Stephen says, "THIS PLACE COULD NOT BE BETTER IN ALMOST ALL WAYS! Instead of leaving a review I'll just post my group message to my new lifelong friends that I posted on our WhatsApp group chat." See more
Santino says, "Arriving at the house you think: this is not the right place...but entering closer, you will realize the absolute beauty of this area !! Erick is a very nice person, very sensitive, professional, good organized." See more
Gary says, "Wow! What a life changing experience. I don’t even know where to begin. Kimberly and Jason have created a magical facility. The work was very hard at times, and I couldn’t have imagined going thru it without all the love and support I received." See more
Seenan says, "Shakti was very present, caring and authentic in serving me the medicine. Her practice is very devoted to the actual cause of the medicine and very authentic. Her experience and dedication shows in her work! i definitely recommend her if you are looking for a real blissful and healing experience! Must visit!" See more
Barbora says, "Coming to Reunion was the best decision I’ve made in my life! I had a loving experience with Ayahuasca and an amazing week with beautiful people ❤️ " See more
Anonymous says, "My life journey back to myself is steeped in acceptance. Acceptance that the earth provides medicine and people, and medicine people, and it all comes together at the right time when one is ready." See more
Michelina says, "Thank you, Anam Cara, Tierra Encantada, the maestros, and Ayahuasca for the most incredible journey—one that was truly full of love, healing, and connection. The space itself was breathtaking, and the flow of the retreat felt intentional and seamless." See more
Ryan says, "I fell in love with this place in just two days. I’m coming back right away. I cant express how grateful I am for Jim and his team. This was one of the best experiences of my entire life." See more
Zaheer says, "The name new life is appropriate because after going here i feel like I’m starting a whole new life with a blank slate. Matt, Jennae and drew are some of the most genuine caring people who I’ve met in my entire life." See more
Anonymous says, "René is a caring, experienced and very intelligent leader, and just the kind of person you want guiding you through a psycidelic experience, as well as making sure all your needs are taken care of during your stay." See more
Ciji says, "When I first got to the retreat center, I learned that the location where I was staying was a new space for the retreat. La Casa de Mendez was an absolutely stunning place and I felt like that made the whole retreat experience richer." See more
Rebecca says, "This retreat honestly changed my life. Neten was such a kind, caring, and beautiful person. She was so intuitive and knowledgeable about so many different things." See more
Learn about the retreat center & ceremony facilitators
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Ask Retreat Centers Questions Directly
Your comfort level is paramount for a safe and fruitful journey. If you feel drawn to a certain retreat, but the listing doesn’t provide all the information you need.
Feel free to inquire with the organizers or facilitators directly. The Contact option is available just under the Booking button on every listing.
Aside from getting the responses you need to put your mind at ease, opening a line of communication with those who will be taking care of you will enhance your intuition into whether you’ll be in good hands.
Another good way to get insight into details not mentioned in the listing is by checking the Review section — those who have already attended are best at pointing out the virtues and flaws.
Having a clear intention before the ceremony can make an incredible difference in how your experience unfolds.
Maintaining psychophysical purity, or some form of dieta can go a long way in warding off unnecessary suffering once you drink.
Make sure that your intentions are not actually your expectations. It’s in your best interest to let go of the illusion of control.
The effects of ayahuasca typically unfold across distinct phases over 4-6 hours, though the full journey can last up to 8 hours for some people. Traditional Amazonian ceremonies usually begin in the evening and continue through the night, with the most intense period occurring 1-2 hours after drinking the medicine. The physical effects often start within 30 minutes, while the visionary phase commonly peaks between hours 2-4. After the main journey subsides, many experience a gentle "landing" period of 1-2 hours where insights continue to emerge. In traditional contexts, integration begins immediately after the ceremony and extends for days or weeks - this is considered an essential part of the medicine's work. Some retreat centers observe that certain participants may feel subtle energetic shifts for several days following a ceremony, though these are typically mild and manageable. Each person's experience with the medicine follows its own timing and rhythm. Traditional healers emphasize that the effects aren't limited to the ceremonial hours - rather, the ceremony opens a door through which healing and understanding continue to flow long after the acute effects have passed.