sell or consume alcohol in Piracanga. Smoking is only allowed on the beach or in the coconut grove next to the ecovillage.
Waste must be clean, dry, sorted and taken to recycling. Organic waste is composted and helps regenerate the soil.
We do not accept pets. Marmosets, armadillos, lizards and hundreds of bird species live here, and we want to protect this ecosystem.
Some bathrooms near the mangrove are dry toilets: they use no water and produce natural fertilizer for the soil. The other rooms have conventional bathrooms.
Our energy comes from the sun. That is why high consumption devices (hair dryers, flat irons, clothes irons, CPAP machines, heaters) cannot be used. Charge your electronics during the day, when there is plenty of sun.
What we offer
Everything happens inside Piracanga Ecovillage and brings together self discovery, Nature and community.
Our main retreat: 7 days of self discovery by the sea, every week, from Sunday to Saturday, with an English translator included. More than 2,500 people have already lived this experience.
Unique experiences throughout the year, such as the New Year’s Retreat and the Carnival Retreat.
Recognized facilitators lead retreats in Yoga, Tantra, Communication, holistic therapy trainings and much more. Leading your own group? Discover our retreat venue in Brazil.
Comfortable accommodations integrated with Nature, for retreat participants or for anyone who just wants to spend a few days in the ecovillage, with a minimum of 3 nights.
A reference in 100% plant based food in Bahia, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to Unah guests and ecovillage residents.
Purpose
We believe humanity needs to find new ways of caring: for ourselves, for each other and for Nature. That is why we bring together self discovery, social awareness and environmental sustainability.
🌱 Self care: body, mind and spirit in balance.
🌱 Meaningful relationships: listening, respect and cooperation.
🌱 Regenerative living: new lifestyles and ecological practices.
Our mission is to inspire people to reconnect with what truly matters. Every year we welcome thousands of people from Brazil and around the world, and each one takes home lessons that turn into real changes in daily life.
For a deeper look, this academic evaluation of Piracanga Ecovillage’s sustainable practices describes the social, ecological and community impact of the place.
Values
We put people at the center of everything. We respect and care for every individual, regardless of race, gender, belief or sexual orientation, and we want Unah to be one of the best places to work.
We are part of Nature. We protect the waters, the forest and all life in Piracanga Ecovillage, and we show by example that a more conscious way of living is possible.
Each person can be part of the solution. We ask what our responsibility is, value honest feedback and close cycles with clarity.
We balance financial results with positive impact on the community and the environment, in relationships where everyone grows together.
We honor what has been done and seek to do better every day, leaving every place better than we found it.
Impact
We take seriously the impact of our actions on the local community, on the Nature of Piracanga and on the planet.
We give preference to residents, entrepreneurs and products from the region.
We create ways for the people in our ecosystem to grow.
Transportation for employees and local residents to get to Piracanga.
We support initiatives with positive impact in the ecovillage ecosystem.
We keep spaces open to visitors and residents of Piracanga Ecovillage.
We use no animal products at all.
We do not sell industrialized or ultraprocessed products.
We restore the soil and speed up the growth of the forest.
Community
We are part of an ecosystem of local initiatives that keep the purpose of the ecovillage alive.
The heart of the community, where children aged 2 to 12 study. Recognized by Brazil’s Ministry of Education as a reference in transformative education, it is supported by residents, educators and donors and led by Frederico Behrends, educational director of the Unah Retreat.
Caring for the waters of Piracanga for more than 15 years, with 100% biodegradable hygiene and cleaning products that keep the groundwater clean. Founded and led by Juliana Faber, facilitator of the Unah Retreat.
Protection of sea turtles and mangroves: it has already helped thousands of hatchlings reach the sea safely. Founded and led by Batista Pataxó, an Indigenous leader and facilitator of the Unah Retreat.
A music group created by residents of Piracanga Ecovillage, singing mantras from the Hindu tradition. They play at the Unah Retreat on Wednesdays at 8 pm.
Questions
An ecological community on the Maraú Peninsula, in southern Bahia, Brazil, between the river, the forest and the sea. Residents live simply and sustainably, with community agreements that protect Nature. Unah is the main organization active in the ecovillage.
Piracanga is on the Maraú Peninsula, Bahia, Brazil. The nearest airport is Ilhéus (IOS), about 2 hours away, and we offer full guidance and transport support. See the step by step guide in How to get here.
No. We are a center for spiritual retreats and self discovery with no religious affiliation. We follow no doctrine: we seek reconnection through personal experience and contact with Nature.
Yes. We welcome guests for lodging stays, with a minimum of 3 nights, without joining a retreat. See the options in Eco lodging.
Yes, Unah has Wi-Fi.
The minimum age is 16. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
100% plant based, prepared at the Karuh Restaurant, with breakfast, lunch and dinner. We do not sell ultraprocessed products or alcoholic beverages in the ecovillage.
If it is your first time, the Unah Retreat is the best start: 7 days, every week, from Sunday to Saturday, with an English translator. For other themes and dates, see our upcoming retreats.
Unah Retreat
7 days by the sea in Piracanga Ecovillage, with self discovery practices, Nature and people who seek the same as you. Every week, from Sunday to Saturday.
