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Ayahuasca and Alternative Healing Center (AyaCenter)
A Heart-Centered Journey in Beautiful Antigua Guatemala
Welcome to our little corner of healing magic in the heart of Guatemala! At AyaCenter, we believe that profound transformation happens when you feel truly seen, safe, and supported. We’re here to walk alongside you on this sacred journey with Ayahuasca and Huachuma (San Pedro), creating a space where authenticity flourishes and healing unfolds naturally.
What Makes Us Different
We’re not your typical retreat center. While we take this sacred work seriously, we also believe healing should feel human, warm, and yes—even fun! You’ll find genuine care, real conversations, and a family-like atmosphere where you can truly be yourself.
Our commitment to you:
- Small, intimate groups (maximum 7 participants) for deeper personal attention
- Comprehensive preparation and integration support
- Year-round availability (10 months annually)
- Personal Zoom consultation to ensure this is right for you
- Ongoing support even after your retreat ends
Your Journey Begins Before You Arrive
From the moment you feel called to sit with us, we’re here to guide you. This isn’t just about showing up for ceremony—it’s about preparing your mind, body, and spirit to receive the medicine’s gifts fully.
What to expect:
- Required pre-retreat Zoom consultation (your safety is our priority)
- Personalized dietary guidelines to prepare your body
- Guidance on setting intentions and mental preparation
- Clear communication about what to expect during your stay
Our Sacred Space
We’ve chosen the peaceful community of San Pedro El Alto, just 15 minutes from Antigua’s vibrant downtown. Here, surrounded by nature’s symphony, you’ll find the perfect balance of accessibility and tranquility. Our ceremonies unfold in a space where you can hear the gentle sounds of the forest while feeling completely safe and supported.
During ceremonies, you’ll have:
- Experienced facilitators who stay present and aware throughout
- Trusted Maestros who read the energy and provide exactly what each person needs
- Healing music and traditional Icaros (medicine songs)
- Post-ceremony integration time with tea, fruit, and gentle sharing
Why Guatemala? Why Not Peru?
Great question! Guatemala has a special magic, as a territory. With its ancient history, and all its diversity of people, landscapes and traditions, we couldn’t help but to fall in love with this land, which has been called “The Heart-Chakra of the World”.
Here’s why it made perfect sense:
- More accessible for travelers from North America and Europe
- Shorter, more affordable flights than Peru
- Authentic, experienced Maestros in a comfortable, safe environment
- Less time-consuming journey, allowing more people to access this healing
- Welcoming to both international visitors and local community members
- We believe everyone deserves access to this medicine, regardless of their budget or time constraints.
Our Retreat Offerings
3-Day Retreat
- 2 Ayahuasca ceremonies or 2 San Pedro
- 1 beautiful flower ceremony
- Integration and meditation sessions
- Perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited time
5-Day Retreat
- 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies, or 2 Aya + 1 San Pedro ceremony
- Integration and meditation sessions
- Flower ceremony
- Relaxing deep tissue massage
- Deeper dive into the healing process
7-Day Retreat
- 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies + 1 San Pedro ceremony or
- 2 Ayahuasca ceremonies + 2 San Pedro ceremonies
- Integration and meditation sessions
- Therapeutic massage
- Yoga and acupuncture sessions
- Flower ceremony and sauna sessions
- Complete mind-body-spirit transformation
Integration: Where the Real Magic Happens
We take integration seriously because we know that’s where lasting change takes root. Every retreat includes one-on-one integration time, and we don’t disappear when you head home—we stay connected and available for ongoing support.
Our integration includes:
- Personal processing sessions during your stay
- Group sharing circles
- Practical tools for daily life
- Continued support after you return home
- Connection to our extended community
A Word About the Medicine
Ayahuasca is indeed a powerful healer of body, mind, and spirit. But here’s the thing—it’s not a magic pill that fixes everything overnight. Think of it as a wise teacher and gentle guide, showing you new perspectives and walking with you toward a more authentic way of living.
Our approach:
- Respect for the medicine’s wisdom
- Realistic expectations about the process
- Focus on integration and practical application
- Ongoing support for sustainable change
Your Peace of Mind Matters
By the time you leave, we want you to feel like you’ve visited family. That’s why we keep our groups small, our approach personal, and our hearts open. Every person who walks through our doors becomes part of our extended family.
