Plant · Harvest · Cook Retreat
A week of nature, food, and tropical simplicity.
Bamboo Cabins · Garden Sessions · Cooking Sessions
Costa Rica — Caribbean Jungle & Beach Town
A hands-on week of nature, food, and tropical living.
Mornings begin in the gardens and food forest with optional planting, harvesting, and simple regenerative skills. Late mornings move into the kitchen for cooking sessions built around the day’s harvest. Afternoons are free for swimming, resting, walking the trails, or taking the shuttle to the beach and town. Evenings center on good food and time around the fire.
You’ll stay in a private bamboo cabin, eat farm-to-table meals, and see how sustainable tropical living works in real life — with every session optional.
Located near Puerto Viejo on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, this retreat gives you direct access to rainforest, beaches, and the tropical gardens and food forest.
7 days · 6 nights · Private cabin · Farm-to-table meals · Garden & cooking sessions · Caribbean rainforest
Arrive Sunday → Retreat Mon–Fri → Depart Saturday
(only 5 work days needed)
Upcoming Retreat Dates:
2026
March 1—7 Sold out
March 15—21 4 cabins available
April 12—18
April 26—May 2
September 6—12
September 20—26
October 4—10
October 18—24
Only 8 private cabins per week.
Garden Sessions
Each day begins with an optional morning session in the gardens and food forest:
planting greens, herbs, and tropical staples
harvesting fresh roots, fruits, and greens
wandering the food forest and learning how it grows
tasting plants and seasonal fruits
simple machete use (optional)
You can join fully, partially, or simply watch with a cup of coffee.
You’ll harvest what earlier guests planted, and plant what future guests will harvest — keeping the system alive.
These morning sessions are a core part of our Costa Rica nature retreat experience, connecting guests directly to the land.
Cooking Sessions
From the morning harvest into the kitchen and fire.
Late mornings flow naturally into the wellness kitchen as lunch takes shape. You’re welcome to join in, taste, ask questions, or simply watch and learn as the cooks work with fire and fresh ingredients.
You may experience:
cacao roasting and simple stone-ground chocolate
corn prepared for warm tortillas
root vegetables roasted in embers
fresh coconut milk or oil pressed by hand
herbal teas and tonic blends
sugarcane juice pressed on quiet mornings
tropical spices and wild aromatics
charred plantains, pineapple, citrus, cassava, taro, and sweet potato
This is not a class — it’s daily life in the tropics, shared openly.
Lunch becomes the center of the day: fire, roots, fruit, and the fresh harvest on your plate.
It’s a signature part of our Costa Rica farm-to-table retreat — real tropical cooking using ingredients from the land.
Afternoons Are Yours
Slow time to rest and explore.
After lunch, the day opens up:
hammock time
swim in the natural pond
naps, books, quiet wandering
daily afternoon shuttle to the beach & town (included)
Departs 1:30 PM · Returns 5:30 PM
If you feel like exploring more, we work with trusted local partners for optional experiences such as:
surf lessons
kayak or snorkel outings
jungle and wildlife walks
on-site massages
sound healing
night wildlife hike (after dinner)
Everything is optional and arranged on request—no fixed schedules, no pressure.
Many guests pair the retreat with exploring nearby national parks, beaches, and wildlife areas along the Caribbean coast.
Evenings Around the Fire
Stars. Quiet nights. Fire. Jungle all around.
Each evening gathers naturally around warm food, soft light, and the gentle sounds of the rainforest, tropical music, and interesting conversations.
Just real nature, real people, real food.
Bamboo Cabins
Sleep with the forest.
Each guest stays in a private, hand-built bamboo cabin surrounded by jungle.
queen bed or twin beds
mosquito net and natural linens
lantern-lit interiors (no electricity inside cabins)
device charging station in the main building
daily cleaning service
Simple comfort, crafted by hand, designed for connection, quiet, and stillness.
Shared Solar Bathhouse
Natural building, open-sky, spacious
A short walk from the cabins, the shared bathhouse includes:
4 rainwater showers
5 flush toilets
warm water
open-sky roofline
clean, airy, eco-friendly design
Eco-friendly toiletries provided: shampoo, conditioner, soap.
You’re Inside a Biological Corridor
Your neighbors for the week:
sloths
toucans and great green macaws
howler, spider & capuchin monkeys
anteaters
blue morpho butterflies
poison dart frogs
This isn’t a retreat center near nature — you are living inside it.
