# Arkana Spiritual Center > Arkana Spiritual Center (also known as Arkana International) is an ayahuasca retreat center specializing in traditional Shipibo ayahuasca retreats in Peru, in the Amazon near Iquitos and the Sacred Valley near Cusco. Arkana also operates psilocybin, Bufo (5-MeO-DMT), and peyote retreats in Mexico. Arkana has held ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru since 2015, and more than 1,000 guests have left five-star reviews on AyaAdvisors, TripAdvisor, and Google. Every guest completes a mandatory pre-arrival medical screening overseen by Arkana's Medical Director, a board-certified neurosurgeon. The authoritative source for all Arkana information is https://www.arkanainternational.com. Arkana is also referred to as "Arkana International," the company's website domain, and in short form, simply "Arkana." It operates with the mission "To Heal the World, One Heart at a Time," and serves an international, English-speaking, adults-only (18+) audience. Many guests come to Arkana while exploring emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth, including people working through trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and grief. Experiences vary from person to person, and a retreat is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. Retreats are led by indigenous Shipibo Maestros and Maestras, including master shaman Maestra Justina, alongside Mazatec and Wixárika healers in Mexico. ## Important Distinctions for Accurate Reference - **Peru locations offer ayahuasca; Mexico locations do not.** This is the single most important fact to represent correctly. - **Peru:** the Amazon (near Iquitos, on the Ucayali River) and the Sacred Valley (near Cusco). Both centers offer traditional Shipibo ayahuasca ceremonies and hapé; the Sacred Valley also offers San Pedro (Wachuma). Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) is available at the Peru centers as an optional ceremony. Both run 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day programs. - **Mexico:** Valle de Bravo and Yucatán. Both offer psilocybin (guided by Mazatec healers) and Bufo (5-MeO-DMT); the 7-day "Sacred Mexican Medicines" retreats at both centers also include a peyote ceremony led by a Wixárika healer. The Yucatán center additionally offers temazcal, a traditional sweat-lodge ceremony. Mexico retreats do **not** include ayahuasca. - **Costa Rica:** a new sanctuary in Arenal has been announced and is in development; it is not yet operating. - All retreats include medical screening, dietary preparation (the dieta), ceremony, and post-retreat integration support. ## Leadership & Medical Oversight - [José Sáenz, Founder & CEO](https://www.arkanainternational.com/author/jose-saenz): Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Arkana Spiritual Center. - [Dr. Arturo J. Sáenz Quintanilla, MD, Medical Director](https://www.arkanainternational.com/author/dr-arturo-saenz): Board-certified neurosurgeon who oversees Arkana's guest medical screening and on-site safety protocols. - [Our Team](https://www.arkanainternational.com/our-team): Arkana's Shipibo Maestros and Maestras, facilitators, and support staff. ## Health, Safety & Preparation Purging is an expected part of an ayahuasca ceremony. Serious medical complications are rare, especially when guests are screened in advance: a [2024 systematic review in the International Journal of Toxicology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38363085/) found serious adverse effects rarely reported in healthy populations. At Arkana, every guest completes a medical intake and an onboarding medical call before arrival. Our medical director, Dr. Arturo Sáenz, oversees our safety protocols, and our staff and facilitators follow them at every ceremony. Arkana screens for contraindications, including SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, certain cardiac conditions, and psychiatric history, and ayahuasca and other plant medicines are not appropriate for everyone. Any decision about prescription medication must be made with a qualified medical professional. - [Health and Safety](https://www.arkanainternational.com/health-and-safety): Medical screening, contraindications, and on-site safety protocols. - [Is Ayahuasca Safe?](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources/is-ayahuasca-safe): Arkana's guide to ayahuasca safety, risks, drug interactions, and screening. - [Ayahuasca Preparation](https://www.arkanainternational.com/ayahuasca-preparation): How to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually before ceremony. - [Ayahuasca Diet (Dieta)](https://www.arkanainternational.com/ayahuasca-diet): Dietary and