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This is the final part of our 7-part series exploring insights gained from visiting intentional communities throughout Costa Rica. In Part 6, we examined the challenges of gentrification and neocolonialism, particularly concerning the emergence of a new culture that ecovillages tend to bring.  Now, we'll share practical strategies for ethical immigration and cultural integration, drawing on successful examples from communities across the country. Practical Steps Toward Respectful IntegrationLearning the Language This isn't just about convenience—it's about respect. I can't emphasize this enough: if you're planning to live in Costa Rica or any other foreign land, learning Spanish (or whatever the respective foreign language is) should be one of your top priorities. I was not fluent in Spanish when I arrived here over 16 years ago. I drove a veggie-oil school bus RV from the United States to Costa Rica, loaded with two children and whatever we thought we'd need to set up a new life in...

This is the sixth part of a 7-part series exploring insights gained from visiting intentional communities throughout Costa Rica. In Part 5, we provided a framework for contemplatively evaluating communities. Now, we'll address one of the most challenging aspects of the ecovillage movement: how to become part of a new community and country without contributing to displacement and cultural erosion. Understanding Immigration's Contribution to Gentrification"We aren't building a community as much as we've moved into one that's been here for generations." These words from a seasoned community founder capture what might be the most overlooked truth in the ecovillage movement. True resilience doesn't come from creating isolated paradises but from thoughtfully integrating ourselves into our environment's existing social and ecological fabric. Unintentional and Possibly Avoidable Consequences Gentrification traditionally refers to the process of wealthy people moving into lower-income urban...

This is the fifth part of a 7-part series exploring insights gained from visiting intentional communities throughout Costa Rica. In Part 4, we explored self-assessment and research methods to prepare for community evaluation. Now, we'll provide a framework for evaluating communities once you find them. Essential Questions to Ask CommunitiesBetween the Ecovillage Tours and Community Connections calls, combined with my 25 years in the community movement as a volunteer, co-founder, operator, and consultant, I've gained a pretty broad perspective on what questions people tend to ask when vetting communities, along with insight into those they often overlook. Still, after writing the first draft of this blog, I didn't feel like it was quite complete. Over the last four tours, I've collected over 20 recordings of community founder presentations, given to our Ecovillage Tours groups. To enhance the lists below, I processed the transcripts from those recordings and extracted an expanded list...

This is the fourth part of a 7-part series exploring insights gained from visiting intentional communities throughout Costa Rica. In Parts 1 - 3, we explored different community models and approaches. Now we'll shift our focus to how you can prepare yourself to evaluate prospective communities effectively. Vetting Communities: Finding the Right Fit Starts With the Right Questions This is one of the most overlooked aspects of many people’s community search: how to thoroughly vet a community before committing your time, money, and heart to it.  In my opinion, there are other strategies worth considering than “feeling into it.” By "vetting," I mean the process of thoroughly evaluating communities to determine their alignment with your values, needs, and vision, much like how you might research and assess a potential business partner or career move. Asking the right questions lets you approach the process with relevant information, inner preparation, and applied wisdom. Know Yourself...

This is the third part of a 7-part series exploring insights gained from visiting intentional communities throughout Costa Rica. In Part 2, we examined foundational structural models of community ownership and governance. Now, we'll explore different community types and how they integrate with their surroundings. Available Options & What's Most Important to YouBeyond the basic structural frameworks we explored in Part 2, many communities develop intentional focuses that shape their fundamental character and daily operations. While these specializations often reflect the founders' vision and priorities, they also determine which kinds of members will be attracted to join. As I've traveled to dozens of communities throughout Costa Rica, certain models have emerged repeatedly, each offering unique advantages and challenges. Understanding these variations can help you identify which resonates most with your own community vision. Retreat or Education Center-Focused Communities An...

This is the second part of a 7-part series exploring insights gained from visiting intentional communities throughout Costa Rica. In Part 1, we examined how the concept of "community" has evolved and challenged common preconceptions. Now, we'll explore some of the foundational structural models that shape how communities organize themselves. Touring Diverse Community Models When designing ecovillage tours, one of the most striking observations is the diversity of organizational structures that communities adopt. These foundational frameworks determine everything from how land is owned to how decisions are made, creating vastly different living experiences for community members. Despite my experimentation with the idea, the challenge of designing tours based on classification isn't very practical. So far, our Ecovillage Tours have been primarily organized based on geography, paired with the schedule availability of different locations. Coordinating all this can be quite the puzzle! As...

This is the first part of a 7-part series exploring insights gained from visiting community projects throughout Costa Rica. This series will guide you through redefining community, understanding different models, evaluating potential communities, and navigating cultural integration. My Evolving Perspective on Community   I believe that the community you're seeking is likely to exist, just maybe not in the form you've imagined. To find it, you may need to start by adjusting your understanding of what you're looking for.A couple of years ago, my friend Cynthia Tina reached out to tell me about her new business, Ecovillage Tours, and asked me to help her design and guide her first trips in Costa Rica. The term "ecovillage" essentially refers to an intentionally designed community that aims to be socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable, if not regenerative.  By "regenerative," I mean approaches that go beyond sustainability to actively restore and enhance the health of...

Author: Jason Thomas Isn't permaculture all about growing food and saving the planet?   What do you know about permaculture? Some people think it's a sophisticated approach to organic gardening, and, in many respects, it's commonly used that way. But what else? What's all the hype? The study began in response to the climatic crisis identified back in the 60s and 70s. The founders of the Permaculture movement, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, set out to learn about sustainable and regenerative land management techniques by studying indigenous traditions that have served humanity for millennia. They did so, however, alongside a study of contemporary adaptations, inventions, and ingenuity. This was a true hero's journey because they not only found answers to their ​original quest, but the process uncovered even deeper questions and realizations. The word permaculture was originally coined to unite the words ​"permanent" and "agriculture." The insights gained, however, uncovered...