Find Authentic Retreats in Mexico

"MexiSoul Retreats are held at the Finca. The Finca is absolutely beautiful. They say experience the magic of the Finca on MexiSoul's website, and magic is exactly how I would describe this place. The Osho is probably the most beautiful building I have ever seen, and I loved to meditate in there when it was not occupied. The Oracle was a very special place on the property as well- be sure to ask a question once inside to get an answer to your question. I found myself meditating in the Oracle or just sitting within it frequently. The nature and wildlife on the property definitely enhances the experience, as well as the pool, eating areas, hammocks, pond and so much more. The Finca will not disappoint and nor will the food. The food is absolutely delicious, and you can tell so much care and love went into crafting these rich authentic Mexican dishes. The staff and volunteers at the Finca and MexiSoul are the most amazing people. They pour love into everything they do from how they care for you (and they do take exceptional care of you) to the very fine details, including presentation of the rooms and spaces to the food. It feels like a warm wrap of love. I honestly have not met a more loving group of people upon arrival to a new place. I am beyond grateful for these beautiful humans. As for the medicine, I had listened to my friends talk to me about the experience, and I had watched some videos and listened to some podcasts. I knew theoretically what I was going to experience over the course of the week. I was curious, but slightly hesitant and nervous. I was very frightened by Kambo because I was told they burn little dots into you to facilitate the medicine entering into your body. Umm, I hate being burned, but I am so glad I decided to face my fears. I asked them to place medicine on my hip and near my foot. I have had hip pain for years, have been in and out of physical therapy, and even had to have one hip replaced. I also had experienced plantar fasciitis. After the medicine I had two red streaks and some splotches that ran from my hip to my groin. These lines and splotches were where I always felt/feel pain. It has been over a week, and I am back to running, spinning and lifting and I still have no pain in my hip, or as a result of my plantar fasciitis. When it came time to do Kambo again I was ready and waiting to have my other hip done too. I am so grateful. During the second Kambo they had some other medicines we could try if we wanted. One was eye drops to clear up your eyes, nose drops for your immune system, and a spray for your mouth to heal your gut. I did them all and I am happy to say I don't have the few floaters in my eye that I use to have. As for Ayahuasca, Satori, and Buffo, after the first night of Ayahuasca I told my friend I was done. I was not going to do anything else and never again. She and Rugar told me that everyone says that after the first night. I asked my friend what she did, and she told me she showed up to take Satori. So, I did too. During that second ceremony, the Shaman, Humberto, said something that resonated with me, and I am so glad it did. He said the medicine builds upon itself over the course of the week to heal. So, I was all in. The last big medicine ceremony, besides Cacao, was Buffo. This is where I released what felt like 100s of years' worth of baggage and pain that I had been carrying. I went there with a question in my soul, and it was answered and released. I am lighter, so much more peaceful, show up unapologetically, and am forever grateful. What I learned is that each person's journey is different, and each journey is different, but if you are looking for a safe place to speed up your healing, I would highly recommend MexiSoul retreats. They even have a fabulous and highly trained integration coach to support you as you integrate your learnings and healing into your everyday life. They have thought of every detail, and in my experience, are open to learning and growing as well. I will definitely return. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers, as well as the courageous humans that traveled their own journeys alongside me. "

"My experiences at MexiSoul have been truly transformative, and it's challenging to fully express the benefits I've gained from my numerous visits. Each journey has been unique, contributing significantly to my well-being and personal growth. The staff and volunteers are incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, creating a safe space that allows you to fully embrace the powerful experiences that plant medicine offers. I always felt cared for and guided throughout the process. Humberto Alcala, the shaman, is a remarkable presence. His insights and wisdom are profound, yet he remains surprisingly humble. He emphasizes that he doesn’t solve our problems; instead, he empowers us to discover our own solutions. He provides the tools necessary for self-discovery and healing, which has been invaluable for my journey. I've learned countless lessons not only from Humberto but also from the other participants, volunteers, and staff. The sense of community and shared experience adds an enriching layer to the process. Overall, MexiSoul has been the most beneficial tool in my mental health journey, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking growth and healing."

