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10 Best Ayahuasca Retreat USA or nearby in 2023 (Updated)

December 29, 2022
Begin Your Journey

An Ayahuasca retreat could be the best experience of your life, or it could leave you worse off, confused, or traumatized.

Your outcome depends upon 3 things: your readiness, preparation, and your ability to choose a high-quality retreat.

1) To help you assess your level of mental and spiritual readiness, take this short quiz.

2) If you'd like to understand more about the nature of psychedelic healing work, who and what you really are, and human potential, read this.

3) If you're feeling ready for a retreat, then congratulations! Whether your first or your 10th retreat, this is a momentous occasion.

Like most things in life, there are a broad variety of Ayahuasca retreat options, and a number of factors that effect the quality and cost of an ayahuasca retreat.

12 Tips for Choosing a Safe and Transformative Ayahuasca Retreat USA

Here are 12 recommendations to help you avoid sketchy options and choose a safe and transformational experience:

  1. Safety First: Unfortunately, many small retreat centers are not in a position to make meaningful investments into screening and safety. Even if you're fine, someone else on retreat might not be, which can effect the overall experience. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat provider that does in-depth conversational, medical, and psychological screening to protect your safety and well-being.
  2. Legality:  Experienced practitioners who have dedicated their lives to plant medicine typically live in locations where the work is legal, so they don't have to live in a state of "what if". Our recommendation is to travel to legal locations where you can benefit from legitimate healers who operate above the radar, so you can truly relax on retreat. That's kind of the idea, right?
  3. Size of the group: It's common for retreats to have 20, 50, even 100 people in ceremony, which can be chaotic to say the least. In such large groups, there's a lot of collective bucket-time in the room, and you are less likely receive the level of attention from healers that you are probably looking for. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat with an intimate group of say, 8-15 people.
  4. Length of the retreat: Shorter retreats feel rushed, don't support the cultivation of meaningful relationships, and there are limits to what can be achieved in a few nights. We recommend you spend at least a week for an ayahuasca retreat to give your mind, body, heart, and soul the attention it deserves.
  5. Comfort: We recommend you choose a retreat where you are confident you will be physically comfortable and have your own private bedroom to decompress and integrate, especially if this is your first time. Go for the full jungle mosquito immersion another time, your future self will thank you later.
  6. Energetic Alignment: Select a retreat that feels energetically aligned and allows your own subjective experience to unfold naturally. There's no right or wrong here, but it's worth recognizing that there are many different cosmologies (ways of seeing the universe), and having the energy of a different cosmology pushed through the ceremonial space may or may not be in your highest healing interests. This is also particularly relevant for first-timers.
  7. Holistic approach: Work with an organization that takes a holistic approach to working with plant medicine, and has options to support and guide your mental and emotional evolution alongside a retreat. If a provider implies that "medicine will solve all your problems", proceed with caution (because it won't!).
  8. Service: Select a retreat that you believe can meet your individual needs. Are you being treated as a human, or as participant #22 in their fourth retreat this month? Consider whether or not they've taken the time to get to know you and understand you, or it's more of a take it or leave it retreat center.
  9. Booking process: Take the time to speak with the provider before finalizing your booking. If it's all 100% online, ANYONE could be sitting next to you in ceremony. Everyone deserves to heal, but it's unlikely you want to be sitting in ceremony with a recovering addict going through their process next to you
  10. Expertise: Find an organization that emphasizes healing, and you believe has the breadth and depth of expertise to guide your transformation. Look for facilitators and healers who have a lightness of being and a sparkle in their eyes. Healing work is all about the transmutation of energy, so you are looking for people who have the energy you aspire to. If they aren't able to keep their energy right, that tells you quite a bit about either where they are at and their capabilities.
  11. Reputation: At a minimum, Google the provider, you may be surprised by what you find. If there's not much information, that is also information :) You may also like to look up the Founders and see what their energy is all about (hint hint). A famous comedian recently went to one of the most popular Ayahuasca retreat centers (known for large groups) and mentioned there were people on the retreat who didn't even know what Ayahuasca was. Yes, seriously.
  12. Volunteers: Please support ethical plant medicine work by selecting an organization that pay their team. Unfortunately, it is common practice for retreat centers to cycle through young, eager, and worn out volunteers and/or not pay healers fairly. If the people supporting your retreat aren't living their best life, they're not going to be able to lead you to yours. Not the right vibe. Don't be shy to ask this question directly when you speak to prospective centers.

