An Ayahuasca retreat could be the best experience of your life, or it could leave you worse off, confused, or traumatized.
Your outcome depends upon 3 things: your readiness, preparation, and your ability to choose a high-quality retreat.
Being called for your Ayahuasca journey is potentially the most profound and transformative way to connect with your inner self and experience holistic personal growth and healing. Near the USA, several retreat centers offer the opportunity to experience the powerful effects of the psychedelic brew called Ayahuasca, which is made from two Amazonian plants: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis leaf. Used for centuries by indigenous people of the Amazon basin, Ayahuasca ceremonies are guided by experienced shamans and Shipibo healers who ensure you feel safe throughout the night.
If you’re seeking Ayahuasca for the first time, understanding the origins of Ayahuasca and the role of indigenous healers is essential. The wisdom of the Shipibo and other Amazonian cultures is integral to the ceremonial practices, where medicine men and women sing songs and provide guidance and bless the medicine prior to ingestion. In beautiful locations such as Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru you can find centers like Soul Quest, Behold Retreats, and Rythmia that offer a safe environment to experience this powerful medicine journey.
Before drinking Ayahuasca, it’s important to follow the traditional dieta which will purify your body and mind, enhancing the Ayahuasca experience. These dietas, along with the supportive retreat environment (this is so important), create the optimal setting for transformative growth and healing. Whether you’re in the Peruvian Amazon, a center in Costa Rica, or a retreat in Mexico, the opportunity to experience Ayahuasca’s healing power is unparalleled. Join other Westerners seeking psychological healing and spiritual purposes in these retreats, and discover how Ayahuasca can profoundly impact your day-to-day life.
Embark on this journey to uncover the depths of your soul and connect with the ancient wisdom of the Amazon rainforest, guided by the experienced facilitators at the best Ayahuasca retreat centers near the USA.
If you would like to understand more about the nature of psychedelic healing work, human potential, and who and what you really are – watch the video below.
We think you’ll enjoy it. After all, it’s about you, always.
Go in-depth about how to Have a Safe Ayahuasca Experience.
Table of Contents
Understanding Ayahuasca and Its Origins
- The Origins of Ayahuasca and its use by Shipibo healers and other indigenous groups.
- Historical background and traditional use of Ayahuasca.
- The Role of Shamans in Ayahuasca Ceremonies
- Importance of shamans in preparing and guiding Ayahuasca ceremonies.
Key Considerations for Choosing an Ayahuasca Retreat
- Safety first, Legality, Group Size, Length of Retreat, Comfort, Alignment, Holistic Approach, Service, Booking Process, Expertise, Reputation, Volunteers
Discover the Top Ayahuasca Retreat Centers
Explore a curated selection of the best Ayahuasca retreat centers near the USA, known for their serene environments, experienced facilitators, and transformative healing experiences. Each center offers unique features, from luxurious settings to deep connections with nature, ensuring a variety of options to suit your personal journey. Discover where you can find profound spiritual growth and healing in the most supportive and safe environments.
Here are 12 recommendations to help you avoid sketchy options and choose a safe and transformational experience:
Safety First: Unfortunately, many small retreat centers are not in a position to make meaningful investments into screening and safety. Even if you’re fine, someone else on retreat might not be, which can affect the overall experience. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat provider that does in-depth conversational, medical, and psychological screening to protect your safety and well-being.
Legality: Experienced practitioners who have dedicated their lives to plant medicine typically live in locations where the work is legal, so they don’t have to live in a state of uncertainty about their work Our recommendation is to travel to legal locations where you can benefit from legitimate healers who operate above the radar, so you can truly relax on retreat.
Size of the group: It’s common for retreats to have 20, 50, even 100 people in ceremony, which can be chaotic to say the least. In such large groups you are less likely to receive a sufficient level of attention from the facilitators. Our recommendation is to choose a retreat with an intimate group, in the range of 8-15 people.
Length of the retreat: Shorter retreats feel rushed, do not support the cultivation of meaningful relationships, and can limit what can be achieved in time available. We recommend you spend at least a week for an ayahuasca retreat to give your mind, body, heart, and soul the attention it deserves.
Comfort: We recommend you choose a retreat where you are confident that you will be physically comfortable and have your own private bedroom to decompress and integrate, especially if this is your first time. Go for the full jungle mosquito immersion another time, your future self will thank you later.
