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"}}

‍

‍

Germany has not legalized the use of ayahuasca, as of this date.  This powerful plant medicine has been used for millennia by native peoples of shamanic tribes, for its profound healing and transformative effects on the psyche of those who imbibe it.  However, it would be unwise to think of ayahuasca vine as an hallucinatory party drug, as its usage has always been something revered and taken seriously in the safety and guidance of a shaman.

If you are looking for an ayahuasca retreat center, and want to find something well-established, then you can take a look at this short list of some of the more professional and acclaimed ayahuasca retreats available.  It would be worth it to hop on a plane, if it means your experience with an ayahuasca journey is supported by a sincere and caring group.

‍

1 Behold Retreats - Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal

‍

With a beautiful retreat center in the scenic paradise of Costa Rica, you would have a hard time finding something more picturesque and relaxing than a beachfront villa for your stay at an ayahuasca retreat.  Behold Retreats has worked hard to establish a committed and professional team of facilitators for each ayahuasca ceremony, and taken great care to promote a personalized and secure opportunity for all participants to experience the inner journey of plant medicine.

Groups are limited in size, giving each group of clients more attention and respect in each retreat, and all events are held with a theme of profound healing and spiritual awakening as their focus.  Free consultation is available for anyone interested in looking into their next spiritual retreat, or has questions about whether this opportunity is right for them.

‍

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

‍

2 Sinchi Runa - Portugal

If you are looking for a spiritual retreat that offers a profound healing experience, Sinchi Runa is about as profound as it gets.  This ayahuasca retreat center is based in Portugal, and is led by Maestro Sanango, a man with over 25 years experience in leading clients through the inner journey of plant medicine, and who incorporates everything from diet to meditation into his traditional shamanic ceremony.

Reviews for this retreat are glowing, and groups are limited to small numbers, so look for them online to reserve a spot in any of their ayahuasca retreats.

‍

3 Ayayni Shamanic Retreats - Ireland

Because of lax laws, Ireland is able to host ayahuasca retreats, whereas many neighboring countries still cannot.  Ayayni is a retreat center that operates in Ireland, with connections to countries near the South American Amazon rainforest.  The name Ayayni is a combination of the words ayahuasca and “ayni”, which refers to the deep connection between us and nature that we are said to find during an ayahuasca ceremony.  

The best way to find current retreats is to search for Ayayni Shamanic Retreats online, as new dates and locations for events are popping up throughout the year.

‍

4 Union In Arutam - Spain

This ayahuasca retreat organization hosts their events on Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands.  They have been hosting plant medicine ceremonies for over 12 years, always around nature, and always with respect for the indigenous cultures that birthed the ayahuasca traditions, as well as other sacred master plants.  Group sizes are around 20-25 participants, and retreats last from 1-2 days.  Consultation and preparation is required to join in each retreat, so look online for contact information to inquire further.

‍

5 Soltara Healing Center - Costa Rica, Peru

Based in a beautiful location, between the beaches and mountains of Costa Rica, Soltara Healing Center is an ayahuasca retreat center dedicated to the indigenous plant medicine practices of the South American Amazonian shamanic tribes.  With a team of facilitators from the Peruvian Shipibo tribe, these retreats range in length from 5 to 12 days, and combine Western healing modalities with ancient wisdom to offer participants a chance at discovering a spiritual awakening in the ayahuasca journey.

‍