Book Top Ayahuasca Retreats
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Top Ayahuasca Retreats
10 Day Ayahuasca Retreat & Master Plants Dieta in Peru
Best Seller
Open Dates
Anonymous says, "I decided to attend a 20-day Master Dieta with the Psychonauta Foundation. It was a powerful and transforming experience with plant medicine and the silence in nature." See more
From $1,250
4.95
Arkana Sacred Valley - 7 Day Ayahuasca Retreat
Top Rated
7 Days Package
Marlon says, "Arkana inspired me to write an article based on my experience there. https://mtnweekly.com/travel/arkana-spiritual-center-ayahuasca-retreat-recap/" See more
From $3,000
5.00
Soltara Healing Center Gift Certificate
Open Dates
Alyson says, "After a lot of research I chose Soltara based on all the positive reviews. I can say it surpassed all of my expectations in every way. The staff was so caring and I felt very safe throughout my stay." See more
From $500
4.98
Mamay Jungle Retreat - Ayahuasca and Kambo Healing - Renew your Spirit
Last Chance
July 21 - 27, 2025
KAREN says, "Working with Alicia was truly a gift from thr universe <3 From the very beginning, she held space for me with such gentleness, wisdom, and clarity that I immediately felt safe to open up and surrender to the process." See more
$2,222
/ 7 days
5.00
7 Day Ayahuasca Retreat at an authentic Finca in Mexico
July 23 - 29, 2025
Kurtis says, "Jamie is such an incredible soul. She represents a beautiful balance of strength and vulnerability. I'm so grateful for her presence at Mexisoul, her leadership, authenticity and wisdom was integral to my experience!!" See more
From $1,875
/ 7 days
4.94
Ayahuasca & Plant Medicine Treatment for Depression, PTSD, Trauma (1-3 months)
Flexible Dates
Giovanna says, "I loved every moment of my seven days spent at Sinchi Runa. It was the biggest breakthrough of my life. Maestro Sanango and the team were special and made me feel safe and right at home." See more
$105
4.88
3 Day Ancestral Retreat guided by abuela Manecita and Lucho Queta in Berlin
3 Days Package
From €260
Ayahuasca Retreat Alicante
July 11 - 12, 2025
Anonymous says, "I can't recommend La Mezquita highly enough! The people, the place, the care,.. it would have been a fantastic wholesome experience even without the ayahuasca. 10/10, can and will recommend." See more
€450
/ 2 days
4.89
Sacred Ayahuasca Retreat with Arkawa in Maine
3 Spaces Remaining
July 11 - 13, 2025
Sharon says, "This was a life-changing experience. I am so grateful for the wonderful and compassionate staff at Pachamama Sanctuary, who not only prepared me prior to arriving but unlike any others stays with me through the growth process afterwards." See more
From $800
/ 3 days
4.92
Top Ayahuasca Retreat Centers
How much does an Ayahuasca retreat cost?
Ayahuasca retreats typically range from USD $125 to $600 per day, with most programs falling between USD $200-400 per day. Short retreats of 3-5 days generally start around USD $1,000 total, while comprehensive 12-21 day programs can range from USD $2,200 to $8,000. Location significantly impacts pricing, with Peruvian and Colombian retreats often being more affordable (starting around USD $110-200 per day) compared to Costa Rica and Western Europe (averaging USD $400-500 per day). Accommodation choices greatly affect costs - shared rooms or eco-lodging options typically save 30-40% compared to private suites. Most retreats include all ceremonies, meals, accommodation, and integration support in their base pricing, with typical programs lasting 6-8 days.
Choosing the Retreat that’s Right For You
Learn about the retreat center & ceremony facilitators
Go with the flow, but know who’s taking care of you. Ensure that you pick your perfect retreat by searching for the setting that aligns with your needs.
Read More
Understand the practical aspects of the retreat
Every transformation is a journey. Visualize the steps you’ll need to take before, during, and after the retreat so that the logistical part runs smoothly.
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.
Read MorePreparing for Aya Experience
Set an intention
Having a clear intention before the ceremony can make an incredible difference in how your experience unfolds.
Honor Aya with Respect
Maintaining psychophysical purity, or some form of dieta can go a long way in warding off unnecessary suffering once you drink.
Be Ready to Surrender
Make sure that your intentions are not actually your expectations. It’s in your best interest to let go of the illusion of control.
