Una a las 10am y otra a las 11am
La inscripción para los recorridos se realizará solamente a través del correo electrónico puertasabiertas@rree.go.cr. Son gratuitos

 
 
 
Spend a week with us in the jungle and learn to design a bountiful garden that supports all life.
With the era of consumerism, the world faces many challenges from loss of habitat, to environmental degradation and social disconnection. We believe it’s time to cultivate opportunities for positive change and learning. Permaculture – derived from the words “permanent” and “culture” – is a design science based on mimicking efficient patterns and relationships found in nature. Permaculture is yoga for the land, as yoga is permaculture for the body.

Introduction

Our week-long course includes the following:

7 Days / 6 Nights at Rancho Delicioso
3 Meals per day that showcase healthy fresh cooking from the farm or local providers
Introduction to Permaculture – Daily Workshops
Daily Yoga Class
Aerial Silk Beginner’s Class
Archery Class
Beach Trip To Playa Hermosa (Surfing Lessons Optional)
Montezuma Waterfalls Excursion
Anamaya Yoga Excursion
Pool Party

Introduction to Permaculture Daily Workshops:
The program will include eight permaculture courses, from 90-120 minutes long each, throughout the week, earning you an “Introduction to Permaculture” certificate from Rancho Delicioso. These eight courses will be:

1. Definition, Ethics and Principles:

Participative discussion that includes the Web of Life Activity.

2. Soil Science:

Know your soil types, micro-organisms, textures, Ph, simple tests to do at home.

3. Composting:

Making a “lasagna-style” compost pile and bio-fertilizers.

4. Biointensive Gardening:

Hands on mulching, seeding, transplanting, making beds, moon cycles, pest and disease control, plant propagation, seed saving.

5. Garden Design:

Using patterns and the edge effect – design and hands-on making an herb spiral or mandala garden.

6. Medicinal Plants and Medicine Making:

Native plant walk, tinctures, honey cough syrup and ointments made with local herbs.

7. Food Forests:

Tree planting and maintenance, layers of the forest, guilds, observation exercise in a native forest.

8. Sustainable building:

Discussion about various methods of natural construction techniques, natural cooling, energy, and green building.

Horses and Animals
Animals are an essential part of a sustainable cycle in a farm. They provide companionship, food, work, and even their poop is vital to our work of soil restoration.

Many more photo here: PYP Photo Gallery

 
Activity Details

Aerial Silk dance class in Rancho Delicioso’s passion fruit dome.

Aerial Silk Basics
Ever wonder what it’s like to dance in the air? Our workshop teaches how to move with the silks using breathing techniques that prevent muscle exhaustion. This is a fun way to activate all muscle groups, while learning a few tricks to show your family and friends back home!
Archery Basics
Perhaps after seeing “The Hunger Games” you have wanted to try shooting a bow and arrow? Now is your chance to let fly a few shots into some hay bales on the farm. It’s surprisingly addictive and cathartic.
Healthy Cooking and Nutrition
The truth is we can all cook like Nigella Lawson without using ingredients from the whole world. Learn to live sustainably by using local seasonal produce to create magic on your plate. From kefir to sauerkraut workshops and making dehydrated chips coated in cashew goodness, our workshops will leave your mouth watering and your body craving more!
Daily Yoga Classes
You don’t have to be a ballerina doing split handstand to be able to practice yoga. Whether you’re a beginner just wanting to stretch, or an advanced level yogi, our daily classes will allow you to connect with your body.

Excursion to do yoga at Anamaya’s new yoga shala

Yoga at Anamaya Resort
The yoga decks at our partner resort – Anamaya – are truly spectacular. With views over Montezuma and out to the ocean, it is a wonderful place to practice at the beginning or end of the day.
Beach and Surfing Trip
No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without a chance to dive in, balance your body, and feel the power of the ocean. Surfboards and surf classes, boogie boards rentals, etc, require an extra fee, but a trip to enjoy the beach is included. Click here to read about some of the area’s best surf spots: Surf Spots Near Rancho Delicioso.
Pool Party
An opportunity to chill with your new-found family beside a cozy bonfire. Enjoy our salt-water swimming pool to cool off from the tropical heat. Stargazing included! Afterwards, those who want more can head down to Montezuma for the famous “Reggae Night” street party every Thursday.

Adriana Pal, our permaculture instructor

Retreat Leader

Meet

Adriana Pál

. Adriana is a native Costa Rican, and our area’s leading permaculture expert. She is the founder of

La Escuela de la Jungla

(The School of the Jungle) and has been teaching various courses in the area for several years.

