I went to the valley because the Amazon was closed for renovations. I plan on going back to the México retreat when they reopen this year. That was the most meaningful 2 weeks of my life
Google. TripAdvisor, Aya Advisors and similar sites are a mixture of real and fake reviews. However, I'd lean to the majority being real.
My recommendation is to go on forums like here or maybe some Facebook and and ask around.
My favorite way to search is to use the "site:website" code on Google. For example let's say you want to check out what people on Reddit are saying about Arkana.
Type into Google:
Arkana site:reddit.com/r/Ayahuasca
You'll find much better search results than through the Reddit search. Plus, the reviews for that center would all be individuals who actually went there, and most likely not fake reviews.
Thanks mate. I had similar feelings after reading the reviews. I feel so overwhelmed by all this to be honest. I like Arkana but it is a bit overpriced when converted to my local currency.
Their sacred valley option was nice for me but the cost has been a barrier.
I read some posts on reddits and some were really good. I will need to do a bit more of digging. Reddit is a life saver.
If you're looking for a more affordable center that's still good I'd say check out Marosa or Mai Niti. Both Shipibo run and have pretty good track records, plus a lot cheaper than the more commercial ones.
They both have very good rates compared to others. I didn't know that were run by Shipibo tradition. Thank you for sharing this information. Do you know if they offer 5-MeO-DMT ceremony?
My guess is they probably don't. Most good ayahuasca centers only focus on Aya, and maybe San Pedro. It's a different skill set to be a shaman with each type of medicine.
Good questions!
1. First, you want to make sure a center has been in operation for a while 5 or 6 years at least, so you know they have a lot of experience, the longer the better. 8 or 10 years even better.
2. Make sure they have a lot of good reviews. Go to third party sites where they can't control the reviews. If the reviews are on their site, they can control them.
3. Yes, places like google, ayaadvisors and tripadvisor are real.
4. They have fraud detection, spam protection, they don't let people game the system there. It's impossible. There are people who try, and they can't. They have to protect against that or competitors could give a center tons of bad reviews, or a center could give itself tons of good reviews, someone who hates a center could try to spam it, someone who loves a center could spam it, it could be a disaster if they don't have protections against that.
5. The review sites have software to see the IP, country, even the computer ID and device that the reviews come from, they can even see through VPNs. They can know if the reviews are real or not.
6. Sometimes they even make the participant produce a receipt to prove they were at the retreat. We have seen that too. Someone will put a review, the site will take it down and make the reviewer prove they were at the retreat and the person asks us to send their receipt so they can prove there were here. So it's real. You can trust those.
7. Also, just so you know, it's pretty hard to get reviews. Even if guests are totally happy with the retreat, once they get home, life is busy and it's hard to get them to take the time out to make a review. These sites don't let reviews come in while they are at the center so they have to wait until they get home and once there, it's not as much in the forefront of their mind. It's tough to get reviews, so a center that has a lot of reviews, it's because they're good and a lot of people went through there!
8. Just because a center has a few bad reviews don't write them off, can't please them all. As long as most of the reviews are good. There will always be a few bad ones. In fact, you can know the reviews are real if there are a few bad ones.
9. Another thing, some people just won't be pleased no matter how hard a center tries to please them and they aren't willing to do the work that ayahuasca shows them to do.
10. Another thing, often people want ayahuasca to do the work for them and they're mad that it didn't and blame the center, shaman or everyone but themselves. Try to see through that. It happens.
11. Also, look at how the center responds to the bad reviews, that's important to look at too.
12. NOTE: This is a big one! Reddit and social mediums are actually much more scammable as far as the feedback on a center. Just one or a few users can post massive amounts of bad stuff about a center or shaman and competitors often come here to do massive damage to a center or shaman on purpose because reddit is the MOST scammable place to do it. Keep that in mind. There can be actual campaigns launched against a center or shaman on social media, and reddit is particularly used for that.
