"This was my first experience with ayahuasca, kambo and temazcal. I felt truly cared for, nurtured and supported in every step of my journey, both by the staff and the wonderful participants, who were all returnees to Xochipilli. This retreat is truly family. Arturo is a deeply knowledgeable and passionate practitioner of ayahuasca and completely invested in those who seek the healing of this medicine. Alicia went above and beyond to insure that all my logistical needs were met and was present and supportive at every moment of the retreat. I can’t say enough about their commitment to each and every attendee that comes to Xochipilli. They don’t simply offer a product, but nurture and guide a community with love and service. I left with a heart full of gratitude. "
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Experiences on Retreat
"I really appreciated the retreat, from the staff very accommodating and friendly and everyone’s working here in service to the Divine. Plenty love of community felt here. Beautiful space in the trees with pool. And beautiful surroundings "
"After my husband’s ADHD coach told him to send me on a vacation I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had never felt called to do ayahuasca before but from that moment I knew I was being called. I picked Mamay Ayahuasca because a friend that I trust went there and has sent several people there. Alicia made the whole trip smooth and easy and she was available to answer my many questions before the retreat. She was also a very supportive person during the retreat. My whole experience was amazing and life changing and I didn’t want to leave when it was over. I walked in feeling numb after years of repressing my emotions. I walked out having been blown wide open emotionally. I released so much of my past trauma and stories and found the woman I was before I became a wife, mother, and invalid who was sick for 13 years. I healed myself physically from a brain injury and am healthy physically but I knew I needed to get healthy emotionally again too. This retreat did that for me. I’ve been home for 1.5 weeks but I’m still riding the high from the retreat. Being there was like being part of a loving family that wraps you in their arms, protects you, and guides you. Arturo, the Shaman, is a calm gentle knowing spirit and guide and is amazing just like all of the staff are. Thank you everyone. I look forward to coming back again soon."
"I think I'll start with the staff. Each one of them is so heart centered and one with their inner child. They are wise and nurturing, full of life. They really made the experience special for me. The food was splendid with wholesome ingredients, minimally processed and full of flavor. The location was gorgeous. From the aesthetic of the architecture to the vibrancy of the plants. The energy of the land was superb. The Aya ceremonies themselves were unreal and potent. Leaving with nothing but deep reverance for the entirety of the experience, medicine and people I connected with. "
"I have been working with different plant medicines for about 5 years now and have been truly reaping the benefits of each ceremony I attend. With each experience I discover a deeper understanding of who I truly am, what my experiences have taught me and what I need to apply more attention to in my life. It has been enlightening, healing, transformative and heart opening.
In July I attended Mamay Ayahuasca for a one week retreat. The whole week was beautiful. Filled with different ceremonial experiences unlike any other retreat. The last ceremony I attended, the maloca was full of people. Mostly locals. This is the optional night of the retreat when outsiders are invited to share the medicine. It was actually my 40th birthday and I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect way to celebrate. The medicine was strong this night. I followed my intuition and drank as much as I felt I needed. Laying on the grass, under the beautiful Mexican starry sky; my heart opened. It was visceral and intense but deeply pleasurable. In that moment I fell deeply in love with myself. I released all the shame and anger and resentments that had plagued me my whole life. I forgave everyone who ever hurt me. I forgave myself for the wrongs I had done to others and to myself. I saw perfection in everything. It was the most beautiful experience I had ever encountered and I can’t imagine anything topping that.
This was in July 2024. 8 months ago now. Im still basking in the afterglow. Not only do I feel that my Complex-ptsd symptoms have vastly improved, but in the weeks following the retreat I noticed my Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome symptoms diminish. After seeing a doctor and running some tests in December it was revealed that my Pcos had been cured! The doctors have no explanation for this. It’s believed that hormonal imbalances like this are often caused due to high stress hormones in early childhood development. Coming from a very traumatic childhood it made sense that I’d developed Pcos. I full heartedly believe by working with Ayahuasca at Mamay and feeling the LOVE from the faculty, healing my deeply embedded emotions, I gave my body permission to balance my chemistry. It really is magical!