Originally with a background in tourism and hospitality, Adriana became enamored with permaculture and sustainability, and has been educating herself in all things “green.” With a delightful personality, a love of teaching, and a natural ability to connect with people, you will fall in love with her passion for the earth and her drive to help protect it.
Dates offered:

February 7 – 13, 2016 – (Dorm spaces sold out – bring a tent only!)
February 21 – 27, 2016 – (One Dorm Space Left!)

March 6 – 12, 2016 – (Dorm spaces sold out – bring a tent only!)
March 20 – 26, 2016 – (2 Dorm Spaces Left)

April 3 – 9, 2016 – (2 Spaces Left – 1 dorm, 1 tent)
April 17 – 23, 2016 – (3 Spaces left)

May 15-21, 2016 – (Just Added!!)

June 19-25, 2016 – (Just Added!!)

July 3 – 9, 2016 – (Just Added!!)
July 17 – 23, 2016 – (Just Added!!)

August 7 – 13, 2016 – (Just Added!!)
August 21 – 27, 2016 – (Just Added!!)

All programs begin on Sunday and end on a Saturday. This gives a generous window of time if you leave your home country on a Friday night or Saturday, and return to work/school on a Monday.

 
Video of the farm

 
Week Schedule

This is a general week schedule, which may shift a bit depending on various things like the availability of teachers. We try to fit all this in here, and more. Sometimes if someone amazing is in town and offering something unique we’ll bring them to the farm and offer it to the guests, such as a unique style of yoga or something that fits with our vibe. Some guests find there’s too much to do and want to relax more… that’s fine too, you’re not obligated to do any of these activities.
Sunday – Orientation

Opening Circle
Introduction to Permaculture

Monday – The Fun Begins

Morning Yoga
Permaculture: Soil Science
Archery Class
Permaculture: Composting
Open Mic Night at Cafe Organico in Montezuma ($4 addl pp for transport)

Tuesday – Anamaya and Waterfall

Healthy Cooking Class
Waterfall Hike and Lunch
Ocean View Yoga at Anamaya Resort
Permaculture: Garden Design

Our Aquaponics Growing House

Wednesday – Beach & Surf Day

Morning Yoga
Permaculture: Biointensive Gardening
Beach Trip – Surfing Optional

Thursday – Anamaya Dinner Night

Morning Yoga
Permaculture: Aquaponics or Greenbuilding
Permaculture: Medicinal Plant Walk
Dinner at Anamaya Resort
Dance and Street Party Night in Montezuma ($4 addl pp for transport)

Friday – Free Day and/or Aerial Silks

Morning Yoga
Permaculture: Food Forests
Aerial Silk Class
Raw Chocolate Making Class

Saturday – Goodbye Day

Morning Yoga
Closing Circle, group hugs, tears, and goodbyes

Click here for a

calendar of classes and events

.

 
Lots More Photos
Many more photo here: PYP Photo Gallery

 
A Typical Day’s Schedule
6:30-7:45am

– Yoga

8:00-8:30am

– Breakfast

9:15-10:00am

– Fitness Class (optional)

10:00-12:00pm

– Permaculture Class

12:00-1:00pm

– Lunch

1:00-4:00pm

– Siesta, Free Time, Swimming Pool, or Various Activities

4:00-6:00pm

– Permaculture Class

6:00-7:00pm

– Dinner

7:00-9:00pm

– Free Time. Movies, bonfire, various extra activities

9:00pm+
– Sleepy Time…
For more detail, click here: Detailed Schedule of Activities

 
Prices & Payment

Dates: February through April 2016

The PYP Program price depends on your accommodations. We currently have three options:

1. Bring Your Own Tent:

– $450

2. Dorms:

– $500 – Check this out here:

Volunteer House/Dorm
3. Joseph’s Treehouse:

$450 base price + $79/nt or $59/nt May-Nov (Please check Joseph’s prices in case of changes.) It has a queen-sized bed, private bathroom and full kitchen. Can be shared by couples who book together. The treehouse is booked directly with Joseph from his AirBnB page:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3164732
Dates: June through August 2016

The price is higher for June-August because our new accommodations will be ready with much more space for everyone.

