Envision Festival

Have you been thinking about heading to Burning Man, but are not sure if you can deal with the scorching heat? Maybe you should consider Envision, Costa Rica’s beach version of the iconic festival.

More than just a party, Envision is a crash course in alternative lifestyles and sustainability. While many festivals claim to care for the environment due to token programs like recycling, Envision was actually created as a way of bringing together like-minded individuals in a celebration of nature and spirituality. While the festival does focus on music, it also offers a full schedule of yoga classes, workshops, speakers, and other educational opportunities.

The event is based on eight pillars, all key to the success and the sustainability of the festival: permaculture, spirituality, movement, art, music, community, health, and eco-building. The last is particularly significant in terms of the festival’s planning, as they strive to be a “Leave No Trace” event. As a massive gathering, this requires both the commitment of attendees and a great deal of education on the part of organizers.

But enough about planning – what about the fiesta? Envision has steadily gained a reputation both within Costa Rica and internationally, with yoga enthusiasts, music fans, and others interested in the alternative, “green” lifestyle. In keeping with the community focus, the programming mixes both international and local artists and speakers, ensuring a uniquely Costa Rican experience.

I had heard the epic stories of Costa Rica’s Envision Festival long before I decided to check it out for myself. Truth be told, I was a bit skeptical as to whether I was going to enjoy it, as I consider myself a music fan, and tend to gravitate toward more traditional music festivals with high-profile jam bands and rock ‘n roll lineups. Sure, I was intrigued by the concept of a festival on a beach, in the jungle, two miles from where I just recently decided to relocate abroad, but I wasn’t sure I was fully ready to embrace all the non-musical “alternative elements” of Envision that I had heard so much about. These elements, combined with a culturally eclectic audience and common social commitment to the planet, really sets this festival apart from many others. It is truly a unique experience.

For the past ten years, the small town of Uvita, Costa Rica triples in population on the final weekend in February. It becomes the temporary home to roughly 6,000 artists, musicians, staff and “Envisionaries” from all over the world.  Organizers refer to it as a “celebration dedicated to awakening our human potential.” The festival’s mission is to provide a platform for different cultures to co-exist in sustainable community, and inspire one another through art, spirituality, yoga, music, dance, performance, education, sustainability and our fundamental connection with nature.
 

To say that Envision has something for everyone would be a gross understatement. If you want to attempt aerial acrobatics at an acro-yoga session with some of the most world-renowned yoga instructors, be hypnotized by fire spinners on the beach while taking in the Costa Rican sunset, peruse paintings, sculptures and murals from one of the featured international artists, or take a surf break from dancing, to catch a few waves before sitting in on a lecture about tropical reforestation. All of this is possible at Envision.   

The incredible diversity of people, food, art and nearly every other aspect of the thoughtfully designed festival fascinated me, however, it was the music that was my true focus. While the majority of Envisionaries seemed to be drawn by the impressive lineup of DJs and electronic artists from around the world.

While I was pleasantly surprised by everything at Envision, the most impressive element of the festival wasn’t the music, the elaborate jungle pyrotechnics, the A-list seminar speakers, or even the seemingly superhuman performance artists. It was the Envision creators’ relentless commitment to producing a world-class festival through an environmentally responsible and sustainable approach. The creators’ dedication to proving it is possible to offset the ecological impact of an event this size, is truly remarkable and should be commended. Sure, there are many festivals out there that claim they are ‘green’ and scatter a few recycling bins around the venue, but at Envision they take things to the next level. You won’t find disposable silverware, single-use cups, or plastic straws filling up the trashcans, nor will you find a vendor that isn’t organic or responsibly sourced, or be blinded by generator-powered flood lights drowning out the stars and polluting the air with gasoline fumes. Every element of this festival has been thought through with consciousness, care, and creativity.

To anyone who is like me, intrigued by the idea of Envision, but not entirely sure that it’s ‘your thing,’ I would encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone, put your hippie pants on, and book your ticket to Costa Rica for next year’s festival. The people who attend this event, and those who make it possible, have created a unique utopia, and are no doubt making the world a better place.

I can confidently say that Envision transcended what I thought a 4-day jungle beach party would be, and I am walking away from this experience with a whole new perspective on alternative destination festivals, and my own role on this planet.

All these awesome images featured here are the property of Envision's Facebook page. 

If you are planning to attend Envision Festival in Costa Rica, it is best to start planning your trip as early as possible. This year's event took place from February 27th to March 6th, 2023. If you're interested in attending, you should check out the Envision official website and plan with lots of time in advance since Envision has sold out the past three years in a row! 

Here are some factors to consider when deciding when to start planning your trip:

The exact dates for when tickets for Envision Festival in Costa Rica go on sale can vary from year to year. Typically, tickets go on sale several months before the festival dates, with early bird tickets being released first, followed by tiered pricing as the festival approaches.

For the most up-to-date information on ticket sales, check the festival's official website or social media channels. They usually announce ticket sale dates and provide updates on pricing and availability as soon as they are available.