Who you choose to attend an Ayahuasca retreat with is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions in your life, especially the first time.

We encourage you to take the time and energy to do your research, follow your intuition, and to know why you are choosing a specific retreat.

If our recommendations resonate with you, and you'd like to explore a transformational journey with Behold, click on "Begin Your Journey" below to request a complimentary Discovery Call with one of our Medicine Guides.


{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

Want to know what a well-run retreat is like? We asked some of our past guests to do the impossible and summarize their retreat experience with us in 1 word.

Watch the video to get a sense of the magic that's possible:

Ready for a big shift?

We choose our guests one at a time.

{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

The 10 Best Ayahuasca Retreats in the USA (or nearby) 2022

Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine that has been used for centuries by indigenous communities in the Amazon for spiritual and medicinal purposes. In recent years, ayahuasca retreats have become increasingly popular in the United States as a way for people to explore the therapeutic potential of this powerful plant medicine.

There are many retreat centers in the US that offer ayahuasca ceremonies and retreats, and it can be overwhelming to try and choose the best one. To help you narrow down your options, here are the 10 best ayahuasca retreat USA or nearby:

1. Behold Retreats in Costa Rica:

For those of you looking for a professionally-run retreat with a small group size (no more than 10) and a high level of attention to safety and service, Behold Retreats is a great choice. Behold does not facilitate Ayahuasca in the USA, but offer some close-by options if you're willing to fly to Costa Rica.

Other popular retreat options include Psilocybin in the Netherlands and in the golden mountains of Mexico with the God Molecule 5-MeO-DMT (Bufo).

Ready for a world-class retreat for self-discovery, deep healing, and spiritual awakening?

{{CTA-Retreat-Stats="/utility/components"}}


2. Behold Private Retreats - Mexico

Looking for a more intimate experience? Behold Retreats can provide a customized, immersive one-on-one healing journey with master healers in the breath-taking natural surroundings of Latin America. With private retreats, you receive 100% of our attention without the distractions and social dynamics of group retreats.

With Behold Retreats, you're supported down to the detail from travel arrangements, high-end accommodations, and the opportunity to receive 7 weeks of personal coaching for optimized preparation and integration. We have a team of therapists and coaches that can help you go deep and get the most from your experience.

Retreat dates are by client request, click here to apply.


{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

Remember, it's not actually an Ayahuasca retreat that you're looking for. Find out why.

3. Ayahuasca Retreat California - Origen Sagrada

Origen Sagrada is a group of like-minded people providing health, healing and celebration through the power of sacred plant medicine, as well as the guidance from their indigenous Taitas and Elders.

These spiritual leaders and healers, Abuelo Claudion and Abuelita Bernadita, indigenous people from the Muruy tribe of the Native American Amazonas of Colombia, are highly respected in the tribe and have extensive knowledge on many types of medical plants (San Pedro) rites, ayahuasca rituals, and ceremonies.

Their ayahuasca brew is prepared in the Amazon and is pure, consisting of only the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Chacruna leaves.

people smiling during an ayahuasca retreat usa

{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

4. Ayahuasca Retreat Colorado - Origen Sagrada

Origen Sagrada's other location in the USA is also facilitated by their spiritual leaders and healers, Abuelo Claudion and Abuelita Bernadita from the Muruy tribe of the Amazonas of Colombia.

Their retreat is 2 nights and includes 2 ayahuasca ceremonies and is a great way for newbies to get acquainted with the spirit of Mother Aya with experienced shamans. The work with the Elders and the plant medicine is intensive and remote, located in a private, tranquil, rustic camp near Castle Rock. Ayahuasca ceremony participants can expect their sessions to be held in a private lodge, with shared accommodation.

The retreat will begin with a herbal plant blessing and practical orientation to answer any questions you might have.  In between ceremonies, there will be traditional therapies, personal spiritual cleansing and healing ceremonies, and time for reflection and meditation. They will play beautiful live music during the psychedelic ceremony to help you go deeper on your journey.  

peaceful nighttime view at Origen Sagrada Colorado

5. Ayahuasca Retreat Florida - Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church

Soul Quest retreat center (or also known as Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church) was founded by medicine man Chris Young, who left the medical industry after seeing the negative consequences of the pharmaceutical industry, and Verena Young, an integration coach who is finishing her PhD, certified in Spiritual Counseling and Addiction Recovery and Psycho-Spiritual Integration Coaching.

