COSTA RICA
The Eco Residency is an immersive and collaborative week long experience, bringing together changemakers, creatives, and climate dreamers in Costa Rica's Central Valley. During this 7 day residency, we will explore building community and filling our cups to be better activists, friends, and neighbors to all of those around us. You will leave feeling empowered with tools for meaningful and lasting change, unforgettable memories, and lifelong friends. We can't wait to see you here!
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For more on how this residency came to be and our intent for this experience, read our story here.
Who is this residency for?
The Eco Residency is for anyone curious about living a life of meaning and purpose and wanting to build community with other changemakers. Whether you are at the beginning of your sustainability journey or you are a seasoned activist or educator, there will be something for you to take away from this experience.
What will you gain from this experience?
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Empowerment to take action on issues that matter to you
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Practical tools for creating social change
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Immersion in pristine nature
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Collaboration and learning from diverse facilitators and peers
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A community of likeminded eco warriors and lifelong friends
Topics we will dive into will include:
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Community building and grassroots organizing
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Ecopsychology and our relationship to the natural world
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Permaculture and regenerative land practices
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Farm to table food systems and fermentation
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Off-grid living and eco village design
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Environmental activism and social change
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​Decolonization and detaching from the Western world view​​
Activities:
Excursions:
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Community building exercises
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Workshops & lessons in sustainable and regenerative living
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Growing and harvesting food
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Cooking large group plant based meals
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Creating art/ self expression (painting, photos, dance)
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Ritual & ceremony
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Hiking in La Cangreja National Park
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Access to 5+ private waterfalls
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Tour of El Refugio de Vida Silvestre
COST & LOGISTICS
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Cost
The cost of this all inclusive weeklong residency (accommodation, lessons, workshops, locally grown organic plant based meals, activities, excursions, and more) is $1850 USD. To reserve your spot, we require a nonrefundable deposit of $500 USD and the remaining amount is due one month before the start of the retreat. Payment plans are available. Email ecoresidencyteam@gmail.com for more info.​
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We offer a 10% discount for groups of 2 or more enrolling together! Email ecoresidencyteam@gmail.com to apply the discount.
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Refund Policy
If you notify us at least 30 days before the retreat start date, we will refund your payment without reservation deposit but will deduct an administration fee of 10%. If you notify us less than 30 days before the retreat start date, we cannot provide a refund, but you can send someone else in your place.​
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Transportation
Mastatal is 2.5 hours from Costa Rica's capital city and main international airport, SJO. All participants need to arrive at Villas Mastatal by 5pm on the first day of the retreat (check in will start at 2pm) and checkout will be at 11am on the last day of the retreat. You can book a direct ride from San Jose to the farm with us, take the public bus, or drive (directions here). You do not need to decide now and upon enrollment, we will send you more details regarding arrival and transportation. ​​​
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Visas
Many nationalities can enter Costa Rica without a visa for up to 180 days. Those countries include the U.S., Canada, the U.K. Germany, Australia, and many more. You can check your country's visa requirements here.
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Other
All are welcome! If under 18, must be accompanied by a guardian. The residency will be in English with translation at times when necessary. Scholarships and discounts available for Costa Rican nationals. Once you are enrolled in the residency, we will send out detailed information elaborating on all of the following and more. And of course we are always available for any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out ecoresidencyteam@gmail.com.
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Sample Itinerary
*this is a tentative schedule. all activities are subject to change*
1
sunday
2
3
arrive +
welcome
everyone arrives and settles into the farm! get to know your new eco residency family and enjoy a beautiful sunset and dinner!
intros
farm tour
sense of place
get to know everyone and your surroundings. begin to develop a connection to this place, tour the farm, and focus on community building. we will start to talk about eco anxiety and how to cope and navigate this increasingly complex world. today, we give space to voice concern about all of the problems in the world while the rest of the retreat, we focus on hope and solutions.
agroecology
food systems
food justice
start the day with an agroecology workshop and learn about sustainable agriculture in the tropics. then we'll be working with the earth in a hands on planting. in the afternoon, we begin to unpack the current industrial global food system. end the day by cooking a beautiful nourishing dinner together.
4
natural building
cacao
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we will continue our journey into earth based living while learning about cacao, its history in Central America and West Africa, and we'll make some chocolate from scratch. we will also begin to dive into the world of natural building and using our hands in the clay. amongst all of this we'll also get to cool off in an epic waterfall.
5
hike
art
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we'll start the day bright and early with a hike through the beautiful national park which sits at the footsteps of the farm winding through stunning views and waterfalls. in the afternoon, we'll create some art, learn about fermentation, and open a discussion on effective activism.
6
tree planting
+ social justice
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regenerating the earth! we're gonna plant trees and talk about regeneration followed by a social justice workshop. we'll dive into topics of privilege, oppression, decolonization, and environmental justice. unpacking how layered all of these systems are and how we can begin to unravel them.
7
social change
+ moving forward
on this day we're going to talk about how to move forward and bring all that you've learned back home into your daily lives. we'll talk about activism and community building wherever you are and how to be effective change agents. we'll also take a walk down to the farm's beautiful waterfall to enjoy some last moments with new friends. we'll end the day with a closing ceremony and a feast!
sunday
goodbyes!
the last day! we'll have breakfast and then everyone will depart. we'll say goodbye (for now) and hopefully see each other again soon!
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7am optional movement/yoga
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8am breakfast
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9am workshop
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12pm lunch
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1pm excursion or free time
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5pm down time
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6:30pm dinner
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8pm optional evening activity
a typical day
Any Questions?
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If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at ecoresidencyteam@gmail.com
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Thank you to past volunteers and friends for so many beautiful photos of Mastatal! For more photos, videos, and an inside look into the retreat, you can check out The Eco Residency Facebook and Instagram.
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We can't wait to see you in Costa Rica!
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