×

Costa Rica🇨🇷 | festivalsEnvisionWeek-long jungle camp, yoga and breathwork, rainforest stages, Uvita mud | things to do and best time to go

Explore Fiesta de los DiablitosExplore Fiestas de Palmares

Backpacking in Envision
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Envision is a full week of yoga, workshops, ceremonies and art that happens to have a very good sound system, and the music is only one layer of it. It takes place in the south Pacific of Costa Rica, in the jungle and beach country near Uvita, among rainforest, dirt tracks and the Pacific surf. The crowd is international: yogis, dancers, builders, artists and a lot of backpackers who sold a flight home to stay longer. Days start with movement classes under dripping canopy, and nights run on bass, world beats and fire. The ground turns to red mud fast, and the air smells of woodsmoke, sunscreen and wet leaves. On my way in, a taxi driver named Marco pointed at the river crossing and said, “Pura vida, but wear your sandals, amigo.” He was right, and my boots stayed dry. Envision rewards anyone ready to share space, shed schedules and talk to strangers at 3 a.m. Book your ticket and your lodging well ahead, because the Uvita area fills up completely.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Costa Rica Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 festival in Costa Rica
Reasons people choose to celebrate the here

Envision gives backpackers a reason to schedule the southern Pacific coast into a longer Costa Rica loop. The festival draws a crowd that is happy to talk to strangers, so solo travelers tend to leave with a new circle of friends after a day of morning yoga and workshops. Camping and shared housing around Uvita let you split costs, and the festival sits comfortably beside surf stops in Dominical and wildlife days in the region. Compared with the big European festivals, the scale feels intimate, and the focus on sustainability, permaculture and Indigenous teachers gives you something to take home besides a hangover. The Marino Ballena National Park beaches are close enough for a recovery swim once the music stops. Many people arrive a week early to surf and stay a few days after to volunteer … read more 👉
Envision gives backpackers a reason to schedule the southern Pacific coast into a longer Costa Rica loop. The festival draws a crowd that is happy to talk to strangers, so solo travelers tend to leave with a new circle of friends after a day of morning yoga and workshops. Camping and shared housing around Uvita let you split costs, and the festival sits comfortably beside surf stops in Dominical and wildlife days in the region. Compared with the big European festivals, the scale feels intimate, and the focus on sustainability, permaculture and Indigenous teachers gives you something to take home besides a hangover. The Marino Ballena National Park beaches are close enough for a recovery swim once the music stops. Many people arrive a week early to surf and stay a few days after to volunteer or travel on toward the Osa Peninsula. Because it falls in the dry season, the road south is easier to ride, and hostels can be found if you plan ahead.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while celebrating the Envision

  1. Playa Pavones and the Pacific beachfront: Envision is held in the jungle behind Playa Hermosa and Platanillo near Uvita, on the Costa Ballena, and the Pacific is the festival’s natural front yard. Dark sand, warm surf and humid air thick with salt and cut grass make the shoreline the place you drift to between sets, and the water is the quickest way to reset.
  2. The main stages in the rainforest: The big music areas sit among palms and hardwoods, with bass rolling out of the canopy into open clearings. Electronic sets run deep into the night, and you dance on packed earth under strung lights while howler monkeys and insects fill the gaps in the sound.
  3. Art installations and the Sacred Grove style gathering spaces: Sculptures, hanging pieces and painted structures are scattered along the jungle paths,
… read more 👉
  1. Playa Pavones and the Pacific beachfront: Envision is held in the jungle behind Playa Hermosa and Platanillo near Uvita, on the Costa Ballena, and the Pacific is the festival’s natural front yard. Dark sand, warm surf and humid air thick with salt and cut grass make the shoreline the place you drift to between sets, and the water is the quickest way to reset.
  2. The main stages in the rainforest: The big music areas sit among palms and hardwoods, with bass rolling out of the canopy into open clearings. Electronic sets run deep into the night, and you dance on packed earth under strung lights while howler monkeys and insects fill the gaps in the sound.
  3. Art installations and the Sacred Grove style gathering spaces: Sculptures, hanging pieces and painted structures are scattered along the jungle paths, and walking them at dusk is a show in itself. Some spaces are built for quiet sitting, with cushions, lanterns and the smell of damp leaves, so the festival has room for slow hours as well as loud ones.
  4. Yoga, movement and wellness programming: Daytime workshops cover yoga, breathwork, dance and sound healing, held in open-sided pavilions where fans push warm air across mats. Starting a morning stretching with strangers, then ending the same day at a bass-heavy stage, is the rhythm that sets Envision apart from a standard dance festival.
  5. The Costa Ballena rainforest and river swimming: Beyond the festival grounds, the surrounding country has waterfalls, river pools and trails under dense forest. Cold freshwater after days of heat and dust is a real pleasure, and the nearby coastal hills give you clear views over the ocean and the whale-tail sandbar at Marino Ballena National Park.
Give Envision about seven days for the full run of the festival, plus a day or two on either side to see the coast and forest around it.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Envision

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Envision?