Their team consists of traditional medicine men and woman, integration coaches, and doctors.

Accommodation ranges from sleeping in the ceremonial space or camping if you want to stay connected with Mother Earth, to higher-end options in private cabins or lodges. They even have a family cabin for larger groups.

Church members can enjoy a sacred smoke cleanse ceremony around a fire pit,  join group integration circles, and participate in a sound meditation to get more out of their ayahuasca journey.

Soul Quest church also has been a leader in providing preparation and integration coaching for the last 10 years, helping you feel fully prepared for your journey into a deep healing experience with mother ayahuasca. Their approach is holistic and includes ways to prepare your body,  mind, and soul for the experience, tools to navigate and ground yourself during the journey, and methods to overcome challenges.

After the journey, you can feel supported by their coaches who will help make sense of your insights and lessons, and help you integrate this experience and spiritual awakening into your life in a lasting way.

aerial view of Soul Quest ayahuasca retreat center

6. Ayahuasca Retreat Washington - Sacred Therapy

Sacred Therapy retreats host their ceremonies in a modern way, rather than recreating South American or Native American style ceremonies. To join their ceremonies you must be a member of Cosmic Valley Native Americas church, which you can apply to join on their website.

Their North American medicine people are trained with US ayahuasca churches and offer a holistic and yogic approach to their ayahuasca ceremonies. They provide full integration before and after your ceremony and care deeply about each retreat participant's experience and growth.

Retreats are two nights, hosted in Washington and California,  and they provide accommodation with comfortable bedding and vegan meals. The founder has been leading ceremonies for 5 years and has trained with multiple shamans and yogic teachers in the USA, Mexico, Thailand, and Lebanon, as well as two years learning from the Lakota Tradition.

Cosmic Valley Native Americas church and Sacred Therapy ayahuasca retreat USA

7. Ayahuasca Retreat New York - The Sanctuary - Shamanic Healing Center

The Sanctuary is a shamanic healing center and branch of Oklevueha Native American Church, an ayahuasca church, located on the land of the Sacred White Dee, a Bee Sanctuary and certified wildlife habitat and holistic sanctuary with 6 acres of wild forest containing over 100+ fruit trees, edible bushes, and medicinal plants such as the coca leaf. You really will get a chance to connect with Mother Earth here.

Come here for a fully immersive shamanic experience, with shamanic healing practices, shamanic breathwork, and even a shamanic school with facilitator programs. They have a variety of retreats at their healing center as well as in Peru near Cusco.

If you're looking for intensive ayahuasca healing retreats to dive deeper into medicinal plants, healing modalities, and shamanic wisdom this is the place for you. In addition to ayahuasca, they offer a week long tobacco and master plant diet retreat, a shamanic camp, yoga teacher, vision quests, shamanic wisdom circles, rebirthing breathwork ceremonies, and more!

To help you integrate your experiences, they also host a regular community connection and healer / integration calls for ayahuasca users to share from the heart and continue to learn and grow together.

The Sanctuary - Shamanic Healing Center on the land of the Sacred White Dee

8. Ayahuasca Retreat Kentucky - Aya Quest

Aya Quest, also commonly spoken about as Kentucky Ayahuasca, is a retreat guru favorite, who approaches their ceremonies with a holistic attitude, and does not recreate Native American traditional ceremonies or maintain any dogmatic style. They are modern shamans and medicine people who are well trained.

Their founder Steve Hupp, has worked with ayahuasca for 15 years, and trained by a shaman from South America, leading over 1000 healing ceremonies.

Aya Quest offers small group, private and at home ayahuasca ceremony, as well as the option to join their membership club for participants. Their ayahuasca brew is made from scratch and the ingredients, such as the ayahuasca vine, are all individually ordered so you can be assured of what exactly is in the tea, and they are confident that their brew is safe and effective.

camping chairs in front of put out campfire during Aya Quest’s Kentucky Ayahuasca retreat USA

9. Ayahuasca Retreat New Mexico - The União do Vegetal (UDV)

This ayahuasca retreat center is under The União do Vegetal (UDV) is a Christian Spiritist religion that originated in Brazil and is recognized for their community and environmental service, and have hosted countless ayahuasca religious ceremonies. União do Vegetal literally means "the union of the plants," and their followers drink Hoasca, which is the sacred sacrament of plants indigenous to the Brazillian Amazon.

