LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews

Arthur Stokenbury 2026.10.21

     

It was a life changing experience. I proceeded the war, my divorces at the end of the ceremony I felt so happy instead of looking at all the hardships I’ve been through all I could think about was the positive things in my life and how I’ve been so blessed. I would recommend this to everyone dealing with trauma. Arthur Stokenbury LPC., LADAC.

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leorion68 2026.10.21

     

My experience at La Wayra was truly profound and unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, I felt that I was in a very safe, caring, and well-held environment. The entire experience was magical, deeply introspective, and incredibly humbling. I also want to highlight the Taita, whose presence was a very important part of the experience. He comes from a lineage of several generations of shamans dedicated to the tradition and preparation of ayahuasca. Beyond his knowledge and experience as a shaman, what struck me most was the person behind the role: a genuinely beautiful human being, humble, warm, and deeply connected to what he does. He is also an exceptionally accomplished musician, and this becomes an integral part of the ceremonies through the singing of the Icaros. The music, voice, rhythm, and intention behind the Icaros added a profound and powerful dimension to the experience. What impressed me most was the level of commitment, seriousness, and dedication of the volunteers and everyone involved in the program. It was clear that they genuinely care about the well-being of the people who come here and take their responsibility very seriously. From a medical and safety perspective, I felt that everything necessary was in place to support everyone throughout the retreat, which gave me a strong sense of trust and peace of mind. The diet was also excellent—thoughtfully prepared, nourishing, and very well suited to the retreat. The experience itself was very deep and personal, and I came away feeling humbled, grateful, and with a much greater appreciation for the work being done here. There is something very special about the combination of the setting, the people, the structure of the retreat, and the intention behind the whole program. Another major advantage is the location. Having a place of this quality relatively close to Medellín makes it much easier to reach from different parts of the world, while still feeling removed enough from everyday life to truly disconnect and focus on the experience. I am very grateful for my time at La Wayra and for the care, dedication, and professionalism of everyone involved. It is a place I will remember for a long time, and I am deeply grateful for the experience and for the people who made it possible.

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Arbaaz Ahmed 2026.10.11

     

One of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. The facilitators are some of the most wonderful people I met, the food was absolutely clean and delicious. Very comfortable accommodation. It’s amazing the community they have built in this beautiful space. The experience itself is something I would do a disservice trying to put into words but it was hands down the best week of my life. Definitely gonna go back again!

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leonardo loaiza 2026.10.02

     

Great experience My experience at La Wayra was truly profound and unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, I felt that I was in a very safe, caring, and well-held environment. The entire experience was magical, deeply introspective, and incredibly humbling. I also want to highlight the Taita, whose presence was a very important part of the experience. He comes from a lineage of several generations of shamans dedicated to the tradition and preparation of ayahuasca. Beyond his knowledge and experience as a shaman, what struck me most was the person behind the role: a genuinely beautiful human being, humble, warm, and deeply connected to what he does. He is also an exceptionally accomplished musician, and this becomes an integral part of the ceremonies through the singing of the Icaros. The music, voice, rhythm, and intention behind the Icaros added a profound and powerful dimension to the experience. What impressed me most was the level of commitment, seriousness, and dedication of the volunteers and everyone involved in the program. It was clear that they genuinely care about the well-being of the people who come here and take their responsibility very seriously. From a medical and safety perspective, I felt that everything necessary was in place to support everyone throughout the retreat, which gave me a strong sense of trust and peace of mind. The diet was also excellent—thoughtfully prepared, nourishing, and very well suited to the retreat. The experience itself was very deep and personal, and I came away feeling humbled, grateful, and with a much greater appreciation for the work being done here. There is something very special about the combination of the setting, the people, the structure of the retreat, and the intention behind the whole program. Another major advantage is the location. Having a place of this quality relatively close to Medellín makes it much easier to reach from different parts of the world, while still feeling removed enough from everyday life to truly disconnect and focus on the experience. I am very grateful for my time at La Wayra and for the care, dedication, and professionalism of everyone involved. It is a place I will remember for a long time, and I am deeply grateful for the experience and for the people who made it possible.
Date of experience: 22 September, 2026

