Alegría Village is dedicated to best practices in regenerative living and sustainable design. Their mission is to create a thriving community that lives in harmony with nature, focusing on reforesting degraded land, preserving clean water sources, and fostering a joyful, connected lifestyle.
Yes, Alegría Village welcomes visitors. They offer tours and encourage those interested in their community to visit and learn more about their mission and lifestyle.
Yes, Alegría Village is open to new members who align with their values of sustainability and community living. Interested individuals can join webinars or schedule visits to explore membership opportunities.
Alegría Village is an eco-village and intentional community focused on regenerative practices, sustainability, and ecological living. It is designed as a neighborhood with individual homes and shared community spaces.
The community offers over 145 lots for development, with a mix of full-time and part-time residents. Homes are custom-built with a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
The community operates through a collaborative governance model, where residents participate in decision-making processes to ensure a harmonious living environment.
Alegría Village offers several shared spaces, including:
The Hive: a gathering space with a commercial kitchen, swimming pool and workspaces.
A Yoga Shala for wellness activities.
A coworking hub with shared desks and classrooms.
Sacred spaces like treehouses and meditation areas.
A biodynamic permaculture farm that supplies organic produce to the community.
Swimming holes and hiking trails throughout the property.
Contact Name: Jai Murphy
Phone: +506 8897 5555
Website: http://www.alegriavillage.com/
Address: Maderal Road, De la escuela de Maderal 150 mts al Norte y 300 mts al Oeste, San Mateo, Alajuela 20401, Costa Rica
ALEGRIA
ECO-VILLAGE
Location: San Mateo, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Coordinates: 9.9492° N, 84.5114° W
Climate: Tropical Dry Forest Transition Zone (Elevation: 250m – 400m)
Alegría Village is a 70-hectare (170-acre) intentional eco-neighborhood situated on a former macadamia farm in the hills of San Mateo. It is a global benchmark for regenerative design, balancing radical self-sufficiency with the infrastructure required for modern, professional remote work. The community is comprised of over 140 lots, shared agricultural zones, and world-class communal facilities.
Rentals at Alegría Village
Experience the Alegría lifestyle firsthand by renting one of the community’s charming eco-friendly homes or cabins. Rentals offer:
- Fully furnished spaces with modern amenities.
- Access to all community facilities and events.
- Flexible lease terms for short or long stays.
- Immersive opportunities to connect with nature and neighbors.
Explore available rentals below and find your perfect off-grid getaway.
Casa Luna 
- Alegria Eco Village - Costa Rica
$130Per night
Casa La Raíz - Main House
- Alegria Eco Village - Costa Rica
$150Per night
Casita at Casa del Cielo
- Alegria Eco-Village - Costa Rica
$150Per night
Properties for Sale
For those ready to make Alegría Village their permanent home, a selection of properties is available for purchase. These include:
- Custom-built homes showcasing sustainable architecture.
- Spacious lots with stunning mountain and valley views.
- Opportunities to design and build your own eco-friendly residence.
- Access to community infrastructure and shared resources.
Browse current properties for sale and start your journey to sustainable living.
Land for Sale
Alegría Village also offers parcels of land for those seeking to create a personalized sanctuary in harmony with nature. Land buyers benefit from:
- Strategic locations within the community, balancing privacy and connectivity.
- Access to water, electricity, solar, and community amenities.
- Guidance on sustainable building practices and community integration.
- Investment in a growing, forward-thinking eco-community.
Discover available land parcels and envision your future at Alegría.
Lot 80 - Colinas
- Alegria Eco-village
$199,000
3224 Acres
Lot 49 - Las Sembradas
- Alegria Eco-village
$262,888
2261 Acres
Lot 105 - Corazón
- Alegria Eco-village
$119,999
674 Acres
Lot 36 - Corazón
- Alegria Eco-village
$219,995
3,416 Acres
Lot 27
- Alegria Eco-village
$99,000
0.22 Acres
💧 Infrastructure & Resource Sovereignty
- Water Security: Alegría is built upon a massive underground river and natural springs. The community operates its own independent water grid, providing crystal-clear, untreated spring water directly to every lot. It is bordered by the Río Machuca, ensuring a permanent riparian buffer.
- Energy Systems: While the community is grid-connected for redundancy, there is a strict mandate for sustainable building. Most homes utilize individual solar arrays and battery storage. Passive solar design is a requirement for all new constructions to minimize cooling loads.
- Fiber-Optic Connectivity: Unlike many remote eco-villages, Alegría invested in high-speed fiber-optic infrastructure. This supports a high density of digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and remote executives.
- Regenerative Waste Management: The community utilizes advanced greywater recycling systems and composting protocols. Residents adhere to “Earth Steward” agreements that prohibit toxic chemicals, ensuring the 70-hectare ecosystem remains pristine.
🚜 The Permaculture & Food System
- Syntropic Agroforestry: The community farm is not a traditional garden; it is a complex syntropic system that mimics natural forest layers to produce food while building soil health.