1. Bring Your Own Tent:

– $450

2. Dorms:

– $600

3. Joseph’s Treehouse:

$450 base price + $79/nt or $59/nt May-Nov (Please check Joseph’s prices in case of changes.) It has a queen-sized bed, private bathroom and full kitchen. Can be shared by couples who book together. The treehouse is booked directly with Joseph from his AirBnB page:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3164732
Payment and Deposit:

When you’re ready to book, we’ll send you a PayPal money request for 50% of the price of the program, as a non-refundable deposit. The balance is due two weeks before your arrival, and we’ll send you a PayPal money request for that as well. If you prefer to pay the balance in cash when you arrive, that can sometimes be arranged too.

Liability Release Form: Upon arrival you must sign our standard liability release. Please read it before booking: RD Liability Release Form

 
Additional Notes
Why not add a week?

 If you’d like to add a second week, after your program ends to practice what you have learned, the cost is $200 for the week (7 additional nights). Limited space for 4 people so let us know asap if you want to stay on as a farm volunteer. PYP students who add the extra week will work on the farm with the regular volunteers, but less work is required. We ask for 3 hours per day for this extra week (compared with 6 hours per day for regular volunteers.)

Join a like-minded community to gain the tools to empower our humanity and live to the fullest. Let’s create an abundant future together!

Entrada gratuita al Museo

Tope Conmemorativo a los 101 años de nuestro Cantón, el Domingo 3 de Abril del 2016 a las 11:00 am saliendo del campo ferial de Zarcero.

➡️Tendremos baile de recepción con Taboga Band.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1498181187156841/

Permaculture Design Certificate Course

Fundamentals of Ecological Design
April 3 – 17, 2016
* Check in is on Sunday at 2pm, followed by a brief orientation and dinner. The course starts on Monday at 8am. All course work ends on the second Saturday.  Check out is on Sunday at 11 am, following breakfast

Program Includes:
72 hour Permaculture Design Course & Certificate

Lodging – Farm stay lodging (Private bamboo cabins and shared bamboo bunkhouse)

Three daily meals

Field Trips

Internet access

Permaculture is a conscious integrated design system based on ecology and sustainability principles to create resource efficient and productive human environments and reduce our footprint on the earth.  Permaculture provides a framework for consciously designed landscapes that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature that provide diversity, stability, and resilience.  These systems yield an abundance of shelter, water, energy, and food for the provision of local needs. Common practices include no-till gardening, rainwater catchment, forest gardening, and agroforestry.

Our course offers the standard 72-hour permaculture curriculum for certification recognized internationally by the permaculture movement with a special emphasis on forest gardening in the tropics.  Although we will be in a tropical setting, many of the techniques will transfer directly to any climate.

Finca Tierra is a 9-acre permaculture site and has become an important center for education and community development. Infrastructural systems contain: natural buildings built with local materials ( bamboo, leaf thatch and onsite timber), terraced & medicinal plant gardens, a nursery, seed bank, developing fruit and nut orchards, food forests, native timber forestry, timber bamboo plantings, water-catchment, renewable energy systems, and composting and biological flush toilets.

IN ADDITION, YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:

tPrinciples and Ethics of Permaculture Design
tSite analysis and design, from the tropics to temperate regions
tLandscape master planning and microclimate design
tReading the landscape and pattern recognition
tDesign for climate change
tRegenerative Land Management and Stewardship
tWater catchment, storage, filtration, and distribution
tBiologically based treatment of greywater and blackwater
tUsing greywater in the landscape
tNatural building techniques and vernacular architecture
tPlant propagation and grafting
tOrganic horticulture
tMedicinal plant propagation, usage and preparations
tBiointensive gardening and seed saving
tSoil rehabilitation and fertility strategies
tOrchard design and maintenance
tRenewable energies
tLocal and Regenerative economics
tUrban and suburban permaculture strategies
tEcovillage design and community building strategies
tNetworking within the permaculture community and beyond
tstrategies to create an alternative nation

COURSE OUTLINE

Courses are held Monday through Saturday. Breakfast is at 7, lunch at 12 and dinner at 6. We cover 12 chapters, approximately one chapter a day, of the standard permaculture curriculum for certification. Mornings are usually filled with practical applications and afternoons dedicated with course slide lectures. Sunday is free for rest or exploring the area. We promote visiting our paradise beaches, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling and diving, waterfalls, hiking, bird and animal watching, bicycling the area etc.

The beginning of the second week includes a field trip to visit local highlights. First to the jungle, were the indigenous steward will teach us about natural medicine and traditional sustainable living*. There we overnight in hand built wooden cabins on the edge of a river. A campfire, swimming and indigenous wisdom and stories are usual activities. We also stop by a mature food forest and taste an amazing variety of unusual fruits and spices, and get a great view of Panama. To round it out we also tour a 300-acre eco-village using animal integration, with chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, horses and sheep;  natural building and community scale organic agriculture.

