056: Costa Rica Bans New Retreat Centers and Eco-villages

What the rise of land projects reveals about our responsibility as land stewards

Hey friends,

It’s been a while. I’ve just come back from some adventures through Alaska and Montana and have sprinkled in a few photos below. Deep nature. Deep connection with myself and loved ones. And I’m excited to dive in with you again, especially around what’s been unfolding in the world of land stewardship, people moving to Costa Rica to build Life 2.0, and how that’s really going for them and for the country.

Costa Rica is a country that’s thus far been an example to the world in ecology, democracy, and wellbeing - a canvas for what’s possible, and thus attracts a growing number with good intentions and big hearts! With that also comes extraction and overdevelopment, and somehow it’s hard to sort out how to do things right.

Now to be clear—there’s no actual ban on new retreat centers and eco-villages in Costa Rica. But many people, including locals I talk to, say that there should be….

I often hear:

“How many of these projects do we really need?”
“Is there even that much demand for retreats?”
“Are these eco-villages supporting local communities in any way?”
“How much Ayahuasca does a person really need?”

So I think it's important we stay aware of this and do our best when developing any project in a foreign country. That means listening to the land, the people, and real data, so our decisions are actually informed. Regenerative Development involves a lot of listening and way less doing. It involves asking curious questions, and studying how to make an ecosystem thrive in diversity, not extracting for personal benefit & profit.

San Isidro General - Mt. Chirripó Region

Words like “neo-colonialism” and “gentrification” aren’t just thrown around to sound smart. They reflect real impacts. Just like with climate change—some shifts are natural, but a lot is man-made harm, disrupting both people and ecosystems.

Personally, I don’t believe there should be a ban on new retreat centers or eco-villages. But I also don’t think this level of unchecked development is good for anyone. Instead of developing new land from scratch, what if we looked at revitalizing or integrating with existing spaces?

There’s a tidal wave of projects coming online, far beyond what the actual demand supports. Economically and environmentally, it’s not adding up. What we need now is, more collaboration between founders and projects already under way. And maybe the eco-village of the future doesn’t look like a gated community—but more like integrated neighborhoods, connected by shared purpose, not fences.

Nature doesn’t operate in silos. Why should we?

Rainbow I saw in Glacier Park, Montana

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Another Approach is Possible…

The first step is going slow. Not rushing into land deals. Not getting swept up in the hype or one’s own fantasy. But listening. Traveling. Learning.

It means becoming part of the local tapestry, not a tourist with a vision board. After more than 20 years in Costa Rica, it starts simple: learning the language, spending real time in a small town, and talking to local people. Understanding what’s needed. Asking how we can serve, rather than imposing some dream we had on a vision quest into their day to day reality and lives.

When I work with people, I often ask:
Is your vision or project necessary? Is it feasible? Is it beneficial to the area? Is it in Integrity?

Mineral Rich Waters of Southern Alaska

We usually scale that vision down, sometimes we pause it entirely. And funny enough, that’s what people hire me for. They think I’m going to help them build the retreat center or community of their dreams—and sometimes I do—but first, I slow them down, to see if that’s really what’s in the cards for them - or not. We get a lay of the land.

Most projects I encounter are beautiful ideas, but often disconnected from reality - missing research, local context, or real resources. They risk burning out their creators and harming the land they say they want to protect. So I have to speak my truth.

I’ve worked with plenty of folks convinced they’ve received the master plan for humanity. Their idea of collaboration is “going deeeeep” with investors they just met at Burning Man, well-meaning people with big hearts and big bank accounts, who are often equally unclear and in transition. Next thing you know, they’re building the ultimate eco-village with biohacking, permaculture, and an “organic medicine library.”

I know it well—because I was that guy. I had my dream, my land, my retreat center, my Kool-Aid. Now I help people check themselves, before they wreck themselves.

Sometimes the right move isn’t a big project—it’s just a home in a small town for now. And if it is a project, make it sensible, and integrated with the local community.

That’s the path I walk with people on now. Not faster. Not bigger. But wiser.

Cabin on remote Island in Alaska

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For this month’s LSA Workshop Series, we had special guest Ian-Michael Hebert. Ian-Michael is a visionary leader and co-founder of Holos Global, where he merges ecological stewardship with transformative wellness experiences. With a background in architecture and sustainable development, he previously served as the Director of Projects at the Esalen Institute, leading the campus renewal initiatives to rebuild the facilities. He also holds a Master's in Counseling Psychology and Community Mental Health from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Today, Ian-Michael continues to inspire through his work at Holos, in the Diamante Valley of Costa Rica, where one can find a blending of indigenous wisdom with modern approaches to healing and sustainability. His commitment to fostering deeper connections between people and nature has made him a respected figure in both the wellness and sustainability sectors. He shares the reality of the journey he’s been on building Holos.

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These are the Conversations we are having at the LSA

Inside the Land Steward Alliance, we’re diving into these deeper questions through workshops, mentorship, and shared practice among a group of peers with a common vision and values for conscious land stewardship and a thriving planet.

We explore how to build resilient people, living frameworks, and place-sourced projects that actually stand the test of time — because they’re rooted in relationship.

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Resource Section: Dear Future Human

In many newsletters and emails that I’ve sent over the years, I’ve shared a lot of valuable insights and lessons from Leap Forward and it’s founder Ronit Herzfeld. Well, it's with great joy that I get to share the following with you!

In a time when so much feels uncertain, Dear Future Human is a compass. A transmission. It calls forward the Future Human in each of us—the part that still dreams, still builds, and still loves beyond fear. These letters don’t shy away from the pain or complexity of our times. They meet them with honesty, vision, and hope.

Letter 1: Dear Future Human

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Giving Section

This is a new section for causes that really move me and that I support financially. I truly believe in the power of transformative philanthropy at any scale, to ease suffering and improve the lives of others. If you haven’t given in a while, give it a go, and feel the love.

Terra Keepers: Wisdom Keepers of the Earth

I’ve known Jose Reynoso from Terra Keepers for years and his passion and dedication preserve indigenous wisdom, both culturally and ecologically has always left me in awe. This is an amazing endeavor from an amazing human!

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⚡️ Land Project Compass Assessment ⚡️

I've created a powerful tool to help you assess where you're at with your land project called - The Land Project Compass Assessment.​ It's free, takes 5 minutes, and it will reveal a lot! Regardless of whether you have a project already underway, or are actively dreaming something up, this assessment will help guide you to the heart of what's important. After completing it, you'll get a visual scorecard of your project's health, important insights across key areas, and suggestions for next steps if you are looking for support. I hope this assessment helps you see yourself and your reality with greater clarity. ​Click here to take the assessment now.​

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Pura Vida,

Ed