Ayahuasca Retreat Costs in 2023: The Complete Guide

Ayahuasca is a powerful psychedelic medicine that can occasion profound healing in retreat participants. This sacred plant medicine originates in the Indigenous culture of the Amazon and is made from the combination of two plants, banisteriopsis caapi (b caapi) and psychotria viridis (p viridis).

On an Ayahuasca retreat you will become familiar with these Indigenous traditions and it is possible to experience everything from deep healing to a spiritual awakening if guided through the psychedelic experience at a reputable retreat center by an experienced shaman or healer.  Ensure that whatever healing center you choose, those in charge are familiar with these powerful medicinal plants and this ancient healing practice.

Undertaking an Ayahuasca retreat can be a life-changing experience, and for many the experience itself is priceless.  On a practical level, however, it is necessary to consider what kind of investment is necessary for you to have the retreat experience that you are looking for.

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There are a number of factors that affect the quality and cost of an ayahuasca retreat that you may like to take into consideration:

Safety: Many smaller operators are taking shortcuts, and there are many sad stories out there of the negative results of such actions. (Recommendation: choose a retreat that does in-depth screening and prioritizes your physical, psychological, and spiritual safety during the psychedelic experience and beyond).

Legality:  Practitioners who have dedicated their lives to facilitating psychedelic experiences typically operate in locations where the psychedelic drugs they work with are legal, so they don't have to live in a state of uncertainty. Recommendation: consider whether traveling to a legal retreat in and beautiful location.

Size of the group: (Recommendation: choose a retreat with an intimate group of say, 8-15 people). It's common for retreats to have 20, 50, or even 100 people in ceremony, which can be chaotic. Additionally, you are less likely receive the level of attention from healers that you deserve.

Length of the retreat: (Recommendation: go for at least a week). Shorter retreats feel rushed, and there are limits to what can be done in a few nights.

Comfort: (Recommendation: spend a little more for something where you will be physically comfortable and have your own bedroom, especially if this is your first time). Your future self can thank us later.)

Resonance: (Recommendation: choose a retreat that feels aligned with you and your values).The energy of the retreat and ceremony leaders will have a profound effect upon your experience.

Holistic approach: (Recommendation: work with an organization that takes a holistic approach to working with medicine, and has options to support and guide your mental and emotional evolution). If a provider implies that "medicine will solve all your problems", proceed with caution.

Service: (Recommendation: choose a place that you believe can serve your individual needs. Consider whether or not they've taken the time to get to know you and understand you, or if it's more of a take it or leave it healing center).

Booking process: (Recommendation: speak with the provider before finalizing your booking). If the entire booking process takes place without the organizers meeting the participants, then there may not be an appropriate level of screening taking place.

Expertise: (Recommendation: work with an organization that emphasizes healing, and you believe has a breadth of expertise to guide your transformation). Look for facilitators and healers who you trust to support you in your journey.

Reputation: (Recommendation: Google the provider). One of the most reliable ways of finding out if a provider can be trusted to support your experience is checking the testimonials of previous retreat participants. Positive feedback from others is the clearest signal that you are likely to have a positive experience yourself with the provider.

Volunteers: (Recommendation: work with an organization that pays their staff). 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.

Given the potential, power, and sensitivity of working with Ayahuasca, who you choose to work with is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions of your life, so we encourage you to take the time and the energy to educate yourself to be able to make the best choice possible. If you're in a position to do so, you may also like to consider a private retreat. 

If our recommendations above feel aligned for you, and you'd like to explore a journey with Behold, apply below.

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For further information regarding Ayahuasca healing retreats and other psychedelic medicines and retreats, we have a general comprehensive guide and comprehensive USA guide to help you out.

Now, let’s talk about the retreat cost.

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Ayahuasca Retreat Costs

To provide a broader sense of the Ayahuasca retreat costs, we've listed some of your options below for retreats in a variety of price categories.

Whether you are looking for the affordability of a budget option or the reassurances of a high-end experience, you’ll find something to suit your needs here. Below, you will find a breakdown of the kind of prices you would expect to pay, along with an idea of what you get for that kind of money. As well as example locations throughout the USA, we have included several reputable Ayahuasca experiences from deep within the Amazon basin.

With Ayahuasca retreats located in beautiful locations from Peru to Costa Rica, these Ayahuasca retreats involve traditional Shipibo Ayahuasca ceremonies.

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Ayahuasca retreat costs for every budget

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High-End Ayahuasca Retreats

At the top of the ladder, as you’d expect, are the highest prices. But for that extra outlay, you get the ultimate experience with some of the best practitioners in the world. World-class medical screening and support from expert coaches, facilitators, healers, and therapists will certainly make a difference to your experience. 