Alignment: Select a retreat that feels aligned with your values and allows your own subjective experience to unfold naturally. There are many different worldviews out there and having a different worldview pushed on you through the retreat may not be in your highest healing interests. This is also particularly relevant for first-timers.
Holistic approach: Work with an organization that takes a holistic approach to working with plant medicine, and has options to support and guide your mental and emotional evolution alongside a retreat. If a provider implies that “medicine will solve all your problems”, proceed with caution.
Service: Select a retreat that you believe can meet your individual needs. Are you being treated as a human, or as participant #22 in their fourth retreat this month? Consider whether or not they’ve taken the time to get to know you and understand you, or it’s more of a take it or leave it retreat center.
Booking process: Take the time to speak with the provider before finalizing your booking. If the provider does not have a screening process in place during the booking process anyone could be sitting next to you in ceremony. Some people are not in the right place to work with this powerful plant medicine, and it is the responsibility of the organizers to ensure that only people who can handle ayahuasca are accepted onto the retreat.
Expertise: Find an organization that emphasizes healing, and you believe has the breadth and depth of expertise to guide your transformation. Look for facilitators and healers who have a lightness of being and a sparkle in their eyes. Healing work is all about the transmutation of energy, so you are looking for people who have the energy you aspire to. If they aren’t able to keep their energy right, that tells you quite a bit about either where they are at and their capabilities.
Reputation: At a minimum, Google the provider, you may be surprised by what you find. If there’s not much information, that is also information. A reputable retreat center will have a professional online presence with testimonials from previous retreat attendees. This is essential for you to see that they are a legitimate organization who you can trust to contain this powerful experience.
Volunteers: Please support ethical plant medicine work by selecting an organization that pay their team. Unfortunately, it is common practice for retreat centers to cycle through young, eager, and worn out volunteers and/or not pay healers fairly. If the people supporting your retreat aren’t living their best lives , they’re not going to be able to lead you to yours. Don’t be shy to ask this question directly when you speak to prospective centers.
Who you choose to attend an Ayahuasca retreat with is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions in your life, especially the first time.
We encourage you to take the time and energy to do your research, follow your intuition, and to know why you are choosing a specific retreat.
If our recommendations resonate with you, and you’re ready to step into your full power, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
1. (Near USA) Ayahuasca Retreat Costa Rica – Behold Retreats
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
For those seeking a highly professional retreat with a small group size (no more than 11 participants) and a high level of attention to safety, service, and sustained growth, Behold Retreats is an excellent choice. While Ayahuasca is not facilitated byBehold Retreats in the USA due to legality issues, they offer sacred and legal retreats in breathtaking locations such as Costa Rica.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Behold Retreats provides divine and safe options for your healing journey in Costa Rica, ensuring that legality issues do not interfere with your self-healing process. Other popular options include Ayahuasca or Psilocybin Retreats in Mexico, with the God Molecule 5-MeO-DMT (Bufo) also available at all their locations.
Behold’s retreats are held exclusively in legal and safe locations, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your spiritual healing journey. You can access the full list of retreats and plant medicine modalities hereand explore their Safety Survey 2024 for more details.
2. (Near USA) Ayahuasca Retreat Mexico – Behold Retreats
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Experience profound healing at this soul-awakening retreat located on a serene mountaintop estate in Valle de Bravo, central Mexico. Just a few hours from Mexico City, this location’s energy is unforgettable.
Valle de Bravo is renowned for its safety and natural beauty, with fresh air, clean water, endless forests, and the beautiful Lake Avandaro.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
During your stay, you will receive unwavering support on all levels – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. In addition to our Ayahuasca Ceremony Facilitators, a professional Psychedelic Integration Counselor, massage therapist, yoga teacher, and personal chef will be on site.
Evening Ayahuasca ceremonies will be complemented by daily breathwork, guided movement, meditation, a traditional sweat lodge ceremony, sharing circles, and integration tools. All offerings are voluntary, respecting your need for personal time. Whether you choose to drink or rest, we respect your sovereignty.
