English Ayahuasca Retreats in Spain: 2026 Guide
English-language retreats in the Montseny near Barcelona, with preparation, supervised ceremonies and integration
Retreats in Catalonia
Upcoming English-language retreats
These dates are conducted entirely in English, from preparation through ceremonies and integration. Small-group formats are available from 850 €.
Looking for an Ayahuasca retreat in Spain conducted in English? Connecta Life runs dedicated English-language dates in the Montseny Natural Park in Catalonia. English is used during preparation, ceremonies, on-site integration and the group online session after the retreat. This guide also explains the legal framework, medical precautions and practical journey before you book.
Spain has become an important destination for people wishing to experience ayahuasca in a respectful ritual and spiritual context. Thanks to its accessibility, a more nuanced legal situation than in several neighbouring countries and the quality of some centres, Spain offers a setting conducive to inner work.
🌿 Why choose Spain for your ayahuasca retreat?
⚖️ Legal context and caution
Ayahuasca sits within a nuanced legal situation in Spain. A serious centre should avoid promising absolute legal certainty: the setting, confidentiality, informed consent and absence of substance export remain essential.
✈️ Accessible through Barcelona or Girona
The Montseny is accessible to international participants arriving through Barcelona or Girona. The meeting point is Cardedeu station, where the team provides one scheduled group pickup at 16:00.
🗣️ A stated working language for every date
Each retreat is led by the team assigned to that date, in the working language shown on its page. English-language retreats are led by Florin; Stéphane participates depending on the date and is not present at every retreat. The same working language is used during preparation, ceremonies, on-site integration and the group online session 2 weeks after returning home.
🏞️ Authentic and secure setting
Our centre combines respect for ancestral Amazonian traditions with a modern approach suited to European culture, in a natural environment conducive to introspection.
💰 Excellent value for money
Save on travel costs compared with South America while benefiting from high-quality professional support and European hygiene standards.
🏥 European standards
Quick access to medical services if needed, modern infrastructure, hygiene and safety standards aligned with European norms for your peace of mind.
⚖️ Ayahuasca in Spain: legal and cultural context
Spain has become an important European destination for ayahuasca retreats. Ritual use exists in an area of uncertainty where context, preparation, absence of export and the way ceremonies are held matter greatly.
How does Spain differ from other European destinations?
Legal approaches to ayahuasca differ across Europe. In Spain, some decisions and analyses have taken ritual context into account, but this does not create a general authorization. Every situation must still be approached with caution, privacy, informed consent and no export of substance.
🌟 The Spanish framework: between tradition and modernity
Spain is home to several recognized centres that operate while respecting Amazonian shamanic traditions and integrating modern preparation and integration practices.
This combination makes Spain accessible to participants from across Europe and beyond who are looking for a structured setting without travelling to South America.
📅 How does an ayahuasca retreat in Spain unfold?
🎯 Before the retreat: essential preparation
Preparation starts several weeks before your arrival:
- Personalized interview to understand your intentions, your state of health and any contraindications
- Mental and spiritual preparation: meditation, introspection, clarification of your intentions
- Comprehensive documentation on what to expect and how to maximize your experience
🌟 During the retreat
Our retreats in Spain follow a tried and tested protocol:
Thursday
- 17:00 Welcome and snack
- 18:00 Check-in and individual interview
- 20:30 Introduction circle
- 21:00 Ayahuasca ceremony
Friday
- 09:00 Kambo (optional)
- 09:30 Breakfast
- 12:00 Integration workshop
- 13:00 Bufo (optional)
- 14:00 Lunch
- 18:00 Snack
- 20:00 Ayahuasca ceremony
Saturday
- 09:00 Kambo (optional)
- 09:30 Breakfast
- 12:00 Integration workshop
- 13:00 Bufo (optional)
- 14:00 Lunch
- 18:00 Snack
- 20:00 Ayahuasca or Magic Mushrooms ceremony
Sunday
- 09:00 Kambo (optional)
- 09:30 Breakfast
- 10:00 Integration workshop
- 12:00 Lunch
🔄 After the retreat: crucial integration
Integration is just as important as the ceremony itself. We offer:
- Group online integration session 2 weeks after the retreat to revisit the experience with participants and clarify the next steps
- Access to a participants' support group
- Resources to integrate the teachings into your daily life
- Recommendations of therapists trained in psychedelic integration
Location: the Montseny, near Barcelona
The retreat takes place in a preserved natural area of Catalonia, with the meeting point at Cardedeu station.
- Barcelona-El Prat is the main international airport serving the region
- Girona is another possible arrival point for some international routes
- From central Barcelona, continue to Cardedeu station by regional transport
- Arrive at Cardedeu before the fixed 16:00 group pickup
- Plan accommodation independently if your arrival time does not allow the scheduled pickup
Each participant must make their own way to Cardedeu. No transfers are provided from airports or from train stations in Barcelona or Girona; the team only provides the group pickup at Cardedeu station at exactly 16:00.
👥 Who can take part in an ayahuasca retreat?
