7-DAY SACRED PLANT RETREAT FOR GAY & QUEER MEN IN COSTA RICA

Queer Festivals in Costa Rica

For a shorter, more flexible Qasa experience, join one of our queer events, from intimate weekends to vibrant festivals.

Adults 18+
Near Dominical, Costa Rica
Multi-day events
Audience and pricing vary by event
AS SEEN ON

What Are Qasa Festivals

Qasa Festivals are shorter and more flexible than our seven-day retreats. They may center on DJs and dance, queer community, local culture, nature, creative workshops, embodiment, or celebration. Some are created for gay and queer men; others are open to all queer adults. Every event listing clearly explains who it is for, what is included, the participation agreements, and how to join.

Shorter, Flexible Experiences

Most Qasa events run for a long weekend or several days, making them easier to join than a full retreat.

Celebration With Care

Joy, music, pleasure, and play live alongside consent, boundaries, pacing, and respect.

Nature + Community

Waterfalls, jungle spaces, shared meals, and queer connection are part of the experience.

Clear Audience + Expectations

Every event shows its intended audience, privacy level, clothing guidance, schedule, pricing, and registration process.

John L

This experience introduced me to a community of men who were more than their trauma. I felt liberated, loved, and heard.

See Qasa in Motion

A closer look at the land, the spaces, and the feeling of gathering here.

Check out our Reviews on Google

Meet the Hosts, DJs & Guides

Qasa events are shaped by artists, facilitators, DJs, movement guides, community builders, and local collaborators. Each event page introduces the people creating that specific experience.

Shelby Clark

Qasa founder, host, yoga and somatic facilitator

Shelby Clark (he/him) is a certified yoga instructor, trained meditation guide, and somatic facilitator focused on helping queer people unlearn performance and return to authenticity.

Mike Peck

Conscious embodiment coach and Queer Burners host
Mike is a Conscious Embodiment Coach based in London, dedicated to supporting others through modalities such as Tension & Trauma Release Exercises…

Ben Bellayuto

DJ and community collaborator

BEYA (Ben Bellayuto) Is a San Francisco DJ who got his start as a founder of the SF mainstay Polyglamorous, creating events like Sneaks and Pink Block.

Dino Real

Costa Rican multidisciplinary artist and DJ

Dino Real is a Costa Rican multidisciplinary artist. His creative repertoire includes the visual arts, event production, fashion design and DJing.

Paul Wolsch

Costa Rican DJ and underground music collaborator

With a career spanning 17 years, Paul is a prominent figure in the Central American underground scene.

Upcoming Queer Festivals At Qasa

Choose the gathering that matches your energy—or explore each event page for the full schedule, room options, hosts, and registration details.

 
 
 

Upcoming

A vibrant coastal escape blending movement, shared experiences, authentic self-expression, and the playful spirit of Provincetown with meaningful queer connection.
 
 
 

Upcoming

An unapologetic celebration of queer freedom, blending music, movement, playful self-expression, and wild jungle energy with vibrant community connection.
 
 
 

Upcoming

Cuatro días de jungla, música, movimiento y conexión para hombres gay y queer listos para jugar, expresarse y volver a sentirse vivos.​
 
 
 

Upcoming

A vibrant celebration of queer joy, freedom, and belonging, blending music, movement, authentic self-expression, and meaningful community connection.

Not sure which gathering fits your energy? Talk with our team.

John l.
I was going through a rough patch with my mental wen- being and finding those that shared the same desire to better themselves. This experience introduced rne to a healthy gay community of men that were more than their trauma, without judgment or prejudice. I felt liberated, free, loved ond heard. There were so many beautitul souls here that shared their stories with me. I found that the key was to take a leap Of faith and come with on open heart and

Jeffrey Oliver

This retreat, the accommodations, and the amenities all exceeded my expectations. It is lovely to see such a beautiful queer space in the middle of the jungles in Costa Rica. Will definitely return.

Choose Your Accommodation

Your retreat price depends on the room type you select. All options include the complete Awaken experience, six nights of accommodation, meals, scheduled transportation, preparation, and integration support.

*additional services provided at additional cost

AccommodationInvestment per person
Shared Four-Bed Jungle Cabin$2,800
Shared Twin Jungle Cabin$3,550
Private King Cabin$3,700
Private Deluxe Cabin$4,000

Room availability is confirmed separately for each retreat date.

