How to Choose the Right Ayahuasca Retreat in Costa Rica

The reasons why someone seeks an Ayahuasca retreat are many and diverse. Some guests come to us, looking for a breakthrough of some kind, a path forward, an illumination for the way ahead or support for a difficult decision. Whether you’re looking for help on a big decision in life or feeling called to deepen your own self awareness, Ayahuasca is increasingly perceived as a doorway to achieve those goals. A tool from the divine for us to reach out and grab once we are ready.  

Ayahuasca is a powerful and sacred medicine that has been around for centuries and is deeply rooted in the traditions of Indigenous tribes in South America. Although it was born in the Amazon its reach has grown far and wide with many seekers around the world.

Choosing a retreat center, however, can be a complex experience as there are many different options available. It requires some careful thinking as different factors will heavily influence your experience so it’s important to understand not only your expectations but other factors as well. At the top of the list is the organization's dedication to safety, their onboarding process and how much support you will receive post retreat.

All this can feel quite overwhelming and certainly not all retreats are created equal, so it’s important to know what to look for. To help you navigate this process and make things a little easier, we will look at some tips and criteria to evaluate when choosing an Ayahuasca ceremony in Costa Rica.

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Costa Rica and Why It Is The Ideal Setting For Your Ayahuasca Retreat

Going to the Amazon - mostly referred to as The Jungle - is appealing to many as they are drawn to the mystical idea of a transformative psychedelic experience in the Amazonian jungle - being at the source. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, to many of us it brings some elements of concern. The language barrier, foreign diseases, the unknown of the jungle, lack of medical care and the cultural barrier are among the most common ones.

Costa Rica's lush forests and natural environment offer a unique balance by offering the jungle experience with far fewer logistical and safety concerns. It’s also considered a highly peaceful country worldwide, and in particular in South America, where it’s the safest country to travel to.

The country's legal framework, which does not explicitly prohibit Ayahuasca, makes it a hub for respected facilitators and Indigenous medicine carriers to hold retreats in a safe and supportive environment. This openness, combined with a commitment to ecological responsibility, offers a special atmosphere conducive to profound personal exploration.

Ultimately Costa Rica has become an ideal destination for those seeking to explore Mother Aya in a setting that fosters growth, healing in a safe environment and has a profound respect for nature.

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Criteria To Choose a Safe and Supportive Ayahuasca Retreat

Ayahuasca is considered to be very safe, especially when practiced in a responsible way. Costa Rica, being open to this practice, also attracts less experienced and less ‘serious’ providers. Here are some key elements you need to ask and have a good understanding before booking a retreat, more so if this is your first time.

• Medical Screening and Health Protocols: Understanding what is the organization's  approach to medical assessment is paramount. As said above, Ayahuasca is considered to be very safe, however there are medical conditions that can put you at risk or even be life threatening. Will you be asked about your health history, medications and any mental health conditions? If not this is a big red flag. A strict screening process is an absolute must so if the organizer is not doing it, you should walk away. Responsible providers will have different steps along the way to ultimately determine if someone is ready and medically safe for retreat. The best retreat organizers will also have medical protocols for emergencies, offer you dietary guidelines (the ayahuasca dieta) and may require you to taper off certain medications.

• Experience and Reputation: The provider should have information on their website regarding the Medicine Guides they work with. If you can’t find it there, don’t be afraid to ask questions when you are on the call with them. The shaman, or medicine guide,  will be the one determining the energy and flow of the experience so you must trust they have experience in what they are doing. Similarly you should consider the organization’s overall reputation. How long have they been operating and how many retreats and guests have they served so far? Can you find different sources for reviews?

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• Group Size And Personal Attention: Ceremonies and group sizes can vary quite a lot from one retreat to another. There is no right or wrong necessarily but mainly different approaches. Some centers do retreats of 90 people, others have intimate groups of 3 - 4 people. What is important, though, is the attention the team will be able to provide to participants. Especially for first timers, it’s important to understand how many people you will be dividing the teams attention with. Remember, the energies processed and released by each participant during the ceremony will affect everyone in the group. The larger the group the more facilitators and assistants there should be. This will make it for a less intimate experience so make sure to understand which setting you feel the most comfortable with.

• Ceremony Style: As ayahuasca gains popularity, different styles of ceremony have emerged. Some retreats opt for non-traditional approaches, playing only recorded music, electronic music or offer a more festival vibe approach. How Ayahusaca is served will ultimately guide your experience so it’s really important to know what kind of setting you will be in. When choosing an ayahuasca retreat, prioritize those that foster a deep connection with ancestral cultural practices connected to ayahuasca. Ask how traditional elements are incorporated into ceremonies and how much importance is given to that part of the retreat. It is essential to approach ayahuasca with reverence and humility, viewing it as a profound spiritual practice rather than a casual activity.