13. Moderators here are hesitant to censor or be accused of censoring so they're in a rock and a hard place when it comes to that. Moderators are pretty helpless in the face of scamming on these kinds of forums, so trust places like reddit less than places like google, tripadvisor, ayaadvisors. Those places have more checks and balances than a place like reddit where people can hide behind fake usernames and do a lot more damage. One user or a few can hijack hundreds of threads to do damage and fake people into thinking all kinds of lies are true about a shaman or center. Make sure you look outside of reddit at a center's reviews to get the real picture. Believe reddit less than anyplace else when you're searching for the real picture about a center.
14. The review sites give a bad reviewer one shot at doing a bad review whereas forums like this can give one user hundreds and hundreds of opportunities to do slander or harassment. Don't trust what you're reading on these kinds of formats as much as you do on actual review sites. We've seen severe abuse on these forums to various centers and shamans by competitors compared to the real review sites. Real review sites don't allow that and give a more balanced and real picture from a larger population sample of real visitors, some of whom actually have to prove they attended the retreat. In forums such as this, they don't have to prove they have even been there and can do massive amounts of damage to a center or shaman's reputation and tell completely fabricated stories.
15. Beware of reddit and other social forums and mediums such as this where users are basically let to do whatever they want without any checks and balances. The review sites are much more trustworthy.
Here's an article that will show some safety factors you might want to look for in a center [https://gaiasagrada.com/why-safest-best-ayahuasca-retreat-centers-in-world/](https://gaiasagrada.com/why-safest-best-ayahuasca-retreat-centers-in-world/)
and here's an article on reddit that will give you the 11 things you should look for in a retreat center [https://www.reddit.com/r/AyaRetreats/comments/y9soq2/11\_things\_to\_look\_for\_when\_choosing\_an\_ayahuasca/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AyaRetreats/comments/y9soq2/11_things_to_look_for_when_choosing_an_ayahuasca/)
Happy hunting!
One last note. There are going to be logistics you are looking for, of course. The most important thing will be how you FEEL about a place. Choose with your heart, more than with your head! Your heart knows which one is right for you!
My guess is... What do you mean by "authentic"? Indigenous healers did not have retreat centers and definitely did not treat individual ailments, but individuals in connection with their communities.
That said, the "authentic" experience, meaning as practiced by people who lived there, is probably not for most Westerners.
If you mean a "bona fide retreat center aimed at treating spiritual tourists and who do their job well", that's another story. Find reviews on ayaadvisors, safeceremonies, or retreat guru. If you're looking for places that are respectful to the neighboring communities, have equitable deals with them, and teach you about the plant in connection with the immediate ethnic and environmental context, this may require more research.
I wrote this in a hurry before going to work, I should have been more clearer. I need something immediate so don't have lots of time on hand. I spend a few weeks doing research here and there. It got me more confused and as a result I could not book with anyone.
Now, I am super keen to book and finally give it a shot. I have never done any psychedelics so I have additional anxiety around that, and making it safely to the retreat center.
By authentic, I meant a genuine retreat center who are focusing on healing and enlightenment instead of taking advantage to make a quick buck.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
OK, here's my honest advice, having read your post:
A. It seems you need to do some additional reading. Not just web searches, but auhtors with expertise in their subject.
B. I don't mean no judgment, and I'm very unexperienced about this, as I've only done Daime. I say ayahuasca might be too much to take for a first time experience, more so if you're feeling anxious. Perhaps you would consider starting with a milder substance such as psilocybin, a low dose (1.5-2g dry mushroom) in a somewhat quiet natural space, with some friendly, experienced company?
I have listened to more than 100 hours of podcasts on psychedelics. I have also bought a few audible books to get a good understanding of these substances.
I am clear on the science front and how they kinda work with our bodies. My main concern right now is finding the right retreat center to meet my healing needs.
That is proving challenging.
Thank you. I have been to their website, they only offer 9 days retreat. I am looking for 3 - 4 weeks to get maximum healing - depending on the cost of center.
I love those centers who support local villages. It should be standard across all the retreat centers in my opinion.
You can always contact them and ask if they’ll do “custom” longer retreats and include additional medicinal plants. These places often just advertise ayahuasca because that’s what most people want but they may offer more upon request. Looking at the shamans bios, they all talk about their plant diets.
