Alternative to LaWayra - finding consistency & affordability
LaWayra is a highly – rated, consistent, safe, authentic and affordable Ayahuasca Retreat, just like Harmonica Retreat.
Side-by-Side Comparison between LaWayra and Harmonica Retreat
LaWayra or Harmonica Retreat: Two top rated Colombian Ayahuasca retreats near Medellín — how do they actually differ? You’ll find various similarities, yet two very different experiences
Compare the two centers across shaman background, group size, medical staff, and price.
LaWayra | Harmonica Retreat | |
Location | Fredonia, Antioquia (1hr south of Medellín) | Mountain setting, ~55 min from Medellín |
Founded | 2021 | 2021 |
Tradition | Inga (Colombian Putumayo) | Kamsá Biyá (Colombian Putumayo) |
Shaman | Taita Fernando Jojoa (Inga) | Sergio Henao, Yagecero (16+ years) |
Group size | ~20–25 guests | Max 12 guests |
Retreat duration | 4, 7, 11, 18, 25 days | 3, 4, or 7 days |
Medical staff | Doctor for intake check-ups | Kevin Zapata, MD (on-site, core team) |
Research affiliation | Psychedelic Science 2025 | Imperial College London |
Price (entry) | From $945 | From $545 |
Integration | Post-retreat course, monthly calls, online community | Post-retreat course, monthly calls, online community |
- Strong operational excellence - The number of retreats create a basis for consistency
- Authentic Colombian tradition - Taita Fernando comes from a long lineage of medicine practitioners, having begun his training at age 7
- Flexible program lengths - Retreats range from 4 to 18 days with 2 to 10 ceremonies
- Accessible pricing - starting at 995 USD
- Volume of social proof- over 730 Google reviews, 300+ video testimonials, and a presence at Psychedelic Science 2025
- 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. This one is also a little different — Sam, the founder of LaWayra, is a friend of mine. We started our retreats around the same time and have both been committed to making this work accessible in Colombia. I’ve done my best to be fair to both centers. The goal, as always, is to help you find what fits you.
LaWayra's Reviews — What their Reputation Says
LaWayra has built one of the largest review profiles of any ayahuasca retreat in Colombia, and that level of consistent feedback speaks to something real. Guests frequently highlight the warmth of the team, the quality of Taita Fernando’s ceremonies, the food, and the strong sense of community that forms between participants.
- LaWayra on Retreat Guru (link)
- LaWayra on Google Reviews (link)
- Reddit — search “LaWayra” on r/ayahuasca (link)
- TripAdvisor (link)
- Aya Advisor profile: (link)
Why People Look for Alternatives to LaWayra
Despite LaWayra’s strong reputation, there are several reasons someone might explore alternatives:
- Group size - LaWayra hosts groups of around 20–25 participants, which some consider large for their preferred experience
- Location - some feel more called to travel the amazon or another another country
- A more individualized experience - with larger groups comes a different dynamic.
Why Harmonica Retreat Is a Popular Alternative to LaWayra
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
This one is personal for me. Sam and I started our retreats around the same time, in the same city, with the same mission of making this work accessible in Colombia. In a way we’ve watched each other grow and inspired each other along the way.
Sam has built something impressive at LaWayra. He’s genuinely good at operations — creating a consistent, safe, well-run experience and continuously improving based on every retreat and every piece of feedback he receives. The community he’s built around LaWayra is real and it shows in the reviews.
The biggest difference between us, from my perspective, is where we started. In the early days I was more focused on the shamanic depth of the project, Sam was more focused on operations. That led to different retreat philosophies that you can still feel today. LaWayra offers larger groups while Harmonica focuses on smaller groups, creating a more individualized experience. And — my personal take — a more potent Ayahuasca brew.
I say that with full respect for Sam and what he’s built.
- A community-focused retreat with a larger group of like-minded people appeals to you
- You want a wide range of program lengths — from 4 to 25 days
- Operational consistency and a high volume of verified social proof matter to you
- The Inga tradition from the Putumayo resonates with you
- You want a smaller, more intimate group with a more individualized experience
- The Kamsá Biyá tradition and Sergio Henao’s ceremonies call to you
- On-site medical oversight from a licensed physician throughout the retreat matters
- Higher potency of the brew
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