"Liberty is not only a spectacular smart professional, but above all she is a human that provides you with the love and support needed to go through the week feeling you are not alone. And not only that, by being a psychiatrist she knows how to deal with one’s internal mental struggles with ease, she doesn’t solve life for you, she listens and helps you clarify and clear thoughts that allows one to fully understand and integrate what you just learnt. All this effortlessly and graciously. Liberty your expertise makes an already amazing magical and loving experience into something that positively changes one’s daily life. "

"Mexisoul has definitely changed my life. It’s a place where the love you receive allows you to use the tools you’re provided with, to see things different. The safest most loving place I’ve ever been to where people that you had never met before love you already just for being there. Thank you Ruger, Humberto, Krista, Liberty, Marina and the list just goes… forever grateful for this experience and looking forward to seeing you next time. "

"It was more than my expectation. You guys definitly should experience it. Though, I didn't have any problem to solve and I went there because my friends are really wanting to experience Ayawaska. But the place was so confortable and staffs are kind. They treated us so good. And,,, Ayawaska,,, that was heavy lol But it gave me so much inspiration. I could realize what and who is important for my life, made me appreciate a lot of things sorrounding me"

"I am so blessed and grateful I was given the opportunity to experience Mexisoul. The place is absolutely beautiful with so much Love. The people here are Amazing!!! I strongly recommended this place for anyone needing a reset in their lives!!! The Love and Spiritual connection here is so hard to put into words, beyond anything g I have ever experienced before. I am so Grateful to God for allowing me to experience this place!! Thank you to everyone involved❤️"

"All the staff is very respectful. I have never been around people that carry such peace it spreads to the surrounding community. Thank you to all of them I love them all. A piece of me will forever be there. I’m healed and now I know my life purpose. Ayahuasca is the truth grandmother give you what you truly need. Even if you not sure she knows. if you are lost depressed broken hurt in need of something and not sure this is the place for you. Worth every penny don’t think twice. Everyone need plant medicine it’s the truth.. see you soon xoxox Zulee "

"I’m48 yeas young from The Bronx. I have been smoking weed for over 28 years. I was depressed overwhelmed with the chatter in my head.my brain was on overload. This place is exactly what I am looking for in my life. I wasn’t expecting the amount of love care gratitude and peace I receive from this tribe. They are all magical Lorena and David they sing they play live instruments. Her voice gives me chills and open my heart. Closest I have been to heaven hearing her sing. The yoga they did was just amazing. They took us to the cenote which is so beautiful refreshing. They are super friendly and do things with love 💕.Ester also sings beautifully.Gave us some delicious cacao. We shared dancing 💃🏻 and hope love and laughter. Marek a wonderful musician you can feel his music in your core such a wonderful gentleman. Luis reads the tarot card totally on point even read the card for my mother who was not able to attend m. Totally made my mom feel blessed and best advice she needed to hear from him. My favorite was his Singing 🎵 class he makes it so fun singing and dancing and laughing and moving around and not to mention he rocks the heck out of his guitar 🎸. He trained us well and brings the child out in me and the group.. Alicia we just love her she sings and dances the love and care that she gives us makes us feel special like family we cried we laughed we sang we dance we ate we shared stories. My sister for life. The best for last Arturo the spiritual doctor also known as the medicine man. He open my heart throat third eye and crown chakra . When he sings it’s so meaningful. I felt everything in my soul not to mention his voice I couldn’t believe how beautiful he sounds. And plays that drum I have one now lol.He took his time to care for this circle gave us the best advice guidance the love that he has for his staff his people and us made us feel the love and gratitude peace he has inside shines just like the sun ☀️. When the heart breaks the heart shines when the heart shines the heart sings. Everything he told me is true he prepared me well to come back home. Even tho I now want to live with them and be with them every day. I have never in my life felt such peace such love such care. I will return this is my life now. Also the food is so pure and delicious the cook has magical hands 🙌🏻 and dinner was delicious and made with love. Even shasa is the protector dog makes you feel safe and guided. Zulee "

