If you’ve done a bit of digging, you’ve probably noticed that attending an Ayahuasca retreat can get pricey. And let’s be honest, this isn’t something you want to get wrong either.
You’re potentially traveling halfway across the world to open yourself up in a vulnerable way… and paying good money to do so.
But this isn’t a typical vacation.
Sitting with Ayahuasca is a powerful, potentially life-changing experience. You’re stepping into sacred territory: Immersing yourself in ancient traditions and working with medicines that can illuminate the shadowy depths of your subconscious and beyond.
In saying that, the Ayahuasca retreat cost varies wildly. I can’t just give you a price and call it a day. Well… I can, but it wouldn’t be accurate.
At some centers, it’s just you, raw nature, and maybe a hut that looks like it’s barely standing. Some Ayahuasca centers market themselves as luxury retreats, and many offer multiple ceremonies, yoga, workshops, additional therapies, and integration support among other things, creating a true getaway.
In this article, Iโll explain the Ayahuasca retreat cost, and where to choose an Ayahuasca retreat that aligns with your budget and needs.
What an Ayahuasca Retreat Includes
When considering the cost of an Ayahuasca retreat, several factors come into play. These factors can significantly affect pricing, depending on where you go, how long you stay, and the level of luxury you choose. Hereโs an overview of what can influence the cost of your retreat:
Location
The location of the retreat plays a big role in determining the price. Retreats held in countries like Peru or Colombia tend to be more affordable than those in the US, Europe, or Australia. Higher living costs, legal complexities, and the logistics of transporting Ayahuasca to certain countries all contribute to higher prices in more developed nations.
Duration
The length of the retreat is another key factor. Retreats typically range from short 2-3 day experiences to immersive programs that last up to two weeks. While a brief retreat can provide valuable insights, a longer stay generally allows for a deeper connection to the medicine, with more time for healing and self-discovery. The extended retreats also offer more ceremonies, which can enhance the overall experience.
Number of Ceremonies and Medicines
Most Ayahuasca retreats offer multiple ceremonies, usually between 2 to 5. Some retreats also incorporate other plant medicines, such as San Pedro, Mushrooms, or Kambo. A retreat that includes multiple Ayahuasca ceremonies and a variety of other medicines will likely cost more than one offering just a single ceremony. The diversity of medicines used can also enrich the experience, providing additional dimensions to the healing process.
Type of Retreat
Ayahuasca retreats range from basic, rustic settings to luxurious, all-inclusive resorts. If you prefer a modern retreat center with comfortable accommodations and premium services, expect to pay more. On the other hand, simpler, more authentic retreats in traditional settings can offer a more affordable option without compromising the spiritual depth of the experience.
Lodging and Food
Retreats offer different types of accommodations, from private rooms to shared dormitories or communal spaces like huts. A private room in a high-end retreat will come at a higher cost compared to a more communal, minimalist setting. Similarly, some retreats provide three hearty meals a day with a buffet-style offering, while others stick to simpler, lighter meals in alignment with the Ayahuasca diet.
Extras and Amenities
Some retreats offer additional activities to enrich the experience, such as yoga classes, integration circles, group meditations, and workshops. Other luxuries like hot tubs, pools, or access to nature trails can also increase the price. These extras can significantly enhance the overall experience but come at a premium.
Expertise of Healers
The experience and reputation of the healers leading the ceremonies can also affect the cost. Highly skilled, well-known facilitators, especially those from traditional medicine lineages like the Shipibo, typically charge more for their services. Less experienced healers or those still in training might offer more affordable options.
Ayahuasca Retreat Pricing Table
Ayahuasca retreat prices can vary widely, ranging from budget-friendly local ceremonies to luxurious, Western-style retreats offering all the comforts you might expect at home.
In general, retreats in South America are far more affordable than those in Western countries. However, this doesn’t mean all South American retreats are inexpensive.
As Ayahuasca tourism has grown significantly in countries like Peru and Colombia, many retreats catering to foreign travelers have emerged, often with prices that align more closely with Western standards.
That said, a Western-style retreat center, even though more expensive, doesn’t necessarily equate to a less authentic experience. These centers, which are often run by Westerners and cater to Westerners, focus on providing high levels of comfort, professional organization, and well-trained facilitators.
In my experience, many Western-style Ayahuasca retreats offer exceptional ceremonies led by highly skilled shamans, and I’ve had some of my most transformative experiences at these centers.
However, if you’re looking to experience Ayahuasca on a budget, there are certainly more affordable alternatives, especially if you’re willing to immerse yourself in local South American culture.
Individual Ayahuasca ceremonies are available all over South America, particularly in more rural areas. Generally, they’re not advertised like Ayahuasca retreat centers are, and therefore can be a little trickier to find.
Individual Ayahuasca ceremonies in South America usually cost around $50 per person. These local ceremonies can be incredibly raw and authentic, but come with some trade-offs:
- Rustic accommodations: Expect basic (or no) amenities. Think simple mats on the floor instead of comfy beds, no showers, and maybe just an outhouse (if you’re lucky).
- Language barriers: If you donโt speak Spanish, navigating these local ceremonies can be tricky because the facilitators likely won’t speak English, and there are usually no support staff or volunteers.
