Feast of the
Jungle Retreat
Tropical Superfoods, Wild Foods, Sacred Ecology & Reconnection through Tropical Edibles
La Ecovilla, Costa Rica | 5 Day Retreat December 3 - 7, 2025
Come step into the tropical, lush embrace. Let the warm, humid air wrap around you and know that your body, mind, and spirit have been quietly waiting for this kind of nourishment. This is a true homecoming to something ancient and alive inside you and all around you.
For five days, we’ll slow down together. We’ll walk through shaded forest paths, listen to the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, and learn to recognize the wild gifts the forest offers: fruits, roots, leaves, and flowers bursting with life. You’ll gather them with intention and care, and we’ll share how to prepare these gifts so they nourish you deeply, beyond just food.
We want you to know this journey is guided by people who carry deep experience and love for the plants and the land. Your journey is guided by Shantree Kacera, who brings five decades of devoted work as an energetic herbalist and Ayurvedic practitioner. His path has been shaped by a lifelong relationship with plants, a deep respect for the body’s innate intelligence, and a quiet reverence for the Earth. Gustavo Rojas, a Costa Rican botanist and regenerative farmer, grew up in close connection with the land. His love for the tropical jungle is not just professional, it’s personal. With a warm, grounded presence, he shares stories, traditions, and practical wisdom passed down through generations. Lorenna Bousquet-Kacera offers a presence rooted in eco-spiritual practice, sacred ecology, and decades of guiding others through transformative earth-based experiences. Her work is intimate and soulful, inviting you to slow down, listen deeply, and reawaken your felt connection to the living world. Together, they hold a space that is wise, gentle, and alive, a space where real connection and transformation can unfold.
Together, we will open a space where the plants teach us, where each meal becomes a moment of gratitude, and where every breath reminds us of the life force that flows through all things. You’ll feel a connection, both to the tropical green world and to yourself, that might have been forgotten but never lost.
By the end of this time, you feel a renewed sense of belonging, clarity, and peace. This is an invitation to come home, to your body, to the Earth, and to the wild, beautiful life inside you.
You Will Experience
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Daily Jungle Foraging &
Wild Plant Wisdom
Harvest rainforest 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.
What’s Included
All-Inclusive 5-Day Retreat
Pricing includes accommodations, meals, and full retreat programming.
Early-Bird: One-Month Before Starting Date
Regular Rate: &950 - $1500 US
Retreat Package Includes:
5 days and 4 nights in a Private Eco Room
3 nourishing organic tropical meals daily
All workshops, elemental plant rituals, and ethical foraging practices
Herbal tonics, elixirs, and curated welcome gifts
A 1.5-hour post-retreat one-on-one integration session
Optional Add-Ons:
Therapeutic massage
Additional private sessions during your stay
Retreat Information
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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 four 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 sanctuary that embodies the harmony between human life and nature, inspiring those who seek a conscious and fulfilling lifestyle in a beautiful, interconnected world.
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For more information & to register, contact 519-652-9109 or 519-652-023
Email info@thelivingcentre.com
We're here to guide you every step of the way! -
1. Deposit Requirements:
A deposit of $1000.00 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.
Your Guides
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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.
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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.
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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.
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 ✺
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Activities include moderate hiking and walking through uneven jungle terrain. We offer alternatives and support for varying fitness levels, ensuring everyone can participate comfortably.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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No prior experience is necessary! The retreat is designed for beginners through advanced participants, with teachings that are approachable, engaging, and deeply nourishing.cription
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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.
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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.