"My stay at Arkana in the Amazon was truly one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. From the beginning of our communication to now, over a month later, it is evident that every aspect of the retreat—pre, during, and post—is thoughtfully curated with deep care and intention. The love and integrity behind everything they do are palpable. The staff, from the top, including Jose, with whom I had the great fortune of spending time, to the facilitators, kitchen staff, cleaners, security, and absolutely everyone else, are exceptional. And the shamans—wow! I have profound reverence for their sacred work, wisdom, and divine service. Each member of the team is gifted, wholeheartedly dedicated to their work, and their presence created a warm, safe, and nurturing environment for all the guests to uninhibitedly explore within and heal on the deepest levels. I can’t speak to every detail, as it is overwhelming (in a good way), but I will say that the ceremonies were incredibly powerful, authentic to the Shipibo tradition, and I was continually blown away by the layers of healing and initiations that were happening for me. While each of us in ceremony went through something unique and acutely personal, I have never felt so completely CONNECTED. I have sat with the medicine before, and all my ceremonies were significant in one way or another, but there is something very special happening at Arkana, and I am so grateful I found my way there. This wasn’t just a healing experience; it was a journey of pure connection and massively intense growth that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. For now I am working on integrating the profound lessons I learned, but I know that I will be returning to Arkana. I am in love with this place and everyone there."

"Going into the ayahuasca retreat I tried to have as little expectations as possible as not to get let down if they weren’t all met. However, it’s only natural as humans to have a set of subconscious expectations about something we spend a decent amount of money to help us heal. Arkana Spiritual Healing Center has gone above and beyond any expectations I could have had. From the amazing meals that are made fresh daily with love, to the wonderful staff who truly love and care for every single guest I was truly blown away as to how much love is shown at Arkana. The staff is constantly checking on you making sure you feel safe and comfortable. The shamans are very well trained and have healed me in ways I didn’t even know were possible. This place has truly changed me for the rest of my life-in a positive way! Before coming to Arkana I had a lot of mental health and substance abuse issues and I swear on everything I love; they have disappeared! I no longer lack self confidence or self esteem. I have no desire to use drugs and stopped my antidepressant medication cold turkey and haven’t had any side effects. I’ve become closer with family and rekindled old friendships I thought were gone forever. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this because Arkana allowed me to heal and has given me things I never thought were possible. I could go on forever but I will finish with this- If you want the life you have always dreamed of and your willing to do the work-Arkana is the catalyst you’re going to need. I recommend 100/10!! My life is forever changed and I’m forever grateful for this opportunity I was given. "

"My time at Arkana Spiritual Center was nothing short of amazing. From the moment I arrived, I felt at home, surrounded by the lush beauty of the Amazon. The ayahuasca ceremonies were powerful and deeply healing, led by shamans who really knew what they were doing. Every ceremony felt like a safe space to dive into my personal healing, helping me release old wounds and gain clarity on things I’ve been struggling with. The vibe at Arkana was exactly what I needed to feel supported during the entire process. The yoga, meditation, plant baths, and meals were also a huge part of what made the retreat special. They really helped me stay grounded and integrate everything I was learning in the ceremonies. Plus, the people I met there made the whole experience even better. We shared laughs, deep conversations, and so much support. I left Arkana feeling refreshed, centered, and with a completely new outlook on life. It was exactly what I needed, and I can't recommend this place enough!"

"I had a truly wonderful experience at Arcana Spiritual Center. The ceremonies, both Ayahuasca and Bufo, were conducted with the utmost professionalism and care. Every aspect of the journey was handled with deep respect and love, making me feel safe and supported throughout. The integration process was seamless, helping me connect with myself on a profound level. The environment was one of genuine compassion, and I left feeling transformed and grateful. I highly recommend this place to anyone seeking a life-changing spiritual experience."

"I booked this retreat on a whim, arriving on Sunday without much research about ayahuasca. Even though it was a last-minute decision, I felt a strong calling to be there. I had been feeling disconnected from my spiritual path, and this retreat became a transformative experience for me. One of the highlights was the incredible team of guides. The male shaman exuded strength and wisdom, guiding us through the most intense parts of the ceremony with a powerful presence. His icaros, or sacred songs, seemed to unlock deep emotional layers within me, helping me confront and heal my hidden pain. The female shaman complemented his energy beautifully with her nurturing and compassionate approach. Her gentle yet profound presence created a safe space for emotional release, and her soothing icaros felt like a comforting embrace, allowing me to surrender to the experience. Most importantly, the coordinator of the retreat played a pivotal role in making us feel like family. From the moment we arrived, their warmth and genuine care created an atmosphere of love and acceptance. They took the time to connect with each participant, ensuring that everyone felt welcomed and supported throughout the journey. Their attentiveness and kindness fostered a sense of community that made the experience even more meaningful. The other staff members were equally amazing, always checking in and providing emotional support when needed. They played a crucial role in helping us integrate our experiences afterward, taking the time to sit with us and help unpack the visions and lessons that emerged during the ceremonies. The meals were excellent and truly nourishing, thoughtfully prepared with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Each dish not only fueled us physically but also felt like an extension of the care and attention given throughout the retreat. It was delicious, balanced, and perfectly suited for the journey we were on. Overall, the combination of the powerful shamans, the supportive staff, and the loving coordinator made this retreat an unforgettable experience. It provided the healing and guidance I needed to reconnect with my spiritual path, and I couldn’t have asked for a better environment for this profound journey of self-discovery."