I recently returned from a powerful two week retreat in the Peruvian Amazon at one of the worlds top tier Ayahuasca retreats. It was also incredible, healing and insightful. But nothing compares to the way my heart felt at Mamay. I am forever grateful for the warmth, compassion and opportunity. Life is such a special gift and I will always walk this path with an open heart thanks to my friends at Mamay. "
"
This retreat marked a pivotal moment in my journey. Engaging in my first ayahuasca ceremony, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the exceptional team that guided me. My apprehensions regarding safety were not only met but surpassed by the measures of this group.
Alicia stood as our beacon of love and strength, guiding us with her golden-hearted presence every step of the way. Her embodiment of love and compassion is hugely impressive.
Arturo, with his profound wisdom and nurturing spirit, serves as an inspiring mentor deeply committed to his calling. His genuine guidance and unwavering support were both uplifting and motivational.
The team's extraordinary commitment to service was evident through their relentless support during this significant transition. Their dedication to their work and their eagerness to assist in our transformative journey was out of the ordinary. The retreat itself radiates warmth, care, and empathy, making me feel immensely fortunate to have been part of such an extraordinary group. The entire experience was memorable, from the serene location to the attentive staff and the nutritious food provided.
The magic of this retreat has been a blessing and a life-changing experience. Words cannot describe the profound impact it had on me, and I highly recommend it to all seekers of safety, transformation, and growth.
"
"I've attended many retreats over the years and can honestly say this one is the best of them all. It felt like family. It was supportive, fun, open, expressive, sacred and spiritual. The wisdom and experience of everyone involved really shows. A month later and I miss them all! Words are not enough! "
"It’s been a month since my retreat and I am still feeling the power of this transformational experience. Alicia cultivates such a warm environment which nurtured & brought our group together as a true family. Arturo is so gentle and wise - I wish I had a 5 min daily podcast with his words of wisdom. Arturo and his team are pivotal to processing & integrating the lessons learnt after sitting with the medicine.
I went into the week being oblivious to how much work I needed to do. It was confronting at first, but was vital to flourish the days after. My biggest takeaway was connecting with my inner child - something I hadn’t realised I had lost 10+ years ago. This was such a valuable lesson, which now guides my every day decisions and has resulted in an abundance of joy. I really do hope for this medicine to touch the hearts of as many people as possible and for more experiences to be guided by Alicia and Arturo. I will without a doubt be back some time in the future. A 100% must do for anyone seeking a transformative experience. "
"Firstly, thank you so much to the entire team at Xochipilli and a very special shout out to Alicia, Arturo, Esther, Louise, David and Lorena for making the experience one of the most incredible and rewarding weeks of my life!
I researched retreats for hours and what lead me to my final decision was the authenticity that shone through on my call with Alicia. ❤️
We started the week with a cacao ceremony, getting to know each other and opening up the energy of the space. Esther was so generous and even showed us how to make the ceremonial cacao 🙏 all of these extra healing modalities like integration, movement, voice classes, temazcal were amazing and made the journey so special.
The three ceremonies for ayahuasca were all SO different and I am so glad we got to do 3.
The first ceremony showed me how big my ego was and how much I battle with the negative voice in my head, the second ceremony connected me with my inner child and the universe, and the third ceremony was the most insane experience of my life - I purged what felt like an entire lifetime of sadness and grief, it poured out of me, and i was able to heal my heart and release a lot of deep trauma. Tears that I don’t think I ever would have cried in my life, had they not been unlocked by Mother Aya and this experience. Thank you to all that supported me through this process.
Arturo's wisdom and connection with the Shipibo tribe reassured us of the medicine's integrity and I learnt so much about plant medicines from him.
I left this retreat with brighter skin, brighter eyes, a lighter soul and a more open heart. It’s been 3 weeks now since I finished the retreat and I am feeling awesome.
I didn’t expect there to be so much love the entire week and to feel like we were one big family!
