Cacao Ceremony on Koh Phangan: What It Is, What to Expect, and Why It's Worth Attending

Published by Shivari Healing & Art Center | Koh Phangan, Thailand

If you've been spending time on Koh Phangan, you've almost certainly heard the words cacao ceremony — whispered between travelers, listed on event boards, announced in wellness centers across the island. But if you've never attended one, you might be wondering what exactly happens at a cacao ceremony, whether it's safe, and whether it's worth your time.

This article answers all of that. It's written from direct experience — because at Shivari, we host cacao ceremonies weekly as one of our most beloved community gatherings, and we've watched people arrive with curiosity and leave with something they didn't expect to find.

What Is a Cacao Ceremony?

A cacao ceremony is a sacred, intentional gathering centered around the drinking of ceremonial-grade cacao — raw, pure chocolate in its most natural form, prepared without sugar, dairy, or additives.

Unlike your morning cup of hot chocolate, ceremonial cacao is made from whole cacao paste, prepared with intention, and drunk in a structured ritual setting. The ceremony typically includes opening intention-setting, guided meditation or breathwork, music, ecstatic movement or dance, and a closing circle for sharing.

Cacao ceremonies trace their roots to the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations of Central America, where cacao was considered sacred — a gift from the gods, used in spiritual rituals, healing ceremonies, and rites of passage for thousands of years. Today, the cacao ceremony has found a natural home on Koh Phangan — an island that has long attracted conscious travelers, healers, and seekers from around the world.

Ceremonial Cacao vs. Regular Chocolate — What's the Difference?

This is one of the most common questions we hear. The distinction matters.

Regular commercial chocolate is heavily processed — roasted at high temperatures, stripped of its natural fats, and loaded with sugar. Ceremonial cacao is the opposite: minimally processed, made from the whole cacao bean, and preserved to retain its full nutritional and energetic properties.

The key active compound in ceremonial cacao is theobromine — a molecule related to caffeine, but with a fundamentally different effect on the body. While caffeine stimulates the nervous system (often causing jitteriness), theobromine works primarily on the heart and circulatory system. It dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow, and produces a warm, open, grounded feeling of energy — without the crash.

Cacao also contains:

• Anandamide — known as the "bliss molecule," naturally produced in the brain during states of joy
• Phenylethylamine (PEA) — stimulates mood and the feeling of being in love
• Magnesium — one of the highest natural sources; supports muscle relaxation and nervous system regulation
• Antioxidants — among the highest of any food on earth
• Serotonin precursors — supports mood elevation and emotional wellbeing

Ceremonial cacao is not psychedelic, not illegal, and not hallucinogenic. It is a gentle, legal, plant-based heart-opener — safe for most people and deeply effective when used with intention.

Note: Those taking antidepressants (particularly MAOIs or SSRIs) or with heart conditions should consult a doctor before attending a cacao ceremony.

What Happens at a Cacao Ceremony on Koh Phangan?

Every cacao ceremony on Koh Phangan is a little different depending on who facilitates it and the space it's held in. But most share a common flow.

At Shivari, our weekly cacao ceremony is held in the Art Shala — our beautiful, cozy ceremonial jungle space. It's facilitated by Tzvi and Patricia, two experienced practitioners who bring deep warmth, musicality, and sacred presence to every gathering.

Here is how a typical ceremony evening unfolds:

The Opening

Doors open and participants settle into the space. There may be candles, flowers, an altar — created by our resident altar keeper Katya. The space is prepared with care, clearing the energy and setting a ceremonial container.

The Singing Circle & Cacao Ceremony

Tzvi opens with a singing circle — healing songs that soften the mind, open the heart, and invite everyone into presence. This is where the ceremonial cacao is prepared and shared. Each cup is made with intention and love. Participants are invited to set a personal intention before drinking — it can be as simple as "I am here to be present" or as specific as something they want to release or call in.

Ecstatic Dance

Once the cacao begins to work — usually within 20 to 30 minutes — the dance begins. Resident DJ Dalah guides the movement with tribal, organic and jungle rhythms designed for deep free-form movement. This is not choreographed. There are no steps to follow. The body moves as it wants, guided by the music and the medicine.

Sound Healing

As the dance begins to soften, Mannu brings live guitar sound healing — a gentle transition from movement back toward stillness. Tzvi returns with healing songs, awakening the voice and drawing the community together in shared melody.

The Closing Circle

Participants gather in circle to share — what came up, what was felt, what was released. This is optional but deeply valued. The ceremony closes with gratitude.

Time: Evenings, weeklyPrice: 600 THB / 500 THB if you arrive before 7 PMLocation: Art Shala, Shivari Healing & Art Center, Koh Phangan

What Does a Cacao Ceremony Feel Like?

People often arrive not knowing what to expect and leave struggling to describe what happened.

