FAQ

There are four steps. First, you fill in a short screening form — this helps us understand where you are and what you are looking for. Next, you book a 30-minute screening call with our psychologist, Vicky. Once your place is confirmed, you pay to secure your spot. Finally, we send you everything you need to prepare for your retreat.

Screening is a short online conversation with our psychologist, Vicky. It is not a test — it is a chance for us to understand your background, answer any questions you have, and make sure the experience is likely to be safe and helpful for you. Most people pass without any issue. You can read more on our screening page.

The screening call itself is 30 minutes. From filling in the form to securing your place can take anywhere from a day to a week, depending on availability. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.

We ask for a non-refundable €40 screening fee to begin the booking process. This covers the professional time of our psychologist during your consultation. If you are accepted and go ahead with the retreat, the €40 is deducted from your final balance. After your screening call, payment of the full retreat price is required to secure your spot. If paying in full is not convenient, we do offer one alternative: pay 50% as a deposit before the retreat and bring the remaining 50% in cash on arrival.

If you're looking for a transformative experience and you can allow yourself the days, longer retreats would be our recommendation. Our one-day psilocybin experience is powerful, however a longer group experience with integration would be our first suggestion. You can also use our retreat finder to get a personalised suggestion.

The facilitators present on your retreat depend on the date and format. You can find out more about the people behind La Mezquita — including their backgrounds and experience — on our team page. If you would like to know specifically who will be holding your ceremony, feel free to ask us directly when booking.

Most of our guests come alone. You will be welcomed into a small group of people who are all there for the same reason — you will not feel out of place on your own. Coming alone is often where the deepest work happens.

Yes. Friends and couples are welcome to attend together. Each person books and goes through screening individually — the process is the same regardless of whether you know others in the group.

We keep our groups small intentionally. This allows every participant to receive proper attention and care throughout the experience. Specific numbers vary by retreat — contact us if you would like to know how many places remain on a particular date.

Our ceremonies and sessions are conducted in English and Spanish. We also offer support in Russian, Italian, and other languages on demand — please let us know when booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Yes. Private sessions and private group bookings are available. Email us at info@mezquita.life with your dates and what you have in mind and we will come back to you.

Psychedelics are safe for most people but not everyone. The main contraindications are a personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia, current use of certain medications, and recent psychiatric hospitalisation. The screening process exists to work this out together. If you have any questions, please go through our screening process.

In most cases, psilocybin is effective and powerful medicine that helps people connect with themselves, their community, and nature. It can help unearth trapped traumas and locked-away emotions and give you the opportunity to work with them. It can also support spiritual wellbeing and provide new focus and direction in life.

In Spain the personal consumption of all substances is decriminalised. Possession for personal use is not a criminal offence. La Mezquita operates within this legal framework.

If you are taking SSRI, SPARI, SNRI, TCA or MAOI medication, this can considerably lessen the effects of the psychedelic experience. Depending on how long you have been taking the medication, you may need at least 21 days to taper — and at least 6 weeks for fluoxetine (Prozac). This should always be done with your prescribing doctor's guidance. Raise this during your screening consultation and we will advise accordingly.

Medications that must be avoided with ayahuasca include antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and any MAOIs. If you are on any regular medication, raise this during screening — it is essential information for your safety and ours.

Dosage is not standardised — it is tailored to each person based on their experience, intention, and what comes up in screening. Our standard starting dose for psilocybin is 5 grams of dried mushroom powder, contained in a single chocolate. However, we have safely administered doses of up to 12 grams with experienced participants. This is where our expertise and understanding of each individual come in. Your facilitator will discuss what feels right for you, and nothing will be given without your full knowledge and agreement.

No. We don't recommend fasting. Come well rested, well hydrated, and having eaten normally.

For psilocybin and San Pedro retreats, a healthy diet in the days before is recommended but there are no strict requirements. For ayahuasca there is a specific dieta: avoid alcohol, stimulants, recreational drugs, red meat, fermented foods and drinks, and any unnecessary medication for at least a few days before the ceremony. Full guidance is provided when your place is confirmed.