"I recently attended an ayahuasca retreat, and the experience was nothing short of incredible. Every aspect of the retreat, from the activities to the ceremonies, was thoughtfully designed and executed with such care. The energy during the ceremonies was powerful, and I felt deeply connected to the process thanks to the wisdom and presence of the maestros. The facilitators were wonderful, providing support, guidance, and a safe space throughout the entire journey. Their genuine care and expertise helped make the experience not only transformative but also comfortable and enriching. The food was exceptional—delicious and nourishing, with every meal prepared with intention and attention to detail. It’s clear that every part of this retreat was carefully thought through, down to the smallest details. If you are seeking a truly life-changing and heart-opening experience, I cannot recommend this retreat enough."

"I did an extensive amount of research on Ayahuasca retreats and ultimately chose Arkana. The positive reviews did not disappoint. It’s everything they described and more. Arkana genuinely care about you and your wellbeing. From the picturesque surroundings to the wildlife at its back door, it all serves in conjunction to enhance your Ayahuasca experience. And that’s what you’re there for… to feel one with nature. I was already a happy person before arriving but what I saw and experienced during my 2 weeks stay, left me in awe. It is truly a humbling experience. Now, I feel at peace with the universe. It’s a feeling of calmness and serenity I will take with me for life. For that, I am forever grateful to Arkana. Your mileage may vary but just know this place will change you for the better. Do yourself a favor and give Arkana a try. You won’t regret it."

"Wow! What an amazing experience. I truly gave my 100% going into this for myself. I put all my trust into the staff, shamans and process. In one week I felt as if I did a life time of healing. I realized that I already took action and made the journey, it was time to go all in. I learned so much about myself and was able to let go of a lot of trauma, ptsd and negativity in my life. After letting go, I was able to start to construct how I wanted my life to feel and look like day by day. I was working on this prior to coming but to say my transformation was incredible during and after the retreat is an understatement. The facilitators feel like family, the food is fantastic, and the process is so detail oriented really focused on our needs. I connected with so many amazing like minded people. I am forever grateful to everyone at Arkana. I would love for my family and friends to experience this transformative experience. I will be back, my journey has just begun!"

"I've done a few Aya retreats over the years and this one was was certainly top quality! The facilities are gorgeous, the staff were wonderful and the medicine was strong. I love that they work with a range of different medicines and honour the Shipibo lineage of ceremony. Overall I would highly recommend this retreat centre if you are looking for a safe, well-run experience with high quality facilities (we went to the sacred valley centre)."

"For some context, I have been on multiple retreats around the globe, and have been to Mexisoul twice now. With a 3rd trip being planned for next year. I currently live in Denver, Colorado, US. This place and experience is hard to put words to, but I’ll try. It’s sort of a “when you know…you just know” type of place. The setting is absolutely gorgeous. It’s on multiple acres, surrounded by rolling hills of Agave farms. The Ranch itself has so much to explore and appreciate, both in terms of people and things to do. There is a swimming pool, gardens, horse and donkey stables, game room, pottery studio, massage, lake, yoga, hiking, and tons more. There are things you do with the retreat group, but then you have lots of down time to explore and do things at your leisure. In terms of ayahuasca and other plant medicine ceremonies, I 100% Felt safe, secure, cared for, and always a priority. There is a Shaman, ceremony attendants (think of them like “mothers” who go around making sure everyone has what they need and are cared for throughout the ceremonies), and the Integration therapist in attendance. The ceremonies are a special time and everyone’s experience is very unique and internal. That is the point. The people on staff and the absolutely gorgeous live traditional music are what elevates the experience in my opinion. What originally drew me to Mexisoul in the first place was a few things: 1. The affordable cost. Please don’t think you will take a hit on services, or experience, or staff or anything like that because the cost is more affordable than other places. I was worried about that at first. I think the location in a non-touristy place helps keep the cost low. Also, the owner and those who operate are not driven primarily by profit from what I can tell. They genuinely want to spread healing and provide a safe and loving Experience to those that come, and that seems to be their primary motivator. The second thing that drew me to Mexisoul Is the wide variety of offerings. It checked a lot of boxes for me. They offered two ayahuasca ceremonies, a DMT ceremony, a Bufo ceremony, a cacao ceremony, and Temescal ceremony, which is a traditional sweat lodge type of thing. All are optional but but there for you if you choose. Lastly, the small group size was an important factor. The healing and ceremonies are deeply personal and, for me, the smaller a group size, the more open and free I can feel. The first retreat absent to had 15, and the second had 12 I think. If you choose, You can make deep friendships in a short amount of time. Please keep in mind, Mexisoul is not a large, resort-style place. If those places are cities, Mexisoul is a village. For example, if you need something, say an extra towel, or some fruit to snack on, you don’t call them up and have them bring it to you (although I guess you could), instead you go to the kitchen area and just grab it yourself. And while you’re there you’ll say hi to the chef and thank her for a great meal the night before. It’s casual, it’s home-like, and the vibe is more like a big family than a big hotel. Mexisoul has my absolute highest recommendation."

