Mamay Ayahuasca
Atmosphere
Features
đź’¬ Guests Say
- Sacred Space: Guests often describe the Xochipilli Retreat Center in Cancún as a “vortex of healing,” with one attendee on Retreat Guru calling the maloca—built with crystal quartz in its foundation—a “cozy yet powerful” setting for ayahuasca ceremonies.
- Supportive Tribe: Many praise the staff’s unconditional love, with a reviewer on mamayayahuascaexperience.com noting that facilitators like Arturo and Alicia provided “24/7 support,” helping them feel “held” during intense peyote and ayahuasca experiences.
- Integration Challenges: Some attendees report inconsistent follow-up, with a Retreat Guru review mentioning that promised post-retreat guidance felt “lacking,” leaving them struggling to process their journey despite the initial warmth of the team.
đźš© Incident Report
-
Theft: No guest reports or public posts on forums, social media, ICEERS data, or news sources mention stolen valuables or items at Mamay Ayahuasca. A related retreat, Aya de la Vid, which also operates at Xochipilli Retreat Center, had a 2023 Tripadvisor review alleging theft, but no such claims tie directly to Mamay Ayahuasca’s operations.
-
Sexual Misconduct: There are no documented allegations, complaints, or legal actions against Mamay Ayahuasca’s staff or facilitators in online discussions (Reddit, Facebook), news archives, or ICEERS resources. While sexual misconduct is a noted risk in the broader ayahuasca retreat community, no specific cases tie to Mamay Ayahuasca.
-
Crime: No evidence of police reports, arrests, or violent incidents associated with Mamay Ayahuasca surfaced in Google News, Mexican media, retreat forums, or ICEERS findings.
🔍 Critical Notes
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE DURING YOUR RETREAT
- Ayahuasca Ceremonies
- Peyote Ceremony (on selected retreats only)
- Yoga/Energy body movement sessions
- Cacao Ceremony
- Temazcal/Sweat Lodge
- Kambo frog Detox ceremony
- 1hr Integrative deep tissue massage
- Shaman Integration Circles
- Organizer and Shaman healing transformational activities.
- Unlimited use of the on-site pool and Bicycles
- Night accommodations (double occupancy, private rooms)
- Energetic voice therapy sessions
- Shaman 1on1 Coaching Session
- Organizer 1on1 before, during and after retreat Life Coaching Sessions.
- Homemade organic vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian meals
- Fruit sharing after Ayahuasca closing ceremony
- Refreshing fruit and vegetable juices
- Unlimited purified bottled water
- Round trip airport transfers
- Cenote Trip – Natural breathtaking groundwater caves
- Free Wifi
- Post retreat zoom private and group integration sessions
- Meditation Sessions
AYAHUASCA
The Medicine of the Soul
Ayahuasca is a natural and ancestral means of contact with the sacred is an invaluable legacy of an Amazonian culture on the verge of extinction. It is our duty to rescue it and introduce it to Western society as a viable alternative to cure psychosomatic illnesses, drug addiction and as a general therapy to connect with our “inner teacher”. – Diego Palma
Ayahuasca is a medicine, it is seen and felt in this way by thousands of people throughout the world. In our day to day, we are constantly subjected to tensions, frustrations, traumas, pains, work pressures, so constantly that we can no longer remember another way of feeling.
Ayahuasca allows us to give ourselves
Ayahuasca allows us to give ourselves that intense moment of reflection and allows us to let go of that burden, it gives us the courage to see ourselves naked, defenseless and sensitive.
Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) is a jungle vine that grows throughout the Amazon basin from Colombia to Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and the Guyanas. It is known and revered by all indigenous tribes as a “teacher plant” and forms the basis of their traditional medicine.
Ayahuasca is cooked together with the leaves of a bush called Chacruna (Psychotria viridis), giving a concoction or sacred drink of a psychoactive nature that is ingested in an indigenous ritual ceremony of reflection and cleansing. This concoction, also called Ayahuasca, has been used for more than 5,000 years by the shamans of the Amazon as a way to obtain the expansion of consciousness.
