Reviews used to mean trust. Today, they can be the biggest red flag of all.
As the ayahuasca retreat industry grows, so does the pressure to maintain perfect online reputations. Some retreat centers now manipulate ratings, delete negative feedback, and even fabricate testimonials – creating a polished illusion of safety. Many good retreat centers get sucked into this game, desperately scrambling to maintain 5 stars on Tripadvisor, Aya Advisors, etc. just to compete on a basic level.
This guide helps you cut through the noise. If you’re serious about choosing a safe, honest retreat, here’s how to read reviews critically in 2025.
🧠The Problem: 5-Star Ratings Don’t Mean 5-Star Safety
We’ve seen it happen across Google, TripAdvisor, Aya Advisors, and even Reddit:
- Guests are pressured to leave reviews while still on retreat
- Negative comments mysteriously disappear
- Fake accounts flood listings with praise that doesn’t match real guest experiences
Worse, some centers have no reviews at all – not just because they’re new, but because they actively suppress feedback.
“I left a 3-star review after a medical scare. It was gone within a week.”
— Former guest, 2023
🛑 Why Some Retreat Centers Fake or Filter Reviews
- Covering Up Past Incidents
Accidents, misconduct, or unsafe practices are buried under positive noise. - Gaming the Algorithm
High ratings = more bookings. It’s that simple. - Cultivating a Brand of Perfection
In spiritual spaces, admitting mistakes is seen as weakness — even when lives are at risk. - Lack of Independent Oversight
Most review sites have no mechanism to verify experiences or flag misconduct effectively.
🔍 How to Spot Manipulated or Misleading Reviews
Use this 6-point checklist before trusting any review page:
- All 5-star reviews, no nuance
Real guests have complex feelings. If every review is glowing, something’s off. - Copy-paste language across reviews
Repetition suggests coached or fake submissions. - No mention of challenges or discomfort
Ayahuasca is intense. Real reviews mention fear, purging, difficulty – not just bliss. - Timestamp clustering
If a center gets 20 new reviews in one week, it may have been a campaign. - Aggressive responses to criticism
Super defensive replies or “you just weren’t ready” gatekeeper dismissals are red flags. - Lack of third-party mentions
Google and review sites can be gamed. What do people say on Reddit, Quora, or Best Retreats?
đź’ˇ Pro Tips for Getting the Real Story
- Search “[Retreat Name] + Reddit”
Find unfiltered guest stories on r/Ayahuasca or r/Psychonaut. CAUTION: these are the wild west. Lots of fake accounts and marketing tactics – but at least there isn’t a review game. - Use Best Retreats
We aggregate reviews from multiple platforms, flag incident reports, and note censorship patterns. No bias – just what people are saying. - Reach out to past guests
Look for tagged posts or ask in trusted Facebook or WhatsApp groups. - Look beyond stars – read the tone
A 4-star review that mentions both beauty and flaws is far more trustworthy than a perfect 5-star. - Judge by the negatives
If the center has a handful of negative reviews but they are about bugs, language barriers, or strict diets — those are personal problems and could be a good and honest retreat. If the reviews are about dangerous circumstances and questionable operators — that’s clearly a different story. Negative reviews sometimes lie too and good centers have bad customers. The point here is to look at the sites like Best Retreats with data for the real deal, then the review sites like Google to feel out a little more.
🛡️ Final Thought: If a Center Hides Criticism, It’s Hiding More Than That
Honest centers welcome feedback. They evolve. They do chase perfection — but they prefer to earn trust.
At Best Retreats, we’ve built a platform that values transparency over image. We believe safety starts with truth — even when it’s uncomfortable.
If you’re vetting a retreat and the reviews feel too good to be true, they probably are.
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