Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
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Since 2014, New Life Rising has been in service to the ever-growing community of truth seekers. With over a decade of experience, we have amassed a wealth of knowledge and expertise that has enabled us to carefully create a retreat program that encompasses a balance of complimentary healing modalities, time for reflection, and community support. Through the years, we have witnessed incredible transformations through ayahuasca. Our reputation as the highest-rated retreat in Costa Rica is a testament to these life-changing experiences.
Our therapeutic journey is designed to support healing, release, and restoration through honest self-reflection and by fostering a profound connection to spirit. After more than a decade of working with ayahuasca, we have fine-tuned our ayahuasca retreat Costa Rica program to offer a variety of complementary healing modalities. From our ayahuasca ceremonies guided by Ayahuasqueros trained in the Peruvian Mestizo traditions to Hatha yoga sessions, massage therapy, group sharing circles, nature therapy, nutritional meals, and airport transfers, we have considered every element to best support you on your journey.
Connect with your higher self through our transformative ayahuasca Costa Rica retreat. Ayahuasca is a powerful sacred plant medicine that helps us reach our full potential by freeing us from self-limiting beliefs and destructive thought patterns. She invites us to confront and integrate all aspects of ourselves by embracing the light and dark energies within each of us. By acknowledging these contrasting energies we practice radical self-acceptance that is the catalyst for profound growth and the foundation for self-love.
Whats Included:
Medical Safety Screening via Phone Call
1pm Airport Pick-up from Liberia International Airport
8 Days of Retreat Programing
7 Nights Accommodation in our cozy Eco-cabinas
3 Traditionally guided Ayahuasca Ceremonies led by facilitators with over a decade of experience each
3 Hatha Yoga Sessions that include guided meditation with a focus on ceremonial intention
3 Group Integration/Share Circles
1 Therapeutic Massage
3 Beach trips
All meals – Nutritious and following the ayahuasca diet
Intimate group setting of 12 participants
10am Checkout with Airport Drop-off at Liberia International by 12pm
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Heath Jenson
Jan 19, 2026Where do I start?
My wife and I were celebrating 30 years of marriage. We wanted to create a new foundation for our next chapter together. After researching many retreats in Peru and Costa Rica my wife and I chose New Life Rising. I personally had some reservations about Matt and Jeanae being westerners but realized that I was prejudging them. After reading their biographies, I felt they respected and honored the shamanic practices of plant medicine. Their continued dedication to plant medicine and education is what convinced us to book our retreat with New Life Rising. We wanted an intimate setting with a small number of participants with a traditional ceremony and we both feel they delivered beyond our expectations.
Matt and Jeanae created a beautiful atmosphere that was warm and inviting. Their combined male and female energies felt well balanced. My wife and I felt very safe and well taken care of by them and the other facilitators (Eliza and Saul). The experience was very powerful and transformative.
I am extremely grateful to Jeanae, Matt and our new family to share this whole experience. I surprised my wife by renewing my vows at the opening of our second ceremony. The Maloka ceremonial space felt sacred. It couldn’t have been more perfect! The ayahuasca ceremony itself was incredibly special. I felt guided throughout the experience through song, music, and dance. Jeanae brought a beautiful feminine energy with her voice and Matt brought an amazing sense of mastery with his masculine energy.
We enjoyed the grounds and they provided wonderful meals. Very loving atmosphere and we enjoyed having their golden retrievers running around. Howler monkeys swinging in the trees and iguanas throughout . This place was rooted in nature and delivered a serene peaceful experience!
No matter where Matt and Jeanae plant their roots, I personally know they provide a safe and life changing plant medicine experience. My wife and I will definitely be doing ayahuasca with them in the future. Absolutely grateful for them and our experience!!! Soooo much love, Thank you 🙏🏾 -
Mason Jansen
Jan 19, 2026HIGHLY RECOMMEND ❤️!!!
My husband and I got back this week from Costa Rica, what an amazing experience! The grounds were beautiful, the family that runs it and the dogs that also run it ☺️, so much love. The home cooked meals were delicious, I never felt hungry, each meal was just right. Our group was perfect. Everyone came from different places, all of us ‘in’ different places yet created a bond so personal. And then Matt and Janae… They create and deliver such an intimate, safe, loving, balanced, authentic experience from start to finish. From traditional feeling ceremonies to casually hanging out, they are INCREDIBLE!!!
For my personal experience also my first experience with ayahuasca, it was great. I was so scared going into it, and i felt instantly Comforted after drinking my first cup. I typically don’t use hallucinogenics with so many people so close, and even with some struggling it still felt so intimate and safe.
And a shout out to my amazing husband who read a 30th wedding vowel renewal right before our second ceremony, started it off with such love in the miloko ❤️🥰. -
laura nicolescu
Jan 19, 2026My life is forever changed because of New Life Rising, and that’s heavily thanks to Matt and Janae. I have so much respect for their work and could not imagine going through this experience with any other shamans. I had extended my stay after the retreat ended for my integration and each time I shared with someone that I went to New Life Rising for my aya experience, relief and joy would always be the response.
The people on my retreat were amazing. They each showed up with so much openness and vulnerability, making my time there feel like I was surrounded by people I had known my whole life. I came alone as a 29 year old female and felt incredibly safe and cared for. Everything was done with love, from the home-cooked meals to the yoga sessions and share circles.
