La Ecovilla is where it all began. In 2012, founder Marcelo Valansi took a former cattle farm of 42 acres in San Mateo, Costa Rica, and set out to prove something most people thought impossible — that a community of diverse people could live regeneratively, beautifully, and in genuine harmony with the land around them.
What grew from that vision is now home to 48 families from more than 43 nationalities, internationally recognised as one of the world’s most successful eco-villages, and featured on Netflix alongside Zac Efron. It is not a retreat or an experiment. It is a fully functioning community that has been quietly redefining what a good life looks like for over a decade.
The 42 acres that were once stripped and grazed are today a flourishing food forest. Fruit trees line the paths between homes. The Machuca River runs along the community’s edge, clean and swimmable. Gardens produce fresh food. What was degraded land is now a living ecosystem — proof that regeneration is not just possible but inevitable when people commit to it.
Shared spaces include a saltwater community pool, yoga shala, organic vegetable garden, multi-use sports court, and natural river access. Homes are surrounded by greenery, each one individually designed with sustainable materials and a connection to the outdoors.
Life at La Ecovilla moves at a different pace. Children grow up outdoors, switching between languages and learning through play. Parents share ideas about food, health, and how to live with less impact. There are workshops, yoga sessions, potlucks, and spontaneous gatherings. The food is fresh — much of it grown within the community or sourced from nearby San Mateo.
With neighbours from over 43 countries, there is no single culture here. A new one is being created together, every day.
La Ecovilla Original is the first of what has become a wider movement. In 2023, the team launched Ecovilla San Mateo — 220 hectares of former petting zoo land, now being regenerated along the same Machuca River just a short distance away. Both communities are listed on Off Grid Destinations. If you are exploring the area, it is worth comparing both to find the right fit for you.
Browse available homes and stays below and see what life here could look like.
La Ecovilla has received 0 reviews with an average rating of out of 5