- Less structure: These ceremonies are usually less commercialized, so the experience may feel more organic but with fewer comforts or guarantees.
Still, the authenticity of working with a local shaman can be an incredible experience thatโs hard to replicate in more commercialized environments. Itโs a way to connect with the medicine in a very raw, unfiltered way without breaking the bank.
Now, with that said, let’s have a look at the Ayahuasca price table below:
Ayahuasca Ceremony Price (Western/English Instruction)
| Single group ceremony. Often includes comfortable lodging, light food, ceremony support, and integration support. | $150 โ $350 average. | Mostly found in Western countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe. They can also be found in Latin America. |
Ayahuasca Ceremony Price (Local)
| Single group ceremony. generally includes basic lodging and minimal support. | $50 – $100 average. | Local South American cultures such as Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, and Brazil. |
Budget Ayahuasca Retreat Cost
| Multiday retreat, generally between 3 days – 7 days. Includes rustic lodging, basic meals, multiple ceremonies, and sometimes other activities. | $300 โ $800 | Usually found in South America. You can also find budget retreats in the West, but they’re not common. |
Mid-Range Ayahuasca Retreat Cost
| Multiday retreat, often 7 – 10 days. These retreats include lodging, food, several ceremonies, often various medicines, workshops, and extra services. They are often more organized and have a stronger support network. | $1,000 โ $2,000 | You can find mind-range Ayahuasca retreats all over the place, but mostly in Latin America, with a growing presence in the West. |
High-end Ayahuasca Retreat Cost
| Often beautiful, luxurious settings with modern amenities and extras like a hot tub, sauna, and pool. A larger budget means more staff on site, a strong support network, and restaurant-style meals. Often includes workshops and additional offerings like massages or energy healing sessions. Often between 3 – 10 days. | $2500 – $5000+ | Luxury Ayahuasca retreat centers are more prevalent in the West. With that said, they can be found in Latin America too, often in more touristy regions. |
How to Find the Right Ayahuasca Retreat
There are some things you want to keep in mind when looking for an Ayahuasca retreat that’s right for you.
First off, warmth is a big one.
Considering that Ayahuasca helps us return to purity, if the people or shamans working at the center seem cold, egocentric, or rude, this is a big red flag.
The center should have an ambiance of warmth that reflects on everyone there. Don’t underestimate the importance of being surrounded by genuinely kind and supportive people when working with these sacred medicines.
Some retreats are overhyped and overly commercialized. If this is the case, it can detract from the authenticity and cost significantly more than it should.
You don’t need to pay $3000+ for a good Ayahuasca retreat. You can… but you can find amazing retreats that offer all the same things for much less. I’ve seen Ayahuasca retreat centers charge as much as $10,000, which is crazy to me.
I could participate in 200 local Ayahuasca ceremonies for that price…
You want to make sure you find a good, reputable spot that honors the ancient traditions and has trained healers who are in it for service, not money.
I’ve heard plenty of horror stories of people jumping the gun and going to rustic, exorbitant centers for thousands of dollars that should have cost them hundreds.
When it comes to pricing, just because an Ayahuasca retreat is more expensive does not mean it’s better. Some of my most profound Ayahuasca ceremonies cost me $50, with just me and a healer.
Is an Ayahuasca Retreat Worth It?
It depends.
An Ayahuasca retreat can definitely be worth it, but in my opinion, the focus should be on the medicine and facilitators rather than the retreat itself. You don’t need a fancy retreat center to have a life-changing experience with the medicine.
In my experiences participating in dozens of ceremonies, I never regret spending the money on Ayahuasca because I gain so much value out of the ceremonies, and believe that they truly enrich my life.
The experience itself, plus healing trauma, gaining clarity, and potentially having some breakthroughs, is a worthwhile return on investment in my eyes.
With that said, not every experience with Ayahuasca will be profound or life-changing. Sometimes, nothing happens at all. It’s not a fault with the medicine or facilitators, but people react differently to the medicine. With that said,
Where to Find a Good Ayahuasca Retreat
After spending many years exploring plant medicines in Latin America, I’ve created a directory of trusted retreat centers that I have been to or would go to myself. You can find that Ayahuasca directory here.
If you’re new to the plant medicine world, I suggest paying a bit extra to go to a retreat that’s oriented towards foreigners. The structure, instruction, and support are invaluable when you’re starting out on this journey, and slowly become less important the more experienced you become with the medicine.
In this case, paying anywhere up to $2000 for a 7 – 10 day retreat is a good price mark to aim for.
In my opinion, it’s worth traveling to South America to sit with Ayahuasca. In this case, I recommend Gaia Sagrada in Ecuador. I have returned multiple times and spent 5 months volunteering there. This is a fantastic retreat center that ticks all the boxes.
Otherwise, if you have some time constraints and are looking for somewhere in Europe that is close to home, APL Shamanic Journeys is a great choice, as is Avalon in Spain.
Otherwise, if you’re a real adventurous soul, you can probably get away with finding a local ceremony in Latin America without the glamor. Magia Verde in the Ecuadorian Jungle is one of the gems.
Working with Ayahuasca is a deeply personal experience, and it’s important to do some research and make sure that you pick a place that you align with. If you’re feeling the call, be sure to check out our Ayahuasca directory here.