Thank you again to the entire team 🙏
PS I found it really helpful to come the night before starting the retreat to relax✌️ "
"Arturo was an amazing leader with a strong connection and relationship with plant medicine and the jungle. In every ceremony and sharing circle, he held sacred space from a place of authencity, being humble, listening with his heart not his mind, and kindness. His intentionality spread in ceremony with his songs, his instruments, his stories, his knowledge and wisdom. He is truly a great soul and ceremonalist leader. Gracias for all your teachings!!!"
"Alicia is the piece of the puzzle that pulls everything together. She truly takes care of every participant with their own individual needs on all levels. She has a big heart with the goal of being supportive for each one of us while maintaining such a beautiful sense of integrity & love. She shared her experiences & wisdom at the right time & place. She works hard throughout the retreat, especially, in all the translation she does from Spanish to English. This is another aspect that brings your experience deeper & closer to your heart. An understanding of what is taught was a key to my journey. She wasn't alone... Her team who helped her make this happen were equally fantastic!!! I can say that they became my new tribe, my new Mexican family. Everything the team did was out of love, authenticity, passion & love. Everything fitted so perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle. My heart felt so vulnerable and filled with love to share and truly be in the moment with these beautiful souls, hence, the deep healing I did experience on my journey. Muchas gracias to every single one of you. You will be forever in my heart, always remembering my experiences. Love you all!!!"
"I was blessed and grateful to have participated in this magical retreat of plant & animal sacred medicine. The structure of the retreat was outstanding as it provided sufficient time for meaningful activities that supported our integration process (after sitting with sacred plant medicine). These activities helped to explore & discover oneself even a little deeper. There was also enough time for yourself to be reflective on your
experiences during the process. We were fed quality, homemade & delicious food! The location of the retreat was perfectly located just outside of Cancun in the heart of the jungle. If you ever wanted to explore, discover & heal your inner being, I couldn't think of a better centre to attain this experience. It will change your life forever. Thank you to everyone who made this a magical experience!"
"Arturo is still in his 30s but has somehow managed to walk through many experiences in life and emerged a humble, wise man. When he holds ceremony, he is surrounded by so many loving ancestors. His drum echoes with the sound of the sacred valley and his harp tones with the laughter of the jungle spirits. His integrity and humility allow these spirits to speak clearly into the ceremony space. He is capable and trustworthy; you will be happy you shared space with him."
"Dear Alicia is a gem in the sacred medicine space. She is like a sister, a wise elder, a singer, translator, and business person extraordinaire. I am not sure which angels worked together to create such a solid human being but I certainly cannot express enough her poise, humor, confidence and professionalism. Whatever your situation, she will ensure you leave the experience deeply transformed and satisfied. Gratitude!"
"When I was called to Ayahuasca, Mamay was the perfect retreat at the perfect time. Xochipilli was beautiful, accommodations were clean and comfortable, the food was delicious, and Alicia, Arturo, and all those involved made me feel welcomed and safe. The medicine and ceremonies were transformative, and I appreciate the integration incorporated into the experience. I look forward to returning in the future!"
"Bernice is a true medicine woman. She is caring and intuitive and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her. She carefully guided me through many journeys, and I trust her completely.
I definitely would recommend Bernice and can’t wait to work with her again!"
"A friend told me about ayahuasca and I decided to try it. Alicia at Mamay was a good hand holder during bouts of indecision. Fear, really.
The retreat itself was special, and I felt completely safe. The ceremony and the music were so perfect in creating an environment where I could explore my mind. For me, an old trauma was brought to my attention. I was able to recall that trauma for the first time in 60 years. Working through ayahuasca allowed me to acknowledge and release it.
The Kambo helped me so much and seems to have turned down the pain and nausea I have with a chronic illness. I'm taking less western medicine and I'm able to eat a wider variety of foods.
Lastly, Alicia of Mamay put roommates together who were compatible and such that we could help each other and learn from each other. I have a new friend family.
"
"I attended the November 20-26 retreat at Mamay Ayahuasca and it was amazing! 🙌🏾
I feel so much lighter now. My body feels like it's carrying less burdens. The best things about this retreat are the loving compassionate staff and the variety of healing activities available for you to participate in: Kambo, Ayahuasca ceremonies with Rapé, cacao, voice therapy, sweat lodge, yoga, visualization exercises, integration circles, singing, dancing, etc.