Apply for a Retreat Below
3. Private Ayahuasca Retreat (Costa Rica, Mexico, or Portugal) – Behold Retreats
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Looking for a tailored and fully personalized, intimate experience? Behold Retreats offers customized, one-on-one healing journeys with master healers in breathtaking natural surroundings in Latin America or Europe.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
With private retreats, you receive 100% of our attention without the distractions of group dynamics. Suitable for individuals, close groups, or entire organizations, these retreats are highly customizable. Retreats can be as short as a weekend or extend to a full 12-day immersive experience.
These retreats are sacred, life-changing, and cathartic, allowing for a full immersion in your healing journey. Behold Retreats provides comprehensive support, including travel arrangements, high-end accommodations, and 7 weeks of personal coaching for optimized preparation and integration.
Retreat dates are by client request. Click here to apply.
4. Ayahuasca Retreat Costa Rica – Resonance
Locations
Esterillos, Costa Rica
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Discover serenity and transformation at Esterillo Beach’s pristine beachfront. Resonance offers mindfulness practices, luxurious accommodations, and nourishing cuisine. Lush rainforests meet tranquil shores for a rejuvenating ayahuasca experience.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
The retreat includes 7-day options with luxury rooms, ocean views, an infinity pool, yoga deck, and various healing activities. Participants experience 3 nights of ceremonies, delicious dieta meals, and experienced facilitators. Resonance is recommended for its high safety, sacred, and legal practices.
5. Ayahuasca Retreat Colorado – Origen Sagrada
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Located near Castle Rock, Origen Sagrada’s USA retreat is facilitated by spiritual leaders Abuelo Claudion and Abuelita Bernadita from the Muruy tribe of the Amazonas of Colombia.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
This two-night retreat includes two Ayahuasca Ceremonies, herbal plant blessings, traditional therapies, personal spiritual cleansing, and time for reflection. Ceremonies are held in a private lodge with shared accommodation.
Participants will experience live music during the psychedelic ceremony, enhancing the journey’s depth. You might find yourself in a fetal position during deep emotional release, a common experience when healing deeply with ayahuasca.
6. Ayahuasca Retreat Florida – Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Located in Orlando, Florida, the Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church of Mother Earth offers a sanctuary for spiritual growth and healing. The retreat center provides a safe, supportive environment with experienced facilitators and shamans.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
The retreat includes several ayahuasca ceremonies, where participants drink the brew made from the ayahuasca vine and chacruna. Ceremonies are designed to be transformative, providing deep insights and personal growth. Safety and responsibility are emphasized to ensure a supportive experience.
7. Ayahuasca Retreat Washington – Sacred Therapy
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Sacred Therapy hosts ceremonies in a modern approach rather than recreating traditional South American or Native American styles. Membership in Cosmic Valley Native Americas church is required.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Retreats are two nights and hosted in Washington and California, providing accommodation with comfortable bedding and vegan meals. The founder, trained with multiple shamans and yogic teachers, leads the ceremonies focused on holistic and yogic approaches.
8. Ayahuasca Retreat New York – The Sanctuary Shamanic Healing Center
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
The Sanctuary is a shamanic healing center and branch of Oklevueha Native American Church. Located on a certified wildlife habitat with over 100+ fruit trees and medicinal plants, it offers a chance to connect deeply with nature.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Offering intensive Ayahuasca healing retreats, the center combines shamanic healing practices, shamanic breathwork, and a shamanic school. Additional offerings include tobacco and master plant diet retreats, vision quests, shamanic wisdom circles, and rebirthing breathwork ceremonies.
9. Ayahuasca Retreat Kentucky
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Aya Quest, or Kentucky Ayahuasca, is known for its holistic approach and modern shamanic practices. Founder Steve Hupp, with 15 years of experience, leads the ceremonies.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Offering small group, private, and at-home ayahuasca ceremonies, Aya Quest uses a safe and effective brew. Participants can join a membership club and enjoy comprehensive support throughout their healing journey.
10. Ayahuasca Retreat New Mexico – The União do Vegetal
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
The União do Vegetal (UDV) is a Christian Spiritist religion recognized for community and environmental service, hosting ayahuasca ceremonies.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Participants join spiritual fellowship legally in the USA, drinking Hoasca, the sacred sacrament made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Chacruna plant leaves. Ceremonies emphasize mental concentration, solemn reflections, rituals, hymns, and religious teachings.
