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Friends of the Vine Retreats Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Portugal

Friends of the Vine Retreats operates from a Portuguese Quinta in Samora Correia, near Lisbon, offering 3, 5, and 8-day ayahuasca retreats with small group sizes and European facilitators. The center uses traditional B. Caapi vine and Psychotria Viridis (chacruna) plants in the Shipibo tradition, cooking the brew for four days to create 50ml doses. Current pricing includes special discounts with 5-day retreats at €1360 and 8-day retreats at €2040 until February 2025.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Located at a modest Portuguese Quinta in a quiet rural area of Lisbon province, with comfortable accommodation and plenty of space among trees for relaxation
• Approach: Small groups with intimate settings, combining multiple ceremony types including ayahuasca, San Pedro, and psilocybin, with high facilitator-to-guest ratios of maximum 4:1
• Suitable For: Recommended for people who have previous plant medicine experience, though beginners are accepted with proper preparation
• Costs: €1360 for 5-day retreats, €2040 for 8-day retreats (discounted until February 2025), with luxury options available at higher rates
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: C- (notable for affordable European ayahuasca access and caring facilitators, flag for serious safety incident involving police intervention and participant distress).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Most guests describe Stefan and Fatima as kind, patient, and genuine people who create a warm, family-like atmosphere with nourishing food and breathtaking locations. Participants frequently emphasize that while the facilitators may not have decades of Amazonian shamanic experience, they demonstrate deep caring and love for guests’ processes. Multiple reviews highlight the facilitators’ transparency, support, and good intentions, with guests feeling guided through their experiences with comprehensive aftercare. However, one significant negative review details a concerning incident where a participant felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave but was told they couldn’t for safety reasons, ultimately requiring police assistance for extraction. This participant subsequently experienced panic attacks, derealization, depersonalization, and suicidal thoughts. Some guests acknowledge that ayahuasca may not work for everyone and warn of the financial investment with potentially no transformative results.

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🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Trustpilot reviews, retreat discussion boards, Reddit communities, and news outlets, one serious safety incident was identified.

• Theft: No reports of theft or financial misconduct found across sources checked.
• Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct found across sources checked.
• Crime: One incident involved police intervention when a participant requested to leave but was told they couldn’t for safety reasons, with the participant’s friends ultimately contacting police for extraction. The facilitator Fatima allegedly asked the participant to tell police they were friends rather than acknowledge it was a paid retreat. Following this incident, the website was temporarily disabled and they later rebranded as Holistic Reflection Retreats claiming they no longer offer psychedelics.

The participant involved in the police incident later experienced serious psychological effects including panic attacks, derealization, depersonalization, and suicidal thoughts. No additional safety concerns found in Reddit communities or other platforms.

New update as of March 2026: Website appears active under original branding despite previous rebranding claims.

🔍 Critical Notes

The retreat implements safety screening through initial one-to-one calls with guides and offers preparation support including dietary guidance and intention setting. They maintain high facilitator-to-guest ratios of maximum 4:1 and provide comprehensive support including airport transfers and multiple therapeutic modalities. However, the serious incident involving police intervention and subsequent participant psychological distress raises significant safety concerns about their crisis management protocols. The critical review highlighted missing professional standards including lack of medical personnel on-site, proper psychological screening, and emergency benzodiazepines. Operating in Portugal’s legal gray area, where ayahuasca plants are legal but the prepared tea exists in regulatory ambiguity, participants should be aware of both legal and safety considerations.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

Before retreats, they conduct thorough investigations of participants’ current conditions before deciding whether ayahuasca is appropriate. They perform comprehensive health assessments to determine suitability for the medicine. They acknowledge serious contraindications with antidepressant medications like SSRIs or MAOIs, which could lead to potentially fatal serotonin syndrome. However, the critical incident suggests gaps in psychological support capabilities during crises. Participants should consult healthcare providers before attending, especially those with mental health conditions or medication dependencies.

🧪 Brew Substance

They use traditional ingredients: B. Caapi vine and Psychotria Viridis (chacruna) following Shipibo cultural practices, cooking the brew for four days until concentrated to approximately 50ml per dose. Plants are sourced directly from Ecuador through relationships with indigenous communities. Dosing is individualized with most participants requiring second or third cups depending on their response, varying between ceremonies. Additional plant medicines include San Pedro and psilocybin mushrooms. Kambo is offered as an optional addition by team members.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Portugal: Located in southwestern Portugal where high cliffs overlook the Atlantic Ocean, creating a region enriched by natural strength and fresh ocean breezes
• Setting: The retreat operates from a modest Portuguese Quinta in a quiet rural area of Lisbon province, featuring comfortable accommodation with extensive space among trees and quiet areas for relaxation
• Style: Daily activities include yoga, massage sessions, group integration circles, individual sessions with team members, and nature exploration opportunities, though participation is never mandatory

Practical guidance: Airport transfers are arranged from Lisbon airport and Faro at appointed times. Participants should wait for retreat confirmation before booking travel, with earliest flight departures recommended for 14:00 on final day.

Should You Book?

This retreat may appeal to those seeking affordable European ayahuasca access with caring facilitators in small group settings. However, the serious safety incident involving police intervention and subsequent participant psychological distress represents a significant red flag that cannot be overlooked. Those with complex mental health needs, medication dependencies, or requiring professional crisis support should consider other options with stronger safety protocols and qualified medical/psychological staff on-site.

The Team & Story

The core team consists of Fatima (coach, energy healer, Reiki Master, and massage therapist), Stefan (healthcare background and yoga teacher), and João (industrial designer specializing in ceramics with focus on therapeutic art expression). Key facilitators mentioned in reviews include Fatima, Stefan, Bianca, and João, with participants describing them as compassionate and knowledgeable guides. Their approach combines shamanic traditions with Western psychological and therapeutic methods.

Prep & Integration Tips

Preparation involves following a specific diet free of red meat, alcohol, and caffeine, while refraining from drugs and medications. The team emphasizes that integration is crucial and requires ongoing effort, with the retreat team providing continued support in this process. Post-retreat support includes remote availability for 7 days immediately after and integration sessions within 14-21 days, with optional long-term coaching packages available.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Current special pricing offers 15% discounts on 5 and 8-day retreats until February 2025, with deposits required to secure spaces. All packages include accommodation, mandatory pre-retreat video calls, airport transfers, meals, and comprehensive ceremony support.