I'm so glad I chose Mamay for my first ayahuasca experience. The staff there do a swell job checking up on the attendees. I felt safe and supported. Alicia does an amazing job running things! She is there for you. And there are other female staff members as well.
The food there is very tasty and healthy. I cut about 7lbs last week and I'm continuing to eat a healthy diet to keep it off.
I still have the beautiful icaros songs from the retreat playing in my head 🎵. The Shaman, Arturo, is a wise man that knows his work well. He gave some life changing insight to one of the participants there.
I loved the trip to the cenote! It gives a good break between the activities of the week and allowed for us attendees to go on a bit of an adventure.
Overall, this retreat was an 11/10 experience. I'd recommend anyone to attend and get the healing they need. I think Aya + Kambo is a really good combo. "
"The retreat was a life changing experience, food was healthy and delicious, rooms were clean and comfortably, staff was very nice and helpful 24/7.
I highly recommend Xochipilli retreats center, The experience that I felt in my heart was breathtaking. It changes you in a very positive way. Arturo, Alicia, Citlali, Lorena, Esther, David y Luis are amazing human beings. thank you 🙏🫶🫶🫶
I can’t find words to describe how beautiful my experience, you just need to open you’re heart to all the natural medicines. I was very fortunate to be in Xochipilli the week of my birthday, and I was hablé to celebrate muy birthday and that I was able to heal my heart.
Thank you Xochipilli staff, Arturo, Alicia, Alejandro and Alejandra for being in my life and for the invitación. Xochipilli you will always be in my heart. "
"My experience at Mamay was more than i could have hoped for. The retreat is beautiful but the people behind this retreat are what truly made this experience one I will never forget. The experience was challenging but so rewarding. Its not easy to open up, sometimes we get comfortable in our misery, but that's not how life was meant be be lived. Im so grateful for this experience and even more grateful to all the staff that showed us nothing but love and support. Thank you 1000X!"
"The Xochipilli Shamanic retreat experience helped me better understand what truly is and gave me the insight I've been looking for. Many emotional burdens that I was not aware of have also been released. I felt that I really gained more than I anticipated and I would like to believe that I came away the better for it.
A Sanctuary retreat that welcomes you with open hearts and minds. This special place becomes your home, and you make friends that you will never forget.
Growing up as a step child. Feeling more in the way than in a family. I was the one blamed for went wrong or was wrong.
Since my stay at Xochipilli I now know the true meaning of family. I have nothing but warm memories of all of you. Thank you for my Empowering shift into my New Beginning.
Trey "
"Loved it amazing experience I literally came back to life. I will definitely come back to have this beautiful experience. Again.!. You must try it once and go from there. Ive been to many retreats however this one changed my life. Thank You! 🫶🏽"
"I recently finished my week long Ayahuasca & Peyote retreat with Mamay Ayahuasca. I am so filled with gratitude for this experience. The entire team felt like a family and immediately made us all as participants feel welcomed, safe to open up and be vulnerable, and by the end of the retreat I felt like I had a spot in this tribe. The deep respect for these medicines, the people who protect them and have passed them down through sacred ceremony for generations, the wisdom shared with us and the opportunity to participate, learn, and heal from these ceremonies, were all parts of a truly life-changing event. I would recommend this experience to anyone, whether its people who are new or have experience with plant medicine, everyone can resonate with this experience of healing. I am returning home feeling so open-hearted, grateful, grounded, expansive, and loved. Alicia, Arturo, Lorena, Esther, Gaby, David, Luis, Maru, and everyone else who held space for us and contributed in countless ways, I can't say thank you enough for this week. Thank you so much for everything, I look forward to when I'm called to return. With so much love!! "
"It’s so hard to put into words what I experienced at Mamay. I went a month ago when I was really going through a big life change (end of an abusive relationship). I was desperate for some sort of guidance in life. Besides the reviews online for Mamay, I felt like I went into this pretty blindly - booked only a couple weeks before the retreat. I did feel the calling to ayahuasca which I had heard about years before. I also had a life changing shroom trip about 6 years ago so I felt somewhat prepared.