Also considered an ayahuasca church, you can join their spiritual fellowship legally in the USA.

Like Ayahuasca tea, Hoasca contains the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Chacruna plant leaves (psychotria viridis), which is their sacrament and sacred practice serving to heighten spiritual understanding and perceptions.

The spiritual ceremony emphasizes mental concentration and solemn reflections of their guide Mestre Gabriel and Jesus. They last around four hours and include periods of silent contemplation, rituals, hymns, and religious teachings.

Good to know! An Ayahuasca church, the Santo Daime Church, founded by Raimundo Irineu Serrawhich, involves ayahuasca consumption (Daime tea) as part of their religious rituals. Sometimes difficult to find, you can try to find locations around the country by searching for Santo Daime USA.

Another Ayahuasca church known as the Peaceful Mountain Way is a Native American Church that specializes in an ayahuasca ritual as a spiritual sacrament.

The União do Vegetal (UDV) ayahuasca church


These 10 best ayahuasca retreat USA offer a variety of experiences and approaches to working with this powerful plant medicine. Whether you are seeking personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, or healing from physical or emotional challenges, there is a retreat center that can meet your needs. 

It is important to do your research and carefully consider your goals and needs before choosing a retreat center. Be sure to ask about the training and experience of the facilitators, the safety protocols in place, and the overall philosophy and approach of the retreat center. By taking the time to find the right retreat center for you, you can have a safe and transformative ayahuasca experience.

Still need some help choosing a retreat?

Check out our upcoming ayahuasca retreat USA or reach out to us to set up a complimentary discovery call. We're happy to point you in the right direction.

Ready for Deep Healing and Transformation?

Behold Retreats sets the standard for safe, legal, and transformative plant medicine retreats.

Ready to heal, find peace, and live your purpose?
Begin Your Journey

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10 Best Ayahuasca Retreat USA or nearby in 2023 (Updated)

May 29, 2023
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The World is Changing. Are You?

Behold Retreats sets the standard for safe, legal,
and transformative plant medicine retreats.

Ready to heal, find peace, and live your purpose?

Let's Talk

An Ayahuasca retreat could be the best experience of your life, or it could leave you worse off, confused, or traumatized.

Your outcome depends upon 3 things: your readiness, preparation, and your ability to choose a high-quality retreat.

1) To help you assess your level of mental and spiritual readiness, take this short quiz.

2) If you'd like to understand more about the nature of psychedelic healing work, who and what you really are, and human potential, read this.

3) If you're feeling ready for a retreat, then congratulations! Whether your first or your 10th retreat, this is a momentous occasion.

Like most things in life, there are a broad variety of Ayahuasca retreat options, and a number of factors that effect the quality and cost of an ayahuasca retreat.

12 Tips for Choosing a Safe and Transformative Ayahuasca Retreat USA

Here are 12 recommendations to help you avoid sketchy options and choose a safe and transformational experience:

