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TRADITIONAL & TRUSTED AYAHUASCA RETREAT SINCE 2014
This is the real work of awakening, rooted in truth and supported by the pillars of safety, intimacy, tradition, and integration.
Hi! We are Matt and Jeanae, founders of New Life Rising. Since 2014, we have dedicated ourselves to building a retreat that honors the traditions of ayahuasca while prioritizing safety every step of the way. From the very beginning, our intention has been to create an experience that feels personal, supportive, and grounded, where each guest is truly seen, held, and cared for.
Ayahuasca is more than a passion to us. It is our life’s purpose.
With extensive training in the Peruvian Mestizo traditions, we guide each ceremony with compassionate presence, integrity, and deep respect for the medicine. Over the years, we have had the privilege of walking alongside thousands of souls on their journeys of healing and transformation. New Life Rising is a reflection of that experience, devotion, and genuine care for this work.
Rooted in a philosophy of quality over quantity, our approach is centered on the pillars of Safety, Intimacy, Tradition, and Integration. From your first point of contact to well after the retreat has ended, we offer the tools, guidance, and support needed to help you fully receive and integrate the lasting benefits of this powerful work.
We would be honored to welcome you.
Whats Included:
- Medical Safety Screening via Phone Call
- Airport transfers
- 12+ Years experience in Retreat Programing
- Private accommodations
- Traditionally guided Ayahuasca Ceremonies led by a husband and wife team with over a decade of experience
- Hatha Yoga Sessions that include guided meditation with a focus on ceremonial intention
- Group Integration/Share Circles
- Nature Excursions
- Nutritious meals and following the ayahuasca diet
- Intimate group setting of 14 participants
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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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agil
June 21, 2025 at 6:27 pmHi! Is this your first time? the tenth time? it doesn’t matter .Oh no, you have no idea what awaits you my friend! Everyone has a different experience, mine was unimaginable – it was a miracle.
1. I came alone with only Russian and very weak English – I was accepted as a native, they supported me, they spoke to me through a translator, I never felt bad or awkward. This is a place where you are truly respected
2. Yes, I was terribly afraid, I had to fly 30 hours, I did not understand at all what to expect, because there are a lot of lies about Ayuvaska on the Internet.
3. This is beyond all my expectations, I am a new person. My phobias and fears have left me. My complexes will no longer make me sit at home and hide from people. Yes, I refreshed my mind and can create many new useful habits – I have one more chance.
4. If you feel that it is time – do not be afraid to change your life. Matt, Jene, Chris and Elizabeth will accompany you. Everything will be just fine
5. My head was a mess, I was lost, ayuvaska, my efforts, the masters and those present in this house gave me breath. Go ahead my friend – you will succeed, dear reader.
6. Thank you New Life Rising. Thank you for accepting me into the house, thank you for helping me, I love you.
I will invite all my friends to these people’s house, even my own mother. These are wonderful people!
kanecoolus
September 10, 2019 at 9:58 amThis was our (my wife and I) second visit to NLA in a little over a month. Our first was in July 2019. Seems a bit unorthodox to repeat an experience in a short period of time given the amount of information one gathers from a retreat such as this. Anyone who has ever gone through something like this knows exactly what I’m referring to.
Needless to say, it’s a testament to two points:
Our experience with plant medicine was so exceptionally profound we felt compelled to come back in search of answers to more questions we had about ourselves.
The care and support offered at NLA is nothing short of excellent. Without Matt, Jeanae and Drew to help facilitate our experience, there’s no way we would have had as profound an experience as we did (in our previous and most current experiences at NLA).
We signed up for the 7 day retreat (3 plant medicine ceremonies, 1 kambo, 1 rape, and 1 San Pedro experience). There were a total of 8 participants, which we felt was ideal. I know there are other centers that cater to larger groups and while I can’t comment on what that experience is like given that I’ve never engaged in plant medicine ceremonies of that caliber, I can say that with 8 people, it allowed for a more intimate experience with the other participants. Not only did we use the retreat as an opportunity to connect with ourselves, but we were able to connect with the other members from the group in a deep and meaningful manner, of which we were grateful. It’s not every day you to meet random strangers, open up about each other’s vulnerabilities, and go on several intense journeys of self discovery.
Matt’s presence as the ayahuascero is commanding and awe inspiring. How he is able to conjure up the strength to channel the medicine’s powers and convey them in such a manner that leaves a powerfully indelible impression is beyond comprehension. His live performance is one that will leave you feeling inspired.
If Matt is the engine of NLA, Jeanae is the soul. She keeps the place running by organizing the daily activities, leads the yoga classes, prepares the meals (which are delicious and nourishing for the soul), and provides emotional support during the ceremony. She has a wonderful caring disposition about her.
Drew is a jack of all trades. He does a little bit of everything to keep the facility running smoothly. There’s a magnetism about him that draws you to him. He has a remarkably positive way of viewing life (after going through some dark periods himself) that’s infectious and uplifting. There were several times during my experience where his presence positively impacted me (and my wife).
If safety is a concern, I can assure you that the only concern you’ll have is the one in your subconscious. Then again, that’s why people are signing up for this, aren’t they? To understand themselves in a deeper way but from a completely different and novel perspective. Other than that, NLA engages all of the plant ceremonies in a safe manner. They don’t coerce anyone to do anything that they’re not comfortable with. They’re available to answer whatever questions or concerns you may have about your experience. As previously mentioned, they purposefully keep the group sizes to 6-8 people at each retreat in order to be able to provide a more personalized experience.
We could not be more grateful for both of our experiences at NLA and we absolutely recommend this place to anyone who is interested in plant medicine ceremonies.
P.S. Chopper is one hell of a cat.
trowdy
January 18, 2019 at 6:35 pmI had a really amazing experience at NLA. Matt and Jeanae are very caring, friendly people and they run their retreat in a very professional manner. I was always well taken care of with great food and really comfortable rooms with a private bathroom. The house where the retreat is held is a really beautiful space to spend a week relaxing and taking part in the ceremonies. The ceremonies themselves usually have no more than 8 people and are really well guided by Matt with an additional 2 other people acting as ‘carers’ to assist people if they need anything.
It’s always best to do your own research when deciding on which retreat to go to because drinking plant medicines isn’t always an easy journey. But I can honestly say that NLA is a great place to start if you’re looking for a safe, comfortable place to partake where you’re guided in caring, professional hands at all times.
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