10 Best Ayahuasca Retreats in the World 2024

With a wealth of experience gained from facilitating over 1,000 Ayahuasca or «iowaska» ceremonies and working with more than 2,000 clients, APL Shamanic Journeys understands what makes a remarkable ayahuasca retreat. Our expertise spans across Europe and South America, ensuring a profound and transformative experience for participants. We know where you can get the best Ayahusca experience and feel safe. Here is our curated list of the 10 best ayahuasca retreats for 2024.

An authentic center created with love and respect for the sacred plant of Ayahuasca - Banisteriopsis caapi (or 'Ayawaska'). The retreat provides an authentic setting with a skilled team, making it an ideal option for those seeking a profound connection with traditional Ayahuasca practices with an emphasis on Master or Teacher Plant Dietas and helping participants with addiction problems.

Location: Tarapoto, Peru
Pros & cons: The retreat offers a highly professional team and an authentic experience in the Amazon rainforest, making it ideal for those seeking a deep connection with traditional Ayahuasca practices. However, it lacks luxurious accommodations and requires additional travel costs to reach the remote location in Tarapoto.
+ highly professional team and an authentic experience - Non-luxurious, simple accommodation
Cost: starts from $1300

APL Shamanic Journeys offers transformative Ayahuasca retreats, blending traditional Amazonian shamanism with modern therapeutic practices. Retreats are guided by Peruvian shamans and supported by trauma-informed facilitators, ensuring a safe and profound healing experience. Programs include various ceremonies, educational seminars, and integration support, with a focus on mindfulness and personal growth. The retreats are conducted in high-end, comfortable accommodations and emphasize respect for ancient traditions and safety protocols
Location: Spain, Ecuador, Peru
Pros & cons: Authenticity and respect for tradition are emphasized, but thorough preparation (including diet and psychological readiness) is required.
+ All team members have trauma-informed certificates + Experienced and indiginous shamans
- Preparation is required
Cost: starts from $1700

A renowned center offers a variety of experiences, including Ayahuasca ceremonies and the Amazonian sacred healing practice known as the dieta, which involves working with a master plant from the Amazonian Rainforest.
Location: Iquitos, Peru
Pros & cons: The center is situated in the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve, on the Nanay River's bank, offering recreational activities like hiking, swimming, fishing, and plant walks with certified conservation guides. However, the retreat is expensive, and the overall journey can be costly due to travel expenses.
+ availability of recreational activities like hiking, swimming, fishing, and plant walks - Prices above average
Cost: starts from $3400

A highly professional center that combines traditional approaches with Western analytical views. They conduct thorough screening before the retreat and provide follow-up consultations and integration support afterward.
Location: Iquitos, Peru
Pros & cons: The professional team at this center ensures a profound Ayahuasca experience with the support of an integration team. They offer a wide range of programs, including traditional practices and women-only retreats. However, retreats are typically held once a month, so securing a spot requires timely booking.
+ various range of retreat-programs
- Infrequent retreats, booking in advance is required
Cost: starts from $3300

Soltara Retreat is a beautiful center that offers retreats in various locations across South America, renowned for its structured and transformative experiences.
Location: Costa Rica
Pros & cons: The team collaborates with indigenous shamans. However, their locations are often in areas not traditionally associated with Ayahuasca use, making the experience more touristic than indigenous. Despite this, they maintain high standards and offer a blend of Western therapeutic practices and traditional shamanic guidance. The best there is that you can choose the location.
+ Years of expericence and high standards, you can absolutely feel safe with the facilitators of the center
- The Sacred Valley and Costa Rica centers are not located in the traditional regions of Ayahuasca.
Cost: starts from $2200

The Temple of the Way of Light is a traditional shamanic healing center specializing in plant medicine.
Location: Iquitos, Peru
Pros & cons: one of Peru's oldest Ayahuasca centers, renowned for its experienced team and well-
established approach. However, all programs are a minimum of 10 days, necessitating a significant vacation commitment.
+ Reputation of the center
- The programs there are long, so you need to have sufficient time available
Cost: starts from $3000

Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreat offers transformative experiences in the Peruvian Amazon, focusing on traditional healing with Ayahuasca and San Pedro cactus. Led by experienced shamans, the retreat provides various programs such as 7-day, 8-day, and 15-day retreats.
Location: Iquitos, Peru
Pros & cons: Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreat offers profound spiritual and physical healing in the Peruvian Amazon with experienced shamans, but its intense and remote nature may be challenging and costly.
Cost: starts from $1720

Feather Crown Ayahuasca Retreat offers 5-day and 10-day programs in the Ecuadorian Amazon, led by indigenous shamans working in Ecuadorian tradition. These retreats include accommodation, meals, and multiple Ayahuasca ceremonies, along with integration sessions and other supportive activities. The center emphasizes safety, cultural respect, and sustainability
Location: Santa Clara, Ecuador
Pros & cons: The team is known for their authenticity and professionalism, but the Ecuadorian tradition of leading Ayahuasca ceremonies differs from the more popular Peruvian one, which might not be what some expect.
+ Professional team
- Ecuadorian culture of leading ceremonies
Cost: starts from $790

Etnikas Ayahuasca Retreat in Cusco offers a range of retreat options integrating modern medicine with traditional Andean and Amazonian healing practices. The retreats, which can be 3, 5, or 7 days long, feature a combination of Ayahuasca ceremonies, medical supervision, psychological support, and cultural activities such as visits to Machu Picchu and volunteer work.
Location: Cuzco, Peru
Pros & cons: This retreat emphasizes safety with a multidisciplinary team that includes doctors and psychologists, making it a well-regarded option for a transformative healing experience. However, since Cusco is not a traditional area for Ayahuasca, the ceremonies there might not be the most authentic.
+ Professional team, proximity of touristic locations like Machu Picchu - Not the traditional area of Ayahuasca
Cost: starts from $790

The Hummingbird Healing Center in Iquitos, Peru, offers Ayahuasca retreats that include multiple ceremonies, comfortable accommodations, and a supportive environment focused on physical and spiritual healing.
Location: Iquitos, Peru
Pros & cons: Serene jungle setting and experienced shamans, but minimal emotional support and limited staff interaction.
+ Beautiful location
- Limited staff
Cost: starts from $1700

Choosing the right Ayahuasca retreat is crucial for a transformative experience. While there are various retreat options in Europe, Mexico, Brazil, and Peru, not all are worth visiting. Traditional Amazon retreats offer authenticity with experienced shamans and integration support but may be less accessible and pose health risks. Key factors in selecting a retreat include open communication, experienced facilitators, health screenings, and post-ceremony support. Prioritize safety, integration, and respect for traditional indigenous people practices to ensure a meaningful journey.

For more details, visit APL Shamanic Journeys