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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As awareness of spiritual medicine grows, people from across the world are looking to participate in ayahuasca ceremonies. The sacred plant has been used by indigenous Amazonian shamans for many many years to help those who partake in the ceremonies deal with personal trauma, and build a connection with their spiritual side.

American laws prohibit such ceremonies from occurring within Phoenix itself, but there are plenty of options within just a few hours. A trip over the border to Mexico, or a short hop on a plane to southern America can take you to a number of traditional retreats, offering ayahuasca treatments amongst other healing modalities, from experienced indigenous healers. 

Below we have listed our top 5 ayahuasca retreats to travel to from Phoenix, most being over the border in Mexico. The retreats mentioned offer traditional healing ceremonies, in a variety of picturesque environments

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1. Behold Retreats – Costa Rica

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With resorts in both Mexico and Costa Rica, topping our list is Behold retreats. The closest resort to Phoenix is just across the border in Mexico, situated in the breathtaking mountaintop Valle de Bravo estate. Groups must be a maximum of 8 people, in order to maintain the intimate atmosphere necessary for the sacred ceremony..

The healer at Behold Retreats’ Mexico resort, Amina, is a Mexican native, and has over a decade of experience delivering ayahuasca ceremonies. In addition to administration of the sacred plant medicine, Amina also holds a degree in psychotherapy and is trained in Taoist massage.

Guests visiting the Costa Rica location will receive their healing medicine from Shaman Pablo, founder of the Yawarapunon, a governmental organization for the preservation of medicines and customs. With 8 years experience delivering sacred ceremonies Shaman Pablo has travelled all over the world sharing his healing modalities and treatments with individuals from across the planet.

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2) APL

A short trip from Cancun airport brings you to APL retreats, a traditional style resort that combines all the atmosphere of the rainforest with top notch modern facilities. 3 accommodation layouts are available, a shared double room, a private single, or a private double, all of which allow access to open air showers and an exquisite jungle pool.

In addition to ceremonies with the sacred plant medicine, APL also offer herbal saunas, Temezcal and a unique vegetarian menu that strictly follows ayahuasca dieting rules. 

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3) Bluestone

In Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico, sits Bluestone ayahuasca. Advocates of personal transformation as a route to a better world, Bluestone offer ayahuasca ceremonies as a powerful tool to help participants bring their consciousness to the next level.

Working in both English and Spanish, the first person you will meet on your retreat will be the founder, who has lived in  Mexico for years now and has 12 years experience delivering the sacred plant medicine. The ayahuasquera who will perform your ceremony trained with the Shipibo in Peru, and the Ayahuasca is prepared by Shipibo medicine men from whom it is collected personally and hand-delivered to the Mexico retreat. 

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4) Andea Experience

Located within the rainforest in the beautiful Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, ANDEA was founded by US veteran Amanda Decker. Amanda has travelled the world spreading her healing tools and is a certified psychedelic assisted coach.

ANDEA is involved with the “heroic hearts project”, a non profit organisation operating in the US and UK that aims to connect combat veterans and ex sports-people with psychedelic and spiritual healers in order to help them deal properly with past trauma.

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5) Inner Circle

Providing retreats in a luxurious condo in Neuvo Vallarta, in the middle of the Bay of Banderas, one of the safest areas in Mexico, Inner circle offer a no pressure experience guided by “love and peace”.

Special care is taken to provide fresh locally sourced fruits and foods, and staff are on hand to guide participants as regards fasting prior to the ayahuasca ceremony. The luxurious resort accepts groups of up to 6 people, and ceremonies are delivered by an experienced indigenous Shaman. Available packages provide 6 nights of accommodation in the beautiful beach front setting, and transport to the ceremonies, which take place in the evening.

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