The term Ayahuasca derives from the Quechua words “aya” which means dead and “huasca” which means rope or vine. This translates as the rope of the dead or the vine of the dead, and is considered a drink used by initiates to communicate with the spirit world.
Throughout the entire Amazon basin, it receives different names depending on the region. In Ecuador it is called “natema”, in Brazil it is known as “jurema”, “chá” or “daime” and in Colombia as “yagué”.
In the Peruvian jungle it is known as “Ayahuasca” and popularly called “purging” due to its emetic and cleansing effects. As Jacques Mabit, director of the Center for the Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts – Takiwasi states:
“This preparation is commonly called the “purging” because it produces a controlled intoxication allowing the “body-mind” to be cleansed.
Ayahuasca has not been included in any list of prohibited substances for the sake of its religious use (thanks to the fact that it does not generate any type of dependency or toxicity), with which the Ayahuasca religions, like the peyote churches, are located in a certain way at the head of the world movement in favor of a liberalization of the consumption of psychotropic substances.
It is very important for us to know if you are taking any kind of medication (especially antidepressant medication), so please let us know when you sign in
Reviews
The ceremonies were powerful, no doubt about it. The facilitators clearly care about what they do, and the setting is beautiful. But there were a few issues that stuck with me.
First, communication before the retreat could’ve been way better. I had a lot of questions, and responses were slow. Also, the accommodations were super basic—which I expected, but still, a little more comfort would have made a difference.
Most importantly, I wish there had been more one-on-one support. The ceremonies brought up a lot, and I felt like I needed more personal guidance afterward. If you’re someone who processes things slowly, this might be something to consider.
Would I recommend it? Maybe, but only if you’re really prepared for a no-frills, deeply personal experience.
Alright, so here’s the deal: If you’re looking for a deep, real-deal Ayahuasca experience, this is the spot. The setting? Gorgeous. The people? Absolutely wonderful. The medicine? STRONG.
I’ve sat with Ayahuasca before, but the energy here felt different—so much more intentional. Arturo really knows what he’s doing, and the music during the ceremonies? Unreal.
Only knocking off one star because I wish there was more guidance on integration after the retreat. The experience was super intense, and once I left, I felt a little lost on how to process everything. But honestly? Still 100% worth it.
I came to Mamay Ayahuasca with deep wounds. Decades of trauma, failed relationships, and a constant feeling of being lost. I was skeptical—terrified, even—but something kept pulling me here.
From the moment I arrived, I knew I was in the right place. Arturo, Alicia, and the entire team welcomed me with so much warmth. They aren’t just facilitators; they are true healers. The ceremonies were incredibly well-guided. Every song, every moment of silence, every gentle reassurance from the team felt perfectly timed.
My first night was rough—visions that shook me to my core. But the way Arturo held space made all the difference. By the last ceremony, I felt lighter than I have in years. I saw myself—my true self—for the first time.
It’s been months now, and the lessons are still unfolding. I finally have peace. I finally feel love. Mamay Ayahuasca gave me back to myself, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Arturo and the team are absolute angels. From the first ceremony, I felt a shift inside me—like a lifetime of weight just lifted. It was intense, but I never once felt unsafe. If you’re even thinking about doing this, trust me: GO.
This retreat was incredible, but I have to be real—there were a few hiccups. First off, the medicine is powerful. If you’re new to this, just know it’s no joke. The facilitators did a great job of preparing us, though, and I felt safe the whole time.
The location is stunning, and the energy of the space is deeply healing. That said, accommodations were more rustic than I expected. Not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of. Also, the food was good but very basic—if you’re used to more variety, just be prepared for a simple diet.
Overall, though? The experience itself was life-changing. I worked through emotions I didn’t even know were buried inside me. Arturo and his team are gifted healers, and I’d still highly recommend this place—just go in with the right expectations.