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Lala Pashayeva 2026.09.29

     

I want to start with a huge thank you to every person on the team. Everyone was so kind and understanding with us, the whole time. Taita Fernando is truly incredible. His icaros, his music, his family, and the way he helps people purge out all the darkness and then safely come back to themselves. The Reddit reviews about LaWayra not serving enough medicine are absolutely not true. It doesn't matter how much you take. It's the medicine that decides if she wants to grant this experience to you or not, and, of course, your bravery and how deep you want to go with her to your healing journey. As soon as you've taken your first cup, just say, "Welcome to my body. Show me what I need to know. I'm 100% ready. I trust you." I stayed for 7 days, from Monday to Sunday, and had 3 night ceremonies and 1 day ceremony. We had a cacao ceremony as well on Sunday morning. My first Ayahuasca ceremony was basically an intro to purging. My secret: play along with whatever Mama Ayahuasca shows you or what she makes you feel. If she wants you to be a cat, be a cat. If she wants you to be a frog, just be a frog. Play along with the story. That's what gets you to remember the things you've forgotten about the world, about yourself, about your family, and that's what gets you to the purge, and the purge is where you start to understand the darkness in you (and in the world). The second ceremony was the one I came for. Brutal and beautiful, and it had to be brutal first. The third was pure bliss, like she knew I'd struggled the night before and decided to be nice to me. We all just sat there enjoying the music like we were at a private concert, full of joy, love and pure bliss for the moment we're in together. The day ceremony brought up its own challenges, but it ended so well for me and for the whole group. It takes patience and a lot of bravery. People say you don't come back from Ayahuasca. What actually happens is you meet all the parts of yourself you'd forgotten, and especially the bad, in one night. That's a lot to take in. You just have to trust yourself, trust Aya, and go. The place itself: up in the mountains, hot showers, really tasty food (Jorge, you're amazing). I took a private cabin because I like my space after ceremonies, and it was the best decision. The mattresses in the Maloka (our "spaceships") are super comfy, and you're always welcome to sleep there after. The bathrooms are a work of art, about 10 of them. Our group was only 11 people, which felt really intimate. Hearing the experiences of other people during the word circles really enhances the experience for everybody else. We also tried mambe, rapé a couple of times, and a group cleansing with Taita Fernando. He's the embodiment of a tiger. And Nico, you'll forever be the guy who carried me out and took care of me when Ayahuasca decided to crack my heart open. The leadership team 100% knows what they're doing. I never once felt unsure about their knowledge. If you're looking into doing this in Colombia, this place is the best in terms of location, food, music, housing, people, nature, the shaman and the medicine. Thank you all, and I'm hoping to come back next year ❤️

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Adam Roach 2026.09.27

     

This is such a beautiful place where you can feel safe and enjoy the pure magic of this retreat. Everyone is so wonderful here and I feel like my family has just got bigger and I feel like I belong. im so happy that I came and will most definitely be coming back again when I can. I feel stronger and more in touch with others and myself after coming here.

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Jake.of.Trades 2026.09.27

     

After doing much research online and all over the Internet on ayahuascan retreats. I came across La Wayra and instantly knew this was the place for me. LaWayra is an authentic and magical place. I was able to spend a full week there, the facilities, the staff and the ceremonies and Most of all the music made the whole experience that much more special. Everything was top touch and I truly had an unforgettable experience. That I will cherish for the rest of my life. Everything was very easy to setup. And for what you get from the retreat it is well worth the investment. The food was great and the accommodations made me feel like I was being pampered. Will definitely be coming back soon.

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Isabel Carlota Roby 2026.09.24

     

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Vinayak Prabhu 2026.09.08

     

A wonderful place to do some inner work and experience transformation in the heart of nature. The staff and volunteers are wonderful people. Shoutout to Jorge the cook, his meals are to die for! 10/10 would recommend and I’ll look forward to when I’m back!