Ayahuasca Stories
The Best Ayahuasca Retreat Guide
Ayahuasca Guide
Understanding Ayahuasca's Indigenous Roots and Modern Context
Deep in the Amazon rainforest, indigenous communities have worked with ayahuasca as a sacred medicine for countless generations. This powerful plant mixture, traditionally prepared by combining Banisteriopsis caapi vine with Psychotria viridis leaves, has served as a cornerstone of spiritual and healing practices among various Amazonian peoples. The name itself comes from Quechua, roughly translating to "vine of the soul" or "vine of the spirits," though different indigenous groups have their own names and specific traditions surrounding its use. While ayahuasca's roots lie deep in Amazonian traditions, where ceremonies are led by experienced healers known as curanderos or vegetalistas, the medicine has now spread far beyond its geographical origins. Today, respected practitioners can be found leading ceremonies across Europe, North, South and Central America, and other parts of the world. These modern facilitators often combine traditional knowledge with contemporary therapeutic approaches, creating spaces that honor the medicine's indigenous roots while serving the needs of a global community. While this ancient medicine holds potential for healing and transformation, the commercialization and commodification of these sacred practices raises important ethical considerations. Modern seekers can now choose between traditional Amazonian settings or established centers closer to home, each offering unique approaches to working with this profound medicine.
Practical Considerations for the Modern Seeker
Engaging with ayahuasca requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Traditional retreats typically span multiple nights, with each session lasting 4-6 hours. The full experience often requires a commitment of 7-14 days when including proper preparation and integration time. Retreats at established centers generally range from $1,000 to $3,000 per week, though costs vary significantly based on location, duration, and included services. Physical preparation begins weeks before the ceremony. Traditional dietary restrictions (called dieta) exclude salt, sugar, spicy foods, red meat, alcohol, and various medications. Some centers maintain stricter guidelines than others, but all emphasize the importance of approaching the medicine with respect and proper preparation. These guidelines serve both practical safety concerns and deeper spiritual purposes. The legal status of ayahuasca varies globally. While protected for religious use in some countries, it remains prohibited in others. This complex legal landscape requires careful research and consideration. Some seekers choose to travel to countries where traditional use is protected, while others connect with legally recognized churches that work with ayahuasca as a sacrament.
Safety, Ethics, and Finding Authentic Guidance
The journey with ayahuasca calls for careful discernment in choosing guides and settings. Authentic practitioners typically have years of recognized training within established lineages. They prioritize safety, maintain clear ethical boundaries, and create protected ceremonial spaces. Red flags include pressure tactics, promises of miraculous cures, or resistance to questions about training and background. Medical screening proves essential, as ayahuasca can interact dangerously with certain medications and health conditions. Responsible centers require detailed health questionnaires and maintain relationships with local medical facilities. They also provide psychological screening, as the intensity of the experience may not suit everyone at every time. The most reliable centers maintain strong connections with indigenous traditions while adapting thoughtfully to serve modern seekers. They demonstrate respect for local communities, environmental sustainability, and fair compensation practices. Many contribute to cultural preservation efforts and rainforest conservation projects.
Integration and the Living Relationship with Plant Wisdom
Working with ayahuasca extends far beyond the ceremony itself. Integration - the process of embodying insights and implementing changes - often proves more challenging than the ceremonial experience. Some centers offer structured integration support through follow-up calls, online communities, or local integration circles. Others recommend working with integration specialists or therapists familiar with psychedelic experiences. This medicine teaches that transformation unfolds gradually, through sustained commitment to growth and healing. Quick fixes and instant enlightenment rarely manifest. Instead, ayahuasca often initiates a deeper relationship with oneself, nature, and community that continues to unfold over years or decades. The question of whether to work with ayahuasca deserves deep reflection. While some feel strongly called to this path, others may find their medicine in meditation, prayer, therapy, or other healing modalities. Each person's journey unfolds uniquely. The wisdom to discern one's path already lives within - sometimes outside guidance simply helps illuminate what's already known.
Preserving Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times
The survival and evolution of ayahuasca traditions depends on conscious engagement from both traditional holders and modern participants. Supporting indigenous land rights, protecting traditional knowledge, and ensuring sustainable harvesting practices helps preserve these practices for future generations. Responsible engagement means learning about and respecting traditional protocols while recognizing how context shapes ceremony. The medicine reminds us that true healing emerges through right relationship - with plants, with community, and with ourselves.
