Many people come to Lake Atitlán hoping for ceremony, and we understand why. We want to be plain: we host ceremonies for our own retreat guests, not for the public, so we have a stake in this subject. The lake also has no shortage of people ready to sell you a ceremony, so choosing carefully is part of the work.
Legality
Many centers advertise their ceremonies as "legal," but the picture is less clear. Guatemala's drug law adopts substances controlled under UN treaties, which list psilocybin and DMT, and one legal guide found no Guatemalan ruling applying the law to ayahuasca. This is not legal advice. Check for yourself, ask a Guatemalan lawyer if it matters to you, and never carry substances across borders.
How to choose carefully
- Ask about training and lineage, and how long the facilitators have worked with the medicine.
- Expect screening: a written health questionnaire and a conversation about your medications (some are dangerous in combination), heart health and mental health history. Good teams sometimes say no.
- Ask what happens before, during and after, and who is responsible for what.
- Ask about safety: facilitators per participant, first-aid training, the nearest hospital, and how you would get there at night.
- Ask about preparation and integration: diet guidance beforehand, and support in the days and weeks after.
Red flags
- No screening, or "everyone is welcome."
- Several substances mixed in one ceremony.
- Pressure about money, special deals, or promises of cures.
- A facilitator who claims unquestionable authority or discourages questions.
- Sexual or romantic advances, touching without consent, or isolating participants.
- Vagueness about legality, safety, or who is in charge in an emergency.
Last checked October 2026. Fees, fares and hours change, so confirm anything that matters.