What to Look For
A reputable retreat center should have experienced, traditionally trained facilitators with verifiable backgrounds. Look for centers that conduct thorough medical and psychological screening, maintain small group sizes, provide clear information about their preparation protocols, and have a strong safety record. Read reviews from multiple sources and seek personal recommendations when possible.
Red Flags
Be wary of retreat centers that make grandiose healing claims or guarantees, skip medical screening, have no clear emergency protocols, pressure you to participate, mix ayahuasca with other substances without clear traditional or therapeutic rationale, lack transparency about their facilitators' training, or have a history of boundary violations. Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is.
Questions to Ask
Before booking, ask about the facilitators' training and experience, the medical screening process, group size and staff-to-participant ratio, emergency medical protocols, the preparation and integration support offered, dietary and medication guidelines, what a typical ceremony schedule looks like, and their cancellation and refund policies. A trustworthy center will answer these questions openly and thoroughly.
Cost & Duration
Retreat costs vary widely depending on location, duration, and amenities. Typical retreats last 7–14 days and include multiple ceremonies. Prices range from a few hundred dollars at basic centers in South America to several thousand dollars at premium facilities. Be cautious of prices that seem unusually low, as this may indicate corners being cut on safety. Many centers offer sliding-scale pricing or scholarships.