Reviews of our Ayahuasca Retreats

The most profound, life changing experience of my life. You will be guided, protected, taught and cared for my Jim , Hector, Gina and the whole Hummingbird staff. The only place I will drink Ayahuasca. I would give this center 10/5 stars if I could. The light is strong here, they know how to use it and they are ready to share it with you. Oh and the property is gorgeous, has everything you need and the food is delicious. Give yourself the greatest gift of love and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. I will be forever grateful

My second retreat in Hummingbird. Hummingbird Healing Center provides everything you need for a safe, healthy and effective retreat. I have been to Hummingbird Healing Center in 2014 and 2023 July. In both of them I felt and experienced that anything needed for healing is provided in the center. I mean not only in relation to physical and mental health but also spiritual perspective and guidance. Being on a shamanic path and self-development journey for long time I can confidently say that you get best guidance from Jim, the owner, before and after the ceremonies and for the integration phase. His personal journey on the healing path makes a big difference on the experience because I feel this journey is much more than the sum of the ayahuasca ceremonies and Jim knows how to make it for you to get most out of your time in the center. This is not about the number of ceremonies he has been to but his depth and variety of healing experiences on his personal path and with others. There has been no moment I did not feel I am physically and spiritually supported. The shaman, Don Hector, is very impressive and powerful. You will feel his presence, energy and power not only in ayahuasca ceremonies but also in healing sessions in the day time. He is very caring soul and strong person. The shaman in my first retreat 9 years ago was good as well. From the selection of the shaman and every detail, I can say that the quality is reliable, consistent and excellent in this place. The atmosphere in the center, the cleanness of the rooms and facilities and food are great. I did not hesitate even a moment when I decided for the second ayahuasca retreat and I will definitely go again to hummingbird if I need again.

My stay- . What a life changing experience!!! Over and over I heard Ayahuasca could change my life- it is true. Like many I had never had Ayahuasca before I was nervous, apprehensive and very excited. I am grateful to the Hummingbird staff for creating such a beautiful place of safety, healing and “realness.” The energy for healing was powerful. I felt my needs were taken seriously, it was the goal of Jim, Don Hector and all others that healing occurred as I allowed. From the time I sent in my application form to when I left Hummingbird - I felt Jim to be very open and communicated expectations and information I needed to know before, during and after my time at the retreat center. Before our first ceremony, Jim explained to the group what might happen during a trip, and to trust, surrender and allow the medicine to do what it knew to do for individual healing. During the ceremonies I knew I was safe and supported through the Icaros that Don Hector(the Shaman) sang and Jim “listening:” to the energy of the molka. The space in which I lived for 12 days was comfortable and well managed. Three meals a day, (except ceremony days) was yummy and plentiful. The pond was a wonderful way to cool off. The jungle is beautiful and naturally noisy, The porch was open and inviting, we naturally came together to discuss If you are looking for a life changing Ayahuasca experience- where you feel safe and very well taken care of- I highly recommend the Hummingbird Healing Center!

I recently attended the hummingbird healing center, and I want to share my incredible experience. This retreat center exceeded all my expectations and provided a safe and transformative environment for my personal growth and healing. The facilitator, Jim, was amazing and made my stay very comfortable. He is very knowledgeable about Ayahuasca, and the spiritual journey, and was exactly what I needed during my ceremonies. After the ceremonies, I decided to sleep in the Maloka, and Jim kindly stayed there with me until I felt comfortable. He was always available for private discussions and answered any questions or concerns I had. Jim went above and beyond to make sure I felt safe and calm throughout my stay. The shaman, Don Hector, was very special. His techniques during the ceremonies were exceptional, and you could feel his energy throughout. No matter what I was going through during the ceremonies, I always felt safe and secure because of Jim and Don Hector. Don Hector was always in control and dedicated all his energy to healing everyone in the ceremonies. His healing abilities were incredibly strong, and I could feel his work on me even outside of the ceremonies where he was providing healing sessions. I could feel his energy and my energy and mood would change completely in a matter of minutes, it was unbelievable. He was always willing to help us, no matter the time of day. Don Hector is an amazing healer and I am not sure if there are too many better than him out there. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, and the food was amazing. I have no complaints at all and feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have had my ceremonies with Jim and Don Hector at this retreat center. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. In conclusion, my Ayahuasca retreat was a life-changing journey. Jim's support and expertise, along with Don Hector's powerful healing, created an environment of safety and growth. I highly recommend this retreat center to anyone looking for a safe and transformative Ayahuasca experience. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

I spent 2 weeks at the Hummingbird Healing Centre recently and it has forever changed my life. Prior to my experience I spent years battling crippling bouts of depression, anxiety, self hatred and suicidal thoughts. In two weeks at Hummingbird, my entire outlook on life has changed... I'm so happy to be alive and have newfound compassion for myself and others. Do not believe the negative reviews directed at Jim... he is a terrific and extremely knowledgeable man. Gina is such a wonderful beacon of love and I feel good knowing a man like Shaman Don Hector exists on this earth. If I could give 20 stars, I would.