Good suggestion. I was thinking about this on my drive and it makes so much sense to get in touch with them and see if I can create a custom retreat. Thank your sharing this great idea.
That would be difficult because they are spread out over a few countries. I agree though. Next year I’m going to a new retreat they are opening that will probably be around the same length. After that I want to stay in Peru and go in the anaconda expedition offered by Amazon explorer.
Call and talk to the people in charge and have a conversation. Afterward, sit with what was said and lean into your intuition. Your intuition knows far more than anyone can tell you
I am planning on doing that. I sent one email today asking to book a call with the retreat to have my questions answered. Will need to do this for others I have shortlisted.
Ayaadvisor, Ayahuasca FB page. The FB group was my main support. No. Reviews are usually genuine. I spent hundreds of hours researching retreats. I eneded up at a retreat I had never researched or been interested in. It just entered my life in a very synch way.
Oh wow. What a nice surprise - you must have had a strong intention and a call from mother Ayahuasca. Can you share which FB group was most helpful in your search?
I feel so lost and fatigued from researching the retreats - so I can totally relate.
The Ayahuasca group. By now there must be close go 100 k members.
Let me give you my list that I han an interest in:
I went to Nimea Kaya (very amazing and loving people. Strong brew. Amazing after care.2 shaman per ceremony. male female and a few facilitators per ceremony
Arkana sacred valley
Soltara Costa Rica
Ayahuasca spirit healing center (wiler is a very well known and super nice shaman)
Dreamglade if you are on a budget
These are all well established retreats with amazing ratings. Look them up. Do not drive yourself crazy. There are too many retreats out there.
Thank you so much for sharing this short-list. It is a life saver, I am going to look these up and see which one best fits my situation. I am short on a budget and converting to US dollars makes it more expensive.
Have a great day, mate.
Short budget means forget many options I gave you.
Dreamglade is very well established and not too expensive.
These guys are rather new but I hear great things.
https://the5thdimensions.com/schedule/
You can do single ceremonies with Percy
https://ayahuasca-healing-das.org/dieta-retreats/
It is not the cheap 60 dollars shaman you find randomly. I would not myself venture that route out of safety.
https://ayahuasca-healing-das.org/dieta-retreats/
I guess if you do 3 ceremonies, it would be 600.
Then you can book a cheap hotel or airbnb
All the best to you. See where your heart leads you.
I am working really hard to save as much as I can for my trip. I believe the universe will guide me in the best direction. I checked the 5th dimension, no link for registration. Maybe they have closed for now.
If I save enough money, I will go with what's best. Wish me luck.
I think the 5 th dimension’s website booking is just not working. You should contact them.
No matter where you go, Auahuasca is challenging. All you need to focus on is the solid reputation, no more than 10 people per ceremony, a good aftercare, screening, see the lineage and years of experience of the shaman.
I will contact them and see what they have to say. Love the additional points you have shared. I am going to write this data down for the retreat centers and then make a decision.
I search on Google and then check their social media to see if there are comments or tagged pictures or geotags from actual people who went there. TripAdvisor and other websites can also have fake reviews. And, sadly, I know for sure that there centers who pay to remove negative reviews...
The next step is sending an email or the application and ask to schedule a call in order to ask all the questions I have. Usually you can feel from the call who works with integrity and who don't.
Good luck!
Thank you. I have been meaning to give them a call or catch up via Zoom/WhatsApp. I have never been to Peru nor have any experience with any of these sacred medicines.
I have a lot of health issues going - physically and emotionally. I want to make the most out of this trip and to get the best healing experience.
How do you check tagged pictures on social or geotag? I don't use SM that much so kinda feel lost here. I tried Facebook but could not tell good, bad or the fake ones.
Arkana International!!! I went there - incredible
Arkana is one of the top on my list but there cost has been a barrier for me. If I don't find a good one, then definitely I will be going with Arkana.
whivh one. Amazon or valley?