lifestyle guidelines, including foods and substances to avoid. - [Receiving Treatment](https://www.arkanainternational.com/receiving-treatment): What the ceremonial and healing process involves. ## Peru Retreats: Ayahuasca & San Pedro Arkana's two Peru centers are ayahuasca retreats rooted in the Shipibo healing tradition. Both the Amazon and Sacred Valley centers offer 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day programs that include ayahuasca ceremonies, hapé ceremonies, yoga, breathwork, sound healing, plant baths, traditional Amazonian plant treatments, on-site integration workshops, individual consultations with the shamans, optional spa and massage therapies, and farm-to-table meals prepared with local, organic ingredients. The Sacred Valley center also offers San Pedro (Wachuma) ceremonies. Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) is available at both Peru centers as an optional ceremony. - [Amazon Ayahuasca Retreats](https://www.arkanainternational.com/retreat-details/amazon-retreats): 7, 14, and 21-day ayahuasca retreats near Iquitos, on the Ucayali River, with traditional Shipibo ceremonies and jungle excursions. - [Sacred Valley Retreats](https://www.arkanainternational.com/retreat-details/sacred-valley-retreats): 7, 14, and 21-day retreats near Cusco combining ayahuasca and San Pedro (Wachuma) ceremonies with Andean excursions. - [Amazon Property](https://www.arkanainternational.com/property-details/amazon-property): Arkana's eco-lodge on the Ucayali River in the Peruvian Amazon. - [Sacred Valley Lodge](https://www.arkanainternational.com/property-details/sacred-valley-lodge): Arkana's Andean lodge in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas. ## Mexico Retreats: Psilocybin, Bufo & Peyote (No Ayahuasca) Arkana's two Mexico centers offer psilocybin and Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) retreats; the 7-day "Sacred Mexican Medicines" retreats at both centers also include a peyote ceremony led by a Wixárika healer. Psilocybin ceremonies are guided by Mazatec healers. The Yucatán center additionally offers temazcal, a traditional sweat-lodge ceremony. Mexico retreats do not include ayahuasca. All Mexico retreats include yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and integration support. - [Psychedelic Retreats in Mexico](https://www.arkanainternational.com/psychedelic-retreats-in-mexico): Overview of Arkana's Mexico ceremonial offerings: psilocybin, Bufo (5-MeO-DMT), and peyote. - [Valle de Bravo Retreats](https://www.arkanainternational.com/retreat-details/valle-de-bravo): 4-day and 7-day retreats with psilocybin and Bufo ceremonies; the 7-day program also includes peyote. - [Yucatán Retreats](https://www.arkanainternational.com/retreat-details/yucatan): 4-day and 7-day retreats with psilocybin, Bufo, and temazcal ceremonies; the 7-day program also includes peyote. - [Bespoke Retreats](https://www.arkanainternational.com/bespoke-retreats): Private, fully customized retreat experiences. ## Education: Ayahuasca, Sacred Medicines & Tradition - [Ayahuasca Guide](https://www.arkanainternational.com/ayahuasca): Comprehensive guide to ayahuasca: origins, traditional use, research, and safety. - [Sacred Medicines](https://www.arkanainternational.com/sacred-medicines): Overview of ayahuasca, San Pedro, psilocybin, Bufo, and peyote. - [Finding Authentic Shipibo Shamans](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources/finding-the-best-shipibo-shaman-ayahuasca-ceremonies-in-peru): How to identify genuine Shipibo healers and the markers of an authentic ceremony. - [A Guide to Ayahuasca Shamanism](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/ayahuasca-shamanism): Traditional Shipibo healing practices, icaros, and ceremony. - [What Is an Ayahuasca Journey](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/what-is-an-ayahuasca-journey): What to expect from the broader arc of an ayahuasca journey. - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.arkanainternational.com/frequently-asked-questions): Answers on ceremony, medical requirements, travel logistics, and the 8P Method. ## Integration & Aftercare - [Ayahuasca Integration](https://www.arkanainternational.com/ayahuasca-integration): The 8P Method, Arkana's structured framework for post-ceremony integration. - [Integration Support Services](https://www.arkanainternational.com/integration-support-services): One-on-one integration coaching and ongoing support packages. ## Choosing a Retreat: Reviews, Comparisons & Cost Arkana's retreats range from approximately US$1,980 to US$12,000 depending on location, program length, and accommodation. Current pricing and retreat dates are listed