If money is no object, this is where you go for a transformative journey with top-end support and in maximal comfort. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

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Behold Private Retreats

If you’re looking for one of the most professional and thorough teams in the industry that offers one-of-a-kind private retreats- the best of the bunch is the Behold private retreat. These bespoke custom-designed experiences leave nothing to chance and are equipped to fully and safely support even the most challenging circumstances. A full consultation will provide insight into what such a retreat could offer for you.

This incredible experience is the most versatile option available and will accommodate the most fastidious of psychedelic travelers. Behold will organize the whole experience, catering to every preference imaginable. You can choose to have your retreat at any location, with custom groups, and even offer a choice of shamanic expertise to lead the journey. Whether you want to be led by a Shipibo shaman, healer, or secular facilitator, Behold can make it happen.

As well as the location and experienced facilitators, interested parties can additionally select the method of their psychedelic journey, with drinking Aahuasca brews, psilocybin mushrooms, and the powerful psychedelic substance 5-MeO-DMT all on offer. All of this and more, with yoga sessions, breathwork and massage all available to make the perfect retreat.

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Behold Retreats

Slightly lower down the price range but equally professional are Behold’s standard retreats. Not quite as bespoke as the private option, but no slouches either. The standard retreat experience offers beautifully serene ayahuasca ceremonies, supported with first-class facilitation. As a leading plant medicine provider. Behold has what it takes to make your Ayahuasca dreams come true.Behold retreat centers have partnerships with organizations worldwide and can provide transformative journeysat any number of locations, ensuring psychological and spiritual guidance wherever you may find yourself. No matter what, you will be fully supported before, during, and beyond your retreat in order to ensure safety, maximize the outcomes of your experience, and maintain transformation in the long-term. 

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Mid-Range Ayahuasca Retreats

The financially conscious may be more inclined to search out a budget-friendly option that can still offer profound and potentially life-changing journeys. They may not have all the bells and whistles as their more expensive counterparts but there are bargains to be had without compromising too much on quality.

Sacred Valley – Ayahuasca retreat Center, Mt Shasta

With prices starting at around $750 per person, Sacred Valley is a good mid-range option for the fledgling Ayahuasca explorer. The retreat takes place on the foothills of the beautiful Mount Shasta in California and promises an idyllic psychedelic journey. In addition to the ayahuasca ceremonies, Sacred Valley offers a wide range of spirit-enhancing activities.

Each retreat participant can choose to add their preferred type of healing modality to their itinerary, choosing from yoga classes, breathwork, reiki, crystal healing, and sound healing.

The team behind Sacred Valley has 30 years of experience of utilizing the shamanic arts for healing and personal growth. Your experienced facilitator will be able to provide an incredible and fully immersive experience.

Origen Sagrada – Ayahuasca Retreat Center, Warner Springs

Based in the heart of the Californian wilderness, Origen Sagrada provides Ayahuasca experiences in beautiful natural surroundings for just $650 per person. The retreat focuses on providing a path to spiritual growth through the imbibing of the Ayahuasca brew. The retreat lasts for five days, includes up to 4 drinking Ayahuasca ceremonies, with the organizers ensuring that the participant’s progress is closely followed. Overseeing the ceremonies are husband and wife shamanic couple, Abuelo Claudino and Abuelite Bernadita Perez. These accomplished and experienced facilitators of Ayahuasca medicine are spiritual healers from the Columbian Amazon jungle, adept at guiding people through the sacred Ayahuasca ceremony.

Budget Ayahuasca Retreat Costs

If what you are looking for is a bare-bones Ayahuasca trip, there are several retreat centers out there to meet your needs. Generally low-key events, these tend to forgo the additional components offered by more expensive retreats and focus on the core Ayahuasca journey itself.

A little more effort is required on the part of the participants, but these retreats can represent great value. Keep in mind, many of these retreat centers will host ceremonies of 30-80 people, which can be quite challenging and less effective for many people.

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Aya Quest – Ayahuasca Retreat Center, Kentucky

Probably the cheapest, but by no means the least professional, Aya Quest is run by self-styled Ayahuasca shaman Steve Hupp. Ceremonies are deliberately low-key and shy away from the standard theatrics. The Ayahuasca ceremony itself takes place in an iIntimate, enclosed setting capable of only administering to small groups.

This Ayahuasca retreat costs from $300 for individuals and $600 for small groups. All retreat participants must become members of the Church before taking part in a ceremony. Due to its being a budget option, the price does not include meals or airport pick-up.

Larger-than-life lead shaman, Steve, has studied under the tutelage of a South American shaman and has led ceremonies to thousands of guests over the last 15 years.

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Soul Quest Church of Mother earth – Ayahuasca Retreat Center, Florida

At Soul Quest a single Ayahuasca experience is priced at the deliberately low price of $350. It is up to the attendee to make the relevant upgrades to their stay. With this in mind, accommodations vary from free (sleeping outside). through pitching your own tent, up to private suites.

