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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Ayahuasca is a traditional healing tool that originates in South America. Ayahuasca tea is a psychoactive brew that has been used by indiginous people in ceremony as a sacred plant medicine to treat physical and mental illnesses for millennia during ayahuasca retreats.

The medicinal plant is used during an ayahuasca ceremony to heal the mind, body and soul. It has in recent years garnered worldwide attention from those seeking healing and solutions to their problems. Ayahuasca offers purification of the body, while providing invaluable insights into difficulties, and aids spiritual awakening.

Despite the growing awareness of the powerful healing mother ayahuasca offers, it is not legal in most countries outside of South America. The use of ayahuasca in India is illegal as the country has very strict rules against the use of psychedelic substances. Thankfully, the use of ayahuasca is legal in countries to which it holds cultural ties such as those in the Amazon basin. Check out our list of the top 5 ayahuasca retreats and retreat centers below!

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1. Behold Retreats. Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal

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If you’re ready to start your transformational journey and move past trauma, then look no further than Behold Retreats in Costa Rica! Here you’ll be able to heal in breathtaking surroundings while enjoying the luxury of first-class accommodation and all its amenities.

Behold Retreats hosts ayahuasca retreats for up to 8 people at a hilltop facility, surrounded by the natural beauty Costa Rica has to offer. Your ayahuasca ceremony will be expertly guided by facilitators with decades of experience, allowing them to hold space for your deep healing. Retreats include therapy, coaching and plenty of time to integrate your insights in an intimate setting. Start your healing retreat journey now with an ayahuasca retreat at Behold Retreats!

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2. Soltara Healing Center, Tarapoto, Peru

Go completely off-grid and dive deep into your healing with the ayahuasca retreats offered at Soltara Healing Center in Peru. Under the expert guidance of indiginous Peruvian Shipibo healers, you can experience profound healing with multiple ceremonies during retreats spanning 5, 7, 9 or 12 nights.

The sacred plant medicine work is supplemented by 1-on-1 consultations, on-site integration, sharing circles and a variety of workshops, including yoga and pranayama breathwork. Soltara Healing Center offers a safe healing space for an intimate group of up to 13 participants to come together during an ayahuasca ceremony to release and let go.

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3. Gaia Sagrada Retreat Center, Cuenca, Ecuador

Located in the breathtaking Andes mountains, Gaia Sagrada Retreat Center welcomes you into mother earth’s bosom to embark upon your inner journey. Ayahuasca retreats are facilitated by shamans in a safe and peaceful environment. People of all walks of life are welcome to participate in a retreat and experience the plant medicine in a magical and natural setting.

The perks of staying at Gaia Sagrada extend beyond the ayahuasca ceremony itself. From gazing up at the milky way, to watching fireflies at dusk, and from hiking to a nearby waterfall to taking in the surrounding forests, pastures and hummingbirds. You can relish in it all!

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4. Spirit Vine Retreat Center, Bahia, Brazil

Situated in the lush Atlantic Rainforest, just minutes away from sun kissed beaches and the Atlantic ocean, is Spirit Vine. It’s an interfaith retreat center that offers both a 9 and 11 day ayahuasca retreat program. Here you can go deep safely with their alcohol and drug free policy!

An ayahuasca ceremony takes place every other night, and is interwoven with a vast selection of workshops and activities to help you better integrate your experiences with the plant medicine. There are spiritual workshops and yoga classes all set up to aid you on your journey to reconnect with your essence and higher self. There’s plenty of time to take in the beauty that surrounds you that’s not limited to the luscious green jungle and sandy beaches.

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5. Hummingbird Healing Center, Iquitos, Peru

Reconnect to your mind, body, emotions and spirit at the Hummingbird Healing Center! Located near Iquitos in Peru, Hummingbird caters for up to 12 participants with 9 and 12 day ayahuasca retreats. You’ll also experience the healing power of a san pedro ceremony during the longer retreats. For those looking to go deeper, a 2-4 week retreat is also available at the retreat center.

Facilitating you on your ayahuasca retreat journey is a traditional healer with 38 years of experience! Help is always at hand during your ayahuasca ceremony, making this a safe and supportive space for your transformation. However long you decide to stay, you’ll walk away with practical advice on how to clear your roadblocks and live a life of self awareness.

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