Verified
One of the Best Experiences of My Life
This was one of the most incredible and life-changing experiences I’ve ever had.
The quality of the food, the facilities, the participants, and the staff was all absolutely perfect.
If you’re trying ayahuasca for the first time, I highly recommend doing it at this center — it’s safe, well-organized, and truly the right place to begin your journey.
Verified
Reborn & Transformed: Healing through the Power of Medicine
Two months before committing to the retreat, Ayahuasca was presenting itself to me. I didn’t go looking for it, rather, it came looking for me. One morning, I remember so vividly, I was scrolling through Instagram and found a post from a guy who had taken Ayahuasca.
What drew me in was how he described it as “This is what it isn’t…” and “This is what it is…” I loved the unfiltered, authentic vulnerability he shared without taking away from his experience or sharing the depth of what he went through. On the last slide, he shared the center where he went, and it was the Arkana Spiritual Center.
From there, I began to delve deeper into who they were, the retreats they offered, and inquired further about my curiosity regarding the plant medicine. Arkana even provides a free Ayahuasca Guide for those scrolling on their website. I downloaded it, read through it, and even forwarded it to my mom so she had a better understanding as to why I felt called to work with the plant medicine. I immediately connected to the jungle retreat in the Amazon - working with the Shipibo tribe, where the medicine has been used for centuries, felt extremely sacred.
A few weeks later, I took the plunge and put my deposit down. I decided I wanted to go during the week of my 31st birthday, in honor of rebirthing oneself. I felt the call to honor the commitment I made by strictly following the dieta guide Arkana provided. I started the process by working with facing my shadow, practicing meditation, getting back into yoga, going to sound baths, and connecting with Mother Earth. I even began to cut out a lot of the unhealthy, toxic food and beverages before the designated timeframe they provided. I truly was ready and committed to honoring the medicine, as I felt instinctively called to do.
A week prior to the retreat, I had a dream about a boa constrictor snake wrapped around my left ankle, while another snake bit my right hand in between my thumb and index finger. Mother Ayahuasca was already working through me. It was powerful, beautiful, and I did not fear it whatsoever.
Upon arriving at the center, we were greeted with cucumber water, a cold towel, and a welcoming ceremony of all the workers, children, and shamans. The female children danced their way over to us to join in. I felt my inner child immediately light up with joy and a sense of belonging.
Every moment spent at Arkana was a breath of new life force entering my mind, body, and soul. From the delicious food to the clean facilities, to the facilitator’s consistent guidance and the Shaman's powerful energy, the center is truly a place for those to retreat and heal. I also enjoyed our daily excursions to Monkey Island, Libertad village, sloth sightings, cayman tour, and the boat rides along the Amazon River.
I also committed to taking the Bufo Sapo, which opened other doors of profound insights and clarity for me as well. The medicine was everything and more, Mother Ayahuasca was with me every step of the way. Through guidance, faith, and trust, I worked through a lot of my PTSD, addiction, and mental health issues.
Now, I am in the integration stage, and Arkana provided a guide to help me refer to as I continue the healing process. We also have our WhatsApp group to communicate with the other guests and do weekly check-ins. I love having a sense of community that has seen all of me, for me.
Overall, I could not have asked for more. I have already looked at going to other Arkana centers for additional healing. I am dedicated to connecting even deeper with the transformations that have taken place. Thank you, Arkana, for awakening my fearless authenticity and pushing me forward onto a path where I can commit myself fully to leading a life of love and light for myself and others.
Verified
All-round carefree package
My wife and I have been in the Amazonian retreat center of Arkana for one week and our experience has been following.
During the whole retreat we have felt very well taken care of and supported. We received that everybody who's working there, puts a lot of love into this space and it has been very harmonic and peaceful.
Excellent service from the whole staff, from the facilitators, over the maintenance team, the kitchen crew and more.
The facilitators were taking care of us in any possible occasion and way. Like picking us up to get to the center, guiding various rituals and practices as well as supporting the ceremonies and more.
The whole space has been very clean, even with the flood and different circumstances than usual. Several times a day the maintenance team has been going around.
Also the room was comfortable, clean and spacious. Perfect to relax during some "off time" or to retreat a little bit to have space for yourself.
The food has been delicious and had a good mixed variety to it. The kitchen crew has been very kind and supportive.
The guided little tours we had, have been fun and adventures.
The ceremonies have been very well guided by the shamans and the facilitators have been very attentive and present to support.
We both can highly recommend this center!
So if you feel the call for it, go for it!