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Steve 2026.08.25

     

I had an amazing experience at a 7-day LaWayra retreat! The staff is so loving, professional, caring, and supportive. I felt like I was part of a family and I didn't want to leave. Taita Fernando and his medicine and music had such a powerful impact on me. I went through a major transformation at LaWayra and I am forever grateful. Don't hesitate to choose LaWayra for your deep healing journey!

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Jennifer Brody 2026.08.24

     

I had an 11 day retreat at LaWayra and had a profound, amazing experience there thanks to the caring facilitators, thoughtful events structuring, beautiful space, and authentic traditional rituals. I can't say enough good things about LaWayra! Now having experienced what it can be like at other retreats, I have a newfound appreciation for how well the whole experience is curated there. Not all retreats are the same! I would recommend LaWayra wholeheartedly to anyone trying to select the ideal setting for their first ayahuasca experience. You will be in very good hands there.

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Jonna 2026.08.05

     

I can’t recommend LaWayra enough!!! I was very picky about where I wanted to do ayahuasca for the first time and spent a lot of time researching different retreats. LaWayra’s name kept coming up - now I can confidently say it’s not for nothing. From the moment I arrived, I felt so welcomed, safe, and cared for. The volunteers and staff create such a warm and supportive vibe that it quickly felt like home. A special thank you to Taita Fernando, who is truly incredible. His guidance, knowledge and his (and Nico’s!) music during the ceremonies was absolutely beautiful. It added so much to the experience. I loved my time here so much that I ended up staying five extra nights because I simply didn’t want to leave. Being able to integrate in such a peaceful setting while spending more time with the amazing volunteers and staff was one of the best parts of my stay. I’m so grateful to everyone at LaWayra for making my first ayahuasca experience so special. I have a feeling I’ll be back.

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Mike Stone 2026.07.05

     

I came to Lawayra and didn't know what to expect. I went in blind, intentionally. I've struggled with interpersonal relationships for as long as I can remember and I came here 80 percent for the group word circles and 20 percent for the medicine. I can't say enough about the kindness of the staff and volunteers: Sam, Mark, Claire, David, Mckenzie, Marcus, Taita Fernando, the kitchen staff, the grounds workers, and Nico (chief hugs officer). The music, the yoga, the food, the nature, the fellow group members, all divine and amazing. Of course it's up to you to put your phone down and truly engage. Seriously, Mark wears many, many hats and he's brilliant in all of them. Listen when he speaks. The shaman or Taita has been on training since he was seven. He's not some random who went and trained for a few months to learn how to give medicine. I'm certain you won't find a more affordable retreat that will provide you with as much value. I think it was $800 for 7 days and 4 ceremonies. That includes a shared room and food. You can also choose to sleep in the maloka where the ceremonies take place. The weather is divine and the bugs don't eat you up. I didn't spend a single night in the shared rooms. They have showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, massages to book. Connecting with the medicine will be your own experience. Lawayra provided everything I needed to feel safe and secure. The shaman or Taita has been on training since he was seven. He's not some random who went and trained for a few months to learn how to give medicine. Edit: July 5, 2026. I came back for another week and 4 more ceremonies. My experience is written below: I came back to La Wayra hoping to learn more about myself. I left with something much deeper. The facilitators created an environment that felt incredibly safe, loving, and grounded. At no point did I feel like I was being told what to believe. Instead, I was encouraged to surrender to my own experience and trust what arose. Through the ceremonies, meditation, yoga, music, and group integration, I gained a deeper understanding of my own fear, shame, and the ways my nervous system has been shaped by childhood experiences. More importantly, I left with a greater sense of self-trust and a clearer understanding that love, service, and presence are the path I want to live. The staff genuinely care about every participant. Their kindness, humility, and selfless service are felt in everything they do. If you're looking for a place that approaches this work with respect, integrity, and compassion, I can't recommend La Wayra enough. I'm deeply grateful for the experience and know I'll carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life.

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Reply from LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat 2024.07.26

Thank you so much Michael.

