THE BEST
AYAHUASCA RETREAT
How do you find the best ayahuasca retreat?
Many centers will claim that they offer the best ayahuasca retreat or that they are most reputable but what is the best ayahuasca retreat for one person may not be the best retreat for you. There are many things that you should consider when trying to find a retreat you resonate with. We have created a blog to help guide you to the BEST ayahuasca retreat FOR YOU. There are many things to consider : where you want to drink, what kind of accommodations you expect, how many people are in each group, the setting of the ceremony and the experience of the facilitator guiding them.
We put a lot of care into our retreats at New Life Ayahuasca, and we know that we offer the best ayahuasca retreat for some, but not for everyone and that's okay. No retreat is one size fits all. There is a whole range of people and experiences they are looking to have. We are honored to have hosted guests from all walks of life from all over the world and we continue to adjust our retreats and implement new therapies into our program so that we can offer the best ayahuasca retreat we possibly can.
Powerful ayahuasca ceremonies expertly led by traditionally trained facilitators.
Stress-free transition to the retreat with SJO Airport Transfers at designated times.
Beach Trips
Located in on the Pacific Coast, we visit one of Costa Rica's gorgeous beaches.
Quality Retreats
since 2015
Over the years we have worked hard to develop quality ayahuasca retreats that encompass a range of healing modalities for the highest therapeutic value without feeling overwhelming or rushing too much into a short amount of time. Our belief in QUALITY over QUANTITY can be seen in many different aspects of our retreats. We have had the opportunity to observe what works and what doesn't in our programs and with that knowledge we have developed our retreats with some key factors that make us stand out against the crowd.
FACILITY - AYAHUASQUERO - BREW - SAFETY
From offering always private rooms and intimate group sizes to serving potent brew with a skilled and qualified ayahausquero, we have considered every detail.
Facility
Private Rooms -
We are located less than a mile from one of Costa Rica's gorgeous beaches on the Pacific Coast. Nestled on the hillside, we have incredible ocean views and picturesque sunsets visible from every room.
Our expansive facility offers a comfortable environment for such an intense process. We offer both private and shared accommodations. We have communal areas to socialize, a large pool, a fire pit, a lounge area, an outdoor kitchen, and miles of hiking trails.
All meals are prepared with care by Jeanae using locally grown and sourced ingredients. We follow a relaxed ayahuasca diet, providing food that is vegan, nutritious, colorful, and flavorful.
WiFi is available although we discourage the use of electronics prior to the ceremony to focus on the intention for the journey ahead.
We limit our ayahuasca retreat groups to 14 so we can provide individualized attention and support.
Ayahuasquero
What is a shaman?
Matthew has dedicated himself to mastering his craft. He has completed many master plant dietas and has learned valuable lessons in his years of facilitating ceremonies that have made him skilled in navigating energy, communicating with spirits, and creating a safe container for all participants. He has the support of many spiritual allies and protectors.
The ayahuasca shaman is responsible for guiding the experience. The ceremonial music is one of the most influential elements of the ayahuasca experience.
At New Life Ayahuasca, this includes Icaros (traditional medicine songs), guitar, drums, gong, singing bowls, bells, kalimba, and flute. Matthew has been passed down generational Icacros from his teachers, and he has developed his own unique style of chanting.
Matthew, a highly sensitive and intuitive empath, adapts the songs of the ceremony to meet the energy of the room. The songs of the spirit come to him, and his powerful voice carries them through the space. This is why it is so important to us to keep our groups intimate so that the energetic space is maintained with respect to each individual's experience.
Ayahuasca Brew
The brew is the most important aspect of any ayahuasca retreat but it is often over looked. It is assumed that at any retreat you will receive high quality and potent brew, unfortunately this is not always the case. Our medicine is made by Ron Wheelock, the gringo shaman of the amazon, in Iquito Peru. He selects his plant materials at a precise level of maturity to contribute to the potency of the medicine.
Our brew is made with only b. caapi and chaliponga. No additives or fillers are used in any way. Each plant used contributes to ayahuasca and if any ingredient were missing, the medicine would lack in its effects. We do not use any datura (toe) in our brew to ensure the safety of all participants.
Safety
To ensure the safety of all our guests, we require each potential participant complete a medical screening over the phone with Matt. The medical screening will give us an idea of your overall health and will help us determine if you are a safe candidate for ayahuasca therapy. It also gives Matt, our ayahuasquero, a chance to speak with each participant personally, to develop a relationship and answer any questions you may have.
In addition to conducting a thorough medical screening, Matt and Jeanae are both trained in CPR. New Life Ayahuasca is equipped with an AED machine, which our staff is trained to use.