Lighthouse! Ayahuasca Retreat
Prepare for Your Retreat
Your preparation begins before you arrive. A little intention, simplicity, and practical preparation can help you arrive feeling grounded and ready for your time in the Amazon.
Prepare Your Mind
Preparing for your Ayahuasca retreat begins before you arrive. The weeks leading up to your retreat are an opportunity to slow down, become more aware of yourself, and create space for reflection.
You don't need to completely change your lifestyle or follow a strict routine. Small, consistent practices can help you arrive more present, grounded, and connected to your intentions.
Meditation
A regular meditation practice can help you become more comfortable observing your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without immediately reacting to them. If you're new to meditation, start with 5–10 minutes a day. Simple breath awareness is enough. The goal isn't to empty your mind, but to practice being present with whatever arises.
Journaling
Journaling can help you reflect on what you'd like to explore during your retreat. Consider questions such as:
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What am I ready to change?
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What would greater balance or fulfillment look like for me?
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What would I like to understand more deeply about myself?
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What intention would I like to bring to my retreat?
There are no right answers. Simply write honestly and allow your thoughts to unfold.
Mindful Movement
Gentle yoga, stretching, walking, or other mindful movement can help you release tension and become more aware of your body and breath. The purpose is not to become stronger or more flexible. It is simply to become more comfortable being present in your body.
Set an Intention — and Stay Open
Take some time to consider why you're coming to the retreat and what you'd like to explore. Your intention might be a question, a quality you'd like to cultivate, or an area of your life you'd like to understand more deeply.
Let your intention provide direction without becoming an expectation. Come with curiosity, honesty, and openness to whatever arises.
In the days before your retreat, create some space where possible. Rest, spend time in nature, reduce unnecessary distractions, and allow yourself some quiet and offline time.
The Ayahuasca Dieta
The dieta is a traditional practice found in several Indigenous Amazonian traditions and is often understood as a way of cultivating discipline, awareness, and a respectful relationship with plant medicines. While dieta practices vary between traditions, simplicity and mindful preparation are common themes.
For your retreat, we ask you to follow our dietary guidelines as closely as possible in the weeks leading up to your arrival. Simplifying your diet can be a meaningful way to prepare for ceremony, reduce unnecessary stimulation, and create a greater sense of intention around your retreat. The dieta is not about perfection. It is an opportunity to slow down, simplify, and approach your retreat with care and commitment.
2–4 Weeks Before Your First Ceremony
Please abstain from:
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Alcohol
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Recreational drugs
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Meat, including red meat, chicken, and fish
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Dairy, including milk, cream, and cheese
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Processed and spicy foods
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Oily, greasy, and fried foods
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Sugar and sweets (fresh fruit is welcome)
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Added salt
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Caffeine
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Aged and fermented foods
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Sexual activity
Fresh fruit is welcome and does not need to be avoided.
If you have specific dietary requirements, take medications, or have health considerations, please contact us before your retreat so we can discuss your individual needs.
Nourishing Plant-Based Cuisine
Throughout your retreat, you'll enjoy fresh, plant-based meals prepared with wholesome, locally sourced ingredients. Our meals are designed to be nourishing, satisfying, and easy to digest while supporting the rhythm of your retreat and ceremonial schedule.
Depending on the season, our kitchen may use ingredients such as:
Pineapple · Banana · Papaya · Mango · Watermelon · Coconut · Star fruit · Avocado · Camu camu · Sweet potatoes · Tomatoes · Broccoli · Cauliflower · Leafy greens · Rice · Lentils · Beans · Chia seeds
We value the abundance of the Amazon and, whenever possible, incorporate fresh local ingredients into our meals. Every meal is prepared with care, attention, and the intention to make you feel nourished and at home.
Non-ceremony days: Three meals are served daily: 8:30 AM — Breakfast & 12:30 PM — Lunch & 5:00 PM — Dinner
Ceremony days: Two nourishing meals are served, with the timing arranged to allow sufficient time before the evening ceremony. Fresh seasonal fruit is available throughout your stay!
After Your Retreat
Your relationship with the dieta does not necessarily end with your final ceremony. For several days after your retreat, we recommend continuing to eat simply and mindfully whenever possible. This can make the transition back into your usual routine feel more gradual and give you space to continue reflecting on your experience.
We suggest temporarily avoiding:
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Alcohol
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Recreational drugs
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Excess sugar
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Excess salt
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Spicy foods
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Heavy or highly processed meats
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Highly processed foods
Choose simple, nourishing meals, stay hydrated, and give yourself time to gradually return to your normal routine.
The dieta is ultimately an invitation to approach food, your body, and your retreat with greater awareness and intention.
What to Pack
Life in the Amazon is warm, humid, and often unpredictable. Pack light, practical clothing and a few essentials to stay comfortable throughout your retreat.
Essentials
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Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
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Long pants and long-sleeved shirts for insect protection
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Comfortable walking shoes suitable for jungle trails
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Sandals or flip-flops
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Rain jacket or lightweight poncho
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Comfortable clothing for ceremonies
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Hat or cap
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Swimsuit
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High-quality insect repellent
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Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
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Sunglasses
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Personal medications and necessities
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Toothbrush, toothpaste, and personal hygiene products
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Reusable water bottle
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Small flashlight or headlamp
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Small daypack for jungle excursions
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Waterproof bag or dry bag for electronics and valuables
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Lightweight towel, if preferred
There is no need to bring formal clothing. Comfort and practicality are most important.
To make packing easier, we provide: Purified drinking water, screened accommodations, mosquito nets upon request!
Not sure whether you need to bring something? Contact us before your arrival.
One Last Thing...
Beyond what you pack in your bag, consider bringing a little curiosity, openness, and willingness to slow down.
The rest, you can leave to the Amazon.
