Last updated: September 26, 2026
1. Who we are
Alma Healing Center (“Alma,” “we,” “us”) is operated by Sandra as an individual, not as a registered company, offering plant-medicine retreats and ceremonies in the Mindo cloudforest and in Tumbaco, near Quito, Ecuador.
Contact: [email protected] · WhatsApp +593 985 271 478
2. What these terms cover
These Terms & Conditions apply to anyone who books or attends a retreat, ceremony, or workshop with Alma Healing Center, whether booked through our website, WhatsApp, or email.
3. Booking process
As described on our Pricing and Booking Guide page:
1. You contact us by email or WhatsApp with the retreat and dates you’re interested in.
2. We send a health questionnaire. Completing this honestly and in full is required before we can confirm your place. For complex medical or medication histories, we may arrange a short call with Paulina before confirming.
3. Your place is confirmed once we receive a deposit of 50% of the total price. The remaining balance is due 2 weeks before the retreat start date.
4. Once confirmed, we send preparation materials (diet guidelines, packing list, logistics, and what to expect).
We accept Venmo, Wise, PayPal, bank transfer (international wire), and cash in USD on arrival (deposits must be transferred before arrival). Payment plans/installments can be arranged on request.
4. Cancellation and refund policy
This is our current published cancellation policy (from the Pricing and Booking Guide):
- Cancellations received 61 or more days before the retreat start date: 30% penalty per person (70% refunded).
- Cancellations received 31–60 days before the retreat start date: 50% penalty per person (50% refunded).
- Cancellations received within 30 days of the retreat start date: non-refundable.
If Alma needs to cancel or postpone a retreat:
If we cancel or postpone a retreat with reasonable advance notice, we will transfer your deposit to another retreat date within the following 365 days, at your choice. If a cancellation or postponement happens at very short notice, the same cancellation-window penalties above may apply (i.e., we may need to apply a fee or retain the deposit, depending on how close to the retreat date the change occurs), since by that point we’ve typically already committed non-recoverable costs (accommodation, food, staff, transport).
5. Health screening and eligibility
Completing our health questionnaire honestly is a condition of booking. Certain medications and health conditions (including but not limited to SSRIs/MAOIs and other psychiatric medications, heart conditions, and pregnancy) can interact seriously with plant medicines. Please see our Safety and Medical Screening page for details.
We reserve the right to decline or postpone participation, before or during a retreat, if we believe it is not safe for you to participate — including based on information disclosed at screening, on arrival, or observed during the retreat.
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in any Alma Healing Center retreat or ceremony.
6. Assumption of risk
Participation in ayahuasca and other plant-medicine ceremonies involves physical, psychological, and emotional risks. By booking, you acknowledge that:
- Plant medicines are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment, and Alma does not claim to cure any disease or condition.
- You are responsible for disclosing your full and honest medical, psychiatric, and medication history.
- You participate in ceremonies voluntarily and at your own risk, following the guidance of Alma’s facilitators.
Our health/intake questionnaire, which you complete before booking is confirmed, includes an informed consent and liability waiver. By completing and submitting that questionnaire, you agree to its terms in addition to these Terms & Conditions.
7. Travel, accommodation, and what’s included
Prices for multi-day retreats include accommodation, meals, ceremonies, and transport to/from the Quito area, and pre/post-retreat support, as stated on the Pricing and Booking Guide. Airfare to Ecuador is not included. You are responsible for your own travel insurance, visas, and vaccinations as required for travel to Ecuador.
8. Photography and testimonials
We may take photos or videos during parts of your retreat (outside of ceremonies) for use on our website and social media. We do not photograph or film during ceremonies themselves, out of respect for participants’ privacy. If you would prefer not to appear in any photos or videos we use publicly, let us know and we will honor that.
9. Changes to these terms
We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation applies to your retreat.
10. Governing law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Ecuador. Any dispute arising from your booking or retreat will be handled under Ecuadorian law.
11. Contact
Questions about these terms: [email protected]
