Feast of the Jungle Adventure Retreat

Tropical Superfoods, Wild Foods, Sacred Ecology & Reconnection through Tropical Edibles

La Ecovilla, Costa Rica | December 2 - 7, 2025

Step into the lush embrace of Costa Rica’s jungle and discover what it means to be truly nourished. The Feast of the Jungle Retreat is a five-day immersion into tropical superfoods, wild plants, and sacred ecology, designed to reconnect you with the vitality of your body and the living intelligence of the Earth.

This retreat is guided by three devoted teachers who share a lifelong love for the Earth and her wisdom. Shantree Kacera brings decades of experience in Ayurveda and plant medicine, offering insight into the subtle intelligence of tropical foods and herbs. Botanist and regenerative farmer Gustavo Rojas grew up in Costa Rica’s forests and gardens, and shares an intimate connection with the land and its traditions. Lorenna Bousquet Kacera holds space through eco-spiritual practice and soul centered guidance, inviting you to listen deeply and reawaken your felt relationship with the living world.

Each day invites you to walk shaded forest paths, gather fruits, roots, leaves, and flowers alive with energy, and prepare them with intention. Food becomes ceremony, nourishment becomes connection, and the plants themselves become your teachers. Through foraging, elemental practices, and eco-somatic rituals, you will reawaken a sense of clarity, vitality, and belonging.

By the end of this retreat, you will carry home not only the nourishment of tropical plants but also a renewed remembrance of your connection to the Earth and to yourself.

You Will Experience

  • Daily Jungle Foraging &
    Wild Plant Wisdom
    Harvest tropical botanicals like chaya, turmeric, and cacao while learning their energetic and adaptogenic gifts.

  • Wild Food as Ceremony
    Craft prana-rich elixirs and meals. Food becomes a ritual of pleasure, presence, and transformation.

  • Ayurvedic & Elemental Plant Teachings
    Explore how tropical edibles nourish your constitution and energy body through the lens of elemental wisdom.

  • Sacred Ecology & Eco-Somatic Practice
    Reconnect with the land through breath, wave-motion, and communion with wild, sentient plants.

  • Earth-Based Detox & Rejuvenation
    Clear stagnation and reset your system with tropical herbs, greens, and five-element purification practices.

  • An Intimate, Immersive Experience
    Receive support to weave rainforest plant allies into your daily rhythm for lasting vitality and clarity.

Person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and casual clothing walking through dense, lush tropical jungle vegetation.

What’s Included

5-Day Retreat
Pricing includes meals and full retreat programming.

Early Bird (by October 1): USD $995
Regular (after Octber 1): USD $1295

Retreat Package:

  • 3 nourishing organic tropical meals daily

  • All workshops, elemental plant rituals, and ethical foraging practices

  • Herbal tonics, elixirs, and curated welcome gifts

  • A one-hour post-retreat one-on-one integration session

Optional Add-Ons:

  • Therapeutic massage

  • Additional private sessions during your stay

Accommodations
Accommodation is booked separately, and retreat participants are invited to arrange their stay directly with our retreat partner, Buen Camino Eco Cabinas and Casitas. A five-night stay is approximately $700 for two people, and shuttle service to and from Buen Camino is available.

A wooden tray filled with ripe purple mangosteen fruits and a cut-open mangosteen revealing white flesh, surrounded by green foliage.

Retreat Information

  • 6:30 – 7:30 AM
    Morning grounding with breathwork, gentle movement, and eco-somatic practice to connect with the jungle’s rhythms.

    7:30 – 8:30 AM
    Nourishing breakfast featuring tropical superfoods and wild edibles.

    9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Guided jungle foraging and plant wisdom walks with Shantree, Gustavo, and Lorenna. Learn to identify, harvest, and understand the energetic and adaptogenic qualities of tropical plants like chaya, turmeric, and cacao.

    12:30 – 2:00 PM
    Sacred food ceremony lunch, meals prepared with intention to celebrate the medicine and pleasure of wild foods.

    2:00 – 4:00 PM
    Ayurvedic and elemental plant teachings, combined with practical workshops on preparing tropical superfood elixirs, herbal infusions, and plant-based nourishment.

    4:00 – 5:00 PM
    Earth-based detox and rejuvenation practices using tropical herbs, five-element purification, and eco-somatic movement.

    5:00 – 6:00 PM
    Integration time, journaling, creative expression, or gentle movement inspired by the day’s experiences.

    6:30 – 7:30 PM
    Dinner shared in community, honoring the plants and the day’s journey.

    7:30 – 8:30 PM (optional)
    Evening gatherings featuring sacred plant ceremonies, storytelling, or integration sessions to support weaving rainforest plant allies into daily life.