"As a physician specializing in psychedelic medicines, I was curious to try the medicines in the DMT category for myself and gain an understanding of the plants, the culture and the use of shamanism to aid in healing. Mexisoul was absolutely perfect for this. I felt very safe at this retreat center which is just an hour ride from Guadalajara (they provide private transport), felt supported by the knowledgeable staff and Shaman, loved the intimacy of the small group, and loved the land and retreat center itself. I liked that multiple medicines were offered, at doses tailored to my comfort level, with opportunities to work with each medicine more than once. The maloca is BEYOND BEAUTIFUL which makes for a lovely ayahuasca experience mixed with live music and ample support throughout the entire journey. The rooms are very nice, the food is farm-to-table fresh and delicious, and there are included opportunities to ride horses, swim in the lake or pool, hike, do yoga, and get massages. I have returned to Mexisoul twice since my first visit, have taken friends and family, and plan to return again at some point. For me, it is less about the medicine and more about the whole healing experience including land, food, culture, and ceremony. It’s a beautiful place to be!! "

"Simply life changing. I can’t put into words how this experience and how mexisoul changed my life and changed the trajectory of my life. There is simply too much to text here. Life changing. Transformative. I felt safe and care for and the staff was amazing. Integration coach was amazing. Shaman was amazing. Other staff and volunteers were amazing. Dont miss out on this opportunity. Chris"

"No matter how much one person will try to describe you their personal experience about Ayahuasca , will still remain beyond your understanding until you do it! Everyone is touched in different ways, in different time and it all depends in who you are , how much you know or if you’re willing to believe. Therefore, most of all I will strongly recommend a safe environment. And for me Arkana feels like a safe house , a real sanctuary. You think you are looking for healing and the DMT journey, but in reality you are looking for TRUST. Trust in the process, trust in the experience and knowledge of the people that promise to keep you safe and not take advantage of you in such extreme journey. Now at the end of my week with them, when I understood all the process , the experience , I know with no doubts: ARKANA WAS/IS THE BEST OPTION. They take in consideration every little details, and you will feel the love and the effort that was put to create a very personal experience . At all time there is someone around to listen to you, to assist you, to increase your level of comfort and to chase away any uncertainty. Arkana creates in the middle of the jungle far from anything and everything the environment to help you surrender and turn something that can sound stresfull in a healing process that you will follow step by step with peace and trust. Purging , diareea , pozitive visions, dark visions sounds so uncomfortable and stresfull, especially with other 15-20 people around. The details they took in consideration shows you that everybody in Arkana went through the process of Ayahuasca, used their experience, the doubts, the discomfort and create all the facilities to turn it from a treatment center into a high level of hospitality experience. The home cooked meal , with everything natural and clean , most of all prepare fresh and with lots of love by local people are nourishment to support the medicine. The rooms to share are designed to still give you the feeling of personal space as the single beds are almost queen size with bedding as good as in 5 stars hotels. The bedshits have a calming sand color , that embrace the organic concept of the entire place. You have individual storage unit that is more than generous. They cleaned and refresh the rooms everyday, even was not needed, and they did the personal laundry for free. The ceremony room is big and bright with comfortable mattresses and enough pillow to help you be in the most comfortable position during the time you are under Ayahuasca. As well , there are buckets at each bed , tissues, lanterns and water. Each mat have a name poster to make you find your way back at any moment.Toilets are right outside , easy to reach with red warm color to not stress you during ceremonies. And no, there was no uncomfortable smell as they use some friendly environmental products to prevent any bad odor. As well the facilitators that guard us through out the night , are changing the bucket imediately. They assist you if you need to walk to washroom and you are to drowsy. The ceremonies are wonderful, and I was impressed with the fact that 5 shamans were chanting Icarus for us every night for 4-5 hours. You could feel their power , their good energy and force to protect us. The activities in between, the integration talks , the talks about the individual experience , helps in the process of healing and it helps you bonding. Overall, my experience with Ayahuasca , Sapo was unique and life changing. I am grateful to Jose and Billy for all the heart and thoughts they put in everything , for their kind words and genuine care . I am grateful to Manuel , Nadine, Vint, Imani and Maggie for making great efforts to anticipate our needs and exceed expectations . The level of hospitality that Arkana offers is hard to compete with. Thank you to all Shamans for their blessings : Eligio, Luis, Samuel, Justina, Grimaldo"