  1. Safety First: Unfortunately, many small retreat centers are not in a position to make meaningful investments into screening and safety. Even if you're fine, someone else on retreat might not be, which can effect the overall experience. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat provider that does in-depth conversational, medical, and psychological screening to protect your safety and well-being.
  2. Legality:  Experienced practitioners who have dedicated their lives to plant medicine typically live in locations where the work is legal, so they don't have to live in a state of "what if". Our recommendation is to travel to legal locations where you can benefit from legitimate healers who operate above the radar, so you can truly relax on retreat. That's kind of the idea, right?
  3. Size of the group: It's common for retreats to have 20, 50, even 100 people in ceremony, which can be chaotic to say the least. In such large groups, there's a lot of collective bucket-time in the room, and you are less likely receive the level of attention from healers that you are probably looking for. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat with an intimate group of say, 8-15 people.
  4. Length of the retreat: Shorter retreats feel rushed, don't support the cultivation of meaningful relationships, and there are limits to what can be achieved in a few nights. We recommend you spend at least a week for an ayahuasca retreat to give your mind, body, heart, and soul the attention it deserves.
  5. Comfort: We recommend you choose a retreat where you are confident you will be physically comfortable and have your own private bedroom to decompress and integrate, especially if this is your first time. Go for the full jungle mosquito immersion another time, your future self will thank you later.
  6. Energetic Alignment: Select a retreat that feels energetically aligned and allows your own subjective experience to unfold naturally. There's no right or wrong here, but it's worth recognizing that there are many different cosmologies (ways of seeing the universe), and having the energy of a different cosmology pushed through the ceremonial space may or may not be in your highest healing interests. This is also particularly relevant for first-timers.
  7. Holistic approach: Work with an organization that takes a holistic approach to working with plant medicine, and has options to support and guide your mental and emotional evolution alongside a retreat. If a provider implies that "medicine will solve all your problems", proceed with caution (because it won't!).
  8. Service: Select a retreat that you believe can meet your individual needs. Are you being treated as a human, or as participant #22 in their fourth retreat this month? Consider whether or not they've taken the time to get to know you and understand you, or it's more of a take it or leave it retreat center.
  9. Booking process: Take the time to speak with the provider before finalizing your booking. If it's all 100% online, ANYONE could be sitting next to you in ceremony. Everyone deserves to heal, but it's unlikely you want to be sitting in ceremony with a recovering addict going through their process next to you
  10. Expertise: Find an organization that emphasizes healing, and you believe has the breadth and depth of expertise to guide your transformation. Look for facilitators and healers who have a lightness of being and a sparkle in their eyes. Healing work is all about the transmutation of energy, so you are looking for people who have the energy you aspire to. If they aren't able to keep their energy right, that tells you quite a bit about either where they are at and their capabilities.
  11. Reputation: At a minimum, Google the provider, you may be surprised by what you find. If there's not much information, that is also information :) You may also like to look up the Founders and see what their energy is all about (hint hint). A famous comedian recently went to one of the most popular Ayahuasca retreat centers (known for large groups) and mentioned there were people on the retreat who didn't even know what Ayahuasca was. Yes, seriously.
  12. Volunteers: Please support ethical plant medicine work by selecting an organization that pay their team. Unfortunately, it is common practice for retreat centers to cycle through young, eager, and worn out volunteers and/or not pay healers fairly. If the people supporting your retreat aren't living their best life, they're not going to be able to lead you to yours. Not the right vibe. Don't be shy to ask this question directly when you speak to prospective centers.

Who you choose to attend an Ayahuasca retreat with is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions in your life, especially the first time.

We encourage you to take the time and energy to do your research, follow your intuition, and to know why you are choosing a specific retreat.

If our recommendations resonate with you, and you'd like to explore a transformational journey with Behold, click on "Begin Your Journey" below to request a complimentary Discovery Call with one of our Medicine Guides.


{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

Want to know what a well-run retreat is like? We asked some of our past guests to do the impossible and summarize their retreat experience with us in 1 word.

Watch the video to get a sense of the magic that's possible:

Ready for a big shift?

We choose our guests one at a time.

{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

The 10 Best Ayahuasca Retreats in the USA (or nearby) 2022

Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine that has been used for centuries by indigenous communities in the Amazon for spiritual and medicinal purposes. In recent years, ayahuasca retreats have become increasingly popular in the United States as a way for people to explore the therapeutic potential of this powerful plant medicine.

There are many retreat centers in the US that offer ayahuasca ceremonies and retreats, and it can be overwhelming to try and choose the best one. To help you narrow down your options, here are the 10 best ayahuasca retreat USA or nearby:

1. Behold Retreats in Costa Rica:

For those of you looking for a professionally-run retreat with a small group size (no more than 10) and a high level of attention to safety and service, Behold Retreats is a great choice. Behold does not facilitate Ayahuasca in the USA, but offer some close-by options if you're willing to fly to Costa Rica.

Other popular retreat options include Psilocybin in the Netherlands and in the golden mountains of Mexico with the God Molecule 5-MeO-DMT (Bufo).

Ready for a world-class retreat for self-discovery, deep healing, and spiritual awakening?