• Integration & Aftercare Support: Your Ayahuasca journey doesn’t end on the last day of retreat - it goes way beyond. Understanding how and if there is even aftercare support from your provider is another important element to ask questions about. It plays a big role in safety and your overall success. Ask if the organiser offers integration circles, 1:1 check ins during the retreat and post retreat. Are you able to speak with someone if you feel the need post retreat? Will you become part of a community where you can draw support from? How much care and attention the provider will offer you after you have completed your retreat will be a good tell sign on how committed to you they are and a major green flag. This kind of aftercare means you won’t be left alone to make sense of everything. Knowing the support systems in place before, during, and after the retreat is essential to a safe and integrated healing journey.

We touched upon what we believe to be key aspects to consider when choosing a retreat in Costa Rica. Price, accommodation types are also important although more related to personal preference and personal circumstance. However, by making sure you fully understand the aspects covered here, you guarantee an informed decision to choose a retreat that aligns with your personal needs and respects the ancestral tradition of Ayahuasca.

Speak with someone from the organizer’s team, read testimonials, and trust your intuition. A truly safe retreat will be transparent about how they operate and will welcome your questions. As a first-timer, this is non-negotiable.

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So Now, Why Behold Retreats?

For many years now we have partnered with Resonance which is the best all-inclusive central heartbeat of Behold’s ecosystem.  Located in Costa Rica, Resonance is a healing center that blends ancient wisdom with modern consciousness practices and is the soil Behold is rooted in.

In line with our belief that Costa Rica is one the most beautiful and safest locations to embark on your ceremony experience, we have been guiding hundreds of guests with Resonance. Our ceremonies are in line with ancestral traditions and the facilitators we work with are rooted in ancestral knowledge and practices. Our Costa Rica retreat leaders have decades of retreat experience and we pride ourselves on partnering with indigenous Ayahuasca healers (such as Shipibo shamans) as well as skilled Western facilitators, blending the best of tradition and modern care.

We strongly believe that Plant Medicine ceremonies are not for everyone, or more precisely, wanting to attend does not equal an immediate invite into the ceremonial space. The reason for this is because we take screening, preparation and intention very seriously. We want to make sure you are ready to attend and it is safe for you to do so.

When you apply or inquire, expect to have a team member to speak with you one-on-one to understand your background, your overall health and if there are any immediate red flags from a physical stand point. We also will be analyzing your emotional and spiritual readiness to embark on this life-changing personal growth journey, it's a big one - but one that will be worthwhile. This thorough vetting means the groups are as like-minded as possible and the integrity of the individuals participating is kept.

You will also be guided by a dedicated team member who will help you navigate all the preparation phases from the medical screening, to retreat logistics (think travel details, what to bring etc), a recommended dieta (dietary guidelines) to cleanse and prepare your body for the transformative experience, and last but not least, guidance on how to prepare emotionally so you arrive feeling confident and clear. Our care also goes beyond the retreat where you will have 1:1 check-ins to unpack your experience, online group circles, a loving community and above all - we are always here should you need us.

As mentioned above we don’t believe there is a right or wrong approach to group size, however we strongly believe in the power of small group sizes.  A typical Behold Plant Medicine experience will have around 8 to 11 participants maximum. With groups this size we aim to foster real connections within the group, personalized attention from our team and an atmosphere where you will feel deeply cared for, supported both by the team and the other participants. Many of our past guests have become life long friends and are an active part of the Behold Alumni community.

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Upcoming Retreats

Join us for our upcoming 2025 and 2026 Ayahuasca Retreats in Costa Rica, where you can immerse yourself in a compassionate and truly transformational experience. From October 12th - 18th, November 9th - 15th, and beyond (click the All Retreat link to see all upcoming dates), our retreat programs are designed to nurture self-discovery and healing. With the guidance of indigenous Peruvian Shipibo healers, you will explore the profound modalities of plant medicine traditions, including trauma-informed Ayahuasca ceremonies that create beautiful ripple effect of healing through your life, and the life of your loved ones. Experience in-depth healing in a safe and loving environment, surrounded by the lush rainforest. Our integrative framework to support your healing journey includes supportive embodiment practices and extensive plant dietas. Whether you're new to Ayahuasca or seeking to deepen your experience, our retreats offer the perfect opportunity to heal and grow.

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Answering the Call – Next Steps

Choosing the right Ayahuasca retreat is ultimately about trusting your intuition and feeling safe. If Costa Rica (with all its natural beauty and openness) is calling you, and you’re looking for a retreat that prioritizes safety and quality, Behold Retreats might be exactly what you’re seeking.

When you feel ready – or even if you’re just curious to learn more – consider reaching out and we will be here to answer all your questions (or check out our FAQ section first before Applying!).

More importantly, if you feel the call, take the next step with whomever that may be. It could be the start of a profound healing journey. Do your research and then trust yourself. Costa Rica’s jungle awaits, and when you’re ready to say “yes” to this adventure, the right retreat will come along.

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