The Ecology of Flourishing
Monteverde, Costa Rica
June 6-15, 2025
“I know that many people find that we are at a moment of great distress in the world, but we also have never had as many possibilities of compassionate action as today.”
Step into your fullest potential.
The Ecology of Flourishing is a 10-day, 9-night adventure in reconnecting with nature, community, and self.
We journey for the fourth year to Finca Camino Nuevo, tucked in the ethereal mountains and misty forests just below the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve.
This innovative eco program is guided by three questions:
What is ecological interdependence?
How can we promote belonging with community and nature?
Why are personal growth and well-being vital dimensions of wise and responsible environmental stewardship?
Together we delve into the dynamic interdependence of oneself and nature, framed within a larger conversation about the textures and contours of wellness, equity, and regenerative sustainability.
Along our journey, we build community, practice nature-based mindfulness meditation techniques, explore somatic movement practices, engage in vibrant discussion, as well as rest – and of course have some fun, too. With Earth as our central teacher, we are simply learning to slow down and listen easefully.
This innovative program is dedicated to:
Cultivating well-being and ecological connection through nature-based contemplative practices, community building, and discussion of worldviews, values, and ideas related to flourishing.
Bolstering resilience around climate anxiety, grief, fear, anger, and despair
Fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion while building lasting relationships and networks to amplify and integrate personal and communal change
Catalyzing wise environmental stewardship and compassionate community leadership
The Ecology of Flourishing can help participants step into their fullest potential through considering their unique gifts, backgrounds, and life situations to envision actionable steps towards promoting a more socially and ecologically harmonious world.
We provide the mindfulness skills and eco education that can help folks thrive personally and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.
This comprehensive approach has proven to be highly effective in catalyzing personal growth, community cohesion, and actionable change.
In addition to the many testimonials on our webpage, the data we have collected since 2022 from in-person program participants three months or greater after their experience (with a 94 percent response rate) are striking:
Program Includes
10 days, 9 nights accommodation (doubles; singles are extra except for first night stay in San Jose)
Land transportation
3 nourishing organic vegetarian meals daily
Community building, talking circles, storytelling
Meditation (a weaving of nature-based open awareness and compassion meditation along with mindful movement and forest bathing)
Somatic movement practice
Collaborative music
Facilitated journaling prompts
Unlimited access to pool and jacuzzi
Downtime for rest and reflection
Personal reflection on environmental stewardship and ways we can cultivate an ecologically and socially-engaged path to support individual and planetary health
Integration and networking opportunities after retreat
Optional Add-ons
Watsu water therapy
Craniosacral therapy
Massage
General Schedule
June 6: Arrive at Juan Santamaria International. Hotel rooms reserved for each guest in San Jose.
June 7: Travel together to Finca Camino Nuevo near the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. Opening circle after dinner.
June 8-14: activities on site as well as excursions to the Cloud Forest and a secluded, private gorge with waterfall. Closing circle Saturday afternoon.
June 15: Early morning hugs and van ride back to Juan Santamaria International.
A detailed schedule provided to registered participants in April.
Pricing Details
June 2025
$2750/per person
(early bird special)
Pay in full or pay $1400 deposit. Final non-refundable payment by March 31.
Pricing is all-inclusive minus flights
*Participants must be 21 years or older.
50% payment is non-refundable
Booking is fully non-refundable after May 1, 2025.
Gratitude + Belonging
We begin by slowing down and exploring what we are grateful for while taking some time to get to know each other.
Building community engenders belonging, mutual trust, and kinship.
Awareness + Expression
From this foundation, we will awaken our senses, coming into relationship with our bodies, each other, and the living land.
We reflect upon the deeper patterns, worldviews, and mindsets that shape our understanding of ourselves and relationship with nature. We have an opportunity to explore eco grief, anger, fear, despair, and sense of shame and guilt we feel about what is happening to our planet and communities.
Purpose + Action
The third stage is an opportunity to reflect on what each of us can do to help others, serve as better stewards of nature, and live in a leaderful way.
Program Facilitators and Leaders
Start your next adventure.
Adventure again into the ethereal mountains and forests of Monteverde for Healing Ourselves, Healing Nature: Costa Rica! An immersive 10-day, 9-night journey open to those interested in reconnecting with nature and healing all our relations. Sign up to be notified when Costa Rica 2025 is booked!
Our Past Retreats
Monteverde 2023 with Shayá, Bainawá, and Maiko Txana Kupi Huni Kuin (the “True People”) of the Pinuya Village near the border of Brazil and Peru. We are deeply grateful for them, their wisdom, and their joyous message of healing. They are pictured in the back row right, along with their representative and translator Marcos Vinicius (Vinny) Romão of Associação Povos da Terra.
2024 Costa Rica Retreat
Monteverde, Costa Rica, June 2022. We were deeply honored that Abuelo Carlos Huizton and Paula Colandí joined us at Finca Camino Nuevo.
2022-2024 Costa Rica Locations
Alya Retreat Center
GUANACASTE PROVINCE
SAN JUANILLO, COSTA RICA
Alya retreat center is located in a secluded 19-acre property at the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica. Nestled in the beautiful natural forest environment, Alya offers a facility designed to heal, cleans and rejuvenate. Our environment honors your intention.
Enjoy simplicity and kindness, the Pura Vida (Pure Living) lifestyle, and take a break from the stresses of modern living. Reconnect with the sacred within.
SAN LUÍS DE MONTEVERDE
COSTA RICA
The Finca Camino Nuevo Retreat Center is a healing sanctuary hugged by the mountains of Monteverde with a sweeping view to the sea. Here your body and soul will be rejuvenated, nourished and supported.