Excellent choice for a meaningful experience! I highly recommend the Hummingbird retreat. The place is beautiful, and the facilitators are amazing. Jim and Don Hector do their best to ensure the experience is meaningful and safe. It was a truly life-changing experience for me. I could not have asked for better settings and outcome.

Best ayahuasca ceremony and plant medicine healing expereince I could dream of. It was absolutely fantastic experience to stay at Hummingbird Center for my healing work in Peru. I spent 3 weeks here, did 10 ayahuasca ceremonies, 2 days of San Padro experience separately, and 2 Dieta processes working with another 2 different plant medicine. It's a beautiful and loving place in the jungle. Very safe and comfortable, and the staff provides high-quality service on a daily base. Jim is so knowledgeable and experienced to help us coming from all walks of life, and Sharmen Don Hector is amazing with his ability to sing and heal us either at ayahuasca ceremonies or in separate individual healing work. Challenges for me include mosquito buns and cold showers, though I love the plant bath Don Hector prepared for us regularly.

This review is purely about the facility and not the actual ayahuasca and huachuma/San Pedro experiences (but I can say that those experiences were life changing). Going into wanting to do ayahuasca I did a ton of research. I looked at over 30 places across Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia and Brazil. While there are some places in the US (and other countries), I felt that focusing on the countries/locations with the longest history of doing these ceremonies was important to having the best experience. I wanted the following. And please note, I list this not to judge other locations and the way they operate but more about what I wanted and why I chose this location. - Not a new location - The retreat focused more time on self-improvement (i.e. some places felt more like vacation spots e.g. "and in the afternoon we swim with the dolphins" or "and we do day trips to see X") - The number of people that were a part of each ceremony. Some places had 80-100 and, to me, that would have been distracting for me. - The cost - The grounds themselves. - Having my own room. Sharing with someone may have been ok, but I was worried that my experience could have been impacted by a roommate that I didn't mesh with. - Good reviews Having just returned I can say that Hummingbird was exactly what I was looking for for the following reasons: - Jim, the owner, was fantastic about communication. He answered questions prior to registeration. He was helpful in terms of questions I had about diet, activities, etc to do prior to visiting. The information he shared prior to arrival (e.g. clothing and gear to bring, lodging and restaurants in the area prior to the retreat, pick up times, locations, etc), was helpful. - The pick up in town and drop off after the retreat were spot on. Safe locations. On time. - The lodging was exactly what I expected/as advertised. - I had my own room. - The days were a perfect combination of teachings, ceremonies and down time. To me I wanted time to be able to process my thoughts and experiences and not feel like I was busy every minute of every day. - There was plenty to eat at each meal. The only knock I might have here is that the meals did tend to be similar (a lot of rice, lentils and eggs) but that is also somewhere related to the foods you should/should be consuming during ayahuasca. - The ground were beautiful and immaculate. - The rooms were cleaned daily. - Laundry was done on a regular basis. - The location was close enough to the city so that it wasn't a long drive from/to there before/after the retreat, but you couldn't see it (not much light pollution and no sound pollution). - The cost was much less than some places. - The ceremonies were well run. - The non-ceremonies events/teachings were very complementary to the ceremonies. - I felt 100% safe the entire time. - Jim and his wife were incredibly friendly and helpful. In terms of any negatives, I honestly can't think of any, but that is my opinion. Some things that I could see being a concern for some people would be the following: - Electricity is only on during certain parts of the day. Again, this wasn't a concern for me as it was on enough to be able to charge my phone daily. - Connectity to the outside world is possible but not robust. The cellular network does reach the retreat but it's a bit slower. And wifi isn't provided on a regular basis but Jim did allow people to utilize his hotspot when needed. - The toilets are composting toilets. - The showers only have ambient temperature water. No hot water. - If you feel the need to be entertained throughout the day then this may not be an ideal setting for you. To me the days were a perfect combination of teachings, ceremonies and downtime, but others may want more planned activities. - The city of Iquitos isn't hard to get to, but it isn't easy either. It just adds another stop along the way. Again, no of the above were issues for me but they may be for others. I would highly recommend Hummingbird for someone that is open to a location that is less "spa" and more natural.

