Alternative to New Life Rising: Find What Fits You
New Life Rising has built a warm, deeply personal ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, led by a husband-and-wife team with over a decade of experience.
Side-by-Side Comparison between New Life Rising and Harmonica Retreat
New Life Rising or Harmonica Retreat: Peruvian Mestizo tradition in Costa Rica or Kamsá Biyá yagé in Colombia?
Below we break down the key differences — from tradition and team structure to medical support and setting.
New Life Rising | Harmonica Retreat | |
Location | Costa Rica (+ Texas) | Colombia, near Medellín |
Operating since | 2014 | 2021 |
Tradition | Peruvian Mestizo | Kamsá Biyá (Colombian yagé) |
Team | Matt & Jeanae (couple, 2-person team) | Yagecero (shaman), musician, |
Group size | Max 14 guests | Max 12 guests |
Medical staff | CPR/crisis-trained team | Kevin Zapata, MD (on-site) |
Setting | Costa Rica jungle, pool & jacuzzi | Mountain setting near Medellín |
- A couple leading the work together - experiencing that union can be powerful to witness
- Long dedication to the path - working with the plant medicine since 2014 and returning yearly to the amazon
- A trauma-informed approach - the program is designed around emotional safety, nervous system regulation, and personal boundaries
- location accessibility - hosting retreats in Texas and Costa Rica
- Mestizo tradition- hundreds of consistent 5 star reviews across multiple platforms and strong parternships
- Medical safety - onsite health clinic, doctor's office, and permit through the Costa Rican Ministry of Health
- Intimate-ish group sizes -between 17 and 22 guests per retreat
A note before you read on...
Worth saying clearly: this comparison is written by Harmonica Retreat, so read it with that in mind. We’ve tried to present New Life Rising fairly — Matt and Jeanae have built something genuine and well-loved. Our aim isn’t to convince you Harmonica is the better choice. It’s to give you an honest enough picture that you can figure that out for yourself.
New Life Rising's Reviews — What the Reputation Says
Reviews of New Life Rising consistently highlight the warmth Matt and Jeanae bring to the work, the safety guests feel throughout the retreat, and the genuine care in how the experience is held. That kind of consistent feedback after a decade of work reflects real dedication.
- New Life Rising on Retreat Guru (link)
- New Life Rising on Google Reviews (link)
- Reddit — search “New Life Rising” on r/ayahuasca (link)
- Aya Advisor (link)
As always, pay attention to the 3 and 4-star reviews — they tend to offer the most balanced and honest picture of any retreat.
We encourage you to research them thoroughly before making any decision:
Why People Look for Alternatives to New Life Rising
Despite New Life Rising’s warmth and dedication, there are genuine reasons someone might explore alternatives:
- Facilitator-to-guest ratio - with a maximum of 14 participants held by two facilitators, some guests may want a larger support team
- Tradition - New Life Rising works within the Peruvian Mestizo tradition, learned through a Western-born teacher. Some people specifically seek out an indigenous healer
- Location - Ayahuasca is not native to Costa Rica, some might prefer another country
- Price Point - Their price point reflect Costa Rica prices, yet there is more accessible pricing available
Why Harmonica Retreat Is a Popular Alternative to New Life Rising
Here is what tends to matter most to people who choose Harmonica:
- Intimate group sizes - max 12 participants
- Medical screening and supervision
- Traditional ceremonies led by Yagecero Sergio Henao with 16+ years of experience (Colombian Yagé tradition)
- Track record over 1000+ participants hosted, 250 verified 5 star reviews
- Price Point starting at 545 USD for a weekend retreat with 1350 USD for a one week retreat, a combination of affordability and quality you won't find elsewhere.
- Integration Support free monthly online community calls for ongoing support
Side-by-Side Comparison between New Life Rising and Harmonica Retreat
New Life Rising | Harmonica Retreat | |
Location | Costa Rica (+ Texas) | Colombia, near Medellín |
Operating since | 2014 | 2021 |
Tradition | Peruvian Mestizo | Kamsá Biyá (Colombian yagé) |
Team | Matt & Jeanae (couple, 2-person team) | Yagecero (shaman), musician, |
Group size | Max 14 guests | Max 12 guests |
Medical staff | CPR/crisis-trained team | Kevin Zapata, MD (on-site) |
Setting | Costa Rica jungle, pool & jacuzzi | Mountain setting near Medellín |
I really resonate with what Matt and Jeanae have built. Doing this work as a couple is beautiful — there’s something special about entering ceremony together, and they come across as genuine, down-to-earth people.
From my own experience running retreats: a team of two for up to 14 guests can be genuinely challenging — checking in on everyone in the morning after ceremony, being available around the clock. I’m not saying it can’t be done; When I started, I was facilitating alone for groups of 12. I just know the weight that carries.
New Life Rising works within the Peruvian Mestizo lineage. Some participants may prefer a healer from a local indigenous community instead — though it’s worth saying that’s often more about perception than actual experience.
I think Matt and Jeanae have built something genuinely good. This is based on what I’ve seen online, not on knowing them personally — so take it as one perspective, not the full picture.
- You’re drawn to the intimacy of a couple personally leading every retreat
- The Peruvian Mestizo tradition and a trauma-informed approach resonate with you
- You have the funds to attend the retreat
- You want a dedicated team with defined roles supporting you around the clock
- Want accessible pricing and easy logistics from Medellín
- Feel called to the Colombian yagé tradition
- On-site medical oversight from a licensed physician is important
Free 30 minute consultation with our lead female facilitator
Reach out today to get a free consultation with Jenna Ram
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE CALL:
1.Who you are and what draws you to Ayahuasca
2. Whether Ayahuasca feels right for you now
3. What you’re looking for in a retreat
4. Any questions about Ayahuasca or our retreats