  • Ecovilla, Tacotal & Alegria are three remarkable ecolvillages in Costa Rica, which are unique and filled with beauty, seamlessly blending regenerative living practices with the breathtaking natural environment. Nestled amidst lush landscapes, next to the majestic Machuca River, its eco-friendly architecture harmonizes with the surroundings, showcasing the beauty of natural materials and thoughtful design. The vibrant community thrives on principles of permaculture and regenerative agriculture, creating a living ecosystem nested next to the Muchuca River that not only produces organic food but also enriches the local biodiversity.

    The beauty of Ecovilla lies in its strong sense of community, where collaboration and shared values foster deep connections among residents. This nurturing environment encourages holistic wellness and nature-connection, enhancing individual and collective well-being.

    Overall, Ecovilla is a community that embodies the harmony between human life and nature, inspiring those who seek a conscious and fulfilling lifestyle in a beautiful, interconnected world.

  • To express interest or receive updates, please contact us at: Shantree@thelivingcentre.com

    For more information & to register, contact 519-652-9109 or 519-652-023
    Email Shantree@thelivingcentre.com

    We're here to guide you every step of the way!

  • 1. Deposit Requirements:

    • A deposit of $100.00 US is required upon registration to secure your spot.

    • The deposit is non-refundable but can be applied to future retreats if cancellation occurs.

    2. Cancellation Policy:

    • 45 days or more before the retreat: Full refund of any payments made (minus a cancellation fee of $200 US).

    • 30 to 45 days before the retreat: 50% refund of total payment.

    • Less than 30 days before the retreat: No refunds will be issued.

    3. Transfer Policy:

    • Participants may transfer their registration to another person up to 30 days before the retreat. Notification must be given in writing.

    4. Special Circumstances:

    • A partial refund may be considered on a case-by-case basis in case of emergency or illness.

    5. Retreat Cancellation:

    • If the organizer cancels the retreat, all payments will be fully refunded.

    6. Changes to the Policy:

    • The organizer reserves the right to amend this policy. Any changes will be communicated to participants.

unsplash-image-jvdvp6bplTs.jpg (Copy) (Copy)
A group of hikers walking through a lush tropical forest with green foliage and red-leafed plants.
Platter of sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and mixed vegetables, alongside a vegetable and fruit salad, with a fruit tart and purple dessert in the background on a wooden table.
Multiple layered dessert parfaits in tall glasses topped with shredded coconut and chocolate shavings, arranged on a kitchen counter.
Fresh mixed greens salad with sliced tomatoes, bean sprouts, shredded cheese, and assorted nuts on a white plate.
An open air thatched roof structure with people practicing yoga on a wooden deck surrounded by trees and lush greenery.
Colorful macaw parrot flying with green blurred background
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Close-up of pineapple skin showing the structured pattern with pointed, spiky scales in shades of green, orange, and brown.
Close-up of a cluster of green papayas hanging from a papaya tree against a blue sky with green leaves.
Yellow starfruit hanging from a tree branch with green foliage in the background.
A group of people on a nature walk, gathered around a guide who is speaking and gesturing towards the greenery.
A group of four people, including two women, a man, and a young boy, standing around a large tree in a forest. The boy is touching the tree bark, and one woman is holding a smartphone. The woman with the large sunhat is wearing a purple dress with a
A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and gray shirt touches and looks at a tree trunk in a forest setting.

Your Guides

  • shantree kacera

    Shantree Kacera, RH, DN, Ph.D.

    Ayurvedic practitioner, teacher, and author of the forthcoming Elemental Wisdom, Shantree brings 50+ years of experience guiding individuals into vital, regenerative living using plant intelligence, elemental energetics, and eco-centric healing.

    LEARN MORE
  • Lorenna Bousquet-Kacera

    Lorenna Bousquet-Kacera

    Founder of Shamanu: Earth Wisdom Teachings®, Lorenna eldership weaves eco-somatic practices, elemental embodiment into powerful containers for remembering the pleasure, presence, and innate wisdom of an embodied life in harmony with the Earth.

    LEARN MORE
  • Close-up of colorful Celosia flowers in pink, yellow, and white, with green leaves in the background.

    Gustavo Rojas, Botanist

    A Costa Rican, regenerative grower who lives in an intimate relationship with the land he stewards. Gustavo doesn’t just teach plant knowledge; he embodies it. With open-hearted clarity and a love for the forest that runs deep, he’ll guide you into the local traditions, stories, and seasonal rhythms of this extraordinary tropical ecosystem.

    LEARN MORE

Stories of Transformation

  • "This retreat was a blast. Hiking through the forest, discovering wild plants, and even cracking open cacao pods straight from the tree—it was like a real-life treasure hunt, but nourishing on every level. Fun, grounding, and eye-opening all at once."
    — Nina B.

