The hippies, freaks, speakers, yogis, artists, music lovers and life enthusiasts will once again be returning to the wiggling jungle of Uvita in 2017 for the seventh annual Envision Festival. With each year this community grows, expanding their reach globally. A transformational event that will take place February 23-26, Envision has garnered acclaim for its exceptional lineup and grandiose production as every structure is a work of art accompanied by a world-class soundtrack.
Born from the radical self-expression and aesthetics of the Burning Man community, Envision offers a slice of the Playa in one of the most biodiverse locations on the planet: Costa Rica. Located on the southern Pacific side of the country in the small jungle community of Uvita, the land is the heart of this festival. While the conditions of the jungle can be quite a challenge in a festival scenario, the beach offers a cooling respite from the sweltering air. A tropical vacation and a transformational experience all rolled into one, Envision is a place you go to embrace reality instead of escape from it.
Offering enlightening lectures, workshops, movement classes, yoga, live painting, musical acts, performance art, and a kids zone, Envision’s goal is to create an amalgamation of various cultures and schools of thought. The result is a fully immersive space in which people can combine the marvels of human creations with the incomparable magic of nature. With waterfall hikes, horse rides on the beach, surfing, and more, there are several ways to explore the country as well as experience the festival.
Because the festival has grown in size, the organizers do their best to make sure that the large influx of people does not take its toll on the land. As a result, organizers and volunteers spend months afterwards tirelessly cleaning the venue with a fine tooth comb, making sure that our presence is not a burden. Though keeping the premesis clean begins with the patrons doing their part while at the festival, there is a lot of time and respect given to the land by Envision’s staff.
They also give back to this small community having created youth organizations as well as donating to local schools and city infrastructure. Though a small group of locals have protested the event, they were met with kindness by Envisionaries attempting to make peace. While it is a predominantly Catholic country, the organizers work within the community long before and after the festival takes place to remind them of their respect for their beliefs and appreciation of their land. Building a relationship with the locals is an important aspect which the organizers are constantly working on and once again, a huge portion of that relationship is based upon how visitors and attendees treat the land as well as those who inhabit it.
There is no doubt that Envision Festival is among one of the best in the world in production, artistry, and music. Each person involved pours their passion and energy into this event to create a utopian world for us to enjoy. As the community grows, so does the festival and together we can make it better every year. The magic is in our hands.