The answer is not a clean yes or no. DMT, the compound in the ayahuasca brew, is a controlled substance under Costa Rica’s Law 8204, and the law does not name the ayahuasca plants or give ceremonies an explicit exemption. Retreat centers operate across the country in that gap, and the Ministry of Health has issued public warnings about unregulated use and promotion.
What does Law 8204 say about DMT?
Law 8204 is Costa Rica’s general framework for narcotics and psychotropic substances, and DMT is controlled under it. The law prohibits production, distribution and possession without authorization. The ayahuasca vine and the leaves used in the brew are plants, and sources reviewed describe no article that addresses them by name.
Does Costa Rica have an exemption for ayahuasca ceremonies?
The sources reviewed describe no explicit nationwide exemption. Costa Rica recognizes freedom of religion, and the same sources say this does not by itself create a legal exemption for possessing or using ayahuasca.
Are ayahuasca retreats legal in Costa Rica?
Retreats operate openly, and their legal status is unsettled. Costa Rican press has described retreat centers in the Pacific, the Caribbean and the north, and Costa Rican commentators have called for clear, direct regulation. Authorities have faced confusion because some of these plants do not appear on the restricted lists of the international conventions the country has ratified.
What has the Ministry of Health said?
A summary of country law notes Ministry of Health warnings in 2022 and 2025 about unregulated use and promotion of these substances. Read the notices yourself before you decide anything.
How does Ruhani operate?
Every guest completes a medical and psychological screening before acceptance. Groups stay at 8 people or fewer. Guides are trained in first aid and CPR, an AED is on site, and a physician is on call. Faisal and the team turn people away when screening says the work is not safe for them.
What should you do before you book any retreat?
Read the source material yourself. If you hold a professional license or a security clearance, or you have a court matter pending, ask your own attorney before you travel. Ask any center how it screens guests and what happens in a medical emergency.
This page is information, not legal advice.
Safety at Ruhani is structure. You will find it laid out on the page on safety, and the full 9-week program on the Reset Retreat page.
What we share reflects our personal journey and perspective. If something doesn't resonate with you, take what serves your heart and leave the rest with love. Our posts are intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. Sacred plant medicines are powerful tools that deserve deep respect and should only be used under the guidance of skilled, experienced practitioners in a safe, ceremonial setting. Always approach them with care, preparation, and proper support. Healing is a personal path. Walk it wisely.
Sources
Secondary sources, accessed 2026-10-29.
- Wikipedia, Legal status of ayahuasca by country (source for Law 8204, the DMT classification and the 2022 and 2025 Ministry of Health warnings)
- The Legal Guide, Ayahuasca Costa Rica Legal Status and Practical Guide (source for no explicit exemption and the religion point)
- La República, Turismo de Bienestar y Plantas Sagradas en Costa Rica: La Necesidad de una Regulación Clara, larepublica.net (source for Law 8204 as the general framework and the call for clear regulation)
- Delfino.cr, Ayahuasca, Iboga, Psilocibina y turismo médico alternativo, delfino.cr, March 2025 (source for the international convention lists and the confusion among authorities)