FAQs

Iboga is the whole root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga plant, used ceremonially in the Bwiti tradition of Central West Africa.

Ibogaine is one isolated alkaloid from that plant, often used in clinical detox settings.

At ETÉREO, we work with the full spectrum of the plant in ceremonial containers that honor both safety and spirit.

It is important to remember that when you are working with iboga, you are ALSO working with ibogaine, as it is found within the full spectrum root bark, iboga.

Iboga, ibogaine and the many other alkaloids within this master plant have the ability to reset dopamine, interrupt addictive patterns and offer the powerful neurological reset.

When held in an appropriate setting with thorough medical screening, experienced facilitation, and proper oversight, iboga can be both a safe and profoundly transformative experience.

At ETÉREO, all guests undergo a comprehensive screening process that includes a detailed health history, a 12-lead EKG, and blood work. Medical professionals review all screening materials prior to participation, and medical support is present throughout the retreat.

One of the primary safety considerations with both iboga and ibogaine is their potential effect on the heart’s electrical activity, specifically prolongation of the QT interval. In some individuals, this can increase the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. For this reason, careful cardiovascular screening, medication review, and assessment of electrolyte balance are essential before working with the medicine.

Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for iboga. Our screening process is designed to identify potential contraindications and ensure that participation is as safe as possible for each individual.

Eligibility is based on your physical health, mental health history, personal intentions, and overall readiness for the experience. All guests complete a comprehensive medical screening and intake process to help determine whether iboga is an appropriate fit.

While iboga is often associated with addiction recovery and the treatment of significant trauma, it is not exclusively for people in crisis. Many of our guests are high-functioning individuals seeking greater clarity, purpose, self-understanding, spiritual growth, or a deeper connection to themselves and their lives.

People come to this work for a wide range of reasons, including major life transitions, creative blocks, relationship challenges, grief, personal development, and a desire to explore consciousness in a meaningful way. You do not need to be in a state of desperation to benefit from working with iboga. What matters most is that you approach the experience with sincerity, respect, and a willingness to engage with the process.

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What’s Included

Our retreats are designed to provide a comprehensive and supported experience from the moment you begin preparing until long after you return home.

Full Medical Screening Guidance
We provide support throughout the medical screening and approval process, including review of your health history, medications, supplements, laboratory results, and 12-lead EKG. Every guest is individually assessed to determine safety, eligibility, and readiness for the retreat.

Luxury or Glamping Accommodations
Depending on the retreat format, accommodations range from thoughtfully appointed luxury private rooms to comfortable glamping experiences that allow for a deeper connection with the natural environment. All lodging options are selected to support rest, privacy, and integration.

Private Chef and Nourishing Meals
All meals are prepared by our private chef using fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients. We accommodate most dietary preferences, restrictions, and allergies, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other specialized needs whenever possible.

One to Two Iboga Ceremonies
Most retreats include one or two iboga ceremonies depending on the retreat format, participant goals, and individual needs. Ceremony structure is carefully designed to prioritize safety, preparation, and integration rather than maximizing dosage or intensity.

1:1 Guidance and Group Integration
Guests receive individualized support throughout their journey, including preparation, intention setting, ceremonial support, and integration. Group sharing circles, educational workshops, and integration practices help translate insights into meaningful changes in daily life.

On-Site Medical Oversight
Medical support is available throughout the retreat. Depending on the retreat format and guest needs, this may include vital sign monitoring, wellness assessments, medication review, and collaboration with our medical team before, during, and after the experience.

Ongoing Aftercare Support
We believe the retreat is only the beginning. Guests receive continued support through post-retreat integration resources, community connection, educational materials, and guidance for navigating the weeks and months that follow their experience.

Airport Transfers
Roundtrip transportation between Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) and the retreat venue is included for arrivals and departures that align with scheduled shuttle times.

What’s Not Included
Our retreats are largely all-inclusive.
The primary expenses not included are airfare, required medical screening costs (such as EKGs and laboratory work obtained through your local providers), and any additional one-on-one medical or therapeutic services requested outside of the standard retreat offering.

Depending on the retreat location and schedule, optional add-on services may be available for an additional fee, including massage therapy, IV nutrient support, private integration sessions, bodywork, and other wellness offerings.

Our iboga retreats are intentionally small. We limit each group to 2–9 participants to ensure every guest receives the attention and support they need.

We have a very low staff to guest ratio and often times the support is 1:1.

Iboga ceremonies at ETÉREO begin at night around the fire with a traditional fire talk rooted in the Bwiti Missoko tradition. This gathering serves as a bridge between the ordinary world and the ceremonial space, offering teachings, ritual and an opportunity to enter the work with presence and intention. From there, participants move into the temple, where the ceremony unfolds throughout the night under the care of our facilitation and medical teams.