Bridger Abshire 2026.07.05

     

Incredible retreat. Very welcoming no matter where you come from in the world. The friendships that happen in just a week will last a lifetime. The ceremonies and the music are top notch. You will not regret your decision coming to Colombia and visiting LaWayra

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michael baq 2026.07.05

     

Amazing place for spiritual healing.Best experience you can have on your way to better version of yourself.Highly recommended !

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Daniel Weaver 2026.07.04

     

An absolutely amazing place with competent and extremely kind and compassionate staff. This is a beautiful oasis in a beautiful country where you can be spiritually, mentally, and physically uplifted. I highly recommend LaWayra!

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Vivi 2026.06.02

     

The land, the surrounding, the flora and the mountains all over around the retreat centre is something that literally blows your mind, and most of all I truly enjoyed the waterfalls nearby with its natural clay. I was staying in a female shared dorm, which there is what you need while your staying, however I visited one of the private cabin from a friend I met there, and it was looking very comfortable. The food was good, as well the kitchen staff very friendly and welcoming, greeting you with a ‘bienvenido’ at every meal. The experience with the medicine has been mostly mild, yet gentle and profound, but I believe that each of us has different experience with the medicine in a different way. The team, from Monica to all of them, offering integration, compassion and understanding. Taita, a gentle and knowledgeable Maestro. Oh and the music. Nico’s one too! Still resonating in my ❤️ If you are looking for a plant medicine retreat in Colombia, I would not hesitate to go to LaWayra. I had a few experiences in different places and this one it has been the most gentle I’ve experienced. Thank you LaWayra. Grateful to have been part of this journey with you.

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Boulder Guitar Coach 2026.05.31

     

I whole-heartedly recommend LaWayra for those looking for a life-changing and deeply transformative medicine retreat. I felt seen, safe and supported throughout my 7-day retreat. The staff and volunteers are wonderful people and well-trained facilitators, who demonstrate deep empathy and compassion both in and out of ceremony. They leave you enough room to have your own experience, but appear instantly if you enter some difficult territory, with a tissue, water, or just sitting with you while you are going through a rough patch. They provide a super-helpful prep course to get you ready for your retreat, and there is integration work and community to stay connected to afterwards. Taita Fernando and the staff set up a safe container for the work and hold space amazingly well in the comfy maloka. Taita is available for short meetings, if you have questions about your process. The food is tasty and nutritious, and the service staff was congenial and always helpful. It’s a lovely location in the lush mountains outside of Medellin. The grounds are beautiful, with great landscaping, flowers all around, a running stream that can be heard throughout the property, and plenty of hammocks and spaces to chill and enjoy the sounds of nature and the amazing views. Did I mention the pool and sauna? I’d recommend going for the private cabin, if you can spend the extra cash – it was a great refuge when I needed privacy and time to recover, integrate and rest. Could it be true that this place is deserving of so many 5-Star reviews (especially when I had read some haters on Reddit)?... Absolutely, yes!! Viva LaWayra!

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Moebera 2026.05.31

     

Von der ersten Minute an absolut professionell und super gemacht. Es fängt schon an mit dem Survey und dem online Vorbereitungkurs. Man fühlt sich direkt gut aufgehoben. Ich habe das 7 Tage Retreat gemacht und ich kann es nur jedem ans Herz legen. Zuerst fande ich es etwas teuer aber als wir an dem Ort ankamen und ich gesehen habe wie schön und luxuriös es ist habe ich sofort verstanden dass der Preis absolut gerechtfertigt ist. Es ist nicht möglich zu beschreiben wie schön die Erfahrung war. Man muss es erlebt haben ❤️

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Sandy Trujillo 2026.05.31

     

Lawayra has been a transformative journey, exceeding my expectations and guiding me toward healing and growth, allowing me to confront past traumas and forge a path forward. I've formed profound bonds with the staff, volunteers, and clients, and been nourished by the chef's delicious food. Though I'll miss this place, I carry its lessons, gratitude, and love with me, empowered to continue evolving. I love my Cohort is an understatement.

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