Same Jungle. Different Energy.

Every Qasa event shares the same land and queer welcome. What changes is the rhythm, audience, focus, and level of celebration.

Jungle Fag! Winter Thaw

  • Energy: High-energy and party-forward
  • Focus: DJs, dance, waterfalls, embodiment, expressive play
  • Audience: Gay and queer men
  • Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
  • From: $800

Queer Burners: Jungle Reunion

  • Energy: Creative, participatory, and community-led
  • Focus: Burner culture, radical expression, music, play, connection
  • Audience: Open to all queer adults
  • Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
  • From: $800

Tico Pride / Semana Santa

  • Energy: Local, social, playful, and accessible
  • Focus: Queer community, waterfalls, DJs, movement, celebration
  • Audience: Open to Costa Rican and visiting queer adults
  • Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
  • From: $290

What’s Shared Across Qasa Events

No matter which gathering you choose, you’ll be held by the same land, the same spirit of queer welcome, and the same invitation to move at your own pace.

Queer-centered Community

An environment where you can arrive as yourself and connect without performance.

Jungle Setting

Access to Qasa’s waterfalls, trails, open-air spaces, and natural surroundings.

Beautiful Accommodations

Handcrafted bamboo cabins with shared and private room options.

Shared Meals

Chef-prepared food and time to gather around the table.

Opt-in Culture

Clear agreements, ask-first participation, and space to observe or rest.

Room To Breathe

Each event includes time to enjoy the property beyond the scheduled programming.

Joy With Care Built In

Qasa events can be playful, sensual, expressive, and clothing-optional—but never anything-goes. Consent, pacing, boundaries, and community care are part of the culture.

Everything Is Opt-in

Your yes matters. Your no matters. Changing your mind is always welcome.

Clothing-optional, Never Required

Each event page explains where clothing-optional spaces may occur. Nudity is never an expectation.

Ask First

Touch, participation, photography, and sharing require clear agreement.

No Pressure, Plenty Of Choice

You can go slowly, observe, rest, or participate from the edges.

Clear Team Boundaries

Facilitators, hosts, team members, and attendees follow event-specific agreements and professional boundaries.

Adults Only

Qasa events are for adults 18+ unless a listing explicitly states otherwise.

Stay in the Heart of the Jungle

Rest in handcrafted bamboo cabins surrounded by jungle sounds and open views of Valle Diamante. Shared and private accommodation options are offered according to each event’s room inventory.

Shared Four-Bed Cabin

A spacious community option with two bunk beds and room to settle in.

Shared Twin Cabin

Share an airy cabin with one other participant while keeping your own bed and personal space.

Private King Cabin

A spacious private cabin with a king or queen bed, private sink, and jungle terrace.

Private Deluxe Cabin

A quiet private option that can be arranged with one king bed or two twins.

The Land Is Part of the Event

Between the music, workshops, and shared moments, Qasa gives you space to swim, wander, move, eat well, and let the jungle change the pace.

Diamante Waterfalls

Walk to waterfalls and natural pools directly from the property.

Open-Air Shala

A bamboo gathering space for movement, workshops, dance, and community moments.

Chef-Prepared Food

Fresh meals and dietary accommodations according to the event package.

Pool + Jungle Trails

Swim, wander, rest, or explore the property between sessions.

Gym + Movement Spaces

Strength and functional movement facilities with jungle views.

Massage Space

Optional bodywork may be available at an additional cost.

Firepit + Communal Spaces

Gather for conversation, music, storytelling, and nights under the stars.

Alexis Pedroza

I feel Qasa is an absolute “must-go” experience for anyone wanting to explore in a safe queer environment.

Host Your Own Event at Qasa

YOUR PEOPLE. YOUR WEEKEND.

Bring your friends, community, creative collective, or chosen family to the jungle. Qasa can host birthdays, milestone celebrations, queer group getaways, workshops, weddings, wellness gatherings, and private multi-day events—with accommodations, food, shared spaces, and nature all in one place.

Friend + Chosen-family Weekends

Create a private jungle getaway with the people you love.

