Costa Rica HSP & Introvert Retreat
A Community Gathering of Eco Arts, Activism, and Regeneration in the Jungle
April 3-10, 2024
w/ Melissa Renzi and Omkari Williams
Costa Rica HSP & Introvert Retreat
A Community Gathering of Eco Arts, Activism & Regeneration in the Jungle
April 3-10, 2024
w/ Melissa Renzi & Omkari Williams
The 2024 dates for this retreat have been cancelled.
The 2024 dates for this retreat have been cancelled.
Join Melissa Renzi and Omkari Williams in the cloud forest of Costa Rica for an Eco Arts & Activism gathering of introverts & HSPs who want to make a positive impact in the world, while immersed in nature’s refuge and a supportive community.
In these intense times, sensitivity can be both a gift and a challenge. We feel the threats to our planet deeply, yet often struggle to find our place in addressing the causes that call for our attention. Activism requires a broad range of skill sets and actions. Our approach embraces the power of small, consistent, and even quiet, actions that match your energy and strengths.
We believe that play, spaciousness, community, and empowering a sense of agency are central tenets for sustainable activism. We also know that we are part of intricately connected ecosystems that are inseparable from nature.
Weaving these elements together, we’ve crafted a program that evokes remembrance of our interdependence and offers space for you to embrace your story and strengths, connect to community, and find your way of activism. Here’s what you’ll experience:
- Brave Earth: Stay at a retreat center—a living lab—anchored in principles of reciprocity, regeneration & resiliency.
- Micro Activism Sessions w/ Omkari: Turn your story, vision, and strengths into small actions that are regenerative for you.
- Eco Arts & Movement w/ Melissa: Slow down, play, and listen to nature’s wisdom with a embodied movement and nature-based expressive arts (see tab at the bottom of the page).
- Architecture & Garden Tour: Learn about regenerative principles and methods that our Brave Earth hosts have integrated into the creation of their center.
- Community Resilience Network Tour: Participate in the mutual aid program our hosts have developed to deepen connections and resilience in their local ecosystem.
- Evening at the Hot Springs: Relax into the serenity of the natural hot springs set in the foothills of the volcano of Arenal.
- Spaciousness: Savor plentiful personal time for gentle nature walks or hammock naps.
At a Glance
Facilitators: Melissa Renzi & Omkari Williams
Highlights: Eco Arts, Activism, Hot Springs, Regeneration
Venue: Mid-range regenerative center & community
Rooms: Single/shared, some w/ private bath, compost toilets
Food: Vegetarian, can meet additional dietary needs
Activity Level: Mild physical demand for included activities
Weather: Day – mid 80s°F; Night – low 70s°F; some rain
Group Size: 18-22 people, including 2 facilitators (see our note about this down the page!)
Price Range: $1895.00-$2645.00 p.p.
The Land & Space
Costa Rica is a peaceful country that is known for its rich biodiversity, beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, jungles, and wildlife. As a leader in sustainability and conservation, Costa Rica produces 93 percent of its energy from renewables and over a quarter of the country’s land is protected.
San Isidro de Peñas Blancas is a small town that is home to Brave Earth. Nearby you’ll find less trodden hiking trails, national forests, waterfalls, and plentiful wildlife. It’s also 17 miles south of La Fortuna, which offers hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park, zip-lining, hot springs, and 75 percent of Costa Rica’s bird population. San Isidro de Peñas Blancas is a 30-minute drive to La Fortuna and 2.5-hour drive from San Jose International AIrport.
Brave Earth is a residential community and retreat center anchored in principles of reciprocity, regeneration, and resiliency. The activist founders see Brave Earth as a living laboratory that can serve as a model of inspiration for new and ancient ways of living as we face climate change. They’ve created a sustainable refuge with their approach to architectural material and design, biomimicry, regenerative farming, compost toilets, mutual aid, and shared decision-making.
We’ve chosen Brave Earth not only for their peaceful lush oasis, but for their attention toward decolonization, collective well-being, and how we relate to the natural world.
Accommodations: Inspired by nature’s design, Brave Earth offers a variety of rooms as they’ve experimented with different building modalities and materials such as AirCrete and locally-sourced wood, bamboo, and clay. Some rooms have air conditioning and others offer fans. A limited number of rooms have en-suite bathrooms. Others share 6 dry composting toilets and 6 showers located throughout the center for easy access. Please review each room description.
While dry composting toilets (using saw dust) may be a new experience for some, Brave Earth’s compost toilets have been beautifully designed with views into the rainforest. They remind us all that we are alchemists – able to transform waste into precious resources that improve the vitality of our ecosystem.
Food: Built to mimic the shape of a leaf, Rumi’s Kitchen is the heart of Brave Earth and opens to the food-growing gardens creating an intentional link with our food origins. There’s a cozy tea lounge tucked off to the side, as well as another small seating area for participants to eat in smaller groups. Meals will be vegetarian with ingredients grown on the land and sourced from local farmers. Most dietary needs can be accommodated.
