"Where do I even start. I had a truly life altering experience here. I am so incredibly blown away by everything.
For me, psychological/emotional (& physical) safety were top priority (as I have anxiety and also this was my first time with the plant medicine) and I felt extremely safe with Oliver, the Shaman, and the entire team. The ceremonies were truly authentic, the energy was powerful (unlike anything I’ve felt before), the musicians (playing guitar, flute, drums, instruments I’ve never seen before, at one point there was even a proper soundbath in the middle of the night/ceremony(!)) were extraordinarily talented and went on ALL night throughout the ceremony. The music is a BIG part of the experience as the lyrics and the otherworldly sound hold you with unconditional love throughout the ceremony.
The food was great and always ready on time, and the house, wow the house was beautiful on top of a breathtaking mountain outside of Medellin in Colombia. It was perfect for this, from the interior art and setting to the beautiful views and nature outside. It was also very clean and was thoroughly cleaned every morning before everyone woke up (so you woke up to a brand new house every day!).
Not to mention, I did connect very powerfully with Mama Aya each night and I think it’s thanks to the shaman’s work and power, ingredient/plant quality, team’s guidance & prep.. And I did get the answers I needed from Mama Aya (and every person in my group did too).
If you are being called by Ayahausca (and you are if you’re here), this is the place to do it.
Thank you Oliver, Kevin, Daniel, Sergio, Julian, Richard and so many more. And thank you to the amazing new life long friends I’ve made.
With so, so much love.
"
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Experiences on Retreat
"When it comes to find the right setting and shaman for something as personal and vulnerable as an ayahuasca journey it is a blessing to find a good shaman who has the best intentions for you.
It was not my first aya retreat but the one I resonated the most with. Oliver, the faciliator and Sergio, the Shaman, Kevin as doctor for medical questions, who also plays and sings lovely as well as Maria who's also a gifted singer and musician during the ceremonies and all the rest of the team, clearly are whole-heartedly into what they are doing, to me this was felt and brought my experience to a whole other level.
"
"Sergio te debo mil gracias por mi experiencia en enero. La verdad que no sabía nada de como iba a ser o pasar. Y ustedes me dieron la bienvenida como familia y eso fue muy agradable para mí. Gracias por los consejos y la experiencia que ofrecieron. La vida es más alegre ahora.
Sergio I owe you a thousand thanks for my experience in January. The truth is that I didn't know anything about how it was going to be or happen. And you welcomed me as family and that was very nice for me. Thank you for the advice and experience you offered. Life is more joyful now.
"
"Thank you so much for being who you are. You truly have restored my faith in humanity. You're a great man, friend and person and you will continue to guide others on their paths for many years. It was an honor staying at your retreat and I can't wait to book another. In the meantime I've sent a few people your way. Mil gracias."
"I came across this website while looking for things to do in Medellin and this retreat came up. Now i had never heard of Ayahuasca, but my spirit had been needing something new, something different. I did my research and thought it seemed like a sign. I must have read the reviews a million times before I booked it. One review mentioned it being a sign that this was the place for me. This was the first thing I've done for myself in a long time, so I had lots of emotions going in. Once I arrived and met Oliver and his team, plus my family (other participants) I knew this would be life-changing. From the location, to the ceremonies and everything in between, this was the best experience I've had in my life. I felt heard, seen, safe , loved and cared for the entire time. My soul is happy. I've made lifetime friends and most of all I met my inner child and have healed myself like never before. If you're looking for a sign to book this place, this is it. Thank you Oliver. "
"You are on this website for a reason. You will get what you are looking for here. The ceremony itself will exceed your expectations. The food/accommodations are great as well.
Enjoy!"
"Somehow the retreat exceeded my expectations. Oliver is an amazing host, filled with kindness and a lot of patience. He helped guide all of us through the experience with calm and assured demeanor resulting in life changing lessons. Sergio's presence alone is enough to assure and calm your soul and every other person involved in the process is there to help and contributes wonderfully to the event. If you are looking for a change in your life, look no further (and being nervous about it is a natural part of the experience, don't worry :) )"
"Oliver is a very wise man and has big heart. The way the retreat is set up works out great. The music is the most beautiful thing to your ears and your soul. Sergio can play like 14 different instruments, and sing at the same time. Julian has such an amazing voice. I literally got my blanket n sat next to Jaime while he was playing his guitar and singing. Oliver has such great energy and has so much wisdom to share. Defensively a life changing experience.
