How to choose a safe Mexico ayahuasca retreat
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn commissions at no extra cost to you.
Ayahuasca retreats are becoming increasingly popular in Mexico, especially among travellers seeking deep healing, clarity, or spiritual connection. But as interest grows, so does the number of retreats. And not all of them operate with integrity or safety in mind. Choosing the right retreat requires more than intuition, even for those who are not new to plant medicine.
This guide will help you navigate the key factors to consider before committing to a Mexico ayahuasca retreat. From medical screening and facilitator credentials to legal status and post-ceremony integration, each point below is designed to protect your body, your mind, and your spiritual path.
Ayahuasca is not a recreational experience. It’s sacred, complex, and potentially life-changing. For it to be truly transformative, the space you choose must be rooted in care, experience, and cultural respect. Here’s what to look for.
What to check before choosing your Mexico ayahuasca retreat
Research the retreat's reputation thoroughly
Go beyond the website. Look for personal stories on forums, podcasts, Reddit threads, or travel blogs. Safety is often revealed in the quiet experiences others share.
Verify the facilitators’ qualifications and background
Ayahuasca is sacred and powerful. Those guiding the ceremony must have extensive training and experience, ideally with Indigenous teachers. Avoid retreats led by self-taught facilitators or newcomers to the medicine.
Confirm medical screening procedures
Ayahuasca interacts with the nervous system and certain medications. Responsible retreats will ask for your medical history, current prescriptions, and mental health background to keep you safe.
Ask about emergency protocols
Things can go wrong. Find out if there is a plan in place for medical issues, emotional crises, or other emergencies. Are they close to a clinic or hospital? Is someone trained in first aid present?
Look for transparency about the brew
The source and preparation of the ayahuasca matter. A reputable retreat will share who made the brew, where it came from, and what plants were included (often Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis only).
Check the group size
Intimate groups (usually under 15 people) allow facilitators to stay attentive to each participant. If the group is too large, personal safety and spiritual holding can be compromised.
Evaluate the level of pre-retreat guidance
Integration starts before the retreat. Good centres offer dietary guidelines, journaling prompts, Zoom calls, or reading materials to help you prepare spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Review the setting and environment
The location should support the work: calm, immersed in nature, and protected. Still, it should also be reachable in case of emergency and not overly remote.
Verify legal standing
While ayahuasca is not technically illegal in Mexico, not all centres operate with legal clarity. Ask how they manage their legal structure and whether they've had issues in the past.
Ask about ceremony structure
A chaotic ceremony is dangerous. A well-structured one has a flow: opening intentions, music, guardians watching over, clear rules, and a closing ritual.
Understand the use of additional substances
Some retreats include tobacco, rapé, San Pedro, or other plants. You should know exactly what’s being offered, when, and whether it’s optional. You deserve full consent.
Clarify the level of solitude or group work
If you’re introverted, ask if there are silent hours or private time. If you prefer processing in community, see if group shares are encouraged. Either way, honour your rhythm.
Consider the duration of the retreat
One-night ceremonies are risky for first-timers. Ideally, you’ll have time to land, receive the medicine more than once, and begin integrating before heading back into the world.
Read between the lines of marketing
Be wary of flashy branding, lofty claims, or overly spiritualised language. Healing is messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal. Avoid anyone promising quick fixes or “enlightenment.”
Conclusion
There’s no perfect retreat. But there are safe, sincere, and sacred ones. And your body often knows the difference before your mind does. Trust the wisdom of your intuition. If a retreat makes you feel clear, grounded, and gently expanded, you might be standing at the threshold of something real.
If you’re currently researching ayahuasca retreats in Mexico, slow down and revisit this checklist. It may not give you answers, but it will sharpen your questions. And sometimes, that’s where the truth begins.
About the author: Thaíz Lara is the creator behind New Hermits, a New Zealand-based storyteller who believes in the power of story and soul-filled travel. After living in 5 countries and exploring 60, she has come to understand that the most meaningful journeys often begin within. Learn more about Lara.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we truly believe in. See our terms & conditions.
Egypt spirituality was not about belief, but about balance, ritual, and alignment with the invisible rhythms of life. Here are its forgotten depths.