Envision runs for about seven days from late February into early March at Pachamama near Uvita, on Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast, with dates that shift slightly each year.
  • Best days: The middle of the week has the fullest program, with yoga, workshops and ceremonies by day and the biggest music sets at night. Arrive early for the quieter opening days if you want space on the jungle trails and beach.
  • Weather: Dry season brings highs of 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), lows near 22°C (72°F), heavy humidity and about 11.5 hours of daylight. Brief showers are possible. Bring a reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a refillable bottle, a light rain shell and bug repellent.
  • Booking: Buy passes and secure beds as soon as both open, ideally 4 to 6 months ahead. Uvita and Dominical rooms often cost 30 to 60 percent
… read more 👉
Envision runs for about seven days from late February into early March at Pachamama near Uvita, on Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast, with dates that shift slightly each year.
  • Best days: The middle of the week has the fullest program, with yoga, workshops and ceremonies by day and the biggest music sets at night. Arrive early for the quieter opening days if you want space on the jungle trails and beach.
  • Weather: Dry season brings highs of 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F), lows near 22°C (72°F), heavy humidity and about 11.5 hours of daylight. Brief showers are possible. Bring a reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a refillable bottle, a light rain shell and bug repellent.
  • Booking: Buy passes and secure beds as soon as both open, ideally 4 to 6 months ahead. Uvita and Dominical rooms often cost 30 to 60 percent more during the festival.
  • Roads: The coastal highway from San José clogs on the first and last days. Travel mid-morning, not at midday, and leave on the final morning or wait until the afternoon.
Book your return transfer before you arrive, because seats fill up after the closing night.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutCosta Rica Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Costa Rica
The digital guide (287 pages) contains:
✅ 90 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Uvita town is the best base for backpackers, with the widest choice of budget beds, grocery stores and a daily flow of festival-goers heading to the grounds. Staying here lets you split shuttles or taxis with other travelers, which keeps costs down and makes it easy to find company.
Playa Hermosa and the Playa Colonia area sit closest to the festival site. The ocean-side stretch is quieter and greener, with a mix of hostels, shared houses and camping spots. It suits you if you want to sleep near the action and wake up to howler monkeys and surf. Evenings are dark and rural, so carry a headlamp. … read more 👉
Uvita town is the best base for backpackers, with the widest choice of budget beds, grocery stores and a daily flow of festival-goers heading to the grounds. Staying here lets you split shuttles or taxis with other travelers, which keeps costs down and makes it easy to find company.
Playa Hermosa and the Playa Colonia area sit closest to the festival site. The ocean-side stretch is quieter and greener, with a mix of hostels, shared houses and camping spots. It suits you if you want to sleep near the action and wake up to howler monkeys and surf. Evenings are dark and rural, so carry a headlamp.
Dominical, about 20 to 30 minutes north by road, has the strongest surf-hostel scene. It is lively, walkable and full of solo travelers, with restaurants, a beachfront strip and easy conversation. Taxis back at night are scarce during festival week, so organize your ride ahead of time.
Ojochal, in the hills between the two, works for people who want a calmer, wellness-minded stay in shared houses and eco lodges. Expect a short drive for everything.
All these areas feel safe by Costa Rican standards, but keep valuables out of sight on beaches and in parked cars. Book early, as festival week takes nearly every bed from Dominical to Uvita, and look into shared houses or camping if dorms are full.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Envision costs roughly US$145 to 222 per day for an independent traveler, with the pass making up most of it. The general pass for the seven-day 2026 edition ran US$629 to 749.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$90 to 107 per dayThe seven-day general pass cost US$629 to 749. Passes are bought online in advance, and prices rise in later release phases.
AccommodationUS$25 to 50 per nightDorm beds and basic rooms in Uvita and Dominical cost more during the festival and sell out early. Camping is the cheapest route.
Local transportUS$5 to 15 per dayLocal buses along the coast cost US$1 to 3 per ride. Shared shuttles and taxis to the grounds cost more, with taxis often US$10 to 25 per trip.
Food & drinksUS$20 to 35 per dayFestival stalls and vegetarian-leaning kitchens charge around
… read more 👉
Envision costs roughly US$145 to 222 per day for an independent traveler, with the pass making up most of it. The general pass for the seven-day 2026 edition ran US$629 to 749.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$90 to 107 per dayThe seven-day general pass cost US$629 to 749. Passes are bought online in advance, and prices rise in later release phases.
AccommodationUS$25 to 50 per nightDorm beds and basic rooms in Uvita and Dominical cost more during the festival and sell out early. Camping is the cheapest route.
Local transportUS$5 to 15 per dayLocal buses along the coast cost US$1 to 3 per ride. Shared shuttles and taxis to the grounds cost more, with taxis often US$10 to 25 per trip.
Food & drinksUS$20 to 35 per dayFestival stalls and vegetarian-leaning kitchens charge around US$8 to 15 per meal. Juices and coffee cost US$3 to 6. Bring a refillable bottle.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15 per dayCovers sunscreen, repellent, workshop extras, ATM fees and tips. Colones are used for most purchases outside the grounds.
Total Daily BudgetUS$145 to 222Camping and cooking some meals put you near the low end.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Envision