What you can expect:
- Genuine care and attention throughout your stay
- Safe, supportive environment for vulnerable moments
- Authentic connections with fellow travelers
- Memories and friendships that last a lifetime
Ready to begin your journey? We’re here to answer your questions and help you determine if this path feels right for you.
Your authentic self is waiting. Let’s help you find your way home.
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laury
November 7, 2025 at 9:56 pmReally recommend Ayacenter! Everybody was so sweet and i completely felt safe. I will never forget this experience and will be forever grateful!
tatonomusic
October 7, 2025 at 12:07 pmI was so lucky to be able to join this retreat last minute, my trauma was sever and i was desperately trying to find an ayahuasca retreat. I found 2 options, which were at later dates. Luckily a friend of mind share info about this, and I’m so fortunate they let me join last minute. I’ve heard of other friends retreats, and I feel like this retreat was the real deal. Royal treatment, I feel like a better person now. Thank you so much!
verena
August 10, 2025 at 8:49 pmI had a wonderful and healing San Pedro ceremony with Ana Sofia and Sascha. They made me feel so safe and comfortable, explained everything to me and guided me through the process.
I’m so thankful for the experience, for the authentic and deep connection to Ana Sofia and Sascha, to nature and can 100 percent recommend these beautiful souls.
Thank you so much!
Essie
June 27, 2025 at 9:42 pmWe found this retreat by pure luck, and the moment we saw the maestros, we had a gut feeling it was going to be something special.
I absolutely recommend this retreat to anyone seeking patience, deep healing, loving guidance, and true competency in working with the medicine. The facilitators are not only kind and supportive but also genuinely cool and down-to-earth.
Words can’t fully express how amazed I was by the ceremonies held by Maestro Carlos and Maestra Camilia. The work they do is truly wonderful—so powerful, loving, and respectful.
Note: This review was edited to remove mention of another website, but has otherwise been left in its original form.
Rebel Yogi Satya
February 22, 2025 at 11:53 pmI really don’t know how the 5-Day Retreat, which included two ayahuasca, a San Pedro and a flower ceremony, a massage, healing session, meditation & intention selling and integration sessions, as well as delicious meals, could have been any better!.
Shamans/Maestros — He was a maestro of maestros, having been connecting people to ayahuasca in ceremonies for 54 years! She was his wife and a maestra for 14 years. They kept us feeling safe and protected and their icaros (sacred songs) carried us on the journey with a beautiful balance of the Sacred Masculine and Feminine.
Facilitators — Beautiful souls who took care of us, especially if any personal challenges arose, with both love and strength. Ana Sofia was a sweetheart who nurtured us in a loving way, checking in to make sure we were okay and, if struggling, she provided loving support—and was super funny to boot! Sasha provided a firm and present support that wasn’t going to baby you but you also knew she had your back. They included meditations and intention setting before the ceremonies and integrations afterwards. They really are special people, took care of us and made us feel like family.
Food — We were on a vegetarian diet where certain items, such as alcohol, meat, milk products, garlic, onions and avocado were eliminated and yet you’d never know this with the delicious variety of meals that the chef provided us. I’m a fairly big guy and always had plenty to eat and left feeling very satisfied.
Group — The small group of six international guests allowed us all to feel so connected and comfortable to share not just our journeys together but our tears, struggles and many laughs. Mealtimes and sitting around the fire at night were very bonding—and hilarious! Deep sharing as well as aching cheeks from our big smiles abound.
Other Services — I also received a massage from a masseuse and a healing session that involved energy balancing and ear acupuncture from a local healer, Seiko, both of which helped my body and mind lo better process the deep work we were doing.
Location — It was such a nice intimate space with rooms, gathering areas, grass, hammocks and a sweet dog named Sasha (not the facilitator) who brought her calming, joyful energy to the space and ceremonies. Our San Pedro ceremony was held in nature, where we had the opportunity to find our own space if called to before coming together and hiking as a group to an amazing waterfall where we sat and bonded with each other and nature and took some photographs.
Everyone, especially the facilitators, Ana Sofia and Sasha, have created a very special, safe space where deep work can—and does—take place. Thank you, you beautiful souls for a memorable and life-changing experience!
Note: This review was edited to correct over-capitalization, but has otherwise been left in its original form.