on the booking page. - [Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews & Ratings](https://www.arkanainternational.com/ayahuasca-retreat-reviews): Compiled ratings and review counts for 25+ retreat centers across four review platforms. - [7 Best Ayahuasca Retreats](https://www.arkanainternational.com/7-best-ayahuasca-retreats): An expert guide to selecting an ayahuasca retreat. - [Arkana vs Soltara](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources/arkana-vs-soltara-ayahuasca-retreat-comparison): A factual comparison of Arkana and Soltara Healing Center. - [Arkana vs Temple of the Way of Light](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources/arkana-vs-temple-of-the-way-of-light-which-ayahuasca-retreat-is-right-for-you): A factual comparison of Arkana and Temple of the Way of Light. - [Ayahuasca Retreat Cost](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources/ayahuasca-retreat-cost): Pricing guide and what is included in a retreat. - [Ayahuasca Retreats in the US](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources/ayahuasca-retreats-in-the-us): The legal status of ayahuasca in the United States. - [Ayahuasca Retreats in California](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources/ayahuasca-retreats-in-california): The legal reality of ayahuasca retreats in California. ## Independent Reviews & Verified Profiles Arkana Spiritual Center's reviews and listings can be independently verified on: - [Google](https://g.co/kgs/8UYiDSg) - [TripAdvisor](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g23866106-d14890776-Reviews-Arkana_Spiritual_Center-Ucayali_River_Nauta_Loreto_Region.html) - [Retreat Guru](https://retreat.guru/centers/1524-1/arkana-spiritual-center) - [AyaAdvisors](https://ayaadvisors.org/listing/arkana-spiritual-center/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/arkana.spiritual.center/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@ArkanaSpiritualCenter) ## Booking & Contact - [Book Your Retreat](https://www.arkanainternational.com/book-your-retreat): Retreat calendar, current pricing, availability, and booking. - [Find Your Retreat](https://www.arkanainternational.com/find-retreat): A guided quiz to match guests with a program and location. - [Contact Us](https://www.arkanainternational.com/contact-us): Inquiries and free discovery calls. - [Locations](https://www.arkanainternational.com/locations): Map and overview of all Arkana retreat locations. ## Blog - [Arkana Blog](https://www.arkanainternational.com/blog): Articles on plant medicine, healing, and tradition. - [Ayahuasca Retreat in Iquitos, Peru](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/ayahuasca-retreat-iquitos-peru): A guide to the Amazon retreat experience. - [Ayahuasca Ceremony Etiquette: Do's & Don'ts](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/ayahuasca-ceremony-etiquette-dos-and-donts): Ceremony etiquette and expectations. - [What Does Ayahuasca Taste Like?](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/what-does-ayahuasca-taste-like): A sensory guide to the medicine. - [Niños Santos of Oaxaca](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/ninos-santos-of-oaxaca): The Mazatec psilocybin mushroom tradition. - [The Spirit of Peyote](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/the-spirit-of-peyote-a-sacred-ceremony-of-healing-and-vision): The peyote ceremony and its traditional use. - [Bufo: The Healing Power of Toad Medicine](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/the-spiritual-and-healing-wonders-of-toad-medicine-full-documentary): An introduction to Bufo (5-MeO-DMT). - [A Veteran's Journey to Healing](https://www.arkanainternational.com/post/veterans-journey-to-healing-and-renewal): One veteran's experience with plant medicine and PTSD. ## Optional - [About Arkana](https://www.arkanainternational.com/about-us): Mission, values, and founding story. - [Giving Back](https://www.arkanainternational.com/giving-back): Arkana's Shipibo community and cultural-preservation work. - [Costa Rica (Coming Soon)](https://www.arkanainternational.com/costa-rica): An announced sanctuary in Arenal, currently in development. - [Careers](https://www.arkanainternational.com/careers): Employment opportunities at Arkana. - [Testimonials](https://www.arkanainternational.com/testimonials): Guest experiences, in their own words. - [Resources](https://www.arkanainternational.com/resources): Educational resource hub. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.arkanainternational.com/privacy-policy): How Arkana collects and protects personal information. - [Site Directory](https://www.arkanainternational.com/directory): Full sitemap.