La Vida Divine: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Macas, Ecuador

If you are considering ayahuasca in Ecuador, La Vida Divine has operated since 2021 as a BIPOC queer women-owned healing institute in the lush jungles of Macas, facilitating plant medicine sessions with indigenous shamans. The center supports participants of all backgrounds with a focus on reconnection to Earth and ancestral wisdom, emphasizing safety and community in a sanctuary for healing. Offerings range from $2500 for six-day programs including two ayahuasca ceremonies to $3000 for ten-day retreats with three ayahuasca and one San Pedro; recent web searches as of August 2025 confirm active operations with dates into 2025, though no verified updates on pricing were found beyond third-party listings, indicating a lack of public details.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: A serene property in the Amazon jungle of Macas, Ecuador, with access to Shuar waterfall La Yantsa, Upano River, and Tayos Cave for nature immersion.
• Approach: Cultural and intentional, featuring ayahuasca ceremonies in intimate groups of up to 7, enhanced by San Pedro options, somatic experiences, and workshops for profound healing.
• Suitable For: Individuals from marginalized communities exploring ayahuasca in Ecuador or those seeking supportive spaces, though feedback emphasizes emotional intensity.
• Costs: $2500 to $3000 for six to ten-day programs in Macas, covering ceremonies, gourmet vegetarian meals, accommodation, and integration; confirm 2025 rates as public details lack updates.
• Overall Assessment: Strong on transformative safety and community focus, with potential for verified shaman schedules.

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Participants in La Vida Divine ayahuasca sessions in Macas, Ecuador, often describe the space as a cocoon of safety, with one 2024 review on AyaAdvisors—a commercial review site where centers pay to play—noting Jhoselyn and Gaddy’s care helped surrender as a Black queer survivor. The deep healing is praised, as in testimonials on ayahuascainecuador.com highlighting clarity, joy, and divinely timed shifts. Experiences include authentic hosts in the BIPOC queer women-led team, appreciated for intentional support of marginalized communities. Aggregated from AyaAdvisors entries: Strong on profound outcomes and empathetic guidance, positive on resonance. Recent 2024-2025 testimonials include one guest grateful for the peaceful balance of natural and modern, another finding love and alignment in community, and a third noting it changed their life with compassionate hosts. A Reddit post from 2023 confirms a positive experience opposite to expectations. We encourage sharing your perspective through our submission form to maintain current insights.

🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca and r/Psychonaut, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no confirmed cases of theft, sexual misconduct, or criminal activity directly connected to La Vida Divine ayahuasca retreats in Macas, Ecuador, have emerged.

• Theft: Public forums, ICEERS data, and news searches reveal no accounts of stolen belongings or valuables at La Vida Divine plant medicine ceremonies.
• Sexual Misconduct: Searches across Reddit, Facebook, news databases, and ICEERS show no complaints, allegations, or legal issues involving La Vida Divine staff or guides in ayahuasca sessions.
• Crime: No arrests, police involvement, or violence linked to La Vida Divine appears in Google News, Ecuadorian media, retreat forums, or ICEERS documentation.

That said, general ayahuasca discussions on Reddit from 2023 highlight emotional challenges in retreats, but no unverified stories tie to La Vida Divine. The center’s reputation remains clean online, alongside broader ayahuasca hazards like psychological strain in unregulated environments noted in ICEERS studies. No publicly available reports of incidents exist as of August 2025; searches returned no confirmed events.

🔍 Critical Notes

La Vida Divine’s ayahuasca programs in Macas, Ecuador, seek to provide meaningful transformation through ancestral frameworks and community support. Positive aspects include personalized consultations that assist in individualized treatment. However, considerations include ceremony intensity potentially limiting for newcomers, and group sizes up to 7 possibly affecting attention during peaks. Regulatory contexts: Ecuador permits ceremonial applications with variable supervision. Monitor for expansions, as emphasis leans toward inclusivity; direct confirmation of protocols is advisable, given dated reviews.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

For La Vida Divine ayahuasca retreats in Macas, Ecuador, screening involves participant-provided disclosures, though detailed processes lack public information. Preparation encompasses dietary readiness, complemented by post-session discussions. Reports indicate variability in rigor from broader ayahuasca contexts, such as undisclosed conditions leading to difficulties. Research suggests approximately 55 percent of ayahuasca participants encounter transient challenges like heightened anxiety, particularly without groundwork. For trauma, benefits may include reconnection, yet avoidance is recommended for those on medications due to risks. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential prior to engaging in ayahuasca sessions in Ecuador.

🧪 Brew Substance

La Vida Divine employs traditional formulations for ayahuasca, though specific components lack details. Participants report deep introspection. Supplementary elements like San Pedro aid healing. Alignment with preferences is key for plant medicine engagements in Ecuador. No changes noted in 2025; general ayahuasca uses Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Ecuador: Situated in the lush jungles of Macas, the venue provides tranquil lodging with nature access conducive to reflection, suitable for immersive ceremonies.
• Style: Emphasizes ancestral elements with inclusions like somatic experiences, workshops, and gourmet vegetarian meals focused on nutrition. Group interactions promote connection, incorporating Shuar practices.

Practical guidance: Arrive via Quito or Coca airports with coordinated transport; advance reservations suggested for 2025 dates like July 22-27 or October 8-13.

Should You Book?

La Vida Divine presents a viable option for ayahuasca retreats in Macas, Ecuador, particularly for those valuing inclusivity over tradition. With positive ratings on development from testimonials, it suits healing exploration. Nevertheless, if detailed protocols or recent feedback are priorities, sparse assessments warrant review. The unique focus merits observation, with no changes as of August 2025. Should preparation align, it may prove beneficial; thorough evaluation recommended.

The Team & Story

Initiated by Jhoselyn and Gaddy, La Vida Divine originated from a commitment to plant medicine in Ecuador as the world’s only BIPOC queer women-owned retreat. Partnerships with indigenous shamans assemble a team including trained guides, translators, and medically trained staff oriented toward empathetic assistance. The narrative centers on reconnecting with Earth for wholeness, influencing diverse participants. No team changes detailed in recent searches.

Prep & Integration Tips

Prior to participation: Adhere to an MAOI-compatible diet for two weeks, excluding items like aged cheeses, alcohol, and caffeine; fully disclose health details. Bring comfortable attire, a notebook, and an eye covering. Following: Document reflections, engage in provided support. Effective integration sustains benefits; avoid abrupt returns to routine activities.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Bookings are managed through La Vida Divine’s platform; consult their schedule for details. Ecuador options: Six-day at $2500 or ten-day at $3000, encompassing ceremonies, nutrition, lodging, and activities. Upcoming 2025 dates include July 22-27 and October 8-13, with no further promotions in searches.