Ibogaine in Costa Rica: Is It Legal, and What Are Your Options?

Last updated: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice.

Ibogaine in Costa Rica: the short answer

In January 2025, Costa Rica's Ministry of Health issued an official health warning describing ritual "healing" with ibogaine as an unauthorised practice. Ibogaine is not a registered health product, healing treatments must be given by licensed professionals in licensed establishments, and the Ministry asks the public not to consume, use or promote ibogaine. This followed the death of a foreign tourist at an iboga retreat in 2024. Whatever you choose, a heart check (ECG) comes first.

Is ibogaine legal in Costa Rica?

• Official warning (2025): the Ministry of Health's warning on ayahuasca and ibogaine of 23 January 2025 calls ibogaine healing "una práctica no autorizada", says any ibogaine product must meet registration and control rules, and asks people not to take part in these rituals (Ministry of Health warning, archived copy).
• Narcotics law: the warning relies on health-product and medical-practice rules rather than on the narcotics list, and we found no decree adding ibogaine to Costa Rica's controlled substances. Not being on that list does not make retreats authorised.
• Investigations: after a US tourist died at a retreat in 2024, the judicial police sent its findings to the prosecutor's office in March 2025 (Tico Times).

You may read online that iboga is "legal" in Costa Rica. Given the Ministry's warning, that is no longer an accurate description. For other countries, see is iboga legal: the status in 27 countries.

Are there ibogaine treatment centres in Costa Rica?

Some retreats and centres still offer iboga or ibogaine in Costa Rica, but none is authorised by the Ministry of Health. If you are considering one, ask who holds the medical licence, whether a doctor is present during the ceremony, whether you are on cardiac monitoring, and how far the nearest hospital is.

Your options

1. A traditional iboga retreat in Gabon

• What it is: a Bwiti iboga retreat in Moughenda Mikala's village, where iboga comes from.
• Legal context: iboga is legal and protected as a national treasure in Gabon.
• Screening: ECG, liver panel and medication review, reviewed by U.S. medical doctors; the village is 15 minutes from a hospital.
• Length: 10 days and 9 nights, 3 ceremonies.
• Cost: $5,000 (USD), lodging, meals and ceremonies included, plus flights.

See the iboga retreat in Gabon.

2. A clinical ibogaine programme elsewhere

Clinical programmes using purified ibogaine operate in countries where it is not controlled, such as Mexico and Portugal, but none is an authorised medical treatment: check each programme's medical standards.

3. Independent providers from our directory

Our provider directory lists independent providers trained in Gabon in the Missoko Bwiti tradition. Ask each one where they work and how they comply with local law.

How much does it cost?

Our traditional 10-day retreat in Gabon costs $5,000 (USD) plus flights. Clinical ibogaine programmes usually cost several thousand to over ten thousand dollars. See our iboga retreat cost guide.

Safety: the heart check comes first

Ibogaine can prolong the QT interval, a measure of the heart's electrical cycle, and most reported deaths involve heart problems. Every serious provider asks for a 12-lead ECG, a liver panel and a full list of your medications before accepting you: some medicines, including SSRI antidepressants, must not be combined with iboga, and stopping them is a decision for your doctor. Read our safety and medical protocols and the iboga vs ibogaine comparison.

Ibogaína en Costa Rica: resumen en español

El 23 de enero de 2025, el Ministerio de Salud emitió una advertencia sanitaria que califica la "sanación" ritual con ibogaína como una práctica no autorizada: la ibogaína no tiene registro sanitario y los tratamientos de sanación requieren profesionales y establecimientos autorizados. El Ministerio pide no consumir, usar ni promocionar ibogaína. Bwiti House organiza un retiro tradicional de 10 días en Gabón, donde la iboga es legal, con electrocardiograma y revisión médica antes de cada ceremonia.

Frequently asked questions

Is ibogaine legal in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's Ministry of Health issued a warning in January 2025 describing ibogaine healing as an unauthorised practice and asking people not to use or promote it. Ibogaine is not a registered health product.

Is iboga legal in Costa Rica?

We found no decree adding iboga to the controlled substances list, but the Ministry of Health considers iboga and ibogaine rituals unauthorised, so retreats operate without authorisation.

Are there ibogaine clinics in Costa Rica?

Some centres still offer it, but none is authorised by the Ministry of Health.

How much does an iboga retreat cost?

Our 10-day traditional retreat in Gabon costs $5,000 (USD) plus flights. Clinical programmes elsewhere usually cost more.

What is the safest option?

Whatever you choose, insist on an ECG, a liver panel, a full medication review and medical supervision during the ceremony.