  • "I arrived carrying so much stress in my body. The eco-somatic practices, the gentle guidance, and the vibrancy of the plants worked together to help me release old heaviness. I left with more energy, clarity, and self-trust than I’ve felt in years. Thank you!"
    — Claire H.

  • "What made this retreat unforgettable was the people. Preparing meals together from what we gathered created such intimacy and joy. I not only reconnected with the Earth—I also left with new friendships that feel like family."
    ~Ravi K

  • "I arrived carrying so much stress in my body. The eco-somatic practices, the gentle guidance, and the vibrancy of the plants worked together to help me release old heaviness. I left with more energy, clarity, and self-trust than I’ve felt in years."
    ~Claire H

  • "Being in the forest every day, touching the plants, tasting the leaves, roots, and flowers—it felt like coming home. The jungle nourished me in ways that go beyond words. I feel re-rooted in the rhythms of the Earth."
    — Marisol V.

  • “The moment I stepped into the Costa Rican jungle, something in me softened. Gathering plants reminded me of childhood days in my grandmother’s garden, but here it was amplified by the wild aliveness of the forest. Shantree’s teachings made me feel like I was being let in on ancient secrets hidden in plain sight. Lorenna’s presence reminded me of how to truly listen, not just with my ears, but with my whole body. This retreat gave me a profound sense of clarity and rootedness I didn’t know I was missing."
    ~Isabella R.

Why Here? Why Now?

Because the forest is calling.
Because your cells remember.
Because our collective future depends on restoring a right relationship with food, Earth, and the deeper forces that govern vitality.

This retreat is for those who seek more than information, who want embodied knowing. It’s for herbalists, healers, food lovers, land stewards, and anyone ready to remember the sacredness of nourishment and the power of rewilding one’s inner ecosystem.

We invite you to walk with us.
To taste the wild.
To feast on life as sacred nourishment.

✺ Frequently Asked Questions ✺

  • This retreat is an immersive journey into the wild abundance of Costa Rica’s tropical ecosystem. You’ll explore the power of tropical superfoods, wild edible plants, and sacred ecological practices while deepening your connection to the land and your own natural vitality through hands-on experiences and guided teachings.

  • The retreat takes place at La Ecovilla and Tacotal, two ecovillages nestled in the lush tropical jungle of the Muchuca Valley in Costa Rica. You’ll be surrounded by vibrant jungle life, cascading waterfalls, and special nature spots, perfect for grounding and reconnecting.

  • Anyone curious about wild foods, tropical nutrition, and ecological wisdom will benefit. It’s ideal for nature lovers, wellness seekers, herbalists, food explorers, and anyone wanting to deepen their relationship with the Earth’s edible gifts and sacred ecology.

  • Travel to and from the ecovillage is not included in the retreat price. We will provide detailed travel recommendations and support you in planning your journey.

  • The closest international airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica. We provide detailed travel instructions and can assist with arranging local transport from the airport to La Ecovilla.

  • Costa Rica’s tropical climate is warm year-round, with temperatures typically ranging from 75–85°F (24–29°C). Be prepared for occasional rain showers that nourish the jungle’s vibrant life.

  • Activities include moderate hiking and walking through uneven jungle terrain. We offer alternatives and support for varying fitness levels, ensuring everyone can participate comfortably.

  • Expect a mix of wild food foraging, hands-on food preparation and preparation of tropical superfoods, guided jungle walks, sacred ecology rituals, and group sharing circles. We also include embodiment practices and eco-embodiment exercises to deepen your sensory and spiritual connection.

  • All meals are prepared with fresh, local, and wild-harvested tropical superfoods and edibles. The food is plant-based, nourishing, and designed to awaken your vitality while supporting digestion and wellbeing.

  • Comfortable, breathable clothing for jungle hikes and outdoor activities, sturdy walking shoes or sandals, a hat, insect repellent (natural preferred), a refillable water bottle, a journal, and swimwear for waterfalls or pools.

  • No prior experience is necessary! The retreat is designed for beginners through advanced participants, with teachings that are approachable, engaging, and deeply nourishing.cription

  • Item Yes! We accommodate common dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegan, and nut allergies. Please inform us ahead of time so we can prepare accordingly.

  • Absolutely! Many participants come solo and leave with new friends and a strong sense of community. We cultivate a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all.

Still Have Questions?

If your hearts feel a gentle pull yet you’re unsure how to answer it, we invite you to connect with us. Share your questions, curiosities, or hesitations. We will listen with care and help you discern whether this journey of love and renewal is the right path for you and your partner.