*We can’t guarantee the trip to the indigenous land because of weather and other variables (rivers at high water stage, horrendous road conditions) but its never stopped us so far so be prepared for it!

Program Info: 
– Please register early as the course can and does fill quickly – Course price does not include airfare – $400 USD non-refundable deposit required, Course fees are refundable up until one month before the course – Meals will include traditional cuisine and farm foods – Academic credits / partial or full grants are often available to undergraduate and graduate students (inquire with us for more information) – Program is taught in English.

$1,300 Tuition

$1,450 (Late registration fee (10% extra) for bookings made less than two weeks before course start date)

We recommend you bring

tTall Socks (above half calf, like futbol/soccer socks)
tLightweight working pants and shirts
tSandals
tBathing suit
tFlashlight or headlamp (for off farm uses)
tUmbrella
tNotebook and pen
tGardening work gloves
tMedical Supplies
tBeach Towel (you are supplied with towels for showering on farm)
tA device to read PDF files (we have a large digital library)

Notes
This is a tropical humid forest and it can rain at any time. Temperatures range from 32° to 24° (C)  90° to 75° (F)

Be prepared for the following conditions hot, humid, rainy and muddy. Bring plenty of socks .

Solar lamps are provided for on farm use.

Umbrellas are essential, rain jackets in tropical weather can become hot and humid and are not recommend for on farm use.

During times of extreme rain things can mold, especially leather, but potentially anything so don’t bring anything that you cant live without.

 
Optional items to consider

tCamera
tRain coat (for travel)
tSnorkel mask and fins
tWater bottles
tMusical Instruments
tiPod, Mp3 players, speakers
tLaptop
tBoots
tBinoculars

Or buy from available supplies at Finca Tierra

tRubber boots $14
tBiodegradable sunscreen
tNatural bug repellent

Reviews

“I could listen to permaculture lecture all day but Ian adds enough practical hands on stuff to keep everyone engaged, great mix of lecture and practical. The course instructor was very knowledgeable and engaging not to mention passionate. Always made time for the students and answered any questions we had. The location of the farm is just far enough from town to get peace and quiet but it’s close to some of the better beaches.
— PDC Student, Mario, Mexico

“This place has changed the way I see the world and the way we choose to live with the land. What I have learned at Finca Tierra I can basically apply anywhere. I’m really excited to be coming back here soon. Ian and Ana are amazing, inspiring, engaging, and really passionate about sharing what they have learned through their experience of rebuilding the land and basically learning to be fully sustainable. You should come here if you want to be blown away! So beautiful.
— PDC Student, Gabriel, Louisiana, USA

“The best food we ate on our year trip. We have had such great memories from the Finca Tierra course and will be back once we get our farm and need a refresh.
— PDC Student, Andy, Australia

“Doing the PDC (Permaculture Design Course) at Finca Tierra was an experience of a lifetime! Ian’s breadth and depth of theoretical and practical knowledge, together with his passion and enthusiasm for permaculture leaves you inspired, and with a strong foundation for knowing how to live in harmony with Mother Earth. The biodiversity of flora and fauna on the farm was incredible! It was also really cool to be able to walk around the food forest and just pick something off of a tree or plant and snack on tropical and exotic fruits and veggies. On top of that, being able to experience applications of permaculture outside of the farm, at SEED (Society for Ecological Education and Development) and Finca Inti, was also really cool.

The warm, rustic hospitality is definitely something to note as well. Ana, Ruth (Ana’s sister), Ian, Linton (the farm manager) and Bruce (Ian and Ana’s dog) made our stay very homely, and we felt at ease as soon as we arrived. The food was something out of this world! Ruth and Ana’s ingenuity in the kitchen was exceptional, and with fresh ingredients from the farm; every meal was amazing! Three times a day we would plunge into a wholesome culinary journey over some really stimulating conversations.

Thank you for everything… you guys are awesome hosts! Pura vida!
— PDC Student, Bemnet, Ethiopia

ORQUESTA SON MAYOR ” LA GRANDE DE COSTA RICA”
LOS ESPERAMOS HOY
EN Restaurante y Salon de Eventos Casa Zeller
COMO TODOS LOS DOMINGOS 9 PM
#ENTRADA_GRATIS