Ayahuasca is not for everyone. Our retreats are aimed at people who:
- Wish to explore a complex emotional experience (grief, blockages, crisis periods, difficult events)
- Want spiritual development and consciousness expansion
- Wish to work on repetitive patterns or behaviours that are difficult to transform
- Are searching for meaning and direction in their lives
- Want to reconnect with themselves and with nature
⚠️ Important contraindications
Ayahuasca is contraindicated for people suffering from:
- Personal history of schizophrenia, psychosis, mania/hypomania or bipolar disorder
- Serious cardiovascular diseases
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Epilepsy
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Psychotropic treatments, notably SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and lithium: mandatory safety evaluation, with partner doctors consulted when a sensitive signal appears
Any family history of schizophrenia, psychosis, mania/hypomania or bipolar disorder, including in a parent, sibling or child, requires individual assessment; it is not by itself a strict contraindication.
Online booking does not constitute final acceptance: the medical questionnaire sent immediately and the individual interview are mandatory before participation is approved.
📚 What scientific research suggests
Ayahuasca has been the subject of growing scientific research since the 2000s, especially in clinical and ritual contexts. Here are some studies published in peer-reviewed journals — they open up avenues, without constituting a promise of results or medical advice.
- Treatment-resistant depression. Palhano-Fontes F. et al. (2019). "Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression". Psychological Medicine, 49(4), 655–663. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291718001356
- Depression (single dose). Osório F.L. et al. (2015). "Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report". Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 37(1), 13–20. DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2014-1496
- Addictions. Thomas G. et al. (2013). "Ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: results from a preliminary observational study in Canada". Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 6(1), 30–42. DOI: 10.2174/15733998113099990003
- Medium-term affective and cognitive effects. Uthaug M.V. et al. (2019). "Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution". Psychopharmacology, 236(9), 2653–2666. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5155-6
- Personality and neuropsychological functioning. Bouso J.C. et al. (2012). "Personality, psychopathology, life attitudes and neuropsychological performance among ritual users of Ayahuasca: a longitudinal study". PLoS ONE, 7(8), e42421. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042421
These studies suggest promising avenues but constitute neither medical advice nor a guarantee of results. Each person reacts differently. A retreat is not a certified therapeutic protocol and does not replace professional medical follow-up. The benefits reported depend strongly on the setting, preparation and integration work on return.
🏠 Why choose Connecta Life?
🔄 A unique integrative approach
Our centre stands out for its approach which combines:
- Ancestral tradition: respect for authentic shamanic rituals
- Modern psychology: trauma-informed support, structured preparation and integration, on site and then in a group online session 2 weeks after returning home
- European culture: adaptation to the needs and sensibility of Westerners
- Maximum safety: rigorous medical protocols, continuous presence of supporters
👨⚕️ Stéphane Lavergé: a founder's journey
Stéphane's personal journey of supporting others began in 2012, following a near-death experience, initially alongside his work as an IT engineer. He later devoted himself to this work full-time, trained as a facilitator at the Floresiendo school and worked there for a year before launching Connecta Life. He has now accompanied 500+ people in their work with sacred plants.
✨ Hundreds of transformation journeys
Since Connecta Life was created, several hundred participants from different countries have travelled this path of transformation with us. Their feedback — difficulties as well as successes — drives us to constantly refine our approach: finer preparation, close support during ceremonies, reinforced integration follow-up with a group online session 2 weeks after the retreat.
🚀 Ready to book your retreat?
Check the next dates or contact us to verify whether the setting matches your situation.
See upcoming datesOr call us for a free interview: +33 7 66 65 87 74
Prepare your trip to Spain
Travelling from the UK
To reach the Montseny, plan your arrival in Barcelona and your onward journey to Cardedeu station at your own expense. Allow time for airport checks and connections so you arrive before the group pickup at 16:00 local time. If your travel times do not allow this, arrange an overnight stay before the retreat.
Choose a date advertised as conducted in English before booking your transport. Check the retreat’s finishing time with the team before choosing your return flight. Website prices are in euros: check your bank’s exchange rate and fees.
Required documents
- Travel documents meeting Spain's entry requirements for your nationality. If travelling on a British citizen passport, check the passport validity requirements on GOV.UK before booking.
- Travel insurance appropriate to your plans; check the cover and exclusions with your insurer. If eligible, bring a valid GHIC or EHIC for necessary state healthcare; it does not replace travel insurance or guarantee cover for retreat activities.
- Full medical questionnaire (provided at registration), with the exact medication list, dosages, durations, last changes and associated treatments
What is included
- Accommodation
- All vegetarian meals
- Number of Ayahuasca ceremonies depending on the selected package: 2 to 5
- Personalized support before, during and after
- Integration workshops (breathwork, meditation, sharing) + group online integration session 2 weeks after the retreat
- Access to nature and rest areas
What is not included
- Transport to the meeting point in Cardedeu (at your expense; no transfers from airports or from train stations in Barcelona or Girona)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Other destinations: why Spain rather than...