Questions about Ayahuasca
What does the word "ayahuasca" mean and what's the correct pronunciation?
"Ayahuasca" comes from two Quechuan (indigenous language group spoken in the Andes and the Amazon) words: 'aya,' meaning "spirit, soul, dead", and 'waska,' meaning "rope, vine, liana." The word can then roughly be translated to "vine of the soul" or "vine of the dead."
Reading the Quechuan spelling should yield a clear pronunciation: aya-waska.
What's the difference between ayahuasca, iowaska, yagé, hoasca, daime, jurema, etc?
Except for jurema, all of these names refer to similar brews containing B. caapi as the base; the distinctions between the brews made in different parts of the Amazon concerns not so much the name, but the plant used as the DMT admixture, the proportion of the two ingredients, and the presence of any other admixtures.
The brew is referred to as yagé in Colombia, and as ayahuasca in Ecuador and Peru. Most of Brazil calls it hoasca, while Santo Daime church members refer to it as daime (meaning 'give me'... strength, energy, etc). They all use B. caapi + P. viridis or D. cabrerana, depending on local availability.
In a small region of northern Brazil, however, the indigenous brew known as vinho da jurema is quite distinct from the rest because it's made from a different plant species - jurema or M. hostilis.
And iowaska… is simply another way to spell ayahuasca.
How did the indigenous discover ayahuasca?
It's unclear how the combination of these two plants out of dozens, if not hundreds of thousands of plant species growing in the Amazon was discovered, but it's highly unlikely that it was the result of trial and error.
According to the indigenous, the ayahuasca vine itself directed them toward understanding the properties of other plants. The vine can, if consumed with devotion, as shamans do during their dietas, occasion visionary experiences — ones that could allow them to know which plants can be used for healing, divination, or other purposes.
Some indigenous believe that the DMT admixture merely provides an easier way to see the visions that are actually contained within the ayahuasca vine. Therefore, once the combination was discovered, it likely stuck around to allow those without years of training a clear path into mysticism.
Does ayahuasca embody a feminine (Mother or Grandmother) spirit?
Not exclusively. While in much of Ecuador and Peru ayahuasca is associated with a feminine spirit, in Colombia it's more often connected with a masculine spirit or energy. Some indigenous communities can differentiate dozens of different kinds of the same biological species of the ayahuasca vine, and believe that different kinds house spirits of various polarities. The admixtures also add their own 'personalities' into the brew.
On the whole, the common Western idea that ayahuasca is a singular spiritual entity is limited contrasted with the range of indigenous perspectives.
Are ayahuasca retreats and ceremonies safe?
This mostly depends on the experience and capabilities of the organizers and facilitators.
Many underground ceremonies held around the world (often illegally) have a high participant cap and/or are hosted by "traveling shamans" with (rarely but sometimes) dubious intentions. Conversely, in well-established retreat centers ceremony attendance is often capped at a dozen or so people, the facilitators are skilled and medical staff is on hand. This is without even going into post-ceremony integration, a wholly vital part of the overall experience, which is typically absent or performed negligently in scenarios other than high-performing Western-led retreat centers.
This is why our website is here for you to browse the different venues and read honest visitor reviews. We take the precaution of delisting any retreat center that doesn't meet our plant medicine quality standards.
How long does an ayahuasca journey last?
There is no clear answer to this question; it's determined by a number of factors, such as: how much of the brew you consume, body weight, mindset, personal tolerance for psychedelic states of consciousness, what you consume prior to drinking, and, ultimately, what the Master Plant has in store for you.
Ayahuasca journeys typically go on for between five and eight hours. However, when under the influence, this time might feel like infinity. Also, as the subsequent healing and personal growth you can receive from this medicine also count toward the journey (the ceremony is only the beginning for many), it can really last a lifetime.
What is the difference between ayahuasca vs mushrooms?
The main active compound in psilocybin mushrooms, psilocin, is actually a DMT molecule coated with compounds that 'mask' it from the MAO enzymes so that it can safely be digested and reach the bloodstream. In that way, the DMT element of the ayahuasca journey can quite fairly rival experiences with high doses of magic mushrooms.