Guests remain in the temple for the duration of the night, supported by experienced guides who provide individual attention as needed while tending the collective container. Some guests experience vivid visions and memories, while others move through a more somatic, emotional, or reflective process.

Throughout the ceremony, our team monitors the space closely and remains available to offer support, reassurance, and practical care. As dawn approaches, the ceremony gradually transitions into a quieter period of rest, reflection, and integration.

While the ceremony itself is often a profound experience, we view it as one part of a larger process.

Preparation before the retreat and integration afterward are woven into the container to help guests make meaning of what arises and carry the work forward into their lives.

Bwiti is a spiritual tradition originating in Gabon, Central Africa, where iboga has been used as a sacred sacrament for generations. More than a ceremonial practice, Bwiti is a living tradition that weaves together community, music, storytelling, ancestor veneration, spiritual inquiry, and a lifelong relationship with the iboga plant.

While there are many expressions of Bwiti throughout Gabon, iboga is traditionally used to facilitate healing, self-discovery, rites of passage, and connection to the spiritual dimensions of life. Within these traditions, the medicine is not viewed as a treatment or intervention alone, but as part of a broader cultural and spiritual framework that helps individuals better understand themselves, their relationships, and their place within the world.

At ETÉREO, our work is informed by ongoing study, apprenticeship, and initiation within the Bwiti tradition. We approach this lineage with humility, recognizing that we are not recreating Gabon in Mexico, but rather working to honor the teachings, values, and spirit of the tradition while responsibly serving a contemporary and international community.

Our commitment extends beyond ceremony itself. Through reciprocity initiatives, relationship-building with teachers and communities in Gabon, cultural education, and continued learning, we strive to engage with this tradition in a way that is respectful, ethical, and rooted in genuine relationship rather than extraction.

We believe that honoring where this medicine comes from is an essential part of working with it responsibly, and that understanding its cultural roots can deepen both the experience itself and the integration that follows.

Preparation is an important part of the iboga journey and begins well before you arrive at the retreat. In the weeks leading up to your program, our team will guide you through a process designed to support physical, emotional, mental, and energetic readiness.

We hold a comprehensive group preparation meeting prior to the retreat that includes dietary recommendations, medication and supplement considerations, lifestyle suggestions, and practical guidance for approaching the experience with clarity and intention. Depending on your individual circumstances, preparation may also involve tapering certain medications under the supervision of your prescribing physician, completing medical screening requirements, and making adjustments to daily habits that could impact the experience.

Beyond the physical aspects, we encourage guests to begin cultivating a relationship with their intentions before arrival. This may include journaling, reflection, meditation, time in nature, conversations with trusted loved ones, or simply creating space to listen more deeply to what is calling you toward the work.

Our team remains available throughout the preparation process to answer questions, offer guidance, and help navigate any concerns that arise. We view preparation as the first stage of the retreat itself, helping to create the conditions for a safe, meaningful, and well-supported experience once you arrive.

Integration is a vital part of the process. ETÉREO provides post-retreat support through 1-on-1 integration calls, suggested practices, and optional community check-ins.

While we are building our permanent center on 24 acres of desert land, our iboga retreats are currently hosted at Proyecto Palmita in El Pescadero, BCS.

Our 4-day retreat containers may also be held at ETÉREO | AIRE LIBRE, our off-grid glamping basecamp on the land.

Private retreats are available in a range of settings, from simple to luxurious, depending on your needs and budget. We’ll work with you to find the right space.

Retreat pricing varies depending on the format, length, level of support, and location.

Our 8-day group immersions at Proyecto Palmita range from $7,000–$12,000 USD, depending on the level of support required.

Factors such as complex medical histories, medication tapering, detoxification needs, additional therapeutic support, and extended preparation or aftercare may influence pricing.

Our 4-day glamping retreats at ETÉREO | AIRE LIBRE begin at $4,500 USD.

We also offer private iboga experiences tailored to your individual needs. These can be held in simple desert settings, luxury villas, or custom retreat environments. Private retreats begin at $1,500 USD per day, with final pricing determined by location, staffing, accommodations, and level of support required.

Payment plans are available for many of our offerings.

For those experiencing financial hardship, scholarship support may be available through Stone West, our nonprofit sister organization dedicated to increasing access to iboga, ancestral healing traditions, integrative care, and personal transformation opportunities. Stone West provides scholarship funding through a combination of donor contributions, community fundraising efforts, and reciprocity initiatives.

Because scholarship funds are limited and demand often exceeds available resources, awards are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account financial need, personal circumstances, and available funding at the time of application.

If cost is a concern, we encourage you to apply and share your circumstances honestly. We believe transformative healing should not be reserved exclusively for those with financial means, and we will do our best to help explore available options whenever possible.