The Authenticity Ayahuasca Experience. If you truly want an authentic Ayahuasca experience than look no further. Set in the Amazon jungle as a backdrop to this spectacular facility is the real world of Mother Ayahuasca. Jim and Don Hector will guide you to a life changing journey of spiritual enlightenment. Look no further you have found your destination.

Life changing experience. This review is purely about the facility and not the actual ayahuasca and huachuma/San Pedro experiences (but I can say that those experiences were life changing). Going into wanting to do ayahuasca I did a ton of research. I looked at over 30 places across Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia and Brazil. While there are some places in the US (and other countries), I felt that focusing on the countries/locations with the longest history of doing these ceremonies was important to having the best experience. In terms of what I was looking for, I wanted the following. And please note, I list this not to judge other locations and the way they operate but more about what I wanted and why I chose this location. - Not a new location (had relatively longer history of operation) - The retreat focused more time on self-improvement (i.e. some places felt more like vacation spots e.g. "and in the afternoon we swim with the dolphins" or "and we do day trips to see X") - The number of people that were a part of each ceremony. Some places had 80-100 and, to me, that would have distracted me from being able to focus on me. - The cost - The grounds themselves. Were they too close to metro areas (i.e. more noise, light, distractions). - Having my own room. Sharing with someone may have been ok, but I was worried that my experience could have been impacted by a roommate that I didn't mesh with. - Good reviews Having just returned I can say that Hummingbird was exactly what I was looking for for the following reasons: - Jim, the owner, was fantastic about communication. He answered questions prior to registeration. He was helpful in terms of questions I had about diet, activities, etc to do prior to visiting. The information he shared prior to arrival (e.g. clothing and gear to bring, lodging and restaurants in the area prior to the retreat, pick up times, locations, etc), was helpful. - The pick up in town and drop off after the retreat were spot on. Safe locations. On time. - The lodging was exactly what I expected/as advertised. - I had my own room. - The days were a perfect combination of teachings, ceremonies and down time. To me I wanted time to be able to process my thoughts and experiences and not feel like I was busy every minute of every day. - There was plenty to eat at each meal. The only knock I might have here is that the meals did tend to be similar (a lot of rice, lentils and eggs) but that is also somewhere related to the foods you should/should be consuming during ayahuasca. - The ground were beautiful and immaculate. - The rooms were cleaned daily. - Laundry was done on a regular basis. - The location was close enough to the city so that it wasn't a long drive from/to there before/after the retreat, but you couldn't see it (not much light pollution and no sound pollution). - The cost was much less than some places. - The ceremonies were well run. - The non-ceremonies events/teachings were very complementary to the ceremonies. - I felt 100% safe the entire time. - Jim and his wife were incredibly friendly and helpful. In terms of any negatives, I honestly can't think of any, but that is my opinion. Some things that I could see being a concern for some people would be the following: - Electricity is only on during certain parts of the day. Again, this wasn't a concern for me as it was on enough to be able to charge my phone daily. - Connectity to the outside world is possible but not robust. The cellular network does reach the retreat but it's a bit slower. And wifi isn't provided on a regular basis but Jim did allow people to utilize his hotspot when needed. - The toilets are composting toilets. - The showers only have ambient temperature water. No hot water. - If you feel the need to be entertained throughout the day then this may not be an ideal setting for you. To me the days were a perfect combination of teachings, ceremonies and downtime, but others may want more planned activities. - The city of Iquitos isn't hard to get to, but it isn't easy either. It just adds another stop along the way. Again, no of the above were issues for me but they may be for others. I would highly recommend Hummingbird for someone that is open to a location that is less "spa" and more natural.