Blessings to all of the Guacamayo Fam.
I will be back soon brother "
"I decided to wait a while before leaving a review. There is often an afterglow effect with hallucinogens and I wanted to wait for things to settle a bit before making any comments on my experience at Lawayra. It seems more honest that way. I'll also add that the former facilitator and a volunteer left a few months ago, and things are a lot less structured and professional now at this retreat than in the past.
With that being said, my experience overall was just okay. There were a few circumstances that really reduced the quality of the experience. And some things came across as a bit disrespectful to the medicine and the seriousness of this ancient tradition.
Lawayra is cheaper than many other retreat centers. That itself doesn't make the place bad, but I do think that a cheaper price does invite SOME people who may take things a lot less seriously. You can end up with people who do things such as talk during ceremonies, people who bring processed junk food to the center because they refuse to stick to the diet, people who spend all their free time on their phones, etc.
As a participant I had no say over other people's actions, which I accept. But as a paying customer, I expected the environment to be a bit more strict and rigid and to hold the guests accountable so that everyone can get the most from their experience. The people who are a part of your group can really affect the atmosphere at the retreat. The place is quite small for the amount of people who are there at any given time. Ayahuasca opens you up to other energy which is why it's so important to have a solid environment to drink the medicine and work through the processes.
Lawayra was a place full of distractions. WiFi stays on full time and I often saw people occupying their minds with Facebook and Netflix and whatever else. It was frustrating that the people running the facility aren't more strict with such things. Phones and social media can easily be as addictive and harmful as drugs or alcohol. Some people might go to an Ayahuasca center in the hopes of disconnecting for a little while.
Socializing was overly encouraged, rather than quiet introspection and taking time to self reflect. There were times when it was difficult to find a quiet place to rest due to all the loud conversations, music, construction noise, etc. It became more of a social event or party than anything else. People were even playing rap music on a speaker at one point. Something I never expected to experience at an Ayahuasca center. I'm also not sure how we were expected to be able to relax and be well rested, when the ceremonies would often keep us up until 1 or 2am and then construction workers show up at 6am and immediately start using grinders and other loud equipment.
I am not writing this review to trash talk Lawayra or the people who own and operate the place. I only want those who are considering this retreat to have the opportunity to see both sides. I think that it is common for these retreats involving plant medicine that most people who have a less than optimal experience remain quiet rather than say anything bad or negative most of the time, but I'd rather speak my mind.
I didn't walk away from my experience completely empty handed. The medicine is strong and the music is beautiful. The taita is a good guide. But the retreat just didn't really seem optimized for deep work and healing. They appeal more to the crowd who want to experiment or want a cool story or pictures for Instagram. If you're searching for a more authentic experience or somewhere to do deep healing, I would recommend going elsewhere. They often said at the retreat that there are many different traditions related to consuming Ayahuasca and that everyone does it differently. But to me they seemed overly dismissive of getting negative input from the guests (or seeming offended by it honestly). There was a strong my way or the highway type of attitude and that's fine. The inability to handle negative criticism in an empathetic and constructive manner is what made me decide to never return to Lawayra. Thanks for taking the time to read and I hope it was helpful. Good luck on your journey."
"This was my first time encountering Ayahuasca, and I couldn't have felt in better hands, starting with the generous, sweet soul of our host Oliver, the loving, nurturing spirit of Clara, who fed us every meal, and the rest of the crew that came in and out, led by the shamans who, at the start of the ceremony, make you feel comforted and safe. They carry the ancient knowledge by an ancestral mamita from the Amazon region. The ceremonies felt very sacred. You'll know you're in a safe space. The journey is yours, but you will be supported and cared for. If you've been wondering about experiencing this mother plant for a while, and you feel you're ready, I wholeheartedly recommend this loving place as a first experience. I'm eternally grateful that this is where I met this sacred, ancestral medicine. GRACIAS MADRE."
"The experience at this retreat was fantastic, with ice bath and breathing exercises on top of 2 amazing ayuhasca ceremonies.
The teachers were very supportive and approachable and guided everyone through the retreat. Everyone on the retreat was from a wide range of ages and backgrounds successfully, but all managed to have a very positive experience after the two ceremonies with the guidance from staff.