Comfortable clothes for the ceremony — white if possible. Warm layers for evenings. For the San Pedro mountain walk: sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy footwear, and a refillable water bottle. In summer: mosquito repellent and swimwear.

Also bring: your passport or ID, any final payment in cash or arranged transfer, and something personal for the altar if you like — a photo, a small object, whatever feels meaningful.

Comfortable, loose clothing. White is traditional for ceremony and works well. Layers are useful — nights can be cool even in summer.

No. Please do not plan to drive yourself home after a ceremony. Arrange for someone to collect you or book the optional overnight stay.

Integration is the process of making sense of what arose during your experience and weaving it into your everyday life. The ceremony itself is just the beginning — the real work often happens in the days and weeks that follow. At La Mezquita, integration is built into our retreats, and we offer ongoing support to help you carry what you experienced forward in a grounded and meaningful way. You can read more on our integration page.

Yes. We stay in contact after you leave. If questions or difficulties come up in the days following your retreat, you are welcome to reach out to us directly. We would rather hear from you than have you navigate something alone.

Challenging experiences are a natural part of the process and do not mean something has gone wrong. Our facilitators are trained to hold and guide difficult moments with care — you will not be left alone with whatever arises. Often the most uncomfortable parts of a ceremony carry the most important material. We prepare you for this beforehand and stay with you throughout.

Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC). From there you can take a taxi or the TRAM directly to El Campello where La Mezquita is located.

A taxi from Alicante-Elche Airport to El Campello typically costs between €35 and €45. The TRAM is a cheaper alternative — take the C-1 line towards Denia and get off at El Campello.

La Mezquita is located near the coast, in the city of El Campello, Alicante, very close to Playa De San Juan. With the TRAM or taxi, you will be in Alicante centre in a very short time.

The arrival time for most of our retreats is 17:00. The only exception is the San Pedro outdoor retreat, which has an earlier start — full details are sent with your booking confirmation.

All of our retreats include a private room as standard.

Yes. You are welcome to stay an extra night at La Mezquita for an additional charge of €45. This includes dinner, breakfast, and any extra guidance or integration support that is part of the evening. Contact us when booking to arrange this.

This is sometimes possible depending on availability. Contact us before booking and we will let you know what we can arrange.

Yes.

Yes. You must be 18 or over to attend any retreat at La Mezquita.

No. Pregnancy is a contraindication for all of our retreats. Please do not attend if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Yes. There is a hospital within five minutes by car from La Mezquita. In the event of any medical concern, we are close to professional care. That said, in over a decade of work we have not had to use it — our screening process and on-site experience exist precisely to prevent emergencies before they happen.

Our psychologist Vicky attends the majority of our retreats and ceremonies. Our lead facilitator Babaji holds first aid and lifeguard certifications, and has extensive crisis response experience — including work with acute psychiatric cases and as part of the psychedelic response team at Boom Festival and Cosmic Care. Every ceremony is held by people who know how to respond if something difficult arises.

La Mezquita is held by a close team of people who each bring something distinct to the work. Babaji, the founder and lead facilitator, has trained with ICEERS in medical cannabis and psychedelic integration, holds an A-level in psychology, and has extensive experience in acute crisis response and frontline psychedelic support — including work with Boom Festival and Cosmic Care. He is first aid and lifeguard certified, runs La Mezquita's own facilitator training programme, and is the founder of the Spanish Psychedelic Society.

Alongside Babaji, Vicky is a licensed psychologist who leads all screening and attends most retreats. Liz brings somatic therapy training and is a grounding presence during the experience itself. Steve has played live music in ceremonial contexts for many years and co-facilitates during the San Pedro retreats. Laura coordinates the retreat and is part of the facilitation team throughout. Rael brings ancestral shamanism and ceremonial music from Brazil, rooted in the Santo Daime and Huni Kuin traditions.

You can read more about each person on our team page.

Deposits are non-refundable. If you need to change your plans we offer two alternatives, both available up to 14 days before the retreat:

Reschedule: change the date of your retreat for a rescheduling fee of 70 euros.

Transfer: gift your spot to another person for the same 70 euro fee.

Yes. La Mezquita is a cannabis social club. No appointment is necessary to visit us. You are welcome to come and speak with us directly. For more information visit our CSC page.