Psilocybin Retreat in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

No. The retreat is a facilitated wellness and ceremonial experience, not medical treatment or a replacement for individualized medical or psychiatric care, and no medical outcome is guaranteed. Speak with your healthcare professional about any condition, medication, or concern.

Mexican federal law lists psilocybin and psilocybin-containing mushrooms as controlled substances, while recognizing the traditional ceremonial use of sacred mushrooms by Indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities. Laws differ by country and can change, and nothing on this page is legal advice. Life Synergy’s fee covers the retreat program, accommodation, meals, facilitation, and scheduled activities; no price is assigned to any substance. Ask us any questions during your screening call, and review the laws of your home country before traveling.

Clinical trials test a standardized psilocybin dose under a research protocol, with strict eligibility rules, clinical monitoring, and regulatory oversight. State-licensed programs, such as Oregon’s psilocybin services, follow government licensing rules. Life Synergy’s retreat is neither: it is a small-group wellness and ceremonial program in Mexico that combines screening, facilitated ceremonies, yoga, breathwork, and integration time. It does not provide the clinical oversight of a research study. Read more in our guide to psilocybin research on depression and anxiety.

Choose a retreat that screens every applicant for medications, heart and blood-pressure concerns, and mental-health history before taking a deposit; keeps groups small; names its facilitators and medical contact; explains its emergency plan; is honest about what it cannot promise; and offers support after you return home. Be cautious of any retreat that promises cures, skips screening, or avoids safety questions. At Life Synergy, screening comes before any deposit, groups stay small, and the full team is introduced on this page.

In clinical research, effects typically begin within 20 to 40 minutes, peak after about 60 to 90 minutes, and last roughly four to six hours. People describe changes in perception, emotion, memory, and sense of time, and an experience can feel peaceful, meaningful, challenging, or all of these. Every experience is different and no outcome is guaranteed. On Day 2, the ceremony begins at about 11:30 AM in winter, facilitators stay with the group for the whole ceremony, and dinner follows at 5:30 PM.

No. Many guests are first-timers. Day 1 includes a smaller threshold session so the team can see how you respond before the main ceremonies, and preparation guidance is shared before you arrive. Tell the screening team about any previous experience with psychedelics or other substances.

Adults (18+) who want a structured, facilitated experience in a small group and understand that psychedelic experiences can be emotionally and physically unpredictable. Guests come for reflection, personal growth or a change of perspective. No specific outcome is promised, and participation does not guarantee relief from anxiety, depression, trauma or any other condition. If you are unsure whether it is appropriate for you, speak with your own licensed healthcare professional before applying.

Groups have up to 11 participants. Guests are typically adults aged about 25 to 65, with a balanced mix of men and women, and many are first-timers or solo travelers. The minimum age is 18.

Yes. Many guests travel solo, and the small-group format makes it easy to connect without pressure. Solo guests usually choose the Private Ensuite room ($2,300). The shared room is for two people traveling together as family or friends, so guests are never paired with a stranger.

You answer health questions and have an initial screening call about medications, health history, blood pressure, mental-health history and any previous experience with psychedelics. Screening is completed and acceptance confirmed before Life Synergy collects a direct-booking deposit, so if you are not accepted, no deposit has been taken. If more information is needed, the team explains what is required first. Third-party platforms may use different payment workflows.

It depends on the condition, the medication, your current stability and the screening review, so don’t assume eligibility. Discuss the retreat with an appropriate healthcare professional and give the screening team complete information. Never stop or change prescribed medication on your own; speak with your prescribing clinician first.

Facilitators stay with the group for the entire ceremony, a team member trained in first aid and CPR is present at ceremonies, and a vehicle and driver remain on standby. Dr. Mauricio Bussoli is reachable by phone throughout the retreat, and Playa del Carmen has private hospitals with 24-hour emergency care. The retreat is not a medical facility, so please share complete health information during screening.

Five days and four nights: check-in on Day 1 (normally 3:00 PM) and check-out on Day 5 (normally 11:00 AM). Special editions can differ; their length is shown with their dates.

Standard retreats are based at Hotel Via 38 or IT Boutique Hotel in Playa del Carmen, or at a jungle villa in Sacbé in selected cases, with ceremonies and activities at nearby nature locations, including areas around Ruta de los Cenotes. Guests receive exact arrival and venue details for their selected date.

Fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN), about 55 km (34 miles) north of Playa del Carmen and typically a 45- to 60-minute drive. Airfare and airport transfers are not included; Life Synergy can arrange a private transfer, currently quoted at USD $87 (reconfirm before travel). Check-in is normally at 3:00 PM on Day 1, so plan to land by early afternoon or arrive the day before.

Playa del Carmen is one of Mexico’s most visited beach destinations. As in any busy tourist area, use normal precautions: keep valuables secure, use licensed transportation, and check your government’s current travel advice before you go. During the retreat, the team arranges transportation to all scheduled off-site activities.

The retreat is held in English. Some traditional chants in the temazcal are sung in Sadi’s native language, and he welcomes questions about their meaning.

When possible, start about a month ahead: reduce alcohol and recreational substances, make dietary changes gradually, stay hydrated, and consider journaling about what you hope to explore. Avoid abrupt fasting, and do not stop prescribed medication or medically necessary foods without advice from your healthcare professional. Don’t arrive intoxicated, and tell the screening team about alcohol, cannabis, supplements and other substances.

All meals are included. They are nutrient-dense, and vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free options may be available. Share allergies and dietary needs during screening, and ask before booking how the kitchen handles cross-contact, diabetes, eating disorders or medically prescribed diets. Menus vary by venue and date.

The price covers four nights’ accommodation, all meals, both facilitated ceremonies, the Day 1 medical Q&A and threshold session, yoga, meditation, breathwork, temazcal, cacao, a cenote or nature activity, transport to scheduled activities, an integration guide and a one-to-one integration call after you return home. The retreat is sold as one inclusive program. Airfare, airport transfers, personal purchases and extra hotel nights are not included.

After screening and acceptance, a non-refundable deposit secures the booking. Full payment is due two days before the retreat begins, or no later than arrival before hotel check-in. If a participant cancels, amounts paid are non-refundable but may be transferred as credit to any future Life Synergy retreat without a time limit. Third-party bookings follow that platform’s terms.

Each guest receives an integration guide and resources, and a one-to-one integration call with Juan or the team after you return home is included in the price. Integration support does not replace ongoing care from your own therapist or healthcare professional.