Jose Saenz

Jose Saenz is the founder and CEO of Arkana International, one of the most respected ayahuasca retreat organizations in the world. Under his leadership, Arkana has expanded to four locations across Peru and Mexico, guiding thousands of guests through sacred plant-medicine ceremonies rooted in authentic Shipibo healing traditions.

Born in Mexico, Jose earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and spent the early part of his career in finance and real estate, including a role as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers. A personal crisis following the 2008 financial downturn led him back to questions about meaning and purpose that had been with him since he was 19, when a Carlos Castañeda book first sparked his curiosity about plant medicine. His first Ayahuasca ceremonies in the Amazon proved to be a turning point, and he returned to Peru multiple times to deepen his practice through extended master plant dietas.

In 2016, Jose founded Arkana with a clear mission: to create a safe, culturally authentic space where people from all over the world could access the healing power of sacred medicines. His closest teacher is Maestra Justina, a Meraya (the highest rank of healer in Shipibo tradition) with over 45 years of healing experience, who has adopted him as a son and guided him through numerous plant dietas. Jose is also a Bufo Alvarius (5-MeO-DMT) Maestro, trained under Ananda Buddhi, and serves this medicine directly in Arkana’s retreat programs.

A father of five, Jose has rewritten his personal formula for success to center on love, faith, and service. His vision for Arkana is continued expansion to new countries, bringing sacred medicines to more people who need healing, while maintaining the safety standards, cultural integrity, and integration support that define every Arkana retreat.

Professional Background

• MBA, Harvard Business School
• Engineering degree (United States)
• Former Investment Banker, Lehman Brothers
• Former real estate developer and entrepreneur

Healing Credentials

• Bufo Alvarius (5-MeO-DMT) Maestro, trained under Ananda Buddhi
• Initiated Bwiti practitioner (Gabon, West Africa)
• Initiated in Siddha Yoga meditation tradition
• Mentored by Maestra Justina (Meraya lineage, 45+ years of practice)
• Mentored by indigenous elders from the Seri and Shipibo tribes
• 15+ years of personal plant medicine practice
• Multiple extended master plant dietas completed

Learn more about Jose and the healing team on our team page, or schedule a discovery call to discuss your retreat experience.

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