{{CTA-Retreat-Stats="/utility/components"}}


2. Behold Private Retreats - Mexico

Looking for a more intimate experience? Behold Retreats can provide a customized, immersive one-on-one healing journey with master healers in the breath-taking natural surroundings of Latin America. With private retreats, you receive 100% of our attention without the distractions and social dynamics of group retreats.

With Behold Retreats, you're supported down to the detail from travel arrangements, high-end accommodations, and the opportunity to receive 7 weeks of personal coaching for optimized preparation and integration. We have a team of therapists and coaches that can help you go deep and get the most from your experience.

Retreat dates are by client request, click here to apply.


{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

Remember, it's not actually an Ayahuasca retreat that you're looking for. Find out why.

3. Ayahuasca Retreat California - Origen Sagrada

Origen Sagrada is a group of like-minded people providing health, healing and celebration through the power of sacred plant medicine, as well as the guidance from their indigenous Taitas and Elders.

These spiritual leaders and healers, Abuelo Claudion and Abuelita Bernadita, indigenous people from the Muruy tribe of the Native American Amazonas of Colombia, are highly respected in the tribe and have extensive knowledge on many types of medical plants (San Pedro) rites, ayahuasca rituals, and ceremonies.

Their ayahuasca brew is prepared in the Amazon and is pure, consisting of only the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Chacruna leaves.

people smiling during an ayahuasca retreat usa

{{btn-begin-your-journey="/utility/components"}}

4. Ayahuasca Retreat Colorado - Origen Sagrada

Origen Sagrada's other location in the USA is also facilitated by their spiritual leaders and healers, Abuelo Claudion and Abuelita Bernadita from the Muruy tribe of the Amazonas of Colombia.

Their retreat is 2 nights and includes 2 ayahuasca ceremonies and is a great way for newbies to get acquainted with the spirit of Mother Aya with experienced shamans. The work with the Elders and the plant medicine is intensive and remote, located in a private, tranquil, rustic camp near Castle Rock. Ayahuasca ceremony participants can expect their sessions to be held in a private lodge, with shared accommodation.

The retreat will begin with a herbal plant blessing and practical orientation to answer any questions you might have.  In between ceremonies, there will be traditional therapies, personal spiritual cleansing and healing ceremonies, and time for reflection and meditation. They will play beautiful live music during the psychedelic ceremony to help you go deeper on your journey.  

peaceful nighttime view at Origen Sagrada Colorado

5. Ayahuasca Retreat Florida - Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church

Soul Quest retreat center (or also known as Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church) was founded by medicine man Chris Young, who left the medical industry after seeing the negative consequences of the pharmaceutical industry, and Verena Young, an integration coach who is finishing her PhD, certified in Spiritual Counseling and Addiction Recovery and Psycho-Spiritual Integration Coaching.

Their team consists of traditional medicine men and woman, integration coaches, and doctors.

Accommodation ranges from sleeping in the ceremonial space or camping if you want to stay connected with Mother Earth, to higher-end options in private cabins or lodges. They even have a family cabin for larger groups.

Church members can enjoy a sacred smoke cleanse ceremony around a fire pit,  join group integration circles, and participate in a sound meditation to get more out of their ayahuasca journey.

Soul Quest church also has been a leader in providing preparation and integration coaching for the last 10 years, helping you feel fully prepared for your journey into a deep healing experience with mother ayahuasca. Their approach is holistic and includes ways to prepare your body,  mind, and soul for the experience, tools to navigate and ground yourself during the journey, and methods to overcome challenges.

After the journey, you can feel supported by their coaches who will help make sense of your insights and lessons, and help you integrate this experience and spiritual awakening into your life in a lasting way.

aerial view of Soul Quest ayahuasca retreat center

6. Ayahuasca Retreat Washington - Sacred Therapy

Sacred Therapy retreats host their ceremonies in a modern way, rather than recreating South American or Native American style ceremonies. To join their ceremonies you must be a member of Cosmic Valley Native Americas church, which you can apply to join on their website.

Their North American medicine people are trained with US ayahuasca churches and offer a holistic and yogic approach to their ayahuasca ceremonies. They provide full integration before and after your ceremony and care deeply about each retreat participant's experience and growth.

Retreats are two nights, hosted in Washington and California,  and they provide accommodation with comfortable bedding and vegan meals. The founder has been leading ceremonies for 5 years and has trained with multiple shamans and yogic teachers in the USA, Mexico, Thailand, and Lebanon, as well as two years learning from the Lakota Tradition.