The most common experiences people report after a cacao ceremony include:

Physical: A warm, soft expansion in the chest. A sense of the heart becoming more open, more spacious. Heightened physical sensitivity — music sounds richer, movement feels more fluid, touch is more alive.

Emotional: Tears, laughter, or both. A loosening of what has been held tightly. Old emotions that surface gently and move through without drama. A feeling of being genuinely, completely present.

Mental: Unusual clarity. Insights that feel obvious but had been somehow obscured. Creative openings. A quieting of the thinking mind and an activation of something that knows without words.

Social: Deep connection with others. The kind of eye contact that usually only happens between close friends. Conversations that skip small talk entirely. A sense of belonging to something real.

None of this is guaranteed — and cacao is not something that forces an experience. It is an empathogen, not an entheogen. It gently opens a door. What happens when you walk through it depends on what you bring to the ceremony and how willing you are to be present.

Why Koh Phangan Has Become a Hub for Cacao Ceremonies

Koh Phangan has been a gathering point for the conscious community of Southeast Asia for decades. What started as a destination for backpackers and full moon parties has quietly transformed into one of the most dense ecosystems of yoga, healing, meditation, sound therapy, ecstatic dance, and plant medicine work in the world.

Cacao ceremonies on Koh Phangan thrive here because the island attracts the people who are ready for them — those in transition, those seeking depth, those who have tried everything conventional and are looking for something that touches a different register of experience.

The jungle itself seems to support the work. There's something about sitting in the Art Shala at Shivari, the night air moving through the trees, the sound of the river nearby, Tzvi's voice opening the circle — that makes the ceremony feel natural. Not exotic. Not strange. Just deeply, quietly right.

Is a Cacao Ceremony Safe? Who Should Not Attend?

A cacao ceremony is safe for the vast majority of people. Ceremonial cacao is classified by the FDA as "generally recognized as safe" and is completely legal everywhere.

However, you should consult a doctor before attending if you:

• Take antidepressants, particularly MAOIs or SSRIs
• Have a serious heart condition or very high blood pressure
• Are pregnant

If you have any doubt, reach out to us before attending. We are happy to advise.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

The day of the ceremony:

• Eat lightly — a heavy meal before a ceremonial dose of cacao can cause nausea
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Come in comfortable clothes you can move in
• Bring water

Your inner preparation:

• You don't need to prepare anything formally. But it helps to arrive with some sense of what you're bringing to the circle — a question, an intention, something you want to feel.
• Leave expectations at the door. The best ceremonies are the ones where you arrive open rather than hoping for a specific experience.

How the Shivari Cacao Ceremony Differs

There are many cacao ceremonies on Koh Phangan to choose from. What makes ours different is the combination of elements and the depth of the people who hold it.

At Shivari, the ceremony is not a standalone event — it is a living part of a wider community. The Art Shala has held hundreds of gatherings. Tzvi and Patricia have developed a deep ceremonial practice together. Dalah brings healing intentionality to every musical set. And the whole evening — from altar to closing circle — is held with real care.

It is also held in a substance-free, smoke-free space, which matters. The purity of the container directly affects the quality of the experience.

The setting — a cozy jungle Art Shala at Shivari, Koh Phangan's Healing & Art Center — adds something that no indoor venue can replicate. The sound of the trees, the warmth of the night, the sense of the jungle as a living presence. These are not decorative details. They are part of the medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cacao ceremony psychedelic?No. Ceremonial cacao does not produce psychedelic effects. It is a legal, gentle heart-opener. Some people experience emotional depth and unusual clarity, but there are no hallucinations or altered states in the traditional sense.

Do I need experience with ceremonies or spirituality?Not at all. The cacao ceremony at Shivari is welcoming to complete beginners. You don't need to have a spiritual background, practice yoga, or hold any particular belief system. Just bring yourself.

Can I come alone?Yes — most people do. You will leave feeling like you have known the people in the circle for a long time.

How long does the ceremony last?The full evening runs approximately 3 hours. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the ceremony closes around 10:00 PM.

Is it included in retreat packages at Shivari?Yes. The weekly cacao ceremony is included for all retreat guests at Shivari. For day visitors, the price is 600 THB (500 THB early bird before 7 PM).

Come to the Circle

If you are on Koh Phangan and you feel called to attend a cacao ceremony — trust that feeling. The most common thing we hear from first-timers after the closing circle is: "I didn't know I needed this."

The ceremony happens weekly at Shivari Art Shala. No booking required — just show up with an open heart, comfortable clothes, and a willingness to be surprised.

📍 Shivari Healing & Art Center, Koh Phangan, Thailand🎟 600 THB / 500 THB before 7 PM💌 @shivari_art_of_life

Come as you are. Leave different.

Shivari is a Healing & Art Center on Koh Phangan, Thailand — home to the Art Shala, River Sauna, Yoga Shala, Restaurant and Amphitheater. We host weekly cacao ceremonies, ecstatic dance, Venus Goddess Day, shamanic sauna rituals, art exhibitions and conscious community events.