Also in a beautiful location on a hillside 1 hour outside of Medellin with transport included from the city."
"Oliver & team are experienced and will guide you through your personal journey. I felt comfortable and safe from the moment I got to the retreat and every part of the experience was fantastic from the ceremonies to the heathy delicious meals. Highly recommend. Thanks Oliver!"
"Sam's guidance and discourse, about how to take and manage the medicine, demonstrates an especially impressive vocabulary about who participants should manage and make maximum benefit from the experience. To properly describe what such deep journeying is about, and how it so foundationally heals and restores our souls, is not at all easy, even among many more experienced, but Sam explains it in manners that are especially user-friendly and educational."
"In a world where sadly even sacred Ayahuasca is often improperly served among retreat centers that are not always honoring every consideration as to who and how sacred medicines are served and how to hold proper ceremony, Lawayra is doing a fine job, staffed and managed by entirely capable, and ethically super sound team."
"Oliver and Eric where truly amazing facilitators for the ceremonies. We did a cold plunge, breathwork and sharing circles before the ceremonies. The food was amazing, but nothing beats the view on Oliver’s property. I truly recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a safe and affordable way to explore their minds through medecine. "
"Sergio was our shaman for our retreat and from the moment he stepped inside we knew we were in good hands. His confidence, smile and knowledge allowed us to relax and concentrate on our experiences as he guided us through one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Cannot rate him higher!"
"Oliver from the moment we met has been nothing but a smiling, laughing, attentive gentleman. Humble yet knowledgeable he quickly made all of us feel at home, seen and listened to and cared for throughout giving everyone a chance to be heard and grow. Muchas gracias mi hermano"
"I had searched for a while to find somewhere I would be comfortable doing a ceremony and after speaking with Oliver for 5 minutes I was certain this was the place.
From the moment we arrived it felt like home and I felt relaxed and safe.
At all times I felt my concerns and questions were addressed with compassion and thought and I knew I was in safe understanding hands at all times.
The food aswell was incredible and without a doubt some of the best I've had in Colombia after 3 months of travelling there. The house was spotless from top to bottom.
The views are honestly worth it even if you don't partake in the rest of the retreat.
I cannot rate Ayahuasca Retreat Guacamayo higher and the guys have done an amazing job creating something truly special, fair play to yous!"
"I recently had the privilege of attending the Ayahuasca Retreat Guacamayo, and I can’t express enough how transformative and incredible this journey was. From start to finish, every aspect of the retreat exceeded my expectations.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The retreat provided a safe and inviting space that instantly put me at ease. The atmosphere was filled with positivity, warmth, and acceptance, making it the perfect environment for deep self-exploration and growth.
The breathwork exercises were nothing short of powerful. They allowed me to connect with my inner self on a profound level. It was a cathartic experience that left me feeling lighter and more in touch with my true self.
The ice bath was an unexpected but incredibly invigorating experience. It helped me ground myself and brought a unique dimension to the retreat.
The meals provided were not just nourishing but absolutely delicious! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were culinary delights and the chef was the most endearing lovely woman who’s love was felt in her cooking.
The insightful, diverse, and sharing circles after ceremonies were a highlight of the retreat. It was inspiring to connect with people from all walks of life and share our experiences. These circles fostered a sense of community and unity that added immense value to the overall experience.
The knowledge and experience of the shamans were evident throughout the retreat. Their guidance and wisdom were invaluable in helping me navigate my journey with Ayahuasca safely and effectively.
Lastly, the musicians were incredibly talented. The live music during the ceremonies elevated the entire experience, taking us on a profound and spiritual journey through sound and vibration.
In summary, the is a place of profound healing and self-discovery. If you’re looking for a life-changing experience, I wholeheartedly recommend it. The retreat’s holistic approach, knowledgeable staff, and the incredible sense of community make it a five-star destination for anyone seeking personal growth and spiritual awakening.
Lastly Oliver is an incredible host that cares deeply about his retreat attendees experience, if you have any reservations about attending an ayahuasca retreat, im sure a conversation with him before hand I’m sure will provide you with the information you’re looking for. I hope I’m able to attend another one of his retreats again in the future."
"I undertook four ceremonies (three nighttime and one daytime ceremony) in the Fall of 2023 with LaWayra, and my time with them has been nothing short of life changing.
