About the Trust Grade
The Trust Grade is Best Retreats’ published evaluation of a retreat center based on publicly available information, user-submitted reports, platform research, and the center’s responsiveness to inquiries and complaints. Each retreat in our directory is assigned a grade from A+ to F based on the scoring criteria below.
What Is the Trust Grade?
The Trust Grade is Best Retreats’ independent evaluation of a center’s risk and transparency profile. It’s not a popularity score – it’s a signal based on evidence: complaints, incident reports, verified responsiveness, and behavior across the web.
Each center is assigned a Trust Grade from A+ to F, and it’s updated regularly.
Scoring Criteria Breakdown
Centers begin with a baseline score of 100. Negative-scored items deduct from the baseline. Positive-scored items represent areas where the center can earn back points if penalized in related categories. The final score is mapped to the grade scale below.
| Category | Max Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint volume (weighted by recency) | 15 pts | We track formal complaints and major red flags submitted to Best Retreats |
| Unanswered complaints | 40 pts | Has the retreat replied to complaints? Silence is a red flag |
| Unresolved complaints | 30 pts | Was the issue addressed fairly or ignored? |
| Delay in resolution | 5 pts | Did they respond quickly and professionally? |
| Pattern of complaints | -25 pts | Ongoing patterns without change reduce grade |
| ICEERS / Legal / News Reports | -30 pts | Verified incidents from outside orgs |
| Transparency (Team, Pricing, Location) | 10 pts | Are team bios, photos, and pricing clearly shown? |
| Responded to our outreach? | 5 pts | We test if they reply to contact attempts |
| Willingness to mediate/arbitrate | 5 pts | Engaging in dispute resolution adds points |
| Online risk monitoring (Reddit, Quora, TripAdvisor) | -10 pts | Severe online risk incidents, tone, and themes |
| Ad review violations | -20 pts | Exaggerated/fake marketing claims |
| Business documentation verified | 5 pts | If available — business registration, licenses, etc. |
| Impersonation or fraud risk | -50 pts | Misleading users with false claims or stolen content |
| Health & safety procedures (if disclosed) | 5 pts | Bonus for safety protocols and medical screening |
| Verified guest feedback (non-incentivized) | 10 pts | From direct interviews, third-party reports, etc. |
Trust Grade Letter Score Scale
| Score | Grade |
|---|---|
| 97 – 100 | A+ – Fully transparent, zero incidents |
| 94 – 96.99 | A – Excellent track record |
| 90 – 93.99 | A- – Strong but room to improve |
| 87 – 89.99 | B+ – Decent history, minor issues |
| 84 – 86.99 | B – Some gaps in transparency |
| 80 – 83.99 | B- – Slower response or weak disclosures |
| 77 – 79.99 | C+ – Complaints not resolved promptly |
| 74 – 76.99 | C – Not communicative; concerns flagged |
| 70 – 73.99 | C- – Multiple risk signs present |
| 67 – 69.99 | D+ – Ongoing incident patterns |
| 64 – 66.99 | D – Risky behavior, no resolution |
| 60 – 63.99 | D- – High-risk / non-responsive |
| 0 – 59.99 | F – Known safety issues, impersonation, fraud |
What Informs Our Methodology
Our grading framework is built on more than internet research. We train directly with ICEERS (the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service), whose harm-reduction guidance and documentation of ayahuasca-related incidents set the safety baseline for the field. We also draw on the published research and public safety resources of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Erowid, and DanceSafe. These organizations do not endorse Best Retreats and are not affiliated with our grades. We reference their public work to keep our standards aligned with current harm-reduction science.
How to Improve Your Grade
Requesting a Re-evaluation
Centers can request a re-evaluation of their Trust Grade at any time. Re-evaluations are typically prompted by:
- Resolution of previously flagged complaints
- Updated transparency (team bios, pricing, location, etc.)
- Documented changes to safety protocols
- Engagement with mediation or arbitration on outstanding incidents
Re-evaluation requests can be sent to contact@bestretreats.co.
Learn More
Trust Grades are determined independently of accreditation status. To read about how Best Retreats Accreditation works as a separate program, see Accreditation Standards.
To submit information about a retreat center for review, contact us at contact@bestretreats.co.
Trust Grade scores reflect Best Retreats’ independent evaluation based on publicly available data, user-submitted reports, platform research, and retreat center responsiveness. While we use a structured scoring framework, not all factors can be perfectly measured. Grades are approximate, subject to human review, exceptions, and ongoing updates. They are not a guarantee of safety or service quality, and should be considered one piece of a broader decision-making process. Users should always do their own research before choosing a retreat.
Best Retreats is operated by The Retreat Safety Project, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 41-5114645). Trust grades are determined by the nonprofit’s independent research team. Accreditation is a separate, fee-based program; trust grades are not influenced by accreditation status.