However — the ayahuasca journey is far from only a prolonged DMT trip. It is the synergy of the B. caapi vine and the DMT admixture that catalyzes such a profoundly more full-bodied experience, one that has taken some to completely independently existing ineffable spirit realms where it's possible to meet and interact with sentient entities, or down the long, often dark road of Memory Ln, where they can revisit and confront suppressed traumatic memories.
While they also offer profound insight into the nature of the self, others, life, and the universe, mushrooms also typically tend to provide a more supportive, encouraging type of experience. Conversely, ayahuasca is infamous for holding drinkers accountable for their wrongdoings, and very clearly showing them the path toward self-betterment so that no more rationalizations are possible.
In general, ayahuasca can be said to potentially offer a more intense (both physically and mentally), exhausting, ego dissolving, profoundly transformative journey, both deeply inward as well as to exquisite alternate dimensions of existence.
What can ayahuasca heal?
This answer may vary depending on who you ask. Some Amazonian shamans proudly boast of the number of individuals they have successfully healed with ayahuasca from serious illnesses such as HIV, cancer, paralysis, or organ failure. While they may be telling the truth, there is no scientific evidence to back these claims and we do not encourage anyone suffering from life-threatening ailments to hope that ayahuasca would cure them.
Actually documented in a growing body of scientific studies are indications that ayahuasca may assist with alleviating symptoms of psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, and neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's disease. PTSD symptoms, according to personal testimonies of many war vets who have gone to retreats, can also be relieved.
As far as physiological disorders go, there has been no research published as of yet, but the long tradition of ayahuasca's therapeutic usage and the antimicrobial properties of the B. caapi vine suggest that it may be beneficial at least for cleansing the body and clearing out some bacterial or parasitic illnesses.
Is the ayahuasca dieta really necessary?
The period of abstaining from salt, red meats, heavily processed foods, sweets, alcohol, narcotics, and sexual activity, as well as avoiding stress, screen time, and other distractions from intention-fostering is derived from the dietas that Amazonian shamans in training follow in order to acquire their abilities and perform healing and magic.
In practice, a strict dieta is not absolutely necessary for a fruitful ayahuasca experience for common folk. In fact, many people have gone into ceremony after not honoring any aspects of the dieta and suffered no adverse consequences.
However — it's easy to see that adhering to dieta recommendation for a few days is nothing if not beneficial for the prospective drinker. Above and beyond helping to clear out the mind and body from the immense amount of toxins we devour daily in a typical Western lifestyle, the dieta serves to institute stillness, energetic balance, and create space for reflecting and focusing on our intentions for the journey.
Taking these steps in the preparation process can go a long way to ensuring a smoother ceremony experience and more effective integration afterward. As such, it is highly advised to at least maintain a moderate abstinence from unhealthy sustenance in the days leading up to the ceremony.
Will I see visions with ayahuasca?
Perhaps, and perhaps not. Nobody can guarantee you ayahuasca visions. Even with a DMT-rich brew, people experience varying modalities and degrees of visions (some visions aren't visual), and some have none at all.
It's not recommended that anyone embark on an ayahuasca journey with expectations of experiencing a visual spectacle, or, for that matter, any expectations at all. It's often said that the medicine gives us not what we want, but what we need.
Are there any long-term effects from taking ayahuasca?
The studies published so far indicate that there are no residual adverse health effects from ayahuasca consumption in psychologically and physiologically healthy individuals who follow adequate preparatory steps.
How many times can I take ayahuasca / Does ayahuasca produce tolerance?
Because DMT gets flushed from the system so rapidly and efficiently, ayahuasca may be taken multiple times over a short timespan without a significant reduction in the intensity of the experience. This is why many retreat centers offer several ceremonies over a period of a week or two weeks. Ayahuasca has also not been shown to induce tolerance or cross-tolerance with other psychedelics.
That being stated, we suggest moderation in consuming ayahuasca; if you feel a need to drink this powerful brew consecutively for an extended length of time, you may want to consider reevaluating your intentions and focusing more on integration. Overwhelmingly reported to be among the most profoundly transformative events ever experienced, one or a few proper ayahuasca journeys can be enough for a lifetime.
Does ayahuasca cause addiction?
It doesn't. In fact, some successfully use ayahuasca to treat addiction.
How long does ayahuasca stay in the blood / Can ayahuasca be detected in drug tests?