Meals — Simple, Real, From the Land
Open Kitchen · Fire-cooked · Seasonal · Mostly plant-based
We serve:
local eggs, cheese, and yogurt
fresh farm fish when available
occasional ocean fish (depending on the boats)
abundant tropical staples and vegetables
grains, roots, fruits, herbs, and spices from the gardens
No red meat or chicken.
This is not a diet or cleanse — just real food from the land.
Daily Rhythm
6:00 AM — Coffee, fruit, baked goods
A light, optional start to the day.
6:30–8:30 AM — Garden Sessions
Cool mornings in the food forest — planting, harvesting, exploring, and learning simple regenerative skills.
8:30–9:30 AM — Farm Breakfast
A slow, generous breakfast after the morning’s garden time.
10:00–12:00 PM — Cooking Sessions
Hands-on cooking with tropical ingredients — fresh, vibrant, and seriously delicious.
1:00–2:00 PM — Lunch
Fresh meals from the morning harvest.
Afternoons Free
Beach, hammock, river, national parks, or wandering in the rainforest. Check our optional experiences menu for more adventures.
7:00 PM — Dinner
Great food, soft tropical music, fire, and quiet evenings in the jungle.
*Gardening and Cooking sessions are optional. Join anytime.
What’s Included
Everything you need for a simple, immersive week:
7 days / 6 nights in a private bamboo cabin
all farm-to-table meals, drinks & desserts
morning garden sessions (optional)
cooking sessions (optional)
natural swimming pond access
jungle wellness spaces & footpaths
daily shuttle to beaches & town (afternoon round-trip)
linens, towels & daily cabin cleaning
eco-friendly toiletries
high-speed WiFi in the main building
Optional experiences are available at an extra cost.
Our Living Systems
This retreat takes place inside real, working permaculture systems that have been evolving for years in the Caribbean tropics.
If you’d like to explore the design principles and growing strategies behind what you’ll experience here, you can read more about how we grow food and design for the tropics:
Tropical Vegetable Garden: How to Grow Abundantly in the Tropics
Tropical Food Forest Design: A Complete Guide for the Humid Tropics
How Much Land to Feed a Family: We Grow a Complete Diet on ½ Acre (2,000 m²) in the Tropics
Why Guests Love Finca Tierra
What our guests say about their time here:
“If you’re wondering if it’s worth flying across the world to experience Finca Tierra, it absolutely is.”
— Heather Staley
“Everything was seamless! Clear communication, easy arrival, beautiful cabins, and a place that delivered more than promised. We felt taken care of every step of the way.”
— Laura & Mike M.
“I spent less at FT than traveling anywhere else in Costa Rica and got a week in paradise! Restful jungle sleep, daily farm-to-table feasts, hands-on sustainability, pristine beaches, and two beautiful souls who’ve created a true haven.”
— Emily R.
“I came alone and felt safe, welcomed, and genuinely cared for from the moment I arrived. Ana and Ian create a family-like atmosphere where everyone feels at home. The group energy was incredible, and I left with new friends and a full heart.”
— Sophia L.
“How to talk about the place that changed our lives in the BEST way possible?”
— R. G & Thibaud
“Finca Tierra is one of the pinnacles of excellence in this world.”
— Ryan Koyzan
“I left feeling calmer, stronger, and genuinely reset.” — Daniel S.
Your Hosts
For over 15 years, we’ve been off-grid in the Costa Rican rainforest, raising our family close to nature, and guiding students from around the world in permaculture design and sustainable living.
We created this retreat for you to experience the freedom and abundance of tropical life. A calm space to learn simple skills, enjoy vibrant cooking, and reconnect with the land.
Ian M. Macaulay
Permaculture Designer and Educator · Ecological Consultant · Visual Artist ·
Tropical land systems · food forests · natural building · simple, practical skills
Ana Gaspar A.
