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Maya Medicina Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Peru

Maya Medicina offers life-changing, all-inclusive Ayahuasca retreats in the heart of the Amazon, operating in the rainforest near the city of Iquitos where they offer traditional Ayahuasca, San Pedro and Sapo/Kambo ceremonies in a beautiful rainforest setting. The center is family-run with first-hand experience of the healing potential and spiritual enlightenment these beautiful plants have to offer.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Located in the rainforest near Iquitos, Peru, Maya features an amazing natural spring water pond for swimming, a mud bath, individual and shared traditional style rooms as well as double rooms for couples.
• Approach: Traditional ceremonies held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, lasting 4-5 hours starting around 6pm in the dark. Plant diets vary from 7 to 30 days with two simple meals per 24 hours.
• Suitable For: People suffering from depression, anxiety, past trauma, or those seeking answers to deeper questions.
• Costs: Estimated from $700+ based on retreat duration and accommodations, though specific pricing requires direct inquiry.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: B+ (notable for safety-focused approach and traditional methods, no significant red flags identified).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Reviews consistently highlight the retreat’s commitment to safety, particularly noting the lack of ego found there and the care and decency with which women are treated by both shaman and owner – a remarkable aspect not to be taken lightly. Solo female travelers report feeling completely at home and safe thanks to facilitators Brett, Naho and Isidoro, with many describing it as one of the best experiences of their lives. Guests appreciate that they couldn’t find negative feedback online about the center, which influenced their decision to attend. Participants in longer 14-day programs typically experience 5 ayahuasca ceremonies, 1 San Pedro and 2 Sapo sessions. The reviews emphasize transformational healing from childhood trauma and the retreat’s harmonious human interaction environment.

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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 safety incidents were found.

• Theft: No reports of theft or financial misconduct found across searched platforms.
• Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct found. Reviews specifically praise the respectful treatment of women participants.
• Crime: No criminal incidents, arrests, or legal issues found in public records or online discussions.

Reddit searches returned no results for Maya Medicine/Medicina, suggesting limited negative discussion about this center on major platforms.

New update as of March 2026: No new incidents reported.

🔍 Critical Notes

Maya aims to offer a safe, comfortable and relaxed environment for experiencing sacred plant medicines. The ayahuasca brew, San Pedro and Sapo are all made on the property and are very potent, showing the love and care applied there. However, potential guests should verify current facilitator credentials and operational status, as some online listings appear outdated. The center prepares their own Ayahuasca on site using the Ayahuasca vine and Chacruna. Peru’s ayahuasca industry operates in a regulatory gray area where traditional use is protected but commercial operations lack formal oversight, requiring careful due diligence from participants.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

While the retreat’s approach to medical screening was not detailed in available sources, the center states that people from all walks of life find their way to Maya for healing, whether suffering from depression, anxiety, past trauma, or seeking answers to deeper questions. Prospective participants should expect thorough health screening given the retreat’s emphasis on safety. As with all ayahuasca retreats, individuals with mental health conditions or taking medications should consult with healthcare providers before attending.

🧪 Brew Substance

At Maya they prepare their own Ayahuasca on site using the Ayahuasca vine and Chacruna. This indicates use of traditional ayahuasca ingredients (Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis/chacruna leaves) rather than mislabeled alternatives. The center also offers San Pedro (mescaline cactus) and Sapo/Kambo (frog secretion) ceremonies as complementary medicines.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Peru: Peru’s Loreto region, centered around Iquitos, is the heart of traditional ayahuasca shamanism and home to numerous indigenous communities with centuries of plant medicine knowledge.
• Setting: Located in the rainforest near Iquitos, Maya features natural spring water ponds for swimming, mud baths, and various accommodation options from individual traditional rooms to couple’s quarters.
• Style: Maya maintains a laid-back approach, allowing guests to engage with jungle living as desired – from preparing and cooking their own ayahuasca to taking mud baths or simply enjoying the rainforest views. Fourteen-day retreat guests receive jungle treks and visits to La Lupuna Blanca.

Practical guidance: Iquitos is accessible via flights from Lima. Ground transportation to the retreat should be arranged in advance. As a jungle location, expect basic amenities and prepare for tropical climate conditions.

Should You Book?

Maya appears suitable for both first-time participants and experienced practitioners seeking a safe, caring environment, with reviewers actively recommending it to family and close friends. The retreat seems particularly welcoming to solo female travelers who report feeling completely safe and at home. However, those seeking luxury accommodations or extensive integration programming might find better matches elsewhere, as Maya emphasizes traditional, straightforward approaches over elaborate amenities.

The Team & Story

Maya is described as a family-run center with first-hand experience of plant medicine healing potential. The management team includes Brett, noted for his vast life experiences and calming energy in ceremonies, and Naho, praised for her caring, compassionate, friendly personality. Isidoro appears to be another key facilitator contributing to the safe environment guests experience. The retreat emphasizes traditional shamanic approaches rather than hybrid Western-indigenous models.

Prep & Integration Tips

Standard ayahuasca preparation diet likely applies, though specific dietary restrictions and preparation protocols should be confirmed directly with the center. Plant diets involve eating two simple meals every 24 hours. Maya mentions providing personalized preparation before arrival and integration support after returning home. Long-term plant dieting options are available for deeper therapeutic work.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Contact Maya Medicina directly through their website at mayahuascaperu.com for current availability and pricing. Rates typically include nutritious food and various accommodation options from shared traditional rooms to private couples quarters.