FAQs
Questions
Is this for me?
Yes. Many of the women who join us have never sat with Ayahuasca before. We will go through a safety assessment with you first to make sure this is a good fit, and you will also receive a preparation guide covering everything you will need. Our ceremonialist has guided over 400+ ceremonies with people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Book a call with Shannon and Debbie here. You can ask us any questions you have, or share your concerns. Nervousness is normal. This is a powerful and often life changing experience. Many women feel that way before joining, and we are here for you! 🙂 We would like to meet you and connect.
If you are considering it and this has shown up in your life right now, this may be the right time.
The following are contraindicated: antidepressants such as SSRIs or MAOIs, antipsychotic medications, psychiatric conditions or family histories of certain mental health disorders, surgery within the past three months, heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, epilepsy, active addiction, or pregnancy. If any of these apply to you, participation may still be possible. Please message us so we can better understand your situation.
The safety assessment is for us to confirm, together, whether this retreat is a good fit. It also helps us be mindful of additional support you may need. On the call, we review your medication and health history together.
No. Portals is a curated group retreat experience, not a medical or therapeutic service, and we do not diagnose, treat or cure any condition. We will never present it as though we do.
Possibly, however everyone will have different experiences. Ayahuasca may induce purging. Purging is common, and it can take the form of crying, shaking, vomiting, going to the bathroom, or yawning.
Questions
About the retreat
One. We intentionally hold one Ayahuasca ceremony so there is proper time for preparation and integration. Real change comes from how you integrate the experience, so you can continue the transformation work in the days, months and years after.
Portals 2027 has space for 12 women. We keep our retreats intentionally intimate so you can receive personal care and bond deeper with the women in your group.
No. Every practice is an invitation. We plan each activity with care, and every one has its own magic and fun. We encourage full participation, but you can still choose to sit out on certain activities.
Everything you need for the week:
- Seven days and six nights of accommodation
- All meals
- All retreat ceremonies, activities and workshops, including:
- 1 Ayahuasca ceremony
- 1 Temazcal ceremony (Traditional Mexican sweat lodge)
- Vocal activation workshop
- Cacao ceremony
- Ecstatic dance
- Sunrise Beach Picnic (transportation included)
- Yoga
- Sound baths & sound journeys
- Shamanic Art Making
- Fire ceremony
- Cenote Excursion
- (and more!)
- The pool and communal rooftop
- Portals Retreat workbook
- 1x pre-retreat group preparation call
- 1x post-retreat group integration call
- A personal photoshoot to mark your chapter
Yes. We offer flexible payment options to make this program accessible to you.
Yes. The Serenity Suite is a private room with its own bathroom.
Your booking is fully refundable within 48 hours of booking. After that, it is non-refundable, but you may exchange your ticket for a future retreat date or transfer your booking to another qualified woman’s name. Exchange and transfer requests must be made at least 14 days before the retreat begins.
Questions
Others
Expect warm, sunny days around 27°C (80°F) and cooler evenings around 18°C (65°F). It is mostly sunny, but it may still rain.
A few essentials include:
- Breathable clothing for warm days
- A warm layer for cool nights
- Sandals
- A swimsuit
- Insect repellent
- A reusable water bottle
- A journal
- A musical instrument (optional), like a drum or a rattle, if you have one
You will receive a full packing checklist as part of our welcome package after confirmation.
We recommend taking a private transport. You will receive a list of vetted drivers to coordinate with. Cancún International (CUN) is about 1.5 to 2 hours away.
Step through the Portal.
Join the waitlist to receive early bird pricing and the retreat brochure.
Join the waitlist