Some gatherings around the world have become emblematic of the activities they showcase, the lifestyles they support, and the people who choose to form a part of them. Such is the case with the initial iterations of the Lollapalooza festival in the early 1990s, as it heralded the coming together of a new wave of counterculture in the United States and later around the world. Then there’s the Toronto International Film Festival, which has become emblematic of the changing taste of Western movie audiences. The Winter Music Conference in Miami is emblematic with electronica and dance music. The Burning Man event in Nevada has become synonymous with many modern aspects of alternative living, such as sustainable communal living, individuality, survivalism, and radicalism in general.

The Envision Festival in Costa Rica borrows a page from Burning Man, along with some elements of Lollapalooza and the Winter Music Conference to offer a unique experience that is more accessible to the general public than the aforementioned events. Community and artistic self-expression are important elements of the Envision Festival, but other important aspects of life in Costa Rica are also highlighted. Spirituality, sustainability and respect for nature are equally important at the Envision Festival, a singular event that will bring people from different parts of the world to Bahia Ballena in the Southern Pacific region of the Puntarenas province.

The Natural Beauty of Bahia Ballena

Located just a few kilometers south of Playa Uvita, Bahia Ballena is a protected conservation area that serves as a sanctuary for marine birds, humpback whales, lizards, and many other amphibious and aquatic species. Bahia Ballena is a paradise for ecotourists due to everything the area has to offer; from cetacean sightings of dolphins and whales to unique lush vegetation, and from howler monkeys to colorful macaws. Unlike other coastal areas of our country, Bahia Ballena is still a very pristine natural treasure.

Bahia Ballena is the starting point for many eco-adventures. The Corcovado National Park, Isla Cano and the mangroves of Tierra Sierpe are easily accessible from Bahia Ballena. It is against this beautiful natural backdrop that the Envision Festival will unfold over 4 days at the beginning of March.

The Envision Festival’s Vision

The way organizers Brendan Jaffer and Luigi Jimenez describe it, the Envision Festival is “a mixture of art and nature, a call to return to an essence of being.” In an interview with 506 magazine, Brendan summed up the festival’s vision to mix “technology with communal traditions, dancing and costumes. The festival brings opportunities to learn and grow, not just as people, but also as a community, through different workshops.”

The sense of community also seeks to instill a sense of responsibility. “The festival donates to the local community, for different causes. Last year we fixed an artesian well system in the Dominical school, and we also contributed to a sustainable reforestation program. The previous festival was relatively small, and few people in Costa Rica found out about the event. On Saturday night we had estimated about 500 people. We held the festival on a few lots adjacent to the Baru River. It was a nice event, with music, good vibrations, art, exhibits, and great food. There were lectures and workshops during the daytime and music and dancing by night. Everyone thanked us and said it was very special. The locals told us they had seen nothing like it before”, stated Brendan Jaffer.

For his part, Luigi Jimenez called attention to the many activities: “painting, yoga, performance, visual arts, bamboo structures… I guess in a way it could be referred to as an spiritual retreat.” The festival is also highly eco-friendly: “not only are we presenting an event with minimal environmental impact (we are even using biodiesel and solar energy), but we also try to educate those in attendance about how they can be more responsible and ecologically conscious for the rest of their lives”, explained Brendan.

Reasons to go to the Envision Festival

In the words of organizer Luigi Jimenez: “Well, it’s summertime, and I can tell you that there will be great music and great artists. Besides, we will be in one of the best beaches in the world, which means that -of course- there will be beautiful girls in bikinis… it’s a ‘win-win’ situation. Outside of my personal view, it is a great opportunity to share and enjoy a festival that has a vision more intrinsic of who we are as people. It’s about learning to get along in a basic manner for a few days and to enjoy life… drunk on art and nature.”

Partial Musical Lineup

–Beats Antique
–Opiuo
–Sonambulo
-Huba & Silica
–DJ Melissa O
-Ojo de Buey

Activities: surfing, paragliding, horseback riding, hiking, yoga, dance, art, music, ecological workshops, and more.

Warm Up Event: Premonition, a musical event featuring GAUDI, Love and Light, and other electronic music acts at ClubVertigo in Paseo Colon this February 25^th. GAUDI is fresh from a scorching set at Burning Man.