The ceremony itself balances ancient and modern techniques to provide a safe and comfortable environment in which to undertake one’s journey. Accompanying the ceremony are musicians, yoga sessions, and medicine men from the Amazon jungle. All work in unison to provide an experience of  incredible magnitude.

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Donation Only

Some reputable Ayahuasca retreats work on a donation-only basis. These tend to be legitimate churches and require practitioners to become members before participating.

These churches can vary from the deeply sacrosanct areas of worship to more low-key non-dogmatic enterprises. A donation-based experience should not be mistaken for a free experience. Visitors should therefore speak with fellow members following integration to determine what represents an acceptable donation.

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Cosmic Valley Native American Church (CNAC) – Ayahuasca Retreat Center, Oregon

In Eugene, Oregon, Cosmic Valley boasts one of the cheapest donation fees of any legal Ayahuasca church in the United States. Members must first be CNAC certified and accepted by board members to undertake one’s own  journey of discovery with the brew.

Their Ayahuasca retreats involve events that generally lasts for two days and are conducted indoors by in-house Ayahuasca shamans who are considered plant medicine experts. Basic food and accommodation are provided.

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Two Birds Church – Ayahuasca Retreat Center, Texas

Running as a non-profit organization, Two Birds takes a more relaxed approach to its homegrown religion. Members are required to respect the people and practices within the camp and to actively help create a feeling of wellbeing for the people attending.

This all serves to create peace and harmony for all attendees and facilitators. Meals are included. Two Birds follow strict medicinal plant dieta dietary requirements to ensure the safest and most comfortable Ayahuasca experience possible.

Both shared and private accommodation is available during the retreat, which typically lasts for three days. Regular ceremonies occur approximately once a month and can cater to up to 20 members. In addition, Two Birds also host several healing circles throughout the year.

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Further afield

Many psychedelic explorers would consider Ayahuasca tourism to South America as the ultimate Ayahuasca experience. Therefore, for the true spiritual journey, it’s worth considering a trip down to the jungles of Peru and Costa Rica.

The spiritual homeland of all things Ayahuasca is the natural destination for this journey of self-discovery. Despite the logistical challenges of traveling so far to engage in this work , many professional organizations in these locations offer the ultimate Ayahuasca experience.

Kawsay – Ayahuasca Healing Center, Peru  

With over 100 years of conducting Ayahuasca ceremonies, Kawsay knows exactly what they are doing. A seven-day retreat will set you back approximately $1,720, and that’s before you have factored in the flight cost.

Run by Indigenous people of the Peruvian jungle, up to five Shipibo healers will guide you through the psychedelic experience, offering a choice of Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies. To maintain that inner peace, yoga classes, breathwork, and guided meditation are also available.

In addition to medicinal plant healing, Kawsay offers several excursions into the Peruvian wilderness. Trips to the famous Monkey Island, boat journeys up the Amazon River, and jungle treks are all available.

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Gaia Tree Center – Ayahuasca Retreat Center, Peru

Located near Iquitos in Peru, Gaia Tree offers a profoundly spiritual experience through a traditional application of plant-based medicine. Their fully immersive retreats feature native spiritual elders well versed in Peruvian Shipibo shamanic healing modalities and medicinal plants.

Aside from Ayahuasca healing retreats, they also offer jungle excursions and Kambo ceremonies. Longer stays are catered for, allowing people to immerse themselves in Peruvian culture if they have time on their hands. They also run regular trips to Machu Pichu and Cusco.

A standard 7-day Ayahuasca Peru retreat costs around $990 (exclusive of flight cost).

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New Life - Ayahuasca Retreat, Costa Rica

New Life Ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica adds a touch of luxury to the experience, with proceedings taking place in the lush countryside of San Ramon. As such, prices come in at a little higher than average, with an all-inclusive 7-day experience costing around $2,500 (not including flight cost). For that price, you get three Ayahuasca ceremonies, three yoga sessions, and a complimentary guided massage.

As well as the spiritual side of things, New Life also allows you to get in touch with nature, offering several peaceful excursions, including hiking, waterfalls, and trips around the local area.Many retreats involve several psychedelic medicines such as San Pedro, Bufo Alvarius, magic mushrooms, and ketamine-assisted therapy. While we have focused here on retreats that emphasize Ayahuasca, some retreats seek to offer other psychedelics alongside the Amazonian brew (e.g. San Pedro).

The Ayahuasca retreats here all require different levels of investment, but generally, they fall into four categories: high-end costs, mid-range costs, budget options, and donations. Some will provide participants with access to multiple psychedelics while other will only offer Ayahuasca.

Ayahuasca retreat cost can vary greatly, ranging from around $200 to upwards of $2,000 per person. Each retreat will be different, depending on the size and scope of the experience and the number of people participating in the ceremony.  Ultimately, it is down to you to decide how much you would like to invest in ensuring you have the safest, most supported healing journey possible.

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