With DMT being the primary psychoactive substance in ayahuasca, drug tests would need to screen for this compound. However, no standard tests do because there's no point in it; DMT is rapidly destroyed by the MAO enzymes in our stomach and is not even allowed into the bloodstream without MAO inhibitors (such as B. caapi) present.
When the effects wear off, the body's defenses have already kicked back in and began breaking down what DMT is left. It's fully out of the system in no time, which means that even the drug tests that would screen for DMT would need to be administered within hours of drinking.
How long do ayahuasca effects last?
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.
How dangerous is ayahuasca?
Other than for persons who are contraindicated for taking ayahuasca (see next question), ayahuasca has proven safe if brewed only with B. caapi and a DMT-containing plant. However, if additional ingredients are added to the brew, or if the drinker is taking powerful medication, drugs, or has consumed tyramine-rich meals or drinks in excess, there is a danger of health issues and, in extreme cases, death.
Who shouldn't take ayahuasca?
Anyone with cardiovascular disorders; on blood pressure or SSRI medication; who has ingested exorbitant amounts of tyramine (aged/preserved/pickled/cured/smoked/fermented foods, craft beer, wine, liqueurs, chocolate, MSG) very recently; with stimulants or other kinds of psychoactive drugs in their system; with a family history of psychosis or latent or expressed psychoticism. Also, while there is no evidence to say it's harmful, pregnant women should avoid ayahuasca until safety studies are available.
Will ayahuasca make me sick?
Nausea is a typical side effect of drinking the brew. Purging (vomiting or defecation) also happens frequently; the indigenous refer to this process as a physical manifestation of spiritual purification. However, many have had ayahuasca without vomiting.
The ayahuasca body load typically feels different than regular nausea, and it is not pleasant. However, as the ceremony progresses, you will either purge or become accustomed to it. It is uncommon to have extreme or painful nausea, which is most often a consequence of ingesting foods, beverages, medications, or chemicals that clash with ayahuasca.
How likely is it to have a bad ayahuasca experience?
This is determined by a variety of circumstances, namely the setting, your physical condition, mindset, and intention, the immensity of your past traumas or suppressed memories, the other participants, what you've ingested prior to drinking, and, of course, the facilitator and retreat center quality level.
If you approach the journey with clear and honest intentions, humility, an open heart and mind, and due respect (reflected in your preparation), provided you've researched the ceremony setting and facilitator diligently, you can be at peace because you've done all you can from your end to ensure a pleasant experience.
However, keep in mind that having a difficult ayahuasca journey is always a possibility; ultimately, it all comes down to what the brew has in store for you. In fact, powering through a 'dark night of the soul' is an essential component of any psychedelic experience. Rather than resisting or defending against the darkness, it is better to surrender to it, embrace it, and, finally, find a way for it to serve you rather than scare you. As the Jungian school of thought wisely contends, "what you resist not only persists, but will grow in size."
In an extreme case of intense psychological reaction, the facilitator or retreat staff should be available and capable of supporting you through it. This is why we continue to emphasize the importance of only attending verified, safe ceremonies, and why our website only partners with centers that reflect that standard.
Can you have ayahuasca without DMT?
Absolutely. In fact, it is consumed with low amounts or no DMT-containing admixtures in many Amazonian communities. This is quite common for more communal ceremonies, as the DMT-rich brews can be overwhelming for non-shamanic members.
Also, the purging element of ayahuasca holds a much higher importance in some communities, where a weakly visionary but highly emetic version of the brew is drunk in public rituals for the cleansing of the body; the brew itself is endearingly referred to as la purga.
Should I take my mother/father/sister/brother/partner/friend for an ayahuasca ceremony/retreat?
If:
1) You and they feel they would benefit from it,
2) They aren't contraindicated to drink, and
3) You plan to join a safe space with a well-vetted provider,
Then absolutely take them — even (or especially) if there are aspects of your relationship that you feel suffer from tension; ayahuasca can be a potent catalyst of relationship resolution.
Where to get / buy ayahuasca?
Many online vendors sell B. caapi extracts and bark; as these products do not contain recognized psychoactive substances, they are legal to purchase and ship almost anywhere (except in France). Syrian rue seeds, a suitable homologue to B. caapi (used for making anahuasca), are likewise legal and widely available online.
DMT is more difficult to obtain, and we advise against acquiring it online because it is prohibited practically everywhere and vendor scams are common. If you reside in regions where DMT-rich plants grow, you may try to extract it yourself, but this is also unlawful and we do not advocate doing so.