11. (Bonus!) Ayahuasca Churches – Santo Daime & Peaceful Mountain Way
Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Santo Daime Church, founded by Raimundo Irineu Serra, involves ayahuasca consumption as part of religious rituals. Peaceful Mountain Way is a Native American Church specializing in ayahuasca rituals as a spiritual sacrament.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Both churches offer transformative experiences through their ceremonial practices, emphasizing spiritual growth and community connection.
Understanding Ayahuasca and Its Origins
The Origins of Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis leaf, has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin for spiritual and healing purposes. The traditional preparation involves boiling these two plants to extract their active compounds, primarily DMT from the leaves and MAO inhibitors from the vine. This combination allows for the profound psychoactive effects that ayahuasca is known for.
The Role of Shamans in Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Shamans, or traditional healers, play a crucial role in ayahuasca ceremonies. They are responsible for preparing the brew, leading the ceremony, and providing guidance and support to participants. The shaman’s knowledge of the plant medicine and their ability to navigate the spiritual realms are essential for the safety and efficacy of the ceremony. Their icaros, or sacred songs, are believed to activate the healing properties of the ayahuasca and guide participants through their journey.
FAQ’s: Ayahuasca Ceremonies & Origins of Ayahuasca
Q: What is Ayahuasca?
A: Ayahuasca is a traditional plant medicine used primarily in the Amazon rainforest. The brew is made from the Ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and typically combined with other plants like the Psychotria viridis shrub. The active ingredient in the psychedelic brew called ayahuasca. DMT, leads to profound psychedelic experiences.
Q: What is an Ayahuasca Ceremony?
A: An Ayahuasca ceremony is a shamanic ritual where participants consume the Ayahuasca brew, often referred to as a psychedelic brew called ayahuasca. under the guidance of a shaman or experienced facilitator. The aim is often for spiritual growth, personal growth, and healing. These ceremonies are deeply rooted in indigenous traditions and can include singing icaros (chants) and other ceremonial practices.
Q: Where can I find the best Ayahuasca Retreats?
A: The best ayahuasca retreats can be found in locations like Peru, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Many people travel to the Amazon rainforest or the Andes mountains to participate in authentic ayahuasca retreats. It is essential to thoroughly research and choose a reputable retreat center for a safe experience.
Q: What should I expect during Ayahuasca Ceremonies?
A: During Ayahuasca ceremonies, participants may experience a wide range of effects including visual and auditory hallucinations, emotional purging, and profound spiritual insights. Many report a sense of connection to Mother Earth and other participants. It’s common to go through challenging moments, which many describe as an important part of the Ayahuasca healing process.
Q: What is the importance of the Dieta before Ceremony?
A: The practice of dieta, which involves dietary and lifestyle restrictions before the ceremony, is crucial for purifying the body and mind. This preparation enhances the effectiveness of the Ayahuasca experience, ensuring a deeper and safer journey.
Q: Where can I find the best Ayahuasca retreats in the USA?
A: You can find the 10 best Ayahuasca retreats near or in the USA in our updated list for 2024.
Q: What is the significance of the Yawanawa tribe in Ayahuasca ceremonies?
A: The Yawanawa tribe is known for their deep connection to the Ayahuasca plant and often lead ceremonies that involve drinking Ayahuasca.
Q: Are Ayahuasca retreats safe and responsible?
A: Yes, reputable Ayahuasca retreats ensure that ceremonies are conducted safely and responsibly, prioritizing the well-being of participants by having experienced shipibo healers oversee the process.
Q: How can Ayahuasca help in spiritual growth and healing?
A: Ayahuasca is believed to help individuals connect with themselves on a deeper level, facilitating spiritual growth and emotional healing.
Q: What are some key considerations before attending an Ayahuasca retreat?
A: Before attending an Ayahuasca retreat, it is important to research the retreat center, understand the potential effects of the psychedelic brew, and prepare both mentally and physically for the experience.
Q: Can anyone participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony?
A: Ayahuasca ceremonies are not for everyone and some retreats may have specific criteria or guidelines for participants, such as being in good physical and mental health.
Q: Is Ayahuasca legal in the USA?
A: The legal status of Ayahuasca in the USA varies, and it is important to research and understand the regulations around the use of Ayahuasca in different states.
Q: How can I find more information about Ayahuasca retreats and ceremonies?
A: You can sign up for newsletters from reputable Ayahuasca retreat centers or organizations, attend informational sessions, or reach out directly to retreat facilitators for more information here.
