The Buena Vida
Sierra de Vallejo, 20 minutes north of Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit (other venues listed in Tepoztlan, Morelos and near Puerto Vallarta)
Psilocybin is illegal in Mexico but tolerated in practice. Psilocybin retreat in Sierra de Vallejo, Mexico. Published prices from $7,000, 6 nights.
At a glance
- Legal route
- Illegal but tolerated in practice
- Lowest published price
- $7,000 (7-day retreat (Tandava, Tepoztlan venue), read 4 October 2026)
- Length
- 6 nights
- Format
- Not stated
- Approach the centre describes
- Ceremony
- Medical screening
- Described on the centre's site (not verified)
- Asks about antidepressants
- Yes, per the centre
- Integration support
- Included in at least one programme
Programmes and prices
| Programme | Length | Price | Per night or session | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day retreat (Tandava, Tepoztlan venue)3 psilocybin sessionsThe centre: “Site says the Tandava all-inclusive retreat "starts at $7,000"; no price published for the Sayulita villas. FAQ says mushroom medicine costs are separate and set by the shaman. Nights taken from 7-day label.” | 6 nights | $7,000 | $1,167 a night | Centre pageread 4 October 2026 |
Prices are what the centre published on the date shown, in its own currency. Per night and per session figures are our division of the published price.
What the centre says it offers
In the centre's own terms, from its website and the sources listed below. We have not checked these claims on site.
Included
- 3 psilocybin ceremonies
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transportation
- Massage
- Session facilitation and integration services
- Breathwork, yoga, hiking and day trips
Where you stay
- Villa Papelillos (Sayulita): private king bungalows and shared rooms
- Other venues: private suites or villa rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Team
Amanda Schendel (Founder, Director); Sarah McCunn and Autumn Flory (Wellness Directors, ceremony leaders); Stefan Amthor (lead facilitator); support staff Leo Zuniga, Kate Pritchard, Ana Judd
Screening
"Our first step is the application process which gives us information about physical/mental and emotional health and history," then an individual video consultation and signed medical waivers. The site recommends that participants, "in consultation with their doctor, remain off all SSRIs/SNRIs /Sleep/Pain meds" for at least 1-3 months before the retreat.
The law where it operates
Illegal but tolerated in practice: psilocybin and hallucinogenic mushrooms are group I psychotropics under Mexico's General Health Law, yet retreats advertise openly and we found no reported prosecution of a psilocybin retreat.
Prohibited under national law. Retreats operate openly and we found no reported prosecution of a retreat. That can change without notice, and participants and operators carry real legal risk.
Public record
No entries under our public record policy, as of 4 October 2026.
What we list and what we do not: public record policy. Paying for Featured placement or Verified checks never changes a record.
Sources
- The Buena Vida homepage, read 4 October 2026. Supports: Dates, programme outline, screening step, substances offered
- The Buena Vida FAQ, read 4 October 2026. Supports: Health application, video consultation, SSRI/SNRI guidance, inclusions
- The Buena Vida locations, read 4 October 2026. Supports: Venues, accommodation, 7 days, 3 ceremonies, Tandava price
- The Buena Vida about, read 4 October 2026. Supports: Named team
We have not inspected this centre. A listing is information from public sources, not an endorsement or a safety rating. How we list
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