Safety protocol
Your safety is our number one concern and is not something we take lightly at Ayahuasca Spirit Healing Center. We do not take the fact that you’ve entrusted us for your healing journey for granted; as such, we’ve adopted several safety measures to ensure your psychological and physical safety from the time you leave home to the time you return.
Physical Considerations
We strongly recommend that all of our participants receive a thorough physical with their primary health care practitioner prior to working with Ayahuasca and booking their retreat with us. Please let your doctor know the nature of your trip to Peru (that you will be working with Ayahuasca) to make certain that you are cleared to work with the medicine safely. We kindly ask that you share any medical issues or concerns with our intake coordinator prior to booking your retreat with us. The reason for this is that certain health conditions or medications are not compatible with Ayahuasca and could pose a health and safety concern (this includes recreational drugs and alcohol). With regards to vaccinations, while there are certain vaccinations that are available and sometimes suggested for those traveling to Peru, where our center is located does not fall within any red-flag zones. We leave it to the discretion of each of our guests to do their research, reach out with any questions and speak to a medical health care professional before making any decisions in this regard.
Psychological Considerations
Each potential guest of Ayahuasca Spiritual Center is required to complete a psychological and medical evaluation to ensure their health and safety. There are certain psychological disorders that may get worse with Ayahuasca and you will be asked to disclose your mental health history to our intake coordinator prior to booking your retreat with us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding your eligibility in working with Ayahuasca at our centre. Should you have a psychiatrist or other health care practitioner that is monitoring your mental health, we ask that you book an appointment with them prior to booking your retreat with us so as to ensure your safety in both mind and body.
Pre-Trip Considerations
It is vital that you check all travel requirements from your home country to Peru. Certain countries do not require a tourist visa, while others do. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local Peruvian embassy/consulate that is located closest to your hometown. We always recommend that you make copies of your passport and travel itinerary for both yourself during your trip and for a loved one/trusted other at home in case of incidentals. Lastly, for souvenir purchases, we recommend pasajeros exchange their money PRIOR to travel and not wait until they are in Peru. The reason for this is that the availability of currency and sometimes exchange rates, are preferable internationally rather than locally. We will however have one of our onsite employees who will be able to exchange your currency for you during your stay and please note that the second half of your payment for your retreat is required to be paid in person on the first day of the retreat in USD. Please note that the currency in Peru is the Sol.
Arrival/Departure in Pucallpa
As with many South American countries, it is important to exercise some level of caution as a tourist in Pucallpa. While Pucallpa is safe for tourists and the locals are extremely welcoming, not flaunting your jewellery or large amounts of cash is recommended when walking through the streets of Pucallpa. Should you be stopped in the streets by locals trying to sell you souvenirs or engage in conversation, it is always best to be aware of your personal belongings, be polite and simply say “no gracias” if you are not interested. We recommend not carrying purses or bags of similar nature and rather keeping your belongings limited to items that may fit in your front pockets while exploring the city. We recommend our pasajeros use official city taxis when traveling to/from the airport to their hotels. In many cases, your hotel will be more than willing to arrange arrival and departure transportation (one less worry for your travels!). To see a list of recommended hotels to stay at please visit our FAQ/ Links section
During Your Stay
At our center, we employ full time, 24/7 security guards whose sole responsibility is to ensure your safety. All of our facilitators are trained in CPR/First Aid and we are located approximately 1 hr away from the nearest hospital should an emergency situation arise, with a direct contact at the hospital for our pasajeros. We have internet and phone access should there be an emergency situation that may arise either at home or at the center. Should your medical condition change in any way during your stay, we ask that you notify a staff member immediately.
During Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Over the 40 years of experience we have in working with Ayahuasca and being in ceremony, we have fortunately NEVER had to deal with a medical emergency. We have 2 facilitators and one assistant in addition to the Shamans whose primary concern is to hold a space that is safe for you to experience the healing you require. Once the ceremony is complete, we have 1 staff member staff with the group in the main Maloka (the building where we conduct ceremonies) to ensure your safety throughout the night; whether you need someone to talk to, or just want to know that you’re not alone, don’t worry! We’ve got you!