Thinking about joining an ayahuasca retreat in 2025?
Before you send a deposit or commit to travel, make sure you know how to properly vet a retreat center for safety, legitimacy, and true value.
This guide gives spiritual seekers, first-timers, and returning guests a clear 10-point framework to identify trustworthy retreats—and avoid overpriced, underqualified, or even dangerous ones.
🌍 Why You Need to Vet Your Ayahuasca Retreat – Now More Than Ever
Ayahuasca tourism is booming globally. But with that growth has come an increase in:
- Unlicensed facilitators with no medical screening process
- Fake or filtered reviews flooding search and social media
- No refund guarantees or legal accountability
- Beautiful marketing masking serious safety issues
Best Retreats has tracked dozens of guest complaints, missed refunds, and even hospitalizations. This guide helps you avoid that risk.
✅ The 10-Point Ayahuasca Retreat Vetting Checklist
1. Is the Pricing Transparent?
- Can you find full retreat costs on the website or do you have to “DM for pricing”? (Best Retreats continuously updates pricing, but we’re not always perfect)
- Are extra fees – like tips, airport transfers, or room upgrades – clearly listed?
👉 Excessive hidden pricing is a red flag. Reputable centers make their costs clear.
2. Are Staff Bios and Backgrounds Public?
- Do you know who’s running your ceremonies?
- Can you find their names, roles, experience, and photos?
Google the facilitators. Search LinkedIn. Ask for references. If they’re vague about who’s holding space – you should be skeptical.
3. Do They Require Medical Screening?
- Look for a mandatory health form, mental health screening, or 1:1 call.
- Extra credit: On-site medical support like an EMT or licensed nurse.
Retreats skipping this step may be prioritizing profits over your safety.
4. Do They Offer Real Integration Support?
- Do they provide post-retreat Zoom calls, coaching, or therapist referrals?
- Is the integration structured – or just a vague “we’re here if you need us”?
💡 Real healing starts after the ceremony. If integration is missing, it’s a tourist party – not a process.
5. How Big Are the Groups?
- Ask how many guests are typically in ceremony.
- Smaller groups (6–12) = safer and more personalized care.
Retreats with 20+ participants and only one facilitator = red flag.
6. What’s the Refund or Cancellation Policy?
- Are deposits refundable or transferable?
- Is there a clear written policy for emergencies, postponements, or no-shows?
No policy = no protection. Always request written terms.
7. Where Are the Reviews Coming From?
- Do they have big third-party reviews on Reddit, Google, TripAdvisor?
- Do they have reports on Best Retreats and ICEERS?
❗ Many ayahuasca retreat reviews are fake or filtered and it’s not always the retreat centers fault. It’s why we aggregate what’s being said across the internet for incident reports and critical notes. Data > Reviews.
8. Is There a Legal Entity and Safe Payment Process?
- Do they operate under a verifiable business name or NGO?
- Are they asking for crypto, PayPal “Friends & Family,” or sketchy bank transfers?
If the payment method is untraceable, the experience might be too.
9. Do They Disclose Safety Incidents or Just Testimonials?
- Have they ever published incident summaries or risk disclosures on their own? (Excluding Best Retreats)
- Do they share lessons learned or just post spiritual memes and testimonials?
Perfect image, no accountability? That’s a marketing retreat – not a medicine one.
10. Are They Listed on Best Retreats?
- Listings on BestRetreats include:
- Trust grades (A+ to F)
- Critical guest reports
- Transparent pricing breakdowns
- Legal and safety news
👉 If they’re not listed, ask why.
🔎 The Best Retreats Vetting Formula
Before paying a cent, confirm:
- ✅ Transparent, itemized pricing
- ✅ Named facilitators with credentials
- ✅ Clear medical and refund policies
- ✅ Real integration support – not just ceremony show
- ✅ A third-party listing on BestRetreats.co
📚 Real-World Comparison: A vs. B
A user considering two retreats found:
- Retreat A: $2,800, vague staff info, 25-person group, only booking site reviews, no grade on Best Retreats.
- Retreat B: $3,200, 1:1 integration calls, 10-person cap, graded on Best Retreats with risk data and refund policy.
They chose Retreat B – and avoided thousands in potential losses and stress.
💬 Questions to Ask Before You Book
- Can I see the full price and what’s included?
- Who are your facilitators and what is their background?
- Do you require health screening or medical info?
- What support is offered after the retreat?
- What’s your refund and cancellation policy?
- Are you listed on Best Retreats, ICEERS, or another investigation platform?
Final Word: Don’t Book 100% on Vibes – Book with Verification
Ayahuasca is powerful. So is sneaky marketing.
Only one wants to protect your time, your health, and your investment.
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