Loz Solo female traveller Australia . Hi Everyone! As a solo female traveller, a lot of my family and friends were concerned about me going into the Amazon and taking Ayahuasca. As soon as I got to the retreat, I felt safe and comfortable with the retreat and all the people there, and I knew I made the right choice, which was such a relief! You're in good hands with Jim and Don Hector. I had quite a life changing experience on this retreat and words can not say how grateful I am chose this facility. Much love Loz

Life-changing healing. I booked a 12 day retreat at Hummingbird and could not recommend the experience enough to anyone else who is seeking change. Jim & Gina are wonderful, attentive hosts who ensure that your comfort is maximised. Jim is a very intelligent man who has spent over a decade working with ayahuasca. He is a brilliant facilitator who helps you through your own journey. Don Hector is something else. He has been working with the medicine for over 50 years and I have never seen anyone possess the healing abilities he possesses. The facilities and itinerary is without flaws. Everything was comfortable and clean and the food was delicious and plentiful. No worries on that side of things. This experience changed my life. The key with this medicine is to find the right setting, the right healers to guide you, and have the right intentions. Humming bird takes care of the first two and helps you take care of the third. Spend the money; expect good things; trust and surrender.

The Experience Was Better Than I Could Ever Imagined. I waited a month after my trip to write this review to see how I truly felt about the experience. One month later, I still do not have the words to fully describe how GRATEFUL I am for Jim, the staff & Ayahuasca. Hummingbird Healing Center has changed/saved my life. The lessons that I learned at his center have been lessons I have been seeking all my adult life. I originally booked the trip for depression issues. I had a lot of childhood trauma that I needed to work out. I suffered for more than 20 years and have tried many western medicines (prescriptions). I think western medicine is important but going back to let nature heal me is so liberating. I went to Hummingbird for a "cure" from depression but what I got out of the experiences is more than I could have asked for. It is one of those things where I knew it would help but I didn't know exactly how. I cry in gratitude every time I think about it. I learned things about myself, my past, and my mindset that I did not know or did not want to acknowledge. Some of the things that Ayahuasca showed me were hard pills to swallow and that usually is the case with Ayahuasca. Having a good GUIDE/HEALER is essential when you face difficult realities and new perceptions during and after the ceremony. When it comes to healing it is difficult physically, mentally, and emotionally, but Ayahuasca helps you make sense of it so that you can move past it. Jim gives you insight so you can move forward. The Peruvian Ayahuasca healer Don Fernando is powerful. He has been practicing plant medicine and healing for 40+ years They are a dynamic trio. I am grateful for the wisdom and realness that Jim provided before during and after each ceremony. I believe that I was given the tools and mindset at this healing center to not only change my life, heal, and grow but to help others as well. I already see changes in my job, my relationships, my family, and my beliefs and behaviors. I have gained a sense of peace that I have never known and I will continue to do inner work to keep it. Inner work post Ayahuasca ceremonies are super important. It's' called integration. Find a group or a coach who can assist you with integration. There are a lot of feelings, belief changes, and realizations that you will get at Hummingbird so soak it all in. Come with an open mind and heart. Enjoy living in the jungle for a few days/weeks, and let mother nature heal you. ******Please read all the emails Jim sends you, follow the instructions about the diet, and read the recommended books. This will help you get the MOST out of your investment. This is an INVESTMENT in YOU. Don't half assss it. Jim, if you read this --- THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! I will see you again soon with more people who need your healing.

Life changing experience!! The hummingbird retreat is beyond amazing! I felt safe and very comfortable. Jim is an amazing human and incredibly intelligent. He was very supportive through each ceremony! He is very informative outside of the ceremonies as well. I learned so much from him and he will always hold a lace in my heart! Jim and his wife and family are so welcoming and have the best energy. The jungle is out of this world and the retreat is gorgeous! I felt very connected to the jungle and to our group. It was a trip of a lifetime! Aya and San Pedro are so incredible and have changed my life and I’m so glad I got this opportunity.

