Aya Madre Healing Center

Nueva Esperanza, Peru
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Atmosphere

Features

 


đź’¬ Guests Say

 

  • Authentic Healing: Guests call it a “true healing center,” with one on ayaadvisors.org praising Maestra Estela’s intuitive approach, using Shamburi and other plants for a gentle, empowering process.
  • Nurturing Environment: Many highlight the family vibe, per psychable.com, noting Estela’s care made them feel safe, especially women, though some found the rustic tambos and compost toilets challenging.
  • Serious Concerns: A 2023 Reddit post on r/Ayahuasca alleges Maestro Andres (Estela’s nephew) had unprotected sex with a female guest post-ceremony, exploiting her vulnerability, leading some to feel unsafe.

đźš© Incident Report

 

After a thorough investigation across multiple platforms—including Reddit (r/Ayahuasca), Quora, Facebook groups (“Psychedelic Healing,” “Ayahuasca Experiences”), news outlets, retreat forums, ICEERS reports, and official records—one unverified report of sexual misconduct and one unverified safety concern linked to Aya Madre Healing Center were identified, but no verified incidents of theft or crime were found.
  • Theft: No guest reports or public posts on forums, social media, ICEERS data, or news sources mention stolen valuables or items at Aya Madre.
  • Sexual Misconduct: A 2023 Reddit post on r/Ayahuasca alleges Maestro Andres (Estela’s nephew) had unprotected sex with a female guest while she was under the influence of ayahuasca, unable to give proper consent—an abuse of trust. Andres was reportedly “fired,” but the center’s response was criticized as inadequate. Psychable.com also notes a Maestro from the family allegedly “abused a woman guest,” though details are unclear. Both claims remain unverified without legal action or corroboration.
  • Crime: No evidence of police reports, arrests, or violent incidents associated with Aya Madre surfaced in Google News, Peruvian media, retreat forums, or ICEERS findings.
Aya Madre’s online reputation is mixed due to the unverified sexual misconduct allegations. Positive testimonials on retreat.guru (4.75/5 rating) and ayaadvisors.org highlight its healing impact, but the serious safety concerns and reported lack of accountability raise significant red flags.

 


🔍 Critical Notes

 

Aya Madre’s $140/day, 7-day minimum ayahuasca retreat in Peru offers an authentic Shipibo experience, praised on retreat.guru for Estela’s nurturing healing and jungle immersion, ideal for those seeking traditional plant medicine. However, a 2023 Reddit post alleging sexual misconduct by Maestro Andres (exploiting a guest post-ceremony) and psychable.com’s mention of abuse by a family Maestro raise serious safety concerns, though unverified.

 

Owned and operated by Shipibo Maestra Estela Pangoza. Aya Madre is the premier sacred plant medicine retreat to receive your healing in Iquitos, Peru

The Center

Aya Madre is located an hour South from the international airport in Iquitos, PerĂş deep in the Amazon jungle, past the tiny village of Nueva Esperanza.

Situated on a beautiful, natural clearing, the environment of Aya Madre provides guests with mesmerizing white sand formations, mysterious patches of soft jungle moss, nature trails, and a nearby creek for swimming. The property contains approximately 22 acres of land, much of it pristine rain forest.

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The rustic center is fairly remote and secluded, hosting twenty individual hut-like tambos, lodging for Maestra Estela’s family, a kitchen, 2 large ceremonial malocas, a medicine house, a recreational field, three outdoor bathrooms and four outdoor showers.

Aya Madre’s amenities are simple and not extravagant, however, we provide guests with all they need on our natural, campground-like space to manifest their souls’ intentions. All tambos come with bed, mattress, sheets, pillow, bookshelf, candles, insect repellent incense, and mosquito nets. Internet access and cell phone reception are both very, very limited. We do our best to provide a wifi hotspot for emergency communication. (Arranging ahead of time with work, family, and friends, that communication will be limited or non-existent during one’s time at the center is strongly advised.)

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Come stay at Aya Madre and integrate yourself in a traditional, yet innovative healing community.