"I spent a week at the Arkana Amazon location and it was a beautiful stay filled with love and many lessons. Everyone of the facilitators were absolutely amazing and took great care of us during and outside of ceremony. One of the many things that I loved is that the owner of Arkana sat in every Ceremony with us, ate a few meals with us (great food btw), and was there on the last day of the retreat to send us off. I couldn't recommend this place enough and I will definitely attend several Arkana retreats in the future. Sacred Valley next!"

"I chose Arkana partly because of its amazing reviews and now I know why those reviews were so good. Firstly, the location is amazing. The retreat is located in the mountains of the Sacred Valley and the view is breathtaking to wake up to. Secondly, the accommodations and food exceeded all my expectations. The chef Socrates has some of the most amazing recipes with the freshest ingredients. Thirdly, Arkana at the Sacred Valley was the only retreat I found that offered Ayahuasca, San Pedro, and Bufo, and all three of the medicines kind of work together in a perfectly crafted schedule for the week. Finally and most importantly is the people. Maestra Ada and Maestro Misael make you feel so safe and cared for during the ayahuasca ceremonies, and trust (in the medicine, in the maestros, in everything) is key when working with the medicine. The San Pedro maestro Alcides is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met; his love and joy for the world is truly infectious. The facilitators also are some of the best. These people are now my family, and I am so grateful for their time and care during my time at Arkana. I told myself beforehand that for my first time with ayahuasca, I wanted to be comfortable (the food, the amenities, the weather) and that if the medicine calls me again, I could then go somewhere else (such as the jungle). But now, I can’t imagine going anywhere else."

"It’s definitely the best experience I’ve ever had in my life, it wasn’t easy but it was totally worthy. I love all about Arkana family, the staff, the facilitators, the shamans, the food, everything was amazing, you can tell everybody’s doing their job with passion and tons of love, I am so grateful with all of them and with this magic place, I totally recommend this place. Thank you so much y’all. 🤍"