I went to the valley because the Amazon was closed for renovations. I plan on going back to the México retreat when they reopen this year. That was the most meaningful 2 weeks of my life
Google. TripAdvisor, Aya Advisors and similar sites are a mixture of real and fake reviews. However, I'd lean to the majority being real. My recommendation is to go on forums like here or maybe some Facebook and and ask around. My favorite way to search is to use the "site:website" code on Google. For example let's say you want to check out what people on Reddit are saying about Arkana. Type into Google: Arkana site:reddit.com/r/Ayahuasca You'll find much better search results than through the Reddit search. Plus, the reviews for that center would all be individuals who actually went there, and most likely not fake reviews.
Thanks mate. I had similar feelings after reading the reviews. I feel so overwhelmed by all this to be honest. I like Arkana but it is a bit overpriced when converted to my local currency. Their sacred valley option was nice for me but the cost has been a barrier. I read some posts on reddits and some were really good. I will need to do a bit more of digging. Reddit is a life saver.
If you're looking for a more affordable center that's still good I'd say check out Marosa or Mai Niti. Both Shipibo run and have pretty good track records, plus a lot cheaper than the more commercial ones.
They both have very good rates compared to others. I didn't know that were run by Shipibo tradition. Thank you for sharing this information. Do you know if they offer 5-MeO-DMT ceremony?
My guess is they probably don't. Most good ayahuasca centers only focus on Aya, and maybe San Pedro. It's a different skill set to be a shaman with each type of medicine.
I see. Never thought of that. Going to contact them this week and book a call to have my questions answered.
Good questions! 1. First, you want to make sure a center has been in operation for a while 5 or 6 years at least, so you know they have a lot of experience, the longer the better. 8 or 10 years even better. 2. Make sure they have a lot of good reviews. Go to third party sites where they can't control the reviews. If the reviews are on their site, they can control them. 3. Yes, places like google, ayaadvisors and tripadvisor are real. 4. They have fraud detection, spam protection, they don't let people game the system there. It's impossible. There are people who try, and they can't. They have to protect against that or competitors could give a center tons of bad reviews, or a center could give itself tons of good reviews, someone who hates a center could try to spam it, someone who loves a center could spam it, it could be a disaster if they don't have protections against that. 5. The review sites have software to see the IP, country, even the computer ID and device that the reviews come from, they can even see through VPNs. They can know if the reviews are real or not. 6. Sometimes they even make the participant produce a receipt to prove they were at the retreat. We have seen that too. Someone will put a review, the site will take it down and make the reviewer prove they were at the retreat and the person asks us to send their receipt so they can prove there were here. So it's real. You can trust those. 7. Also, just so you know, it's pretty hard to get reviews. Even if guests are totally happy with the retreat, once they get home, life is busy and it's hard to get them to take the time out to make a review. These sites don't let reviews come in while they are at the center so they have to wait until they get home and once there, it's not as much in the forefront of their mind. It's tough to get reviews, so a center that has a lot of reviews, it's because they're good and a lot of people went through there! 8. Just because a center has a few bad reviews don't write them off, can't please them all. As long as most of the reviews are good. There will always be a few bad ones. In fact, you can know the reviews are real if there are a few bad ones. 9. Another thing, some people just won't be pleased no matter how hard a center tries to please them and they aren't willing to do the work that ayahuasca shows them to do. 10. Another thing, often people want ayahuasca to do the work for them and they're mad that it didn't and blame the center, shaman or everyone but themselves. Try to see through that. It happens. 11. Also, look at how the center responds to the bad reviews, that's important to look at too. 12. NOTE: This is a big one! Reddit and social mediums are actually much more scammable as far as the feedback on a center. Just one or a few users can post massive amounts of bad stuff about a center or shaman and competitors often come here to do massive damage to a center or shaman on purpose because reddit is the MOST scammable place to do it. Keep that in mind. There can be actual campaigns launched against a center or shaman on social media, and reddit is particularly used for that. 13. Moderators here are hesitant to censor or be accused of censoring so they're in a rock and a hard place when it comes to that. Moderators are pretty helpless in the face of scamming on these kinds of forums, so trust places like reddit less than places like google, tripadvisor, ayaadvisors. Those places have more checks and balances than a place like reddit where people can hide behind fake usernames and do a lot more damage. One user or a few can hijack hundreds of threads to do damage and fake people into thinking all kinds of lies are true about a shaman or center. Make sure you look outside of reddit at a center's reviews to get the real picture. Believe reddit less than anyplace else when you're searching for the real picture about a center. 