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

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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.

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

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Behold Retreats > blog >

Ayahuasca is an herbal medicine that has been used for centuries by indigenous people in the Amazon region. The active ingredient in ayahuasca is DMT, which is a powerful psychedelic substance. Ayahuasca retreats have become popular in recent years, as more people are seeking out alternative methods of healing and self-exploration.

While ayahuasca is legal in some countries, it is not legal in the United States. This means that if you want to experience an ayahuasca retreat, you will need to travel to another country. There are many reputable ayahuasca retreat centers in South America, where the medicine is legal.

If you are considering an ayahuasca retreat, you should do your research and choose a reputable center. There are many scams and fake ayahuasca retreats out there, so it is important to be careful. Make sure you read reviews and talk to people who have been on an ayahuasca retreat before making your decision.

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1. Behold Retreats - Costa Rica & Portugal.

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If you’re looking for an ayahuasca retreat that provides an intimate setting with no more than ten people in a group, look no further than Behold Retreats. While Behold does not have any ayahuasca retreats within the US, it does have options if you feel like hopping on a plane and experiencing your ayahuasca ceremony in picturesque Costa Rica.

The island is known for its spectacular beauty, and participants often remark that they were glad they were able to go through the ayahuasca process in a new environment that is profoundly conducive to healing.

Behold Retreats offer ayahuasca retreats in a “safe, legal, and luxurious environment.” Their retreats include education, therapy/coaching, travel to the retreat, and integration.

Behold also has plant medicine ceremonies in Mexico, offering 5-MeO-DMT in and Psilocybin retreats in the Netherlands.

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Want to experience Ayahausca in a small group of thoroughly-vetted guests? We would love to speak with you.

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Check out our upcoming ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

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2. Muaisa Hale Pule. Hawaii

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This retreat center, located on the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, holds ceremonies that are similar to an ayahuasca ceremony every Sunday. The ceremony starts at dusk and lasts until around midnight.

Muaisa Hale Pule does not use ayahausca in their ceremonies but instead incorporates indigenous Hawaiian and Pacific island entheogens. It is said that these medicinal plants promote profound healing, causing participants to experience heart-openings and shifts in their consciousness.

Their website does not state precisely which entheogens their plant medicine consists of due to concerns that if information on the plants became widely known, their use would become problematic legally.

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3. Arkana Spiritual Center. Peru, Mexico and Costa Rica

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This organization offers a variety of ayahuasca retreats in the Amazon, Sacred Valley in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu, and private retreats in Peru, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Their main retreat center is on the banks of the Ucayali River, 4 hours from Iquitos. Their ayahuasca retreats last from between 7 to 21 days.

Their website stresses that ayahuasca is not a recreational drug and should be used respectfully. Other medicinal plant offerings include Sapo (Bufo Alvarius), Rape, San Pedro and Kambo.

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4. Soltara Healing Center, Costa Rica and Peru

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This healing retreat center has three locations: Playa Blanca in Costa Rica, Sugar Beach in Costa Rica, and Tarapoto in Peru. Soltara’s mission is “to bridge this gap between head and heart for those who seek it.” They hope that by doing the healing work that is so essential, especially in today’s society, participants can “journey back home.” Once the inner work is well underway, self-healers can serve themselves, their communities, and Mother Earth more effectively.

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5. New Life Ayahuasca, Costa Rica

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This ayahuasca retreat has one or two dates per month available at their healing center. New Life’s shaman, Matthew, has been working with plant medicine since 2013 and training since 2015. He has completed hundreds of ceremonies and now incorporates chanting and instruments within the ceremonies.

New life has six private rooms and three shared rooms. There is a maximum of 14 participants at each ceremony, as New Life believes that smaller groups are essential for the intimacy of the ayahuasca experience.

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