"No matter how much one person will try to describe you their personal experience about Ayahuasca , will still remain beyond your understanding until you do it! Everyone is touched in different ways, in different time and it all depends in who you are , how much you know or if you’re willing to believe. Therefore, most of all I will strongly recommend a safe environment. And for me Arkana feels like a safe house , a real sanctuary. You think you are looking for healing and the DMT journey, but in reality you are looking for TRUST. Trust in the process, trust in the experience and knowledge of the people that promise to keep you safe and not take advantage of you in such extreme journey. Now at the end of my week with them, when I understood all the process , the experience , I know with no doubts: ARKANA WAS/IS THE BEST OPTION. They take in consideration every little details, and you will feel the love and the effort that was put to create a very personal experience . At all time there is someone around to listen to you, to assist you, to increase your level of comfort and to chase away any uncertainty. Arkana creates in the middle of the jungle far from anything and everything the environment to help you surrender and turn something that can sound stresfull in a healing process that you will follow step by step with peace and trust. Purging , diareea , pozitive visions, dark visions sounds so uncomfortable and stresfull, especially with other 15-20 people around. The details they took in consideration shows you that everybody in Arkana went through the process of Ayahuasca, used their experience, the doubts, the discomfort and create all the facilities to turn it from a treatment center into a high level of hospitality experience. The home cooked meal , with everything natural and clean , most of all prepare fresh and with lots of love by local people are nourishment to support the medicine. The rooms to share are designed to still give you the feeling of personal space as the single beds are almost queen size with bedding as good as in 5 stars hotels. The bedshits have a calming sand color , that embrace the organic concept of the entire place. You have individual storage unit that is more than generous. They cleaned and refresh the rooms everyday, even was not needed, and they did the personal laundry for free. The ceremony room is big and bright with comfortable mattresses and enough pillow to help you be in the most comfortable position during the time you are under Ayahuasca. As well , there are buckets at each bed , tissues, lanterns and water. Each mat have a name poster to make you find your way back at any moment.Toilets are right outside , easy to reach with red warm color to not stress you during ceremonies. And no, there was no uncomfortable smell as they use some friendly environmental products to prevent any bad odor. As well the facilitators that guard us through out the night , are changing the bucket imediately. They assist you if you need to walk to washroom and you are to drowsy. The ceremonies are wonderful, and I was impressed with the fact that 5 shamans were chanting Icarus for us every night for 4-5 hours. You could feel their power , their good energy and force to protect us. The activities in between, the integration talks , the talks about the individual experience , helps in the process of healing and it helps you bonding. Overall, my experience with Ayahuasca , Sapo was unique and life changing. I am grateful to Jose and Billy for all the heart and thoughts they put in everything , for their kind words and genuine care . I am grateful to Manuel , Nadine, Vint, Imani and Maggie for making great efforts to anticipate our needs and exceed expectations . The level of hospitality that Arkana offers is hard to compete with. Thank you to all Shamans for their blessings : Eligio, Luis, Samuel, Justina, Grimaldo"

"Words are lacking to describe the healing that happens in the Amazon jungle, but I will give it my best shot. I want to preface with stating that I’ve drank Ayahuasca several times, both at South/Central American retreats, as well as more locally in North America. But sitting with Ayahuasca in the jungle, in the place where she comes from, is a whole new level of healing. And Arkana provides a wonderful container to facilitate such an authentic experience enveloped by peace, love, and safety. As soon as we arrived to Arkana, we were greeted with celebration, and I immediately felt the peace, family atmosphere and connection to nature, the way community was always meant to be. The facility is clean, well kept, with the most comfortable queen size beds in each room, a far cry from the sleeping-on-dirt-with-tarantulas stories I’ve been told about the jungle. It even has a chemical-free pool for those super sticky jungle afternoons! Drinking the Medicine with traditional Shipibo Shamans, who have rigorously trained with their elders for years, some since childhood, was absolutely beautiful, and their Icaros have helped me regain trust in the medicines, in the process, and in myself again. Arkana not only welcomes Westerners into the jungle for deep healing with sacred medicines, but it is also a leader in sustainability, as everything runs on solar power, as well as giving back to the local community by employing residents of the nearby Amazonian village, which made my hippie heart that much more enthusiastic to be contributing to the betterment of Mother Earth. Overall, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for Arkana, the founder José for bringing his vision to life, the native Shipibo Shamans for opening up their homes and hearts to share their ancient wisdom and their Medicines with us from the West, the facilitators who look after each participant with such tenderness and care, and every staff member from the nearby village Libertad, not only for feeding us delicious meals, but for keeping us safe and taken care of in the wilderness of the jungle. I have finally found a place that I feel comfortable recommending to everyone I know, and I cannot wait to return to the jungle and visit Arkana's other two locations! "