Cosmic Valley Native Americas church and Sacred Therapy ayahuasca retreat USA

7. Ayahuasca Retreat New York - The Sanctuary - Shamanic Healing Center

The Sanctuary is a shamanic healing center and branch of Oklevueha Native American Church, an ayahuasca church, located on the land of the Sacred White Dee, a Bee Sanctuary and certified wildlife habitat and holistic sanctuary with 6 acres of wild forest containing over 100+ fruit trees, edible bushes, and medicinal plants such as the coca leaf. You really will get a chance to connect with Mother Earth here.

Come here for a fully immersive shamanic experience, with shamanic healing practices, shamanic breathwork, and even a shamanic school with facilitator programs. They have a variety of retreats at their healing center as well as in Peru near Cusco.

If you're looking for intensive ayahuasca healing retreats to dive deeper into medicinal plants, healing modalities, and shamanic wisdom this is the place for you. In addition to ayahuasca, they offer a week long tobacco and master plant diet retreat, a shamanic camp, yoga teacher, vision quests, shamanic wisdom circles, rebirthing breathwork ceremonies, and more!

To help you integrate your experiences, they also host a regular community connection and healer / integration calls for ayahuasca users to share from the heart and continue to learn and grow together.

The Sanctuary - Shamanic Healing Center on the land of the Sacred White Dee

8. Ayahuasca Retreat Kentucky - Aya Quest

Aya Quest, also commonly spoken about as Kentucky Ayahuasca, is a retreat guru favorite, who approaches their ceremonies with a holistic attitude, and does not recreate Native American traditional ceremonies or maintain any dogmatic style. They are modern shamans and medicine people who are well trained.

Their founder Steve Hupp, has worked with ayahuasca for 15 years, and trained by a shaman from South America, leading over 1000 healing ceremonies.

Aya Quest offers small group, private and at home ayahuasca ceremony, as well as the option to join their membership club for participants. Their ayahuasca brew is made from scratch and the ingredients, such as the ayahuasca vine, are all individually ordered so you can be assured of what exactly is in the tea, and they are confident that their brew is safe and effective.

camping chairs in front of put out campfire during Aya Quest’s Kentucky Ayahuasca retreat USA

9. Ayahuasca Retreat New Mexico - The União do Vegetal (UDV)

This ayahuasca retreat center is under The União do Vegetal (UDV) is a Christian Spiritist religion that originated in Brazil and is recognized for their community and environmental service, and have hosted countless ayahuasca religious ceremonies. União do Vegetal literally means "the union of the plants," and their followers drink Hoasca, which is the sacred sacrament of plants indigenous to the Brazillian Amazon.

Also considered an ayahuasca church, you can join their spiritual fellowship legally in the USA.

Like Ayahuasca tea, Hoasca contains the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Chacruna plant leaves (psychotria viridis), which is their sacrament and sacred practice serving to heighten spiritual understanding and perceptions.

The spiritual ceremony emphasizes mental concentration and solemn reflections of their guide Mestre Gabriel and Jesus. They last around four hours and include periods of silent contemplation, rituals, hymns, and religious teachings.

Good to know! An Ayahuasca church, the Santo Daime Church, founded by Raimundo Irineu Serrawhich, involves ayahuasca consumption (Daime tea) as part of their religious rituals. Sometimes difficult to find, you can try to find locations around the country by searching for Santo Daime USA.

Another Ayahuasca church known as the Peaceful Mountain Way is a Native American Church that specializes in an ayahuasca ritual as a spiritual sacrament.

The União do Vegetal (UDV) ayahuasca church


These 10 best ayahuasca retreat USA offer a variety of experiences and approaches to working with this powerful plant medicine. Whether you are seeking personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, or healing from physical or emotional challenges, there is a retreat center that can meet your needs. 

It is important to do your research and carefully consider your goals and needs before choosing a retreat center. Be sure to ask about the training and experience of the facilitators, the safety protocols in place, and the overall philosophy and approach of the retreat center. By taking the time to find the right retreat center for you, you can have a safe and transformative ayahuasca experience.

Still need some help choosing a retreat?

Check out our upcoming ayahuasca retreat USA or reach out to us to set up a complimentary discovery call. We're happy to point you in the right direction.

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