Food at Envision leans plant-based and health-conscious, with vendors serving bowls, wraps, fresh fruit and smoothies alongside Costa Rican staples. Look for gallo pinto (rice and beans) at breakfast, plus casados, the plate of rice, beans, salad and a main that local cooks do best.
Worth trying are the tropical fruits: fresh pineapple, papaya, mango and cold coconut water cracked open on the spot. Cacao drinks and kombucha show up often, and they pair well with the long, sweaty afternoons. Coffee from southern Costa Rica is strong and easy to find in the morning.
Treat the festival stalls as your main meal option on site, but go outside for a cheaper change of pace. In Uvita and Dominical, the small family restaurants called sodas serve a casado for around US$7 to 10, and a festival meal usually … read more 👉
Food at Envision leans plant-based and health-conscious, with vendors serving bowls, wraps, fresh fruit and smoothies alongside Costa Rican staples. Look for gallo pinto (rice and beans) at breakfast, plus casados, the plate of rice, beans, salad and a main that local cooks do best.
Worth trying are the tropical fruits: fresh pineapple, papaya, mango and cold coconut water cracked open on the spot. Cacao drinks and kombucha show up often, and they pair well with the long, sweaty afternoons. Coffee from southern Costa Rica is strong and easy to find in the morning.
Treat the festival stalls as your main meal option on site, but go outside for a cheaper change of pace. In Uvita and Dominical, the small family restaurants called sodas serve a casado for around US$7 to 10, and a festival meal usually costs US$8 to 15.
Bring a refillable bottle, because water refill points keep waste down and save money. Lines build at lunch and after sunset, so eat early or late. Carry cash in small bills for smaller vendors, as card readers can fail when the signal drops in the jungle. Portions are generous, so sharing a bowl with a new friend is common and welcome.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Envision

Envision takes place over about seven days from late February into early March at Pachamama near Uvita on Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast. Exact dates shift slightly each year, so confirm them when passes go on sale. Most travelers arrive a day or two early, since Uvita is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by road from San José.
Attending Envision with the general pass cost US$629 to 749 for the seven-day 2026 edition. Beyond that, budget about US$25 to 50 a night for a bed near Uvita or Dominical and US$20 to 35 a day for food. A realistic all-in total is roughly US$145 to 222 per day.
Yes, Envision passes are sold online ahead of time, and it is wise to buy them months in advance because later release phases cost more. Accommodation around Uvita and Dominical also fills quickly and prices rise during the festival week. Plan to book your pass, bed and airport shuttle or bus seats from San José 4 to 6 months before the late February start.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Costa Rican festivals near Envision

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Costa Rica including Envision and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Costa Rica has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Country photo of Costa Rica

We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Envision rewards the people who treat the festival as a community rather than a lineup. First-timers often overlook the quiet daytime corners, where small workshops and tea tents offer the best conversations. I would bring a refillable bottle and sturdy sandals, skip the rush to the main stage, and spend at least one afternoon in those quieter spaces. Plan on one full day to recover afterward.

✈️ When did I visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Costa Rica, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.