From the moment I met Alicia, I felt at home. This place is not a tourist trap or cash grab. They literally care deeply about you and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or more caring guides.
Surprisingly, the biggest thing I learned wasn’t even from the medicine, it was from an interaction with Arturo (the shaman). Arturo and I had a disagreement - I really didn’t want to do the Kambo a second time. Ultimately it led to an argument but the way Arturo handled me in my heightened state was pretty incredible. Instead of coming at me with hostility and the same energy I had, he came at it with love and compassion. A complete shift from what I was used to in my past relationship. This allowed for me to put my ego to the side, do kambo, and understand that nothing changes unless it changes.
One of the main reasons why I chose Mamay was for the AC in the rooms which didn’t disappoint especially when it’s super hot out. The meals we received were nourishing and prepared with love from Arturo’s family.
The actual ceremonies were incredible. Alicia, her team, and Arturo really know what they are doing. The singing, dancing, and all around care can’t be put into words. The team holds so much space for you here. I really don’t know how they do it. Alicia is literally the mother of the group and I was so grateful for her warmth at times when it was truly needed.
It was probably one of the toughest weeks emotionally and physically my body has experienced. I recommend showing up fully to this experience. This is just the beginning for my journey with this plant medicine but it’s very promising.
Our group was amazing too. It was about 8 of us and we all got to know each other on such a deeper level. I crave connections like the one we had there. So thank you to everyone who showed up and to the entire team at Mamay. I am forever grateful. "
"This was my second retreat here as I really wanted to try the Peyote medicine. It was such a beautiful experience and I really enjoyed our group as well. There were 9 of us and we really became a family as the week progressed. Such beautiful people.
The peyote medicine was very special and, like the peyote ceremony, was conducted with such care and reverence for the plant and tradition.
I can't speak highly enough about the entire staff. Alicia, who runs Mamay, was always there to help us and guide us through the experience. Arturo, who runs Xochipilli and conducts the ceremonies, is just such a gentle and knowledgable leader and I can't think of anyone I'd rather have facilitate the ceremonies. And the rest of the facilitators are such amazing musicians and healers, I always feel so loved and supported by this team.
I highly recommend this retreat for anyone who wants to experience Ayahuasca, Kambo, the Temezcal sweat lodge, yoga, and other restorative activities.
What is also great is how convenient it is to get there. You just fly into Cancun, and their driver Jesus picks you up and drops you at the retreat center where Alicia is awaiting participants. Very accessible and seamless.
Can't wait to go down there again :)) "
"I had a great experience at this retreat. The staff is so thoughtful and amazing. I recommend this for anyone looking to make major changes in their life or facing challenges. "
"I went to get answers to questions that I had and to help evolve my spirit (spiritual enlightenment).
It was amazing!! I received my answers and more than expected!
The Shaman, Arturo, was very wise with his words, if you really listened. His process of how it’s done
was very effective. His chosen group that Arturo works with are gracious, helpful and very talented
as is Arturo.
Alicia did a wonderful job of organizing this retreat, from even being picked up and taken to
the airport.
The food was amazing! Compliments to the cook. I wish they would post their receipts (English and Spanish) somewhere!
I highly recommend Mamay Retreat.
I give a 5 STAR RATING. Just incase this site gives another rating that is not mine. "
"Alicia did a wonderful job of organizing this retreat, from even being picked up and taken to
the airport.
I highly recommend Mamay Retreat.
I give a 5 Star Rating!
"
"The Shaman, Arturo, was very wise with his words, if you really listened. His process of how it’s done
was very effective. His chosen group that Arturo works with are gracious, helpful and very talented
as is Arturo.
I give 5 Star Rating. Just incase this site gives it another rating.
"
"Arturo l never have met a man that l looked at that easily bring peace to your heart. His Devine persona is infectious he is a blessed man. Thank you"