Short answer: ayahuasca — called yagé in Colombia — is part of the living traditions of several Indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon and is commonly used in traditional ceremonies. It is a powerful psychoactive brew with real medical risks: it is not suitable for everyone, it interacts dangerously with some medications, and it should only be taken with experienced traditional practitioners, proper screening and sober support.
Important: this article is general information, not medical advice. If you take medication or have any health condition, talk to a doctor before considering an ayahuasca ceremony.
What is ayahuasca (yagé)?
Ayahuasca is a brew made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, usually combined with leaves of other plants such as Psychotria viridis. For many Amazonian peoples it is a sacred medicine used in ceremonies led by traditional healers — called taitas, sabedores or shamans — within a broader system of knowledge about plants, diet and the forest.
Is ayahuasca legal in Colombia?
Traditional use of yagé by Indigenous peoples is widely practiced and recognized in Colombia as part of their cultural heritage, and ceremonies with visitors take place openly. However, the legal framework is not a simple “yes”: some compounds in the brew are controlled substances internationally, and rules can change. Check the current situation before you travel, never carry ayahuasca across borders, and remember that it is illegal in many travelers’ home countries.
Is ayahuasca safe?
It can be physically and psychologically demanding. Vomiting, intense emotions and strong visions are common. Serious adverse events are rare but real, and they are more likely when people have contraindications, mix substances or attend ceremonies without proper care.
Who should not take ayahuasca
- People taking antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) or other serotonergic medications — risk of serotonin syndrome
- People with heart conditions or high blood pressure
- People with a personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Anyone using other drugs or alcohol around the ceremony
Never stop prescribed medication on your own to attend a ceremony; any change must be supervised by your doctor.
What a traditional ceremony looks like
- Preparation (dieta): in the days before, participants avoid alcohol, pork, heavy and very salty or spicy food, and other substances.
- The ceremony: usually at night in a maloca (traditional house), led by the healer with songs (icaros) and silence. It lasts several hours.
- Integration: the following day is for rest, conversation and making sense of the experience.
How to choose a responsible retreat
- A healer with a real lineage and community, not just a title
- Health screening and honest questions about medication and history before you book
- Sober facilitators who speak your language
- Small groups and a clear emergency plan, including transport to a medical center
- No pressure, no mixing with other substances, clear consent and respect for personal boundaries
- Transparent prices and a written description of what is included
Red flags: no screening, “guaranteed healing” claims, very large groups, facilitators who also consume, or pressure to take more than you want.
Ayahuasca retreats in Colombia: where?
Retreats are offered in many places, from near Bogotá and Medellín to the Putumayo and Amazonas regions. In the Amazon, ceremonies take place in the territories where these traditions come from, often combined with time in the forest and with the communities.
Our ayahuasca program in the Colombian Amazon
Our 4-day program from Leticia includes one traditional yagé ceremony guided by a healer from Amazonian peoples, in a maloca in the forest. It includes preparation and diet guidance, integration circles, private facilitators and translators (English, Spanish, Portuguese), dieta meals and on-call integration support — plus forest walks, a tree house night and the Marasha reserve. Before booking, please tell us — and your doctor — about any medication or health condition. See the ayahuasca program, and read about the knowledge behind it in what Matapi healers taught us about the jungle at night and Indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon.
FAQ
Is there ayahuasca in Colombia?
Yes. Yagé is part of the traditions of several Indigenous peoples in the Colombian Amazon and Putumayo.
How long does an ayahuasca ceremony last?
Usually several hours during the night, followed by a day of rest and integration.
Can I take ayahuasca if I’m on antidepressants?
Not safely. The combination can cause serotonin syndrome. Speak with your doctor; never stop medication on your own.
Is ayahuasca a cure?
No. It is a traditional ceremonial practice, not a medical treatment, and no responsible retreat should promise a cure.
Ready to experience it yourself?
All expeditions are private, max 6 travelers, and depart from Leticia year-round. WhatsApp Eliceo to check availability and dates.