Facilities: In addition to Rumi’s Kitchen and the tea lounge, you’ll find a natural swimming pond and accompanying lounge area, an open-air gathering space with a central fire pit, massage room, and plenty of land and hiking trails to wander. The grounds and facilities will be private for our group.
Meet Your Guides
Melissa Renzi (she/her) is a Licensed Social Worker, Certified Yoga Teacher, HSP Retreat Organizer, and Community Builder. She is passionate about creating experiences for sensitive people to embrace who they are, connect to others, and leverage their strengths for positive impact. Her retreats offer a refuge to connect with like-minded people, while also getting to know other cultures and surroundings lands at a slower pace than typical group travel. Since 2016, Melissa has led over 20 retreats in 6 different countries, serving over 200 highly sensitive people and introverts.
Omkari Williams (she/her) is a speaker, writer, podcast host, and coach for activists, both experienced and new, helping them develop and sustain their activism. On her podcast, Stepping Into Truth, she interviews people doing activist work in areas from Abortion Rights to Zero Plastic Waste. Her writing has been featured on Elephant Journal, My Empowered World, Women For One, Tattooed Buddha, Savannah Magazine, and Paprika Southern. Her book, Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World Without a Bullhorn, will be published in October 2023 by Storey Publishing. Find her at OmkariWilliams.com.
How We’re Making It HSP & Introvert-Friendly
In this pivotal time, we’re aiming to expand our reach and embrace creative ways of hosting a larger group compared to our typical retreats. We see this as an opportunity to explore and embody a microcosm that reflects our shared visions for the world we want to experience.
Central to this vision is a sense of genuine spaciousness, where introverts and HSPs can come together at their own pace to engage in experiential learning, forge profound connections, and relax into a sensory-friendly environment. Here’s how we plan to create this environment:
- Group Agreements: We’ll create agreements together to promote a culture of support and consent. Agreements may include personal boundaries, collective considerations, and other ways of being together that you’d love to see amplified.
- Small Group Cohorts: During workshops, we’ll divide into cohorts of 4-6 people, which will remain consistent through the week to foster intimate connection. We’ll also aim to group you by geographical region so you can continue to grow these relationships when you return home. For community outings, we’ll split the group in half.
- Thoughtful Schedule Planning: We’ve designed a schedule with breaks and downtime throughout each day. We’ve carved out two days with free time from morning through late afternoon to give time to relax, arrange a tour of interest, or enjoy a self-guided walk.
- Quiet Time & Zones: We’ll be observing silent breakfasts that slowly open up to more mindful conversation (you may also enjoy any meal solo in the garden). We’ll also designate the maloca as a quiet space outside of group gatherings.
In this pivotal time, we’re aiming to expand our reach and embrace creative ways of hosting a larger group compared to our typical retreats. We see this as an opportunity to explore and embody a microcosm that reflects our shared visions for the world we want to experience.
Central to this vision is a sense of genuine spaciousness, where introverts and HSPs can come together at their own pace to engage in experiential learning, forge profound connections, and relax into a sensory-friendly environment. Here’s how we plan to create this environment:
- Group Agreements: We’ll create agreements together to promote a culture of support and consent. Agreements may include personal boundaries, collective considerations, and other ways of being together that you’d love to see amplified.
- Small Group Cohorts: During workshops, we’ll divide into cohorts of 4-6 people, which will remain consistent through the week to foster intimate connection. We’ll also aim to group you by geographical region so you can continue to grow these relationships when you return home. For community outings, we’ll split the group in half.
- Thoughtful Schedule Planning: We’ve designed a schedule with breaks and downtime throughout each day. We’ve carved out two days with free time from morning through late afternoon to give time to relax, arrange a tour of interest, or enjoy a self-guided walk.
- Quiet Time & Zones: We’ll observe silent breakfasts that slowly open up to more mindful conversation (you may also enjoy any meal solo in the garden). We’ll also designate the maloca as a quiet space outside of group gatherings.
What’s Included
- 7 nights accommodation at Brave Earth
- All meals – 3 vegetarian meals per day
- Group transfers to/from San Jose (a round-trip transfer on your own costs $350.00)
- Hot springs evening, incl. entrance + transport
- Sustainable Architecture & Garden Tour
- Community Resilience Tour, incl. guide, lunch & transport
- Movement Practice & Eco Arts Activities w/ Melissa (daily)
- Micro Activism workshops w/ Omkari Williams (3-5 days)
- Group Eco Arts sessions w/ Melissa (2-3 days)
- Pre-Retreat ‘Meet & Greet’ via Zoom
- Trip Planning Packet w/ recommendations & checklists
- Unlimited filtered water, coffee & tea
Not Included:
- Airfare to/from San Jose International Airport
- Transport to hotel meeting point (near airport)
- Travel insurance – strongly recommended
- Gratuities (approx. $50-70 USD for retreat staff)
- Additional activities, transport, massages, etc
Accommodations
Inspired by nature, accommodations vary in design. The Gaia Domes, Earth Tambos, Jungle Huts & Family Jungle Huts share 6 luxurious dry compost toilets and 6 showers conveniently throughout the center. The Farm House has 6 rooms that share one full, onsite bathroom. You may review the room descriptions with the links provided.
