Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
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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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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%
Tim
December 18, 2017 at 11:33 amMatt and Jeanae are very dedicated to their work with this sacred medicine and tend to every detail throughout your stay so that you can focus solely on your own personal work. I’m basically speechless as to the talent and dedication with which Matt conducts the ceremony and I felt safe the entire time. The food is incredible and just what you need, when you need it and the retreat centre is privately located on the top of a mountain overlooking the ocean. The house is perfect for accommodating the group size and is conducive to both alone time or interaction with the other members of the retreat. I felt I could be completely honest about my personal reasons for being there and found everyone to be incredibly accepting and of course non-judgemental. They also have safe high quality medicine that can be trusted. Deciding to work with Ayahuasca in your life can be a tough decision but I can assure you that Matt and Jeanae will take care of you and guide you through the experience. With so much going on I was glad I chose New Life Ayahuasca for my first encounter with this sacred plant medicine. May I wish you all the best on your journey!
-Tim, 33, British Columbia, Canada
ML
October 24, 2017 at 7:13 amI had a truly life changing experience. Matt and Jennae are truly professionals in their craft; the experience they provide at NLA exceeded my expectation and I have already suggested to all of my open-minded friends and family to visit NLA. The ceremonies were intimate (less than 8 people) and absolutely well-guided.
No matter where you decide to visit, definitely do your research on where to take your journey because this type of experience can be exceptional. In my opinion, this experience is best held in an intimate and sacred manner like NLA.