- The Weekly Harvest: A sophisticated internal distribution system where residents receive a curated basket of organic greens, fruits, and roots grown on-site.
- Edible Landscaping: Thousands of fruit trees (Mango, Mangosteen, Citrus, Cacao, and rare tropical varieties) have been planted along all community roads and trails, creating a “foragable” neighborhood.
- The Hive Kitchen: A commercial-grade communal kitchen designed for processing farm harvests, hosting fermentation workshops, and community farm-to-table dinners.
🧘 Shared Assets & The “Hive” Lifestyle
- The Hive Hub: The social heart of the village, featuring a chemical-free saltwater swimming pool, communal dining areas, and open-air lounge spaces.
- Yoga Shala & Wellness: A massive, architecturally stunning pavilion hosting daily practices, including Yoga, Meditation, Karate, Kajukenbo, and Salsa.
- Coworking & Education: Dedicated quiet zones for deep work and “The Classroom” for community-led workshops on natural building and permaculture.
- Recreation: Miles of maintained hiking and mountain biking trails, private river access with natural swimming holes, and “The Sacred Treehouse” for meditation.
👨👩👧👦 Governance, Education & Families
- Shared Governance: Alegría operates via a collaborative model. Owners are “Earth Stewards” who participate in circles to manage shared resources, fire safety, and community growth.
- International Schooling: One of Alegría’s greatest assets is its proximity (5 minutes) to a top-tier international school, making it a primary destination for families relocating to Costa Rica.
- Multi-Generational Focus: The community is specifically designed to be inclusive of elders, with accessible paths and integrated social support.
Why Choose Alegría Village?
- Authentic Off-Grid Living: Live sustainably without sacrificing comfort or community.
- Vibrant Social Fabric: Engage with like-minded individuals in a supportive environment.
- Natural Beauty: Immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s breathtaking landscapes and biodiversity.
- Holistic Wellness: Enjoy a lifestyle that nurtures physical, mental, and spiritual health.
- Future-Focused: Be part of a pioneering community shaping the future of eco-living.
Plan Your Visit
Alegría Village welcomes visitors interested in experiencing the community firsthand. Whether for a retreat, workshop, or extended stay, guests can:
- Tour the village and learn about its sustainable systems.
- Participate in community events and wellness activities.
- Connect with residents and explore housing options.
Alegría Village | Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Alegría Village located?
Alegría is situated in the hills of San Mateo, Alajuela. It is a strategic “bridge” location—offering a cooler mountain climate while remaining just 45 minutes from the Pacific beaches (Caldera/Jaco), 1 hour from San José (SJO Airport), and 1 hour from the mountains of Atenas.
Where does the community’s water come from?
Unlike many developments, Alegría has its own abundant, independent water source. The community drinks from natural springs located on the property and a dedicated underground river (Río Machuca watershed), ensuring total water security and purity even during the peak of the dry season.
What is the “Earth Steward” agreement?
It is a legally binding set of community rules that every owner signs. It covers environmental protection (no pesticides), architectural standards (natural materials), wastewater management, and social conduct to protect the 70-hectare ecosystem.
What is “The Hive”?
The Hive is the social heart of the community. It includes a commercial-grade shared kitchen for communal meals and a chemical-free saltwater swimming pool. It is governed by community-led “Hive Agreements” to ensure a harmonious and peaceful environment for all neighbors.
How does the food system work?
The community shares a massive permaculture farm utilizing syntropic agroforestry. Residents participate in the “Weekly Harvest” (curated produce baskets) and the “Fruit Spotters” program, which allows for foraging from the thousands of fruit trees planted in common areas.
What kind of activities happen in the village?
The community calendar is packed with diverse activities, including martial arts (Karate, Kajukenbo), dance (Salsa courses), wellness (Yoga, Men’s/Women’s circles), and community workdays in the agroforestry plots.
When is the Alegría Feria?
The Alegría Feria is a community market held on the first Saturday of every month. It is a space where residents and local artisans trade organic produce, artisanal goods, and homemade products.
Can I build whatever I want on my lot?
No. To maintain the “Premier” aesthetic and ecological integrity, all designs must be approved by an internal architecture committee. This ensures homes use natural materials (bamboo, timber, stone) and do not block neighbors’ views or natural airflow.
What kind of internet is available?
The village features direct fiber-optic infrastructure to every home. Speeds are comparable to major US/European cities, making it a top choice for high-bandwidth remote work and digital nomads.
Is there a school nearby?
Yes. A highly-regarded international school is located just down the road from the Alegría entrance, supporting the community’s many families and making it a hub for world-schooling.
Are there medical facilities nearby?
Yes. San Mateo and Orotina (10-15 mins away) have clinics and pharmacies for daily needs. Major world-class hospitals (such as CIMA in Escazú) are approximately 1 hour away via Route 27.
Is the community gated?
Alegría focuses on “Social Security” and shared stewardship rather than high walls. While there is a controlled entrance, the community relies on the active presence of residents and Earth Stewards to maintain a safe, open environment.
