Awaken: Grandmother Vine – Dec 2026
Dec 13 - 19, 2026
A seven-day Sacred Plant Journey in Costa Rica for gay and queer men seeking reflection, embodiment, and meaningful connection
High-Level Program Overview
Sacred Plant Retreat in Costa Rica for gay and queer men ready to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with what matters. Guided by experienced facilitators and held in a private, trauma-informed environment, this Plant Journey brings together sacred ceremony, embodiment practices, nature, reflection, and queer community.
Who It’s For & Why People Come
This retreat may be for you if you’re ready to:
- Experience a Grandmother Vine Plant Journey in a private, queer-affirming setting.
- Create space for honest reflection, clarity, and deeper self-trust.
- Explore embodiment, breathwork, movement, music, and time in nature.
- Notice patterns or stories that may no longer feel aligned with your life.
- Connect more deeply with your inner wisdom and the living world.
- Share meaningful experiences with other gay and queer men.
- Return home with practices that support continued reflection and integration.
What To Expect
The Experience: Night settles over the Costa Rican jungle, and the fire glows softly beside the ceremonial space. Wrapped in a blanket, I listen to the forest breathe around us as the facilitators guide us into stillness. The ceremonial cup rests warm in my hands. At first, there is only breath, sound, and uncertainty, then something begins to open. Memories, questions, and emotions move through me as music fills the room, held by the quiet presence of the group.
Later, we gather beneath the trees with tea and fruit, sharing only what feels right. Someone plays guitar. Another person offers a reflection that makes the whole circle laugh. Between ceremonies, there is movement, river time, journaling, rest, and space to integrate. The journey feels deep, but not heavy all the time. There is tenderness here, and playfulness too, a reminder that insight can arrive through silence, nature, music, and the simple experience of feeling fully present together.
Facilitators
Rafa Gondim
Rafa is responsible for providing leadership across QASA’s retreat and event portfolio – advancing program excellence, building strategic partnerships, and facilitating sacred plant journey retreats.
Rocky heron
Ash ruiz
Guide, musician, and facilitator with more than 30 years of experience exploring self-realization, nonduality, and trauma-informed approaches to Sacred Plant Journeys. His work brings together grounded presence, spiritual inquiry, music, and compassionate support for meaningful reflection and integration.
Rocky heron
Singer, songwriter, yoga instructor, and alignment coach who brings movement, music, creativity, and embodied presence into the Awaken experience. His facilitation helps create a space where participants can soften, express themselves, and connect through both depth and play.
Lodging & Property
Investment & Logistics
Schedule Overview
Mornings begin with intention- beginning with meditation and reflection and group sharing, then an embodiment practice. Late mornings bring breathwork, nature walks, or workshops designed to prepare body and mind for ceremony or deepen integration.
Afternoons flow between rest, riverside journaling, and skill-building sessions, with ceremonies held in the evenings on days 3 and 4. Between ceremonies, you’ll have time for grounding practices, integration, connection with others, and quiet reflection—balancing deep inner work with joyful moments in nature.
Investment & Logistics
Duration: Seven days / six nights
Group size: Maximum 28 participants
Accommodation and investment:
- Shared Four-Bed Jungle Cabin — $2,800 per person
- Shared Twin Jungle Cabin — $3,550 per person
- Private King Cabin — $3,700 per person
- Private Deluxe Cabin — $4,000 per person
- Financial support: Limited assistance may be available for participants experiencing financial hardship. Supporting documentation may be requested. Contact welcome@qasa.house for information.
Included: Guided ceremonies and practices, facilitator support, six nights of accommodation, chef-prepared meals and tropical beverages, scheduled ground transportation, preparation resources, integration support, and access to the Qasa community.
Privacy: Awaken is a fully private retreat. Activities and meals are reserved for participants, facilitators, and the supporting Qasa team.
Experience note: Awaken is a non-sexual sacred space centered on embodiment, reflection, inner work, community, and integration.
- Travel Logistics: Check out our travel and packing guide for more information
Where You’ll Be Staying
- Qasa is located 3.5-4.5 hours from San Jose International airport (SJO), and roughly 1.25 hours from Quepos Airport (XQP) which has regular flights from SJO on Sansa Airlines and Green Airways
- After booking a stay at Qasa we will be happy to help you book a private taxi through a trusted provider. Private taxi rates (subject to change) are approximately:
- $180 from San Jose or SJO Airport
- $80 from Quepos or XQP Airport
- $90 from Manuel Antonio
- $30 from Dominical
- $30 from San Isidro
- If renting a car, a 4×4 is required to access the hotel in the rainy season
- The most economical option to arrive is to take a public bus to San Isidro or Dominical and then take a private taxi
Next Step
Option 1: Reserve Your Spot
- Reserve your place.
- Complete application.
- Final confirmation process.
Option 2: Book a Discovery Call
- Speak with our team.
- Ask questions.
- Get help choosing accommodations and completing registration.
frequently asked questions
FAQs
Got questions about our retreats in Costa Rica? Read the FAQs or get in touch via the contact form below.
Need more insights? Read our comprehensive blog about all things retreat-related in Costa Rica.
Qasa is a clothing optional queer sanctuary nestled in the lush Costa Rican jungle. We are a hotel and retreat center offering a mix of transformative experiences, playful freedom, embodied pleasure, wellness, and connection — all centered around the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re coming for a retreat, a hotel stay, or an event, we welcome you with open arms.
While our retreats are predominantly for GBTQ+ men, our hotel welcomes all guests who value conscious community, natural beauty, and authentic connection – regardless of background, identity, or how you love.
Qasa offers an eco-chic boutique hotel and transformational experiences, including sacred plant journeys, nature-based adventures and embodied pleasure retreats. We also offer intentional gatherings, parties, and festivals, as well as daily world-class classes, workshops, and events.
Yes! You can stay with us as a hotel guest during “off-retreat” times. It’s a beautiful way to enjoy nature, community, and rest. Check availability here.
Absolutely. We celebrate body freedom and comfort. Nudity is welcome in common areas, and respected as a non-sexual form of self-expression. Please always sit on a towel 🙂
Yes. We are an adults-only space (18+). Our programming and environment are not suitable for children.
A wellness retreat is dedicated time away to rest, reconnect, and support your wellbeing through nature, guided practices, nourishing food, and community.
At Qasa, gay and queer men take part in guided workshops, embodiment, nature, shared meals, and community. The exact program depends on the retreat, and participation is always opt-in.
Yes. Qasa’s core retreat programs are designed specifically for gay and queer identifying men. Hotel stays and selected events welcome guests of all identities.
Yes. Outside retreat periods and on available hotel dates, guests of all identities can book a stay solo, with a partner, or with friends.
Qasa offers a deliberately queer-centered home base in Costa Rica, built around belonging, clear community agreements, and care.
Travel experiences vary, and normal precautions still apply. At Qasa, guests enter a queer-centered environment supported by our team and community agreements.
Yes. Qasa can host private retreats, workshops, birthdays, and group getaways, subject to fit and availability.
Qasa is in Valle Diamante, about 3.5 to 4.5 hours from San José by road. Retreat guests receive specific shuttle and arrival details for their program.
Retreat guests receive fresh, chef-prepared meals made with local ingredients whenever possible. Many dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
Hotel stays are lodging-only unless a specific package, event, or private booking states otherwise.