I loved every conversation and moment spent with Matt and Janae. If life ever brings me back to ayahuasca, it will be with New Life Rising. They set a new pace for my life filled with so much love, gratitude, and magic ❤️ -
T. Jackson Keenan
Jan 14, 2026️This was a very positive experience and also one of the hardest things I have done. I am grateful to have had Matt and Jeanae as our guides. They provided an atmosphere that was both safe and inviting.
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Noemie Thibault
Dec 24, 2025️A huge thank you to Janae and Matt for their profoundly human welcome and their perfectly balanced presence. You guided us with such kindness through one of the most transformative and enriching experiences of my life.
We were a group of 12 people—a perfect, intimate, and safe size that I couldn't have imagined any other way. Everything was thoughtfully planned: the safety, the comfort of the mini-cabins, the soothing beauty of the gardens, the professional massages, the outings to the beach… not to mention the absolutely exceptional food.
Every detail contributed to creating a space of trust, gentleness, and grounding, allowing us to fully let go and experience the three ceremonies with openness and serenity. These days will remain etched in my memory as a rare, aligned, and profoundly transformative experience. Plus, our group was fantastic.
A huge thank you to Travis and Eliza!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this invaluable support!
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joytotheworld
November 29, 2018 at 10:35 pmBest Healing Experience Ever!
I hardly know where to start … Everything about my trip to New Life Iboga / Ayahuasca in Costa Rica was wonderful from the medicines, the location/property, the hosts, the food, the cats, it was all amazing! Jeanae and Matt are phenomenal hosts and wonderful cooks. The house was large, clean, and had great views. The room they provided to me was perfect for my two weeks stay. The food was great – I’m a foodie – and I loved all the fresh, healthy home cooked meals they made! The trails around the property had beautiful views and I was able to see beautiful wildlife like the Blue Morpho Cota Rican butterfly and monkeys!
For several years I had contemplated participating in taking iboga for spiritual healing reasons. This past year my life brought some major life challenges that propelled me forward in taking the leap to try both iboga and ayahuasca – and I also had Kamboo to make it a trifecta of healing medicines! And Oh Boy – I am so glad that I did! It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! The journey changed my life and continues to positively change my life. I had researched several centers to visit, but I am so glad I decided to go down this journey at New Life Iboga /Ayahuasca. I hope to one day return and participate in more Ayahuasca ceremonies! I know one day I will re-enter the Ayahuasca world again!
Going through the Ayahuasca in the first week really helped strip away my ego and open me up to heal on a deeper level. Some of my questions were answered through Ayahuasca, but Iboga showed me some deep-rooted parts of myself that needed to be addressed. Jeanae and Matt helped facilitate the interpretation of my visions and experiences by having me work with therapist Brian Murphy. Brian was great and very insightful. I am very grateful for this to be part of the experience. The ceremonies that Jeanae and Matt conducted were great. They both played instruments and put their heart and soul into the experience. For the Iboga ceremony they had a small community of friends that participated which enrichened the experience.
After going through this journey, and returning to the states, I had the most amazing sense and feeling of peace that I have never had before. It has taken work to continue this sense of peace, but now I know it – so it is easier to return to this peace.
A million Thank Yous to Jeanae and Matt for all that you did for me and continue to do for others! You are truly a blessing to this earth! One of the visions I had during iboga was seeing Jeanae and Matt being given to the earth as gifts from the gods! Thank you again for everything! I pray that all the good you are doing comes back to you a million fold. And I pray all your wishes and dreams will come true – I know they will:) Much love and blessings to you:)
TJimenez
September 14, 2018 at 7:37 pmMy time at NLA has forever changed me. I gained insights and emotional healing that I never knew were possible. I cannot thank Jeanae and Matt enough for the relaxed, loving, safe and supportive atmosphere. I am extremely happy to have had my first Ayahuasca and Kambo experience at NLA with two truly honest and caring people. My experience at NLA will forever live in my heart and mind and I will see you both again soon! Forever grateful, Theresa
silky
April 15, 2018 at 3:51 pmI don’t hesitate in recommending New Life, and Matt and Jeanae. I couldn’t have asked for a better (first) experience. The views are incredible, house and rooms really comfortable, food fantastic and I always felt welcome and safe.
Matt and Jeanae are impressive, friendly, kind and dedicated people. I can’t comment on the experience you’ll have with the medicine itself, as it is always different, but you will be safe, secure, and in expert, caring hands at all times. Plus Jeanae’s yoga classes are excellent, and exactly what I needed!
My journey is just beginning – and I hope to be back. A big thank you to Matt and Jeanae. I’m filled with gratitude.
kyledontliketoregister
February 7, 2018 at 4:59 pmSo the location is great with beautiful views of the sunset over the coast from the top of a small mountain. Private room, bathroom, and meals are great. A great place to relax for a week and forget about the world. The ceremonies are well done and you’re always well taken care of.
My experience wasn’t life changing, there were no epiphanies, but I do feel like I have a clearer direction in life. It’s something I’ve been working on and can’t say if this experience helped, but it certainly didn’t hurt.
I would come back in a heartbeat, everything was awesome!
kepler452b
January 8, 2018 at 2:36 pmAfter drinking ayahuasca five times in two different places and not feeling much , I finally had my very powerful and profund experience during this wonderful retreat…the quality of the brew is very good and the way Matt leads the ceremony is fantastic…no way you will leave this place without having an ayahuasca experience… When I booked this retreat I thought it was a little bit expensive compared to some you can find in the Amazon rainforest but when I left I felt like I should have paid more….the location is astonishing , the house is amazing and you will have your huge single room…the food Jeanae cooks is fantastic (and I am italian) and you will have yoga class and one good massage… I am going back 100%