How We Define a Trustworthy Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Not all retreats qualify for Best Retreats Accreditation – and that’s the point. Accreditation isn’t for everyone. It’s earned by centers who uphold real transparency, safety, and ethical integrity in one of the world’s most vulnerable and misunderstood spaces.
These eight standards are what we look for. If you meet them – and keep meeting them – you’re welcome here.
1. Build Trust
Establish and maintain a positive, verifiable presence in the retreat space.
- Must be actively operating for 6+ months or led by founders with a prior track record.
- No recent history of serious legal, ethical, or criminal action related to participant harm, misrepresentation, or fraud.
- Maintain a Trust Grade of B or above on our platform.
2. Advertise Honestly
Use clear, ethical messaging – especially around health, transformation, and trauma.
- Avoid false pricing, miracle claims, and manipulative funnels.
- No fake testimonials or staged “guest reviews.”
- All ads and social posts must comply with ethical marketing for vulnerable populations.
- Willingness to modify or remove ads flagged in our ad review process.
3. Tell the Truth
Represent your retreat, services, and experience clearly and accurately.
- No misrepresentation of substances, guides, training, or lineage.
- Full disclosure of pricing, schedules, substances used, and expectations.
- No deceptive or performative identity language (e.g., “licensed” if not).
4. Be Transparent
Disclose key facts that affect guest decisions – upfront and publicly.
- Location, leadership, team bios, and pricing must be clearly listed.
- Be open about risks, challenges, and support systems.
- Use real photos and avoid misleading imagery.
5. Honor Promises
Deliver what you advertise – and support participants before, during, and after.
- Fulfill the full experience as promoted – no surprise changes or downgrades.
- Provide real integration resources if promised.
- Be available to address questions, emergencies, or follow-up needs.
6. Be Responsive
Address concerns, complaints, and reports in good faith.
- Reply to complaint submissions within 7 days.
- Cooperate with our complaint process, mediation, or arbitration as needed.
- Commit to resolution – not retaliation or gaslighting.
- Adjust your practices if patterns of complaints emerge.
7. Protect Privacy
Respect participant confidentiality and safety – online and off.
- Handle personal and medical data with care.
- Never sell, exploit, or overshare guest information.
- Be clear about photos, recordings, or public-facing content.
- Honor all opt-outs and unsubscribes.
8. Act with Integrity
Do what’s right – especially when no one’s watching.
- Avoid deceptive press, partner with integrity-aligned providers, and own your mistakes.
- We reserve the right to suspend or revoke accreditation at any time if conduct becomes harmful, exploitative, or misleading.
We Monitor and Enforce
Best Retreats uses social listening, review aggregation, community reports, and private complaint intake to continually evaluate all (especially accredited) centers. Violations can result in public notes, trust grade drops, or removal.
Or Contact Us for questions.