Birthdays + Milestones

Celebrate something meaningful with rooms, meals, nature, and room to play.

Weddings + Commitment Celebrations

Bring your ceremony and community into a queer-welcoming natural setting.

Workshops + Retreats

Host a creative, movement, wellness, or educational experience.

Creator + Collaborator Getaways

Bring a team, collective, or audience together away from everyday distractions.

Private Property Buyouts

Reserve Qasa for a fully private event, subject to availability and group fit.

What Private Hosting Can Include

Every gathering is built around your group, dates, and format. Our team will confirm availability, capacity, and a tailored proposal.

POTENTIAL INCLUSIONS:

Shared and private

bamboo accommodations

Chef-prepared meals

and dietary accommodations

Use of

the open-air shala and communal spaces

Access to

trails, waterfalls, pool, and property amenities

Event planning

and on-site logistics support

Optional Qasa

facilitators, movement guides, DJs, bodyworkers, or local collaborators

Airport or ground

transportation coordination

Private container

Or property buyout options

Final inclusions, privacy level, staffing, and pricing are confirmed in the proposal.

  • Shared and private bamboo accommodations
  • Chef-prepared meals and dietary accommodations
  • Use of the open-air shala and communal spaces
  • Access to trails, waterfalls, pool, and property amenities

  • Event planning and on-site logistics support
  • Optional Qasa facilitators, movement guides, DJs, bodyworkers, or local collaborators
  • Airport or ground transportation coordination
  • Private container / property buyout options

Final inclusions, privacy level, staffing, and pricing are confirmed in the proposal.

Is a Qasa Event for You?

This May Be For You If You:

  • Want a shorter, more social way to experience Qasa
  • Love queer community, nature, music, movement, or celebration
  • Value consent, boundaries, and clear participation agreements
  • Are comfortable with event-specific clothing-optional environments
  • Want both playful energy and room to rest
  • Are willing to check the audience details before registering

This May Not Be For You If You:

  • Want an anything-goes party without structure or community agreements
  • Are unwilling to respect boundaries, pacing, or consent
  • Expect every event to have the same audience or level of privacy
  • Are uncomfortable in a queer-centered environment
  • Want guaranteed access to touch, nudity, substances, or sexual interaction
  • Are looking for a clinical or medical program

Your Path to Awaken

Connect With Us

We’re excited to meet you and answer any questions you may have. Please choose your preferred communication channel below.

Getting to Qasa

Qasa is located near Dominical, Costa Rica, approximately 3.5-4.5 hours from San José International Airport. Scheduled ground transportation is included for retreat participants at specified arrival and departure times.

From San José

Join the scheduled retreat transfer or arrange private ground transportation.

From Quepos

Take a short domestic flight from San José, followed by ground transportation to Qasa.

Driving

A 4WD vehicle is recommended and may be required during the rainy season.

book a discovery call Here

Take the time to book a call with our team and provide your contact info. This allows us to get to know you better, answer your questions and guide you through the booking process.


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 hosts adults-only queer events in Costa Rica that combine community, nature, music, movement, celebration, and creative programming. They are usually shorter and more flexible than Qasa retreats. Each event has its own audience, schedule, privacy level, inclusions, and registration process.

Events are generally shorter, more social, and built around a theme such as Pride, Burner culture, DJs, local community, or seasonal celebration. Retreats are longer, more structured programs with dedicated preparation and integration. The event listing explains exactly what to expect.

The audience varies. Some events are created for gay and queer men, while others—such as Queer Burners gatherings—are open to all queer adults. Every event card and detail page must state the intended audience clearly before registration.

Yes. Qasa events are intended for adults 18+ unless a specific listing clearly says otherwise.

Some events include clothing-optional spaces, but clothing is never required. Each listing explains where clothing-optional environments may occur. Participation, touch, photography, and sharing are always governed by consent and event agreements.

Yes. Many guests arrive alone. Qasa events include shared spaces and community moments, while still giving you room to rest, observe, or participate at your own pace.

Inclusions vary by event. Many packages include programming, accommodation, meals, and access to the property, while transportation or optional services may differ. Each event page provides the final inclusion list and full room pricing before registration.

Choose an event, review the audience, dates, pricing, accommodations, and agreements, then use the Register button on that event page. If you are unsure which event fits, book a free call with the Qasa team.

