What to look for to find a safe, quality Ayahuasca Retreat?

‍

Like most things in life, there a broad variety of Ayahuasca retreat options, and a number of factors that effect the quality and cost of an ayahuasca retreat that you may like to take into consideration:

• Safety: Many smaller operators are not in a position to invest in safety, and unfortunately, there are too many sad stories out there. (recommendation: choose a retreat that does in-depth screening to ensure your physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being). ‍

• Legality:  Practitioners who have dedicated their lives to medicine work typically live in locations where it is legal, so they don't have to live in a state of "what if". (recommendation: consider whether travelling to a place with "new energy" might be in your best interests).

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

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

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

• Cosmology: (recommendation: choose a retreat that supports your own subjective experience, or one that you feel aligns with you energetically). 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 (because it won't!).‍

• 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 it's more of a take it or leave it retreat center).‍

• Booking process: (recommendation: speak with the provider before finalizing your booking). If it's all online, ANYONE could be sitting next to you in ceremony.‍

• 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 have a lightness of being and a sparkle in their eyes.‍

• Reputation: (recommendation: Google the provider). You may be surprised by what you find. If there's not much information, that is also information :)

• ‍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 a good one. If you're in a position to do so, you may also like to consider a private retreat.

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

‍

‍

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

‍

‍

‍Looking for a little more guidance for one of the most important decisions of your life? Watch this video.

‍

‍

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

‍

As with most countries, ayahuasca is not currently legal in Denmark, although there are several other places around the globe where it has been decriminalized, or where lax laws allow for loopholes and legal “gray areas” to give retreat centers the option to work with plant medicines, such as ayahuasca.  Because of these restrictions, there are only underground ayahuasca communities in most places, and the credentials and safety of this sort of gathering is not easy to verify.

If you are looking for a professional retreat, with a certified team of practitioners to guide you through each plant medicine ceremony, then here is a list of some of the best ayahuasca retreats currently available worldwide.

‍

1 Behold Retreats - Costa Rica, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal

‍

This organization  prioritizes client comfort and chooses only the most splendid environments to place their retreat centers.  Participants of every retreat have access to various powerful plant medicines, such as ayahuasca, psilocybin, and bufo alvarius, depending on the location they choose to visit.

Beachfront villas, lodgings with views of the rainforest, and a team of experienced shamans to lead each ceremony are only a few of the bonuses to choosing Behold Retreats for your next spiritual excursion.  Groups are limited to ensure a personalized and intimate inner journey, and reviews have been glowing since the first clients began arriving.  Free consultation is available beforehand, so inquire as soon as possible to find upcoming retreats, and learn what plant medicine can do for you.

‍

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

‍

2 Ayayni Spiritual Retreats - Ireland

This organization was founded in Ireland, where the laws on ayahuasca e are not so strict, allowing for ayahuasca retreats to be held throughout the year.  Ayayni comes from the word “ayni”, referring to the deep connection between us and nature, which Mother Ayahuasca is said to help us reach.

Facilitators include shamans, musical healers, and a long list of experienced plant medicine practitioners who are passionate about their work.  Looking online is the best option to find the nearest retreat for you, as dates and locations can vary.

‍

3 Union In Arutam - Spain

Based on the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, this plant medicine retreat center has been facilitating deep healing ceremonies for over a decade.  Each ayahuasca retreat is held close to nature, as the founder believed strongly that the traditional shamanic ceremony is able to bring out a spiritual awakening.

This lineage of shamanic instruction comes from the Shuar people of Ecuador and Peru, from the Amazonian tribes who have practiced these healing modalities for millenia.  If you are looking for a chance to experience the ancient shamanic ayahuasca ceremony, then this is a good option to look into.

‍

4 Soltara Healing Center - Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, Netherlands

Soltara Healing Center has built a well-established ayahuasca retreat center alongside the mountainous rainforest and beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, with a team of shamans and healers from the Indigenous Shipibo shamans of Peru.  This organization has combined vast knowledge of Western psychology with native plant medicine traditions to offer a truly life-changing experience at each retreat.

Retreats range from 5-12 days, with various master plants used in different locations, but all information and contact info can be found online.

‍

5 Sinchi Runa - Portugal

Based out of Portugal, where plant medicine is able to be studied and practiced more thoroughly, Sinchi Runa has dedicated its retreat center to the ayahuasca journey.  Each ceremony is led by Maestro Sanango, a man with over 20 years of experience guiding participants to healing and transformation.  Diet, meditation, hatha yoga, and other healing modalities are incorporated into each retreat, and plant medicines, such as Kambo are used to promote the most full journey of the ayahuasca ceremony.

Group size is not as large as some retreats, and preparation is required to attend, so reserving ahead of time is a good way to get involved with Sinchi Runa.

‍