Spain vs Peru / Colombia
Advantages of Spain: Accessibility (3h flight vs 12h+), no jet lag, no vaccinations required, European safety standards, ease of communication, lower total cost.
Peru/Colombia: More "authentic" experience in the Amazon, total cultural immersion, sometimes lower retreat rates (but very expensive flights).
Spain vs the Netherlands
Netherlands: Complex legal framework, less pleasant climate, centres often more "urban", and an approach that can be more recreational and less structured.
Spain: Mediterranean climate, exceptional natural settings, a stronger shamanic presence and support offered in clearly announced working languages.
Spain vs Portugal
Portugal and Spain both require careful attention to context and provider quality. Spain offers a broad range of retreat settings and convenient international access through Barcelona and Girona.
❓ Frequently asked questions about ayahuasca retreats in Spain
Is ayahuasca really legal in Spain?
In Spain, ayahuasca sits in a nuanced legal area: legislation does not treat every preparation or context in the same way as synthetic DMT, and some religious, spiritual or ritual situations have been assessed case by case. This does not mean that « everything is legal » or that a general authorization exists. Connecta Life works in a private, closed-circle setting, with no export of substance, signed informed consent and great caution around these questions.
Why Spain rather than Peru, the Netherlands or Portugal?
Spain combines convenient international access, a Mediterranean climate suitable for outdoor work, a nuanced legal context and retreats with a clearly announced working language. Peru offers an older tradition but involves a longer journey, jet lag and variable medical standards. The Netherlands and Portugal have their own legal and cultural contexts; provider quality, preparation and integration remain more important than the country alone.
Where exactly is the centre located?
The retreats take place in the Montseny Natural Park, in Catalonia (north-east of Barcelona), in a private farmhouse rented for each retreat. This preserved natural setting — forest, mountain, silence — is an essential part of the work. The exact address is shared with participants once their registration is validated. The administrative headquarters of Connecta Life are in Vilafranca del Penedès (province of Barcelona).
Do I need to speak Spanish to come?
Every retreat page states its working language. Connecta Life currently offers dates conducted in English and dates conducted in French. Preparation, ceremonies, on-site integration and the group online session all use the language announced for the selected date.
How much does an ayahuasca retreat in Spain cost?
Regular formats: 3 days / 2 ceremonies · 4 days / 3 ceremonies. Special New Year edition: 5 days / 4 ceremonies · 6 days / 5 ceremonies. All packages include full-board accommodation, organic vegetarian meals and support. Up-to-date prices are detailed on our Pricing page.
How do I reach the retreat from Barcelona or Girona?
International participants usually arrive through Barcelona or Girona and then make their own way to Cardedeu. We do not provide transfers from airports or from train stations in Barcelona or Girona. The team provides one group pickup at Cardedeu station at exactly 16:00, followed by the journey to the retreat location; late pickups are not possible.
How many days off should I plan for in total?
Plan for the duration shown on your chosen retreat date + at least 2 days of integration on your return. The experiences can be physically and emotionally intense: going back to a demanding professional activity the very next day is not recommended. Most of our participants take 5 to 8 days in total (retreat + travel day + 2 to 3 days of decompression). Insights and integration work can then unfold over several weeks, supported by a group online integration session 2 weeks after the retreat.
Is ayahuasca dangerous?
Ayahuasca presents real risks if taken outside of a proper framework, without safety evaluation or in combination with psychotropic treatments, notably SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and lithium. In a supervised ceremonial setting, with a serious medical questionnaire and an experienced facilitator continuously present, these risks are greatly reduced. The normal effects (nausea, vomiting, intense emotional variations) are part of the purification process and are not dangerous in themselves. After booking, psychiatric and medication-related contraindications are systematically checked before participation is approved, with partner doctors consulted when a sensitive signal appears.
Can I come alone?
Yes, and it is even the most common situation: the majority of participants come alone. The small group format (8 to 16 people) quickly creates deep bonds between participants who share the same approach. Coming alone often fosters freer inner work, without the restraint tied to the presence of a loved one. You will never be left to yourself — the team is present at every stage.
How long do the effects of ayahuasca last?
A ceremony lasts 4 to 6 hours, with the most intense effects spanning 2 to 4 hours. The next morning, you are generally tired but clear-headed, with a particular emotional clarity. Insights, inner shifts and changes of perception can unfold over several weeks or even several months after the retreat. That is why integration work, on site and then in a group online session 2 weeks after returning home, is as important as the ceremony itself.
How do I book my spot?
The process has four steps: (1) you book directly online and choose your payment method, (2) the confidential medical questionnaire is sent immediately, (3) a team member contacts you within 96 hours for the mandatory individual interview — the interview and questionnaire may be completed in either order, (4) the team gives final approval to your participation after both checks. A medical response remains valid for three months; fifteen days before the retreat, we check that it still covers the date and send a new questionnaire if necessary. If a sensitive signal appears, the case is reviewed with partner doctors. If Connecta Life declines your participation for safety reasons, all amounts paid are refunded in full.