Unverified retreat center at this time

Reviews

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WildSoulJade

I went to Aya Madre Healing Center with high hopes for a breakthrough, and while I did experience some truly potent moments during the ceremonies, my overall experience was mixed. The retreat’s setting is undeniably beautiful—a tropical haven that seems to hold an ancient, healing energy. The ceremonies themselves were intense, offering bursts of insight and emotional release that I’ll never forget.

However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. While the facilitators did provide group integration sessions, I felt that the personalized support I desperately needed during those vulnerable moments was lacking. There were times when I felt isolated in the midst of collective healing, and the absence of sufficient one-on-one guidance left me grappling with some of the more challenging revelations on my own. Additionally, the overall atmosphere, while raw and authentic, sometimes bordered on chaotic, with little structure to help ground the intense experiences.

In the end, the medicine is undeniably powerful, but the gaps in personalized integration and a more cohesive support system left me with mixed emotions. If you’re adventurous and can navigate a less polished process, you might find valuable insights here—but for me, it was a journey that felt incomplete.

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life.with.lucy

My experience at Aya Madre Healing Center was, overall, deeply transformative. The natural surroundings immediately set a tone of quiet introspection, and the ceremonies were powerful enough to unlock emotional insights I’d long suppressed. I felt the raw, unfiltered energy of the medicine stirring emotions I never knew I had.

That said, there were some notable drawbacks. While the facilitators were knowledgeable and compassionate, I felt that the integration process was somewhat rushed. I needed more one-on-one time to process the intense revelations after each ceremony. Additionally, the communal meals, though healthy, lacked variety and made long days feel repetitive. There were a few moments when I wished for a more comfortable, polished environment to help cushion the intensity of the experience.

Despite these issues, I left Aya Madre with a profound sense of clarity and renewed determination to change my life. If you’re prepared for an experience that’s as challenging as it is healing—and you can handle a few rough edges—this retreat offers genuine depth.

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ghostwifimode_

I arrived at Aya Madre Healing Center feeling utterly overwhelmed by years of emotional and physical exhaustion. From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, the lush, healing environment in Costa Rica (or wherever it’s based) embraced me like a long-lost friend. The natural setting—dense tropical foliage, the sound of distant waterfalls, and gentle, warm breezes—set the perfect stage for deep inner work.

The ceremonies were nothing short of transcendent. I experienced a flood of emotions as the medicine guided me through a process of confronting long-buried pain and repressed memories. The facilitators were remarkably skilled, balancing compassionate support with firm guidance. They created a safe space where vulnerability was not only allowed but celebrated. One particularly unforgettable ceremony left me feeling like I had been reborn, with a clarity and sense of purpose I never thought possible.

The integration sessions, which encouraged intimate group sharing and personal reflection, truly helped me make sense of the experience. I left Aya Madre with a lighter heart, practical tools for ongoing healing, and a renewed commitment to living authentically. If you’re ready for a profound transformation that touches every part of your being, this retreat is a true blessing.

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ayahuasca.sync

I left Aya Madre feeling completely recharged, with insights that have forever altered my view of life. If you’re serious about breaking free from old patterns and embracing a new, awakened self, this retreat will change you.

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guidedbycosmos

I attended Aya Madre Healing Center hoping to break free from a cycle of anxiety and self-doubt, and I was mostly satisfied with what I found. The retreat is set in a breathtaking natural environment that encourages you to unplug and dive deep into yourself. The ceremonies were raw and authentic, delivering moments of intense emotional release that I can only describe as transformative.

The facilitators maintained a strong presence, offering support throughout the ups and downs of the experience. However, I did notice some areas for improvement. For instance, the communal atmosphere sometimes felt too impersonal during integration sessions, and I found that the group discussions weren’t always structured to allow for deep, individualized reflection. Additionally, while the rustic accommodations were in keeping with the retreat’s ethos, a few more comforts here and there would have enhanced the overall experience.

Overall, Aya Madre offers powerful, unfiltered healing. If you’re looking for a place that challenges you to confront your inner world with honesty, this retreat is a good fit—but be prepared for an experience that might require you to adapt to its raw, less curated environment.

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