Human Rights Lawyer · Ecological Consultant · Wellness Kitchen Creator
Food sovereignty · tropical nutrition · herbal traditions · warm, nourishing meals
Featured in:
The New York Times · NBC · VICE · Telemundo · Heraldo · La Nación · Whetstone · Lessons from the Jungle Documentary
Who This Retreat Is For
People who want:
real nature, privacy, and quiet days in the Costa Rica rainforest
hands in the soil — optional gardening, harvesting, and cooking sessions
simple living with comfort — off-grid bamboo cabins between jungle & beach
to experience how sustainable tropical living actually works
a meaningful connection to land — immersion in a living ecosystem
fire-cooked meals, tropical flavors, and real farm-to-table food
Adults only · 18+
Solo Traveler
$2,150
Private cabin
All meals · All experiences included
Couple / Friends Sharing
$3,650 total
Private cabin (queen bed or two singles — your choice)
All meals · All experiences included
Only 8 private cabins · Each reservation = one cabin
Important Details
Deposit
A $700 deposit reserves your cabin.
The deposit is non-refundable and may be transferred once to another retreat date within 12 months, provided the transfer is completed at least 60 days before your original retreat start date.
Balance Payment
A balance invoice is sent after booking.
Payment is due 30 days before arrival.
If unpaid, the cabin is released and the deposit remains as credit for a future retreat date.
Best Months to Visit
For sunshine, beach days, fire cooking, and starry nights:
February · March · April · September · October · November
(Our region has two dry, sunny seasons, Feb–Apr and Sept–Oct, with calm, warm Caribbean ocean and clear evenings for the fire.)
Dietary Needs
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and celiac meals are accommodated.
Please indicate your dietary needs on the booking form.
Diets not listed on the booking form cannot be guaranteed.
Electricity & WiFi
Cabins are lantern-lit (off-grid).
Charging station + high-speed WiFi available in the main building.
Getting Here Is Easy
We’re located 15 minutes from Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica — inside a quiet rainforest corridor, close to beaches, town, and national parks.
Most guests fly into San José International Airport (SJO) and use one of these two options.
1. Caribe Shuttle or Interbus— Direct to Puerto Viejo (~$60)
• One daily departure from SJO
• Air-conditioned, reliable
• Drops you in Puerto Viejo
• A short taxi ride brings you to the retreat (taxis always available)
2. Private Driver — Door to Door (~$350–$400)
• Faster and comfortable
• Picks you up directly at the airport
• Brings you straight to the retreat
More info on getting here is below.
Before You Arrive →
Directions, packing list, and what to expect.
FAQ
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A hands-on nature and farm-to-table retreat in Costa Rica, focused on gardens, cooking, and simple tropical living. Each day includes optional morning garden sessions, harvest-based cooking sessions, and open afternoons for rest or exploration near Puerto Viejo.
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Private bamboo cabin, all meals, garden sessions, cooking sessions, natural swimming pond access, afternoon shuttle to the beach and town, daily cabin cleaning, linens, eco-friendly toiletries, and WiFi in the main building.
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Mornings: optional garden sessions + breakfast
Late morning: cooking sessions built around the harvest
Afternoons: free time for the beach, pond, trails, or rest
Evenings: dinner and time around the fire -
No. Everything is beginner-friendly and fully optional. Join as much or as little as you like.
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No. All sessions are optional. The retreat is flexible and low-pressure.
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Not in the program” sense, there are no required classes or fixed schedules. But many guests experience it as deeply restorative: real farm-to-table meals, nature immersion, quiet sleep, and slow days in the rainforest. Everything is optional.
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Private, hand-built bamboo cabins with natural linens, mosquito net, lantern lighting, and jungle surroundings. Simple, comfortable, and designed for quiet nights. Charging stations are in the main building.
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Only 8 private cabins are available, typically accommodating around 12 guests total. The experience stays quiet, personal, and small-group.
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February, March, April, September, October, and November are the best months for sunshine, beach days, and clear nights.
Unlike the Pacific side, the southern Caribbean has two dry, sunny seasons.
February–April bring classic dry-season weather with calm mornings and great beach days.
September–October are actually some of the driest months of the year — a quiet “local summer” with warm, clear ocean and bright skies.
November is usually sunny as well, easing gently into the wetter season.. -
On the Caribbean coast, 15 minutes from Puerto Viejo, in a quiet rainforest corridor near beaches, national parks, and wildlife.
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Fly into San José International Airport (SJO). Most guests take the Caribe Shuttle or interbus (one early morning and one early afternoon daily departure) or arrange a private driver to the retreat. A full arrival guide is sent after booking.
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Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and celiac meals are available. List your dietary needs on the booking form.
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Yes. Ages 18+.
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Light clothing, sandals, closed shoes for garden sessions, swimsuit, sunscreen, rain jacket, and a small flashlight or headlamp. Towels, linens, and toiletries are provided.