Early Bird Rates – Prices increase by $100.00 on September 15th.
- Gaia Domes & Garden Cabinas – Double $2095.00 / Single $2645.00
- Earth Tambos & Jungle Huts – Double $2045.00 / Single $2495.00
- Family Jungle Huts – Double $1945.00 / Single $2395.00
- Farm House, Full Bed – Single $2095.00
- Farm House, Twin Bed – Single $1895.00
Come explore what’s regenerative for the planet and you.
April 3-10, 2024
Omkari’s session on Sustainable Activism for HSPs & Introverts was the exhale and lightness that I’ve been seeking. I realized how much easier this could all be, and also where my real challenges are – not the ones created for me by external posturing. You are not alone, and as Omkari teaches, your efforts are certainly very wanted and needed right now.
When you travel with Melissa, whether it be to another continent or two hours from home, you will enter a new world. Melissa delivers fully on the promise of her trip descriptions. She is conscientious and thoughtful with each participant.
Cancellation Policy
Read the full policy and terms in our Yoga International Retreat Agreement before reserving your spot.
Trip Cancelled by Participant
- A $500.00 deposit must be paid by November 30, 2023.
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All deposits are non-refundable/non-transferable.
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Remaining balance must be paid 90 days before trip start date.
Passport & Visa
Check the visa requirements for entry to Costa Rica from your home country. For U.S. travelers, if you are planning to travel to Costa Rica as a tourist for a period not to exceed 90 days, you do not need to apply for a visa. You are required to be in possession of a U.S. passport, valid for a minimum of six (6) months beyond your last date in the country.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. We don’t recommend a specific company or policy, but we’ve partnered with InsureMyTrip (affiliate link) as the best option to compare plans. They have thousands of travel insurance plans, as well as a recommendation engine to help travelers find the right plan. They will also provide support before, during, and after your trip if you should need anything, including help with a claim.
We recommend “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage, which will cover most trip expenses in the event you are unable or choose not to attend for any reason. CFAR insurance typically reimburses 50 or 75 percent of your trip cost if you need to cancel for reasons not otherwise covered and requires the following conditions:
- Purchase the policy within 14-21 days of first trip payment.
- Insure all prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses prior to departure.
- Cancel more than 48-72 hours prior to your departure date.
Read the policy terms. If you miss the window for CFAR coverage, you can still buy other policies that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, and medical treatment.
Getting There & Away
Weather
Weather: While December through April is technically considered Costa Rica’s dry season, we will be in a tropical area that receives rain throughout the year. Most of the time, you can expect sunny mornings and some rain in the afternoons. The average temperature ranges from 75-85°F (24-29°C). Evenings typically cool down to comfortable temperatures for sleeping.
COVID-19 Policy
We are following the policies of the countries we visit. Costa Rica no longer requires a negative test result or proof of vaccination. Be prepared to tender required health documentation should travel restrictions change. Our policy is also subject to change.
As of mid 2023, we are requesting the following from our participants:
- Self-Monitoring – If you experience illness symptoms of any kind, we ask that you inform us and keep distance from others.
- Masks – Participants are welcome to wear masks, but they are not required. (We may ask you to wear a mask in closed spaces if you become ill, but we’ll mostly be in open air.)
- Hygiene – We encourage you to wash your hands regularly throughout the retreat.
We are not responsible for any delays or cancellations due to your lack of proper travel documents. We strongly recommend you purchase “Cancel for Any Reason” travel insurance.
What is Nature-Based Expressive Arts?
The following definition is my summary based on what I’ve learned from my teacher, Gabriela Flores, who trained with Sky Mountain Institute.
Nature-based expressive arts (sometimes called “eco arts”) is an integration of ecopsychology, expressive arts, and ecological sciences that reminds us that we are nature and not separate, bringing us into the wisdom that indigenous cultures have held and practiced for many thousands of years.
The practices, which are about feeling and relating rather than aesthetic outcome, invite us to engage our senses, give creative expression to nature’s language, experience how nature’s systems exist within us, and empower our own roles in ecological stewardship.
When Omkari and I began planning our retreat, we had lengthy discussions about the importance of space, play, slowness, and connection in sustaining our work in any movement. Bringing in eco arts seemed perfect. In a way, activism is embedded in eco arts because of the sense of care the practices foster. They’re also a lovely means for nurturing play, slowness, and other essential ingredients that build resilience and connect us deeply to our work.
In this retreat, we’ll have a couple of group sessions (and break-outs) that allow for sharing with each other. But in order to ensure spaciousness in our schedule and continuity of eco arts through the week, I’ll invite you to explore a daily personal eco arts practice.
With elemental themes threaded through these morning practices, I’ll guide you through 35-40 minutes of movement, and then you’ll have 35-40 minutes for an eco arts activity to connect to the living world in your way and at your pace.
The movement practice will be just as slow and accessible as my yoga classes, and partially informed by yoga teachings since this is my background. But you can expect more fluidity and intuitive movement with less of a structured arc for this time.