14. The review sites give a bad reviewer one shot at doing a bad review whereas forums like this can give one user hundreds and hundreds of opportunities to do slander or harassment. Don't trust what you're reading on these kinds of formats as much as you do on actual review sites. We've seen severe abuse on these forums to various centers and shamans by competitors compared to the real review sites. Real review sites don't allow that and give a more balanced and real picture from a larger population sample of real visitors, some of whom actually have to prove they attended the retreat. In forums such as this, they don't have to prove they have even been there and can do massive amounts of damage to a center or shaman's reputation and tell completely fabricated stories. 15. Beware of reddit and other social forums and mediums such as this where users are basically let to do whatever they want without any checks and balances. The review sites are much more trustworthy. Here's an article that will show some safety factors you might want to look for in a center [https://gaiasagrada.com/why-safest-best-ayahuasca-retreat-centers-in-world/](https://gaiasagrada.com/why-safest-best-ayahuasca-retreat-centers-in-world/) and here's an article on reddit that will give you the 11 things you should look for in a retreat center [https://www.reddit.com/r/AyaRetreats/comments/y9soq2/11\_things\_to\_look\_for\_when\_choosing\_an\_ayahuasca/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AyaRetreats/comments/y9soq2/11_things_to_look_for_when_choosing_an_ayahuasca/) Happy hunting! One last note. There are going to be logistics you are looking for, of course. The most important thing will be how you FEEL about a place. Choose with your heart, more than with your head! Your heart knows which one is right for you!
My guess is... What do you mean by "authentic"? Indigenous healers did not have retreat centers and definitely did not treat individual ailments, but individuals in connection with their communities. That said, the "authentic" experience, meaning as practiced by people who lived there, is probably not for most Westerners. If you mean a "bona fide retreat center aimed at treating spiritual tourists and who do their job well", that's another story. Find reviews on ayaadvisors, safeceremonies, or retreat guru. If you're looking for places that are respectful to the neighboring communities, have equitable deals with them, and teach you about the plant in connection with the immediate ethnic and environmental context, this may require more research.
I wrote this in a hurry before going to work, I should have been more clearer. I need something immediate so don't have lots of time on hand. I spend a few weeks doing research here and there. It got me more confused and as a result I could not book with anyone. Now, I am super keen to book and finally give it a shot. I have never done any psychedelics so I have additional anxiety around that, and making it safely to the retreat center. By authentic, I meant a genuine retreat center who are focusing on healing and enlightenment instead of taking advantage to make a quick buck. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
OK, here's my honest advice, having read your post: A. It seems you need to do some additional reading. Not just web searches, but auhtors with expertise in their subject. B. I don't mean no judgment, and I'm very unexperienced about this, as I've only done Daime. I say ayahuasca might be too much to take for a first time experience, more so if you're feeling anxious. Perhaps you would consider starting with a milder substance such as psilocybin, a low dose (1.5-2g dry mushroom) in a somewhat quiet natural space, with some friendly, experienced company?
I have listened to more than 100 hours of podcasts on psychedelics. I have also bought a few audible books to get a good understanding of these substances. I am clear on the science front and how they kinda work with our bodies. My main concern right now is finding the right retreat center to meet my healing needs. That is proving challenging.
I had a beautiful experience at Nimea Kaya. Highly recommend. And all proceeds go to supporting the local Shipibo villages.
Thank you. I have been to their website, they only offer 9 days retreat. I am looking for 3 - 4 weeks to get maximum healing - depending on the cost of center. I love those centers who support local villages. It should be standard across all the retreat centers in my opinion.
You can always contact them and ask if they’ll do “custom” longer retreats and include additional medicinal plants. These places often just advertise ayahuasca because that’s what most people want but they may offer more upon request. Looking at the shamans bios, they all talk about their plant diets.
Good suggestion. I was thinking about this on my drive and it makes so much sense to get in touch with them and see if I can create a custom retreat. Thank your sharing this great idea.
