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 not currently legal in Scotland, but there are many countries that have decriminalized it, or have legal gray areas that permit ayahuasca retreat centers to operate under certain conditions.  If you are looking for an established and legitimate spiritual retreat that can provide you with a professional and safe ayahuasca ceremony, the easiest to find are in Costa Rica, Portugal, and several areas of South America.

This is one of the most powerful plant medicines, known for its profound healing effects, and it has been used for millennia to promote a spiritual experience in shamanic cultures.  If you are interested in the ayahuasca journey, we recommend you check carefully for the credentials and testimonies of whichever retreat center you choose.

Here are 5 top-rated options for ayahuasca and plant medicine retreats.

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1. Behold Retreats - Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal

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As far as ayahuasca retreat centers go, Behold Retreats has created one of the most well-run and professional services for this.  With beautiful beachfront villas and centers overlooking the jungles of Costa Rica, you would have a hard time finding a more pristine and luxurious environment to proceed with your inner journey.

Each retreat is limited to a small number of participants, ensuring a more intimate and secure ayahuasca journey, and all facilitators are experienced and knowledgeable about providing personalized and secure ceremonies for their clients.

All information you might require can be found on their website, and free consultation is available for anyone interested in learning whether plant medicine is right for them.  Over 1,500 previous clients have sought out Behold Retreats for everything from addressing past trauma to lifestyle change to help with addiction.  Contact Behold Retreats today, and find out what you can gain from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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2 Ayayni Shamanic Retreats - Ireland

As with most countries, ayahuasca is still classified as an illegal substance, however this country has certain loopholes in their legislation, making it possible for ayahuasca retreat centers to remain active in various ways.  Ayayni comes from the words “ayahuasca” and “ayni”, the latter of which denotes the deep connection between nature and us, at our innermost level.

With links to Colombia and the Amazon rainforest of South America, retreats are continually being held in various places, led by groups of facilitators who focus on security and personalized care.  The founder, [removed by request], has built a team of expert shaman therapists, who specialize in plant medicine and other healing modalities related to the ayahuasca journey.  If you are interested in this experience, look for their next available retreat online, and you are likely to find something that suits you.

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3 Sinchi Runa - Portugal

This ayahuasca retreat center is located in the hills of Portugal, founded with the purpose of giving people a safe place to experience plant medicine, and the healing effects it can instill.  Each retreat is led by Maestra Sanango, a man who has led participants through thousands of inner journeys for over 20 years, providing expertise and wisdom in each retreat.

If you are looking for the real experience of plant medicine ceremonies, look no further than Sinchi Runa, whose name comes from the Quechua word for “Warrior of Light”.You will be guided through diet, meditation, and many other aspects of the true ayahuasca journey by an experienced teacher, and you will come out of this retreat with an incredible knowledge of the Mother Vine and its purposes in profound healing.

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4 Shamanic Space Retreats - Peru

This plant medicine retreat organization has several locations, but only in South America is ayahuasca legal, so your best option is to look into their retreat center in the Amazon rainforest of Peru.  They have been growing and evolving their services over the past few years, and currently host several retreats around the UK, which would be a good way to learn more about Shamanic Space Retreats, before choosing to join them in Peru.

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5 Pachamama Shamanic Healing - Ireland

This foundation provides 4-day ayahuasca retreats in Ireland, however their approach is slightly different than some other retreat centers.  They have built their team from psychology experts and holistic psychotherapists, making it more New Age than traditional shaman philosophy.

Clients are allowed to incorporate several forms of plant medicine into their retreat, such as Kambo or Bufo Alvarius, and support from trained professionals is given to all participants before and after every ceremony.

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