First, being a recent college grad traveling the world on a gap year student budget, I conducted a bunch of research into affordable ayahuasca retreats. LaWayra was the most ideal combination between affordability and credible reviews all over the internet (including on Reddit). One tip I wish I knew before booking - book directly on LaWayra’s website instead of on third party sites like retreat guru. Third party sites charge much more for the same ceremony. Use the money you saved to tip the retreat staff!
The ceremony, housekeeping, and volunteer staff are an incredibly skilled, warm-hearted, and attentive individuals. I’m vegan, and there was plenty of solid vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The taita’s presence was a supremely warming presence during ceremonies, and the combination of healing music, pre-ceremony mediation, and the pristine nature around the ceremony center were amazing additions to ceremonies. Group sizes of 15-25 are a great balance between individualized attention from ceremony staff before, during, and after ceremonies and a diverse community from all over the world with a wealth of different life stories and purposes for pursuing the healing power of ayahuasca.
I came into the ceremony looking to challenge the limits of my perception and to unroot my most ingrained worldviews and beliefs. During the ceremonies, I’ve traveled to fantastical dimensions and had visions/experiences that have fundamentally changed the way I view the world and my place on earth, spirituality, and the bonds between the living/nonliving, human and non human entities of the world. I am forever grateful to the healing and revelatory powers of the medicine whose lessons will profoundly shape me for the rest of my life."
"Lawayra is a magical place. The experience I have had in the week I spent here has been life-changing. It gave me new optimism for the future and provided me answers to questions I did not even know I had. The place is very well managed, it's clean, the food is good, and there is plenty of kind and attentive staff to make you feel safe and at home. Here, I would like to express my thanks to the whole team, Sam, Jarrod, the Taita, the cooks, cleaning ladies, musicians, dogs, and everyone else who helped me have this amazing experience. If you feel the calling for Ayahuasca, I cannot recommend this place enough. "
"Taita Fernando was so attentive through every ceremony ensuring every participants experience with the plant medicine was safe & beautiful. His musical talents bring the ceremony experience full circle with his soothing voice along with his guitars & flutes. He went out of his way to ensure everyone was safe & takes the space seriously. I enjoyed how we connected at the last ceremony & am eternally grateful for his support & validation on my journey & how I was feeling. He understands a woman is powerful & respects us as a whole. I wish I could truly put into words just how powerful yet calming his presence is & I wish him nothing but the best on his journey in shamanism. Thank you Taita! "
"Jarrod brings emotional intelligence, plant medicine expertise experience with a genuine heart & passion for the person that is partaking of the medicine. He truly cares for the person as a whole and tirelessly supports each & everyone’s experience with integration therapy. From group settings to one on one sessions, Jarrod will ensure you walk away with full confidence in understanding your personal experience. His professionalism throughout the entire retreat not only made me feel comfortable opening up but he also made me feel safe; even if outside sources out of our control may have made me feel otherwise. He more than understands every person is unique & will tweak & cater his own professional style to that individual so that they too feel comfortable & safe. He has a beautiful soul that you can’t help but notice & he touches every other soul around him with his warm embrace & helps guide your light to shine through the darkness. Through his integration therapy you are taught by Jarrod that your ‘cracks’ in life are part of the process so that your own self love & light can shine through!"
"I'll try to say things not mentioned often in other reviews:
-If you're skeptical as to why there are only 5 star reviews, its because every single thing that you could think to complain about LaWayra feels so insignificant in the wake of the experience that you couldn't imagine taking even half a star off the rating.
-It's not a luxurious place, though there are many projects in the works to turn it into one. It's going to be an extremely interesting place in 6 months and beyond.
-Take bug spray and be prepared for a wet environment (you're in the clouds) and you likely wont be able to wash any clothes during you stay so pack accordingly.
-The experience is different for everyone, don't have any expectations based on somebody elses experience.
-Jarrod and the team at LaWayra are lovely people that kept me feeling safe and taken care of
-I personally didn't have a very strong connection to the Ayahuasca and I was the only person not to, in a group of roughly 20 people. i still was so glad to have gone through the experience for the little connection i had, and for the lifelong friendships and realizations i picked up.
-Really try and respect the diet, especially for drugs. I wish i had stopped smoking weed sooner, i feel confident it blocked my connection to the ayahuasca."