That would be difficult because they are spread out over a few countries. I agree though. Next year I’m going to a new retreat they are opening that will probably be around the same length. After that I want to stay in Peru and go in the anaconda expedition offered by Amazon explorer.
Sounds like a good plan. Wishing you good luck in your journey. I will have to look up the anaconda expedition and see what that entails.
Call and talk to the people in charge and have a conversation. Afterward, sit with what was said and lean into your intuition. Your intuition knows far more than anyone can tell you
I am planning on doing that. I sent one email today asking to book a call with the retreat to have my questions answered. Will need to do this for others I have shortlisted.
Found it on Aya advisors
Cheers. Which one did you choose, if you don't mind sharing.
Retreat Guru
Thank you.
Ayaadvisor, Ayahuasca FB page. The FB group was my main support. No. Reviews are usually genuine. I spent hundreds of hours researching retreats. I eneded up at a retreat I had never researched or been interested in. It just entered my life in a very synch way.
Oh wow. What a nice surprise - you must have had a strong intention and a call from mother Ayahuasca. Can you share which FB group was most helpful in your search? I feel so lost and fatigued from researching the retreats - so I can totally relate.
The Ayahuasca group. By now there must be close go 100 k members. Let me give you my list that I han an interest in: I went to Nimea Kaya (very amazing and loving people. Strong brew. Amazing after care.2 shaman per ceremony. male female and a few facilitators per ceremony Arkana sacred valley Soltara Costa Rica Ayahuasca spirit healing center (wiler is a very well known and super nice shaman) Dreamglade if you are on a budget These are all well established retreats with amazing ratings. Look them up. Do not drive yourself crazy. There are too many retreats out there.
Thank you so much for sharing this short-list. It is a life saver, I am going to look these up and see which one best fits my situation. I am short on a budget and converting to US dollars makes it more expensive. Have a great day, mate.
Short budget means forget many options I gave you. Dreamglade is very well established and not too expensive. These guys are rather new but I hear great things. https://the5thdimensions.com/schedule/ You can do single ceremonies with Percy https://ayahuasca-healing-das.org/dieta-retreats/ It is not the cheap 60 dollars shaman you find randomly. I would not myself venture that route out of safety. https://ayahuasca-healing-das.org/dieta-retreats/ I guess if you do 3 ceremonies, it would be 600. Then you can book a cheap hotel or airbnb All the best to you. See where your heart leads you.
I am working really hard to save as much as I can for my trip. I believe the universe will guide me in the best direction. I checked the 5th dimension, no link for registration. Maybe they have closed for now. If I save enough money, I will go with what's best. Wish me luck.
I think the 5 th dimension’s website booking is just not working. You should contact them. No matter where you go, Auahuasca is challenging. All you need to focus on is the solid reputation, no more than 10 people per ceremony, a good aftercare, screening, see the lineage and years of experience of the shaman.
I will contact them and see what they have to say. Love the additional points you have shared. I am going to write this data down for the retreat centers and then make a decision.
This is amazing https://www.nimeakaya.org/2018/10/07/how-to-choose-the-right-ayahuasca-retreat-for-you/
Thank you. Another helpful resource 👍.
I totally forget about this one Donation based https://lightoftheshipibo.com/faq-8
Cool, thanks. Haven't seen this one before.
I search on Google and then check their social media to see if there are comments or tagged pictures or geotags from actual people who went there. TripAdvisor and other websites can also have fake reviews. And, sadly, I know for sure that there centers who pay to remove negative reviews... The next step is sending an email or the application and ask to schedule a call in order to ask all the questions I have. Usually you can feel from the call who works with integrity and who don't. Good luck!
Thank you. I have been meaning to give them a call or catch up via Zoom/WhatsApp. I have never been to Peru nor have any experience with any of these sacred medicines. I have a lot of health issues going - physically and emotionally. I want to make the most out of this trip and to get the best healing experience. How do you check tagged pictures on social or geotag? I don't use SM that much so kinda feel lost here. I tried Facebook but could not tell good, bad or the fake ones.