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Atmosphere and feature ratings above are based on Best Retreats research (November 2026). They will be updated if Iboga Healing submits its own information.

Iboga Healing: An In-Depth Review for Iboga Retreats in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Iboga Healing was an iboga center in Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific region, probably the one Bwiti provider Steven “Moubengui” Callahan says he founded in 2016, offering 7-day retreats with two overnight iboga root bark ceremonies for $3,000 to $4,000, according to its AyaAdvisors listing and his Retreat Guru profile. Against that, no medical screening, heart testing, physician or emergency plan was published for a medicine that can stop the heart, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health calls iboga rituals unauthorized, and the team left for Portugal in about 2021, where it now runs as Iboga Medicine.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific region, per the listing; no town or address is given.
• Approach: Iboga, not ayahuasca: 7 days with two overnight fire ceremonies using whole iboga root bark in the Missoko Bwiti tradition of Gabon, a river cleansing and one-to-one sessions, per a 2021 Psychable listing.
• Suitable For: No one; the center left Costa Rica in about 2021. Not suitable for anyone with heart conditions, or anyone taking antidepressants, opioids or medications that affect heart rhythm.
• Costs: $3,000 to $4,000, per AyaAdvisors (unverified); its successor in Portugal charges $6,000 for late 2026 dates.
• Overall Assessment: An experienced Bwiti provider, offset by no published medical safeguards for a cardiac-risk medicine, unsupported treatment claims and a move abroad under new names. Directory evaluation: C-.

💬 What Guests Are Saying

No reviews of the Costa Rica center exist on AyaAdvisors, Psychable, Retreat Guru, Tripadvisor, Google or any other platform searched. Trustpilot removed the profile of the successor, Iboga Medicine, for going against its guidelines, per its notice. If you have attended, we encourage you to share your experience through our submission form.

🚩 Incident Report

We searched review platforms and English and Spanish-language news for reports involving Iboga Healing, Steven Callahan, Madison Callahan and Iboga Medicine.

• Deaths and serious injuries: None found.
• Sexual misconduct: No allegations found.
• Theft and fraud: None found.
• Legal action: None found.

Iboga deaths in Costa Rica occurred at other centers: a tourist at a Guanacaste iboga house in 2014, per Tico Times, and a US woman at a Paquera retreat in 2024, per Tico Times. Neither is linked to this center.

If you have experienced or witnessed an incident with this center, please report it confidentially.

🔍 Critical Notes

Screening and medical support. No source describes a medical questionnaire, ECG, electrolyte or liver tests, a contraindication policy, an on-site physician, resuscitation equipment or an emergency protocol. The center’s director described a doula and midwifery background, not medical credentials.

Who runs it. Steven Callahan says he worked as a provider at Iboga Wellness Center before founding Iboga Healing, and Madison Callahan described herself as its director for five years. The AyaAdvisors listing names no one, so the link to the Callahans is likely but unverified. No company was found.

Successor. In 2021 the founder moved to Portugal and co-founded Root Healing; the team now runs Iboga Medicine in Peniche, with dates into December 2026. Its stated experience grew from “over eight years” in 2021 to 20 years in later bios, and the 2021 listing claimed help for depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and addiction without evidence.

Legal context. In January 2025 Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health warned that ayahuasca and ibogaine rituals are unauthorized practices, per La Nación and Tico Times.

Status. No Costa Rica dates were found after about 2021. The rebrand is confirmed through the founder’s own profile.

Corrections to our earlier profile. Our earlier page said the center was potentially closed and being monitored for rebranding; the Costa Rica operation ended around 2021, and its team now runs Iboga Medicine in Portugal. Our directory filed it as an ayahuasca retreat; it served iboga. Guanacaste fits the listing’s Northern Pacific region, but no source names it. The 3000 price matches the low end of the listing. Our earlier grade was C; the grade is now C-.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

No contraindications are published. Ibogaine can cause dangerous heart rhythm problems, which is why Costa Rica’s health authorities warn against it, per Tico Times. Anyone with heart disease, or taking antidepressants, opioids or drugs that affect heart rhythm, faces serious risk without medical testing and supervision. Never stop a medication to qualify for a ceremony without your prescriber’s guidance.

🧪 Brew Substance

Whole root bark of the iboga shrub (Tabernanthe iboga), served in Bwiti fire ceremonies; no ayahuasca.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Setting: Costa Rica’s Pacific northwest, per the listing only.
• Rooms: No information.
• Style: Missoko Bwiti fire ceremonies led by Western-trained providers.

Practical guidance: Airport pickup was included, per the 2021 listing.

Should You Book?

Not in Costa Rica. For the Portugal successor, require in writing an ECG, electrolyte and liver tests, a physician on site and resuscitation equipment. Read our guide to verifying retreat facilitators.

The Team & Story

Founded in 2016 by the founder’s own account, with Bwiti training under Moughenda Mikala. We did not independently verify anyone’s training.

Prep & Integration Tips

Before any iboga ceremony, get an ECG and blood work reviewed by your own doctor and disclose every medication in writing. Our guide on how to research ayahuasca incidents can help you check any center.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

No current dates are listed in Costa Rica. Best Retreats does not take bookings; learn more about our mission.

Last reviewed November 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified medical professional.