When does the retreat begin and end?

We will meet in Bogotá on Saturday, February 13, and you can arrive any time during that day. We will stay overnight in a hotel close to the airport (a shuttle will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the hotel). Then, we will travel as a group to the retreat center on Sunday morning.

We will complete our time at the retreat center on Monday, February 22, and travel as a group back to Bogotá that day. If you wish to depart from Bogotá that day, arrange an evening flight (5:00 PM or later). Some people like to stay the night in Bogotá and fly out on Tuesday, but if choosing that option, you will need to arrange your own accommodations.

What airport will I fly into?
You will fly to El Dorado International Airport (IATA: BOG, ICAO: SKBO) serving Bogotá, Colombia, and its surrounding areas.

Do I need a visa to enter Colombia?

U.S. and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa for short-term tourist stays in Colombia; however, Canadian citizens are required to pay an immigration control fee upon arrival, currently around $85 CAD.

If you hold a passport from a country other than the U.S. or Canada, please review and confirm the list of countries that do not require a visa for short-term visits here. If you need to apply for a visa, please contact us for further assistance at admin@modernspirit.org.

What food is provided? What are the dietary considerations?
Once at the retreat location, we will observe certain food restrictions for the purposes of strengthening your connection with Ayahuasca. These restrictions will not be as strict as they would be in a Shipibo master plant diet, as we will not be doing a master plant diet.

However, in preparation to work with Ayahuasca, we have found benefit in observing a primarily vegetarian diet, avoiding excessive salt and spices, dairy, fatty foods, acidic foods, drugs, and alcohol. We will add fish as an option toward the end of the retreat. Once we complete our Ayahuasca ceremonies, we will open the diet up a bit more.

The center will provide all of our meals. Filtered water is provided for drinking at the center. For those joining the program, we will be sending further guidance for preparation for the retreat.

What are the entry requirements to travel to Colombia?
Travelers must complete Migración Colombia’s online Check-Mig form within 72 hours of boarding an inbound or outbound flight from Colombia. If the normal form’s website is down travelers can find a contingency website here.

You will not be required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID test to board a flight to the United States. If you are returning a country other than the United States, please check your country’s entry requirements. 

Our retreat is not in a mosquito-heavy area and there have not been any problems with malaria. Locals from that region report that malaria prophylaxis is not necessary. The CDC recommendations for Colombia are very broad (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/colombia), and don’t necessarily apply to this more temperate region.

How much cash should I bring to the retreat center?

Everything at the retreat center—including your meals, lodging, and retreat activities—is fully included in your retreat price. However, having some cash on hand is very useful for a few optional expenses, such as laundry services or leaving a tip for the experienced and caring retreat center staff.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to purchase local, indigenous, and artisan products (such as medicine bags, organic chocolate, paintings, and handicrafts, among others). Cash is preferred for these purchases.

Because all of these extras are completely optional, you are welcome to bring whatever amount you feel comfortable with. As a general guideline, we suggest bringing between $100 and $200 USD, depending on how much you plan to buy.