Yes. Qasa is available for selected private gatherings, including birthdays, weddings, chosen-family weekends, workshops, creative events, wellness gatherings, and group getaways. Accommodation, meals, facilities, logistics, and optional programming can be included in a tailored proposal.

Qasa is located near Dominical, Costa Rica, approximately 3.5–4.5 hours from San José International Airport. Guests can drive, arrange private transportation, or fly domestically to Quepos and continue by ground transport. Event-specific shuttle information is listed on each event page.

Not Sure Awaken Is Your Path?

Qasa also offers retreats for gay and queer men centered on embodiment, pleasure, adventure, nature, and play.

Unleash

Embodiment, touch, conscious pleasure, and consent-centered connection.

Out & Wild

Nature, movement, adventure, and brotherhood in the Costa Rican jungle.

Find Your Retreat

Compare Qasa experiences and explore which path may fit you best.

We also host special gatherings and community events throughout the year.

YOUR NEXT JUNGLE STORY STARTS HERE

Find Your Next Qasa Event

Choose an upcoming gathering, ask us which one fits your energy, or bring your own people and create something new.

Shelby Clark

Founder

Shelby Clark (he/him) is a certified yoga instructor, trained meditation guide, and somatic facilitator focused on helping queer people unlearn performance and return to authenticity. As the founder of Qasa – an LGBTQ+ retreat center in Costa Rica – Shelby creates spaces where queer people can reconnect with their bodies, their truth, and a felt sense of belonging.

His approach draws from somatic practice, meditation lineages (including training with Radiance Sutras author Lorin Roche), and the transformative power of queer joy. Shelby’s work lives in the body – in sensation, emotion, pleasure, and flow. With a mix of reverence and a sense of play, Shelby supports others in exploring the full spectrum of sensation, emotion, pleasure, and presence – not to become someone new, but to remember who they already are.

Shelby lives in Costa Rica, and feels most alive dancing in the jungle, laughing with community, and helping others land in their own aliveness.

Mike Peck

Mike is a Conscious Embodiment Coach based in London, dedicated to supporting others through modalities such as Tension & Trauma Release Exercises (TRE®), Yoga, Classical and Neo-Tantra, Breathwork, Meditation, and Somatic Movement Therapy. With over 850 hours of training, he works closely with his clients and community to understand their needs, offering a safe, attuned space for movement, play, connection, healing and transformation.

Known for his grounding presence and deep intuition, Mike skilfully weaves together multiple practices to help people experience greater inner peace, freedom, and empowerment. His retreats, workshops and sessions are described as powerful, nurturing, and insightful-held with professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to helping others shine and thrive.

Ben Bellayuto

BEYA (Ben Bellayuto) Is a San Francisco DJ who got his start as a founder of the SF mainstay Polyglamorous, creating events like Sneaks and Pink Block.

He is deeply inspired by the sounds he experienced in the rave scene in New Orleans in the late 1990s.

He mixes funky house with tech house beats creating nostalgic grooves with a progressive slant. He’s played at Burning Man, Outside Lands Music Festival and across the states.

Dino Real

Dino Real is a Costa Rican multidisciplinary artist. His creative repertoire includes the visual arts, event production, fashion design and DJing. His effervescence and innovating energy translates through different artistic mediums as unique, eclectic and filled with wonder.

His refined eye for the colorful, surreal, psychedelic and abstract is reflected in his track selections and peculiar mixes oscillating from the House and Techno genres. For the past 10 years he has been doing conceptual and thematic events in the San José, Costa Rica scene. He has been promoting and supporting queer art in his platforms.

On a professional level he endorses freedom of expression at a collective and individual level as part of his essence, which is to subvert the mundane. He resides in Costa Rica where he organizes iconic events. He showcases his work nationally and internationally.

Paul Wolsch

With a career spanning 17 years, Paul is a prominent figure in the Central American underground scene.

His musical selection-influenced by classic sounds and a purist ethos-flows naturally between house and techno.

A resident DJ at Club Vértigo for over a decade and a fixture in Costa Rica’s underground scene, he has shared the decks with international heavyweights and performed across Latin America, Europe, and Asia, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to championing artists from the LGBTIQA+ community.