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El Sabor de La Joya Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Paraguay

El Sabor de La Joya operates 16-day ayahuasca retreats in Itati, Paraguay, priced at €2,980. Located in rural Paraguayan nature, the center positions itself as a special jewel (“La Joya”) that invites people from all over the world with open hearts to enjoy and relax. The property is owned by Swiss national Urs Greder and operates on 100 hectares within the Ybytyruzú nature reserve.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Located three hours from Asunción in the middle of beautiful nature, surrounded by the hills of Ybytyruzú in a nature reserve. The property features a great variety of wild birds and animals which can be seen on the property.
• Approach: 16-day Ayahuasca & healing retreat with professional guidance and supportive treatment programs in a protected setting and relaxing nature. Staff speaks Spanish, German, English and French and prepares 100% organic food free from pesticides or toxins.
• Suitable For: Individuals seeking extended healing journeys in a nature-focused, European-managed setting with multilingual support and organic food preparation.
• Costs: €2,980 for 16 days. Airport transfer from Asunción Airport is included in the price.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: C (notable for extended retreat format and nature setting, flags for lack of verifiable reviews and unclear facilitator credentials).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

No reviews are currently available on Retreat Guru for El Sabor de La Joya’s ayahuasca programs. This absence of verified guest feedback represents a significant limitation for prospective participants seeking to understand the quality and safety of the retreat experience. While the center appears to operate as a hospitality establishment with positive camping and accommodation reviews on travel platforms like iOverlander, these reviews focus on the property’s amenities rather than ayahuasca ceremony experiences. The lack of documented participant testimonials makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of their healing programs or the competency of their facilitators.

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🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, and r/WellnessHive, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no documented safety incidents were found for El Sabor de La Joya.

• Theft: No reports found. Sources checked: Reddit forums, retreat review platforms, travel blogs.
• Sexual Misconduct: No reports found. Sources checked: Reddit forums, retreat safety databases, news outlets.
• Crime: No reports found. Sources checked: Paraguayan news outlets, international retreat safety reports, public records.

The center appears to operate primarily as an eco-lodge and camping facility, with limited online discussion specifically about their ayahuasca programs in retreat community forums.

New update as of March 2026: No incidents found in available sources.

🔍 Critical Notes

The retreat operates from a well-established eco-lodge property that has been functioning since 2019 when it was inaugurated by Paraguay’s tourism minister. The natural setting in the Ybytyruzú nature reserve provides an appealing environment for healing work. However, several concerns emerge from the available information. The facilitator credentials and training are not clearly documented on public platforms. One facilitator is described as a medium who moved to Paraguay in 2018 and works closely with the retreat offering training courses in mediality, spiritual healing and sensitivity. The absence of verifiable guest reviews specifically for ayahuasca services raises questions about the retreat’s track record. Paraguay has limited regulatory oversight for ayahuasca retreats compared to countries like Peru or Costa Rica, which may affect safety standards and legal protections for participants.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

The retreat’s medical screening process is not detailed in available public information. Given the 16-day intensive format and the remote location, proper medical and psychological screening would be crucial for participant safety. The lack of documented screening protocols represents a potential safety concern. Prospective participants should inquire directly about medical clearance requirements, contraindicated medications, and mental health assessments. As with all ayahuasca retreats, individuals with psychiatric conditions, those taking antidepressants or other medications, and those with cardiovascular issues should consult healthcare providers before participating.

🧪 Brew Substance

The specific composition of the ayahuasca brew served at El Sabor de La Joya is not detailed in available information. Traditional ayahuasca contains Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis (chacruna) leaves. One facilitator mentions learning from indigenous shamans in the Brazilian Amazon about transforming plant power into medicine and working with master plants since living at the Paraguay retreat. However, without specific documentation of brew ingredients and preparation methods, participants cannot verify the authenticity or safety of the medicine being served.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Paraguay: Located in the Ybytyruzú Resource Management Reserve in the Guairá department of Paraguay. Paraguay offers a stable political environment and relatively easy entry for international visitors, though ayahuasca’s legal status remains ambiguous.
• Setting: The 100-hectare property functions as a mixed establishment with active organic agriculture producing fruits, vegetables, and housing animals, plus weekend restaurant service and accommodation. Features natural spring water pools that are clean and drinkable.
• Style: Extended 16-day format allowing for deeper integration work. The property offers three-course organic meals by arrangement and maintains high-quality standards. Daily activities likely include meditation, integration work, and connection with nature.

Practical guidance: Airport pickup from Asunción Airport is included, with a three-hour drive to the center. Advance contact is required as the property is gated and someone needs to open it for access.

Should You Book?

This retreat may suit individuals seeking an extended, nature-immersive experience in a less commercialized setting, particularly those comfortable with European management styles and multilingual environments. However, the lack of verifiable reviews, unclear facilitator credentials, and absence of detailed safety protocols represent significant concerns. The remote location and 16-day commitment make this a high-stakes decision. Those new to ayahuasca or requiring robust medical support should consider more established centers with documented track records and transparent safety measures.

The Team & Story

The property is owned by Swiss national Urs Greder. One key facilitator trained as a medium in Switzerland and England for 22 years, served as an instructor at Switzerland’s largest medial school for spiritual healing for 20 years, took sole responsibility for the school from 2014, then moved to Paraguay in 2018 with family to work with the retreat. Another facilitator mentions learning from indigenous shamans in the Brazilian Amazon and working with master plants since living at the Paraguay retreat. The team appears to blend European spiritual traditions with South American plant medicine practices.

Prep & Integration Tips

Specific preparation requirements are not detailed in available information. Given the 16-day format, the retreat likely requires dietary restrictions and substance abstinence prior to arrival. All food is prepared as 100% organic and free from pesticides or toxins, including probiotic and fermented dishes, jams, vinegars, and drinks made on-site. The extended timeframe should allow for comprehensive integration work, though specific aftercare protocols are not documented.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Booking appears to be through Retreat Guru platform with €2,980 for 16 days. Airport transfer from Asunción is included in the price.