"A bond that will stay with you forever.
You are in capable and loving hands.
I feel so fortunate to have been able to attend.
"
"I had been wanting to take ayahuasca in a ceremonial setting for healing, learning, and growth for a number of years, but—mistrustful of many retreat center’s prioritization of profit and mass production over accessibility and traditionally-grounded healing—I waited for a recommendation to come my way. Eventually, I realized that recommendation wasn’t coming, so I decided to find one. Causes and conditions led to me to LaWayra, and, knowing nothing, I arrived skeptical. In my intention journalling, I asked, “Does this place operate in full good faith with integrity, seeming genuine, invested, personal, and whole-hearted, or does it seem co-opted by the exploitative profit motive—a ‘Westernized’ plug-and-chug business concerned with maximization, brand, and reputation?” After spending a week there and participating in four ceremonies, I believe LaWayra and it’s staff are the former—genuine, honest, dedicated. Of course it is a business—money is an (unfortunate) reality of the modern world; of course it is not a perfect paradise—no where is. But centrally, it is a safe, nurturing environment staffed by dedicated, generous, hard-working people who are working to facilitate healing and are open to all feedback. Above all else, even as a cynical, mistrusting person, I had a wonderful experience and plan to return. Also, because I know I wondered about it, I believe the low price point reflects a genuine interest in broad(er) accessibility to this powerful medicine so that is is not solely the domain of celebrities and C-suites who want to have a Shamanic Drug Experience™️ in the jungle. If you’re skeptical of the low price, just pay them more, and wah-lah, you’ve paid a lot for Ayahuasca. Arrive with love, humility, and reverence for the medicine and the community, and you will open to new horizons."
"Sam, Jarrod, and Oliver as well as the rest of the team at Lawayra were very helpful. Choosing the right Ayahuasca retreat is a big decision. I can confirm that Lawayra takes a well-informed, effective, and safe approach to help people connect with the medicine. Group discussions and private journaling help bring people together and lead to lasting changes.
Personally, I was in a very low place before this retreat week. I don't think this single-handedly "fixed me" but it was a big step in the right direction. Everyone in the group was great to build relationships with. I highly recommend it. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll see progress.
The only small issue is toilet access. When I was there, we only had 2 toilets for the group. Sam was in the process of building a larger toilet / shower block though, which will help. But that's literally it. The setting, taita / shaman ceremonies, food, everything else was already perfect!"
"Great place to heal and escape from everyday madness
The retreat is based in a nice little house in the middle of the jungle with a beautiful landscape.
The Team is preparing you for your Journey and is helping while every step of the process. Espcially for me as a First-Timer this was very helpful. The experience itself is different for everyone, but all people felt a strong bonding within the group.
Also the Food was very Good and Place was cleaned every day more than one time.
Thanks a lot"
"There aren’t enough good things I can say about Lawayra. If you’re considering it or your intuition led you here, you will be in the care of the best of the best. I have been sitting in ceremonies for five years across multiple countries and with many different shamans but this by far was the most profound and most impactful because of the people that helped to make it happen and because they are truly in integrity with this work.
The facilitators were absolutely incredible, every single one of them..Sam, Jarrod and Christian. The Taita as well, he was phenomenal and such a pure and selfless soul. The medicine was really special. I don't think I ever felt more safe, anywhere but especially to do this deep work. There was so much support for integration and processing and connection not only with them but with the group. I am already planning to come back and will continue to share this with others because what they are doing here is authentic, genuine and real. "
"I attended a four day retreat in March for the first time and couldn’t highly recommend LaWayra more. The four days felt like a perfect amount for a first time, not too overwhelming but I liked that there was more than one ceremony. The program leaders make the entire experience feel safe and supportive. Beyond just being great facilitators, Sam and Jarrod go above and beyond to give guidance and listen and talk through anything, especially tough moments. The finca is surrounded by beautiful nature and is so convenient from Medellín. The people I attended with felt more like family after the four days than friends - it’s something that I’m sure bonds you forever. I loved that this retreat is led by a true indigenous Taita, the spiritually of the medicine is taken extremely seriously, and that there is integration during and optionally after the retreat. It’s beyond worth the value. Now that I’ve been to LaWayra, I don’t think I would be able to go anywhere else for this type of work, and I am even returning sooner than expected to continue the healing process. "