Punta Mona Eco Retreat, Costa Rica: Regenerative Living, Permaculture Programs & Off-Grid Life

We first discovered Punta Mona through the Netflix documentary series Down to Earth with Zac Efron, which caught our attention. With season two just released, the timing felt perfect. What we saw looked almost too good to be true, so naturally, we decided to dig a little deeper and find out what Punta Mona is really all about.

Punta Mona may look like paradise, and for many, it is. Tucked along the remote coast of Costa Rica, this off-grid haven is home to over 300 varieties of tropical fruits, nuts, root crops, herbs, and edible plants. It’s a living library of island flora, and if you’re curious, their website dives even deeper into what grows there.

At first glance, it might seem like a dreamy escape designed for hammocks and slow mornings (and yes, there’s plenty of that). But Punta Mona isn’t just a retreat; it’s a purpose-driven, hands-in-the-soil kind of place. It’s an educational center that regularly hosts immersive programs in permaculture, herbalism, mycology, yoga, and creative arts. At its core, Punta Mona is about more than beauty; it’s about learning how to live differently, regeneratively, and in sync with the land.

Their mission is to practice and teach a simpler, more regenerative way of living. 

The project was launched in 1997 and is family-owned and supported by the residential community. It is all about regenerative living and connection.

They teach a way of life many should learn because we need regenerative living more than we realise.

When visiting the island, you will not only observe, but you will become part of it. You will live alongside the permanent residents and share the way of life. It is about getting to know the project, the land, and the people. Do not go there if you want to experience a classic resort vacation. You will have to pull your sleeves up here.

When booking your stay, you can choose from the forms of accommodation you prefer. Whatever you book, it also includes meals and community activities.  

  • Casitas, private stand-alone cabins, and all have double beds. Rates start from 145 $per night and 800 $ per week. 
  • Cuartos, private shared rooms in the houses with each room having 1-3 beds. Rates start from 115 $ per night for a single room and 95$ per night for a shared room. 
  • The bungalow includes a single room or a shared room with three beds. Rates start from 95 $ per night for a single room and 75 $ for a shared room.

For more details or actual prices, please visit their website here.

There are regularly new events going on in Punta Mona, and you see regular updates on their site here.

You can also attend courses strongly connected to Punta Mona’s values, which will teach you more about farming, gardening, cooking, herbalism, and so much more.

And if you are still hesitant about booking a trip, look at the food you will get to eat and learn how to prepare. 

Only when I look up what fruits they have on the farm, half of them I had never heard about, but I bet they are tasty. 

We hope this inspired you to look a little deeper into what Punta Mona is all about. Even if you’re not packing your bags just yet, simply learning about their regenerative lifestyle and sharing their mission can already make a difference.

For us, Punta Mona is more than a dreamy destination. It’s a place that aligns perfectly with everything we believe in: sustainability, community, learning from the land, and living with purpose. We’ve officially added it to our bucket list and hope to explore it one day, not just for the wild beauty and tropical abundance, but for the chance to experience a different way of being. We can already picture ourselves walking through the food forests, joining a permaculture workshop, and soaking up the wisdom being cultivated along Costa Rica’s remote coast.

Pack your bags and waddle on!


This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a tiny commission, enough to help a penguin keep up its globe-trotting lifestyle. No extra cost to you, just more fish for me. Thank you for supporting the adventure!

Share now