FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Questions:
Your final destination is Riberalta, Bolivia. When flying from another country, you’ll have to fly to either the Santa Cruz (VVI) or La Paz (LPB) airport first, and then take a connecting flight to Riberalta. There are daily flights to Riberalta with the airlines Amaszonas and EcoJet.
For International Travelers, we generally recommend guests fly into Santa Cruz and take a connecting flight to Riberalta with Amaszonas.
Most guests choose to arrive on an afternoon flight the same day the retreat begins. For international travelers, we recommend they arrive a day earlier to acclimatize and rest.
We typically leave around 3:30 PM. Each retreat is different and we may head out earlier depending on arrival times. We will coordinate this information directly with each participant.
If you arrive on the day the retreat begins, we will meet you at the airport and transport you to the retreat center. If you arrive days before the retreat starts, we will meet you at your hotel/hostal and transport you to the retreat center. A taxi from the airport to any hotel is maximum 20bs ($3usd). Transportation to and from Pisatahua is included in the retreat fees.
The journey by bus can be a bit unpredictable, especially during the rainy season. Nevertheless the trip is feasible and some guests choose to make the journey. The trip costs about 180 Bs ($25) from La Paz or Santa Cruz and should last about 26 hours in the dry season.
The trip is not for the fainthearted but the landscapes are impressive. We do not recommend guests arrive by bus during the rainy season (December through March) as the road conditions can make travel impossible.
Preparation Questions:
Our retreats are all inclusive and no additional funds are required once on retreat; however, guests should bring additional money for expenses occurred before and after the retreat begins. There are a few different banks with ATMs is the main plaza of Riberalta.
Guests are also welcome to leave a tip for the support staff.
We provide guests with a natural soap made from Brazil-nut oil. We also provide all guests with a clay called Qhollpa to use as a natural and non-toxic replacement for shampoos. Since no sugar or strong flavors are consumed, guests can efficiently clean their teeth using a toothbrush without toothpaste; or they can use another clay we provide called Phasa.
Guests may still want to bring their own toiletries and are welcome to do so as long as they are all natural. These products are not available in Riberalta, so guests must plan ahead.
Fortunately our center doesn’t have as many mosquitoes as many locations in the jungle. Nevertheless, mosquitoes exist and we provide guests with natural insect repellents made from essential oils. These repellents are not effective for everyone and we suggest guests to bring their own repellents as well.
It is preferable to refrain from using mosquito repellent with DEET during your time with us to minimize that amount of toxic chemicals on your body and negative environmental impact. Please note that the best protection against mosquitoes is staying covered with long-sleeve shirts, pants, and socks.
*All of our buildings are well screened and secure. Every bed is also covered with a mosquito net for extra protection.
Health and Safety Questions:
Fortunately Riberalta and the Aquicuana Reserve are not high-risk areas for Malaria. We’ve never had a case at Pisatahua and do not suggests patients take anti-malarial medications; nevertheless the decision is still up to each individual.
For those who still prefer taking pharmaceutical anti-malarial medication, Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) shows no contraindications when taken in conjunction with ayahuasca. Lariam is not recommended.
Facility Questions:
Pisatahua is currently off-grid and we must generate our own electricity. Electricity use is limited to power a few appliances such as common-area lighting, water pumps, and kitchen equipment.
Guests will have a limited opportunity to charge their electrical devices. If you have a device that will absolutely require charging, we recommend bringing an extra battery pack or solar charger with you.