"It is a spiritual violation when an authority figure persistently behaves unethically, pushing someone away from their spiritual path into darkness. This is exactly what happened to me. Before I begin, consider that Mexisoul will ask you to leave a review or even record a testimony while you are still in a significantly altered state of mind. It might sound extreme, but they also tell you not to make any major decisions for at least two months—so leaving a biased review that might persuade a stranger to make a life-changing, potentially dangerous decision seems contradictory. People rely on reviews all the time. Wouldn't you want those reviews to come from sober individuals? I have attended three retreats, and this is the first time I feel compelled to leave a review—solely to keep you safe and to deter seekers like you from choosing Mexisoul. Note: it is NOT a compliment to Mexisoul that I have returned more than once. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Something isn’t working, and it’s not due to a lack of integration on my part. I implore you to do your research thoroughly. And I mean *thoroughly.* Please educate yourself on what it truly means for someone to call themselves a shaman versus a curandero, and then compare their credentials. Secondly, research what qualifications or specialized training a psychedelic integration coach should have to safely assist in a ceremony. Are they trained in trauma-informed care, for example? Should the general manager of the Finca be assisting in the ceremony? More importantly, should any of the staff members (excluding the "shaman") be under the influence during the ceremony when their role is to be of service? I actually had to tell the integration coach to please *not* take the medicine after she blurted out that she hadn’t made her decision yet. That is insane! Also, what would you like to imagine the resume of a Plant Medicine Retreat Director would look like? If you take anything from this review, I sincerely hope it’s this: specifically ask if there have been any accusations of unethical behavior involving the staff, including the "shaman." Ask when these incidents occurred and how they were handled. Request to see the written response. The last incident happened this summer, by the way, to my retreat sister, who has shared her experience publicly on this site. You deserve full disclosure. My experience was more subtle, as all of my ayahuasca journeys were grossly sexual in nature until I retreated to my room, where miraculously, they would entirely change into useful lessons. On a deeper level, what I experienced was spiritual incest due to the manipulation of the sacred relationship between the “shaman” (the patriarchal archetype) and myself, the vulnerable female participant. It is extremely personal subject to me, hence the depth of this violation. This is the most damaging and dangerous offense—the ultimate betrayal of the spiritual family dynamic, where there should be obvious, common-sense boundaries. I have been psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually damaged. I am currently in therapy with two therapists, one of whom is specifically trained in these matters. I have also started on an antidepressant. These experiences have caused endless rumination. I now feel anger (which is not a normal emotion for me) after spending so much time, money, and enduring unnecessary suffering. I'm worse off than I was before my first retreat. When I think about plant medicine now, I feel disgusted. I don't know if I will ever trust another shaman or retreat center again. I truly believed these people were my spiritual family, and it is heartbreaking. Our "sagrada familia" has been severed in two, with denial and leniency favored over evidence. Be very careful. When you hear them say, "trust the medicine," take pause and never give up your sovereignty. If you need help, demand it. I can attest to several times when I asked for help and was denied. I witnessed this happening to others as well. Do not trust the "shaman" to know which medications are safe to take alongside these substances. We sent photos of our medications (including all ingredients) to the "shaman" for review. He gave us the green light. However, after doing my own research later, I found that some were contraindicated. On that note, is it even safe to do DMT four days in a row? Experts say no. I was never comfortable with that, so I always sat out for one of the four days. Furthermore, the "shaman" will tell you that he takes on this role only for the ayahuasca ceremonies, not for the samadhi or bufo ceremonies. So, who is sanctifying, holding space, and protecting you? You might as well conduct your own ceremonies at home, minus the "shaman" acting as a DJ. The entire experience feels like a performance to me now. There is a serious lack of integrity and authenticity, starting at the top and trickling down to the volunteers. I can provide many examples that reveal this. A powerful psychedelic experience will be nothing but static unless it is grounded in firm, clear, pure, and unwavering ethical foundations that everyone believes in and practices. Sadly, this does not exist at Mexisoul. Do not drink their well water. Be alert to the farm animals as they let them roam freely sometimes. I was tackled and thrown down to the ground by one of the horses."

"Very beautiful inside and out, great translator, very accommodating and helpful for organizing the retreat and answering questions, super friendly and supportive "

"Very kind and patient, very peaceful and wise, calm spirit and strong soul. Great and humble person, very intentional and a good leader"

"This retreat will change your outlook and life for the better. The staff are so loving, friendly and helpful. The shaman is very wise and patient. They are so accommodating from the payment plans and transportation to and from the airport. The food is great, the chefs are accommodating as well to allergies or diets and it’s so healthy and good. The retreat center is so clean and peaceful. The ceremonies are so healing, for the mind body soul. The detox may be uncomfortable at first (vomit, throwing up) but it’s needed to cleanse the body and spirit and you feel 1000x better afterwards. The clarity I got from this retreat is like no other. The massages were amazing. The whole experience was amazing. The worst thing about it was the bugs and mosquitoes but even I can’t be mad at that because it’s in the jungle and that’s their home. If you ever have the chance to go here I promise it will be the best decision you make of your life and that is an understatement.❤️"