Don't dwell on the negative reviews. I could fill volumes with the beautiful expiriences I had in my 12 days at Hummingbird but that would not help amyone with making their descions to attend Hummingbird. So I want to focus on what made me apprehensive when choosing this ayauscha retreat. If your like me you went right to the 1 to 3 star reviews and based you judgment on those reviews and not the positive ones. I personally went in very skeptical and studied Jim to determine if he was out for money and not intentional in his practice. What I discovered is Jim is a great facilitator of the medicine, I felt safe, and he earned my trust. Jim doesn't try to interfere with your healing he creates a space for you and the medicine and allows you to have your own journey. This was important to me as any plant medicine journey is your own and expecting guidance robs oneself of their own healing. He is their upon request to facilitate your journey but understands that it's you who must do the work. This is not a retreat for the psychonaut this retreat is for you to work with the medicines to heal yourself and should be ripe with intention. I had conversation with Jim were I shared with him my apprehensions about him and the whole experience and he met me with no resistance and just understanding. As Jim says he is not their to entertain you, which for some I could see as coming off harsh but it's not. For me that type of interference would have made me skeptical of his true intentions. He is not perfect no one is perfect, and ayauscha is only going to give you back what you put into it. Now I have not had expirience with other retreats but I am sensitive to people energy and his energy was nothing but benevolent. If your on the edge and negative reviews have dissuaded you then rest assured Hummingbird is a safe option. As for Don Fernando he is a beautiful soul and you will feel his energy instantly. I felt no negative energy from him and his healing in ceremony is profoundly powerful. I watched myself and other heal is the most beautiful way from the free spirit to the trapped spirit. Our group was rather small consisting of only 4 people and can see that with 12 people difficulties could arise, but that is to be expected when you have so many different energies in the room. The accommodations are basic (which is why I choose hummingbird) so if you want luxury go somewhere else. Even with the basic accommodations it is still quite luxurious. The staff literally rakes the paths and grounds clean. Gina Jim's wife is a strong beautiful spirit and her behind the scene actions are felt in her design of the retreat, providing the food, and directing the clean up services. My personal opinion is that if you find fault in this retreat it is you not them and likely is the very place you should be to work with the medicines. Go in open your mind and allow the healing to happen you won't be disappointed. In the words of Jim allow yourself to become addicted to joy.

One of the most significant things I have ever done. When I came to Hummingbird in November 2021, I was emotionally and spiritually destitute. I was burned out, cynical, and downright depressed. I had wanted to try ayahuasca as a shock to my system, to reset and process the previous few (difficult and grief-ridden) years. Jim was caring and supportive from the beginning. He listened to my rationale for coming and suggested I stay longer and engage in an ajo sacha dieta, a traditional healing practice for anxiety and depression. My experiences with ayahuasca were wild, vivid, terrifying, healing, and life-changing. It wasn't easy drinking ayahuasca 6 times in the span of a couple weeks. The ayahuasca-dieta combination stripped me emotionally bare. It was difficult to handle, but the environment Jim fostered made me feel safe enough to continue with my work and focus on myself. This was a key ingredient, and I don't think I could have finished the retreat without it. Don Fernando made the environment feel spiritually safe, and--I'm not kidding--his beautiful icaros still get stuck in my head to this day! I'm writing this review a couple months later after revolutionalizing my life outlook. Things aren't perfect, but I've either beaten or learned anough about to beat most of the problems that plagued me before I drank ayahuasca. I'm way happier, more loving, and more social. I'm excited to live again. If you're considering an ayahuasca retreat, go to Hummingbird. I can't imagine a better environment in which to engage in healing work. I'll leave you with some answers regarding concerns I had before going: * Yes, Hummingbird is quite rustic. I came to see it as a positive and wouldn't want to drink ayahuasca in any other environment. It's great to be so close to nature. The ayahuasca is going to destroy your sense of the world anyway, so why would you care about marble countertops or 24/7 electricity? * There are a couple reviews online where people didn't seem to get along with Jim. Jim is sweet, loving, and caring. He holds a wealth of knowledge about plant medicine and shares it every chance he gets. I used several of his strategies during my medicine work with great success. He is very honest, and that is because he wants the best for everyone who comes to him. He's anything but mean, but if you're not ready for the truth, I can see how you'd get defensive. Ayahuasca is about facing yourself as you truly are. * The food is about as good as you could possibly hope for while adhering to the draconian dietary requirements for ayahuasca. Take the dietary work seriously; it will help you get more out of the experience. * There's not a great deal to do other than working with plant medicine, preparing to work with plant medicine, and recovering from plant medicine. We took a field trip to the local manate rescue center one day and a few folks went into town a few times. This gave me ample time to begin integrating my experiences. Do not discount the importance of integration. Hummingbird is a healing center, not a resort, and certainly not a casual tourist attraction. * Hummingbird will coordinate your return COVID-19 test on the way back to Iquitos on your departure day, if needed.

Amazing experience! I stayed in Hummingbird Ayahuasca Retreat Centre in September 2021 for a three weeks. I healed irritable bowel syndrome, my blocks, lack of self confidence and relived burden past. As my adventure ended a new phase of my spiritual journey began. And it continues every day, adding energy, creativity, direction and passion to every facet of my life. I am extremally grateful to Jim, Gina, Don Fernando and all Hummingbird staff. This is truly magic place.