Above all, we do not recommend that anyone take ayahuasca on their own. Attending a ceremony or retreat with knowledgeable facilitators and a strong support infrastructure is a far better and safer alternative. South America, Costa Rica, or Portugal are home to an abundance of legal and safe retreat centers.
How to make ayahuasca?
Brewing ayahuasca is simple in theory — it merely involves stacking layers of vine bark and admixture leaves in a pot and simmering them in water over low heat for 6h, then straining, filtering, and finally reducing the resulting liquid further for another 3h.
In practice, however, there are aspects of the brewing process that transcend the scope of following a recipe. Choosing the right vine to cut, asking permission from the plant to harvest it, having fresh admixtures on hand, imbuing the ingredients and their product with prayers… These practices contribute to the 'magical' properties of the brew; the differences can be very noticeable if it's coming from a properly trained and experienced shaman.
It should also be noted that acquiring DMT in any form, whether in plants, as crystal, or extracting it on your own, is illegal in all Western nations.
Can I take ayahuasca without a shaman?
If you are very experienced with psychedelic states, and believe yourself a competent navigator of these journeys, you would possibly fare well with ayahuasca, too. However — the importance of the presence of a powerful shaman or facilitator cannot be overstated. Ceremony leaders aren't there just to supervise; the difference a true healer can make in the experience can be incredibly meaningful.
Compared to many commonly available psychedelics, ayahuasca can make us much more spiritually vulnerable. Having a competent, well-trained, experienced curandero to protect the space, weave magical icaros, ward off malevolent entities, perform healings and cleansings, and extricate us from deep dark dwellings we sometimes end up in unprepared can truly be the stuff of magic. One has to experience it on their own skin to know and appreciate the true value of proper guidance.
Should you choose to drink alone after all, and especially if you feel that your experience with psychedelics may not be enough, we highly encourage you to have a sober sitter present.
Which ayahuasca retreat is the best?
There is a wide range of available ayahuasca retreats in terms of facilitation style, facilitator background, timeframe, legality, location, price, amenities, support infrastructure availability, and other variables.
In the end, choosing a retreat to join is a deeply personal decision influenced by your intention, resources, and personal preferences (degree of comfort needed, facilitation style, need for communication without language barriers, etc.).
Some people choose to venture into the Amazon without a set plan, stay in bare bones accommodation, and join affordable ceremonies hosted by small local shamanic families who speak little English (or even Spanish). Others prefer the comfort and certainty of booking into a high-end Westerner-run retreat center with full amenities, dutiful support infrastructure, a healthy meal plan, and itinerary loaded with activities.
Wherever on this continuum you may find yourself, we suggest that you prioritize your personal safety and legality. After that, evaluate what type of facilitation and ritual may best suit you and look for it. Check reviews, inquire with multiple centers, ask all of your questions, and evaluate which replies best match your requirements, aspirations, and intentions. The right retreat should find you after a bit of research, and the feeling of fit should emerge from within you to greet it.
What to do when ayahuasca doesn't work?
This is actually a surprisingly common occurrence, especially in first-timers. No matter how many cups they have, the effects just seem to elude them throughout the night.
However, having no discernible spiritual or visionary experience doesn't have to mean that the ayahuasca didn't 'kick in' — it could have just been laying the ground for next time. The only advice to give in this case would be to not underestimate the brew in subsequent ceremonies and drink multiple cups right off the bat; the floodgates may open and you may find yourself quite overwhelmed by what comes.
How does ayahuasca taste?
In traditional Amazonian ceremonies, ayahuasca presents as a thick, dark brown liquid with an intensely bitter, earthy taste that many find challenging. The brew commonly has notes of strong coffee grounds mixed with forest floor, while some describe hints of licorice or even a slightly sweet undertone depending on preparation method and specific plant ingredients used. Most ceremonial facilitators acknowledge it's an acquired taste, though focus rarely stays on flavor since the medicine's purpose transcends ordinary sensory experience. Some retreats offer small pieces of ginger or honey to help ease the taste, though traditional shamans often prefer participants receive the pure, unaltered brew. The taste itself is considered by many indigenous healers to be an important part of the medicine's teaching - a reminder that profound healing and growth often require us to move beyond surface-level comfort into deeper waters of transformation.