Raw Refuge Retreats

Empty from within
Remedy dis-ease
Hear what is "missing"
Find what is "lost"
Uncover your unique gift to the world.

Join us at Raw Refuge Retreats in the heart of Caribbean Costa Rica for a personalised and fully guided raw living food cleanse, a chance to enjoy some of the best and most alive tropical fruits, juices, and salad creations in the world.

You will be supported by a team dedicated to guiding people through deep, transformational journeys using detoxification. Alongside the perfect natural and tropical environment that does most of the work, this is a retreat for anyone ready for a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual breakthrough.

Together with the process of this cleanse, there is a strong morning rhythm of meditation and embodied movement practices such as lymphatic release exercises, Qi Gong, different types of Yoga, calisthenic workouts, and more.

The space also works with the language of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and its 5-element theory to support the process of the cleanse and locate the root aspects of our life that are out of balance. Alam - your host - also offers his specialised Chinese acupressure therapy sessions to deeper understand and ground any process of detoxification.

You will also have the opportunity to explore the abundant nature around the Puerto Viejo area - a lively Caribbean town and international community. From hikes through Cahuita National Park, tours around the local fruit forests, waterfall trips, and postcard picture beach time.

Experience the magic of what happens when we give our digestive systems a break and start to become sustained by lighter, life-giving sustenance!

A Personalized, One-on-One Experience

This is not a group program. Whilst others may also be in the space cleansing alongside you, the retreat is designed just for you. Everything from your detox plan to your bodywork and movement sessions is created in collaboration with you and adapted based on how you are feeling each day.

What Makes This Retreat Special

Raw Refuge Retreats is located in a very unique setting. We live on a road and within a community where many have gravitated towards to both explore raw living foods as a lifestyle and gateway into something deeper. There are numerous fruit forests planted along the road by fruit enthusiasts and several different mini-communities and projects.

This is a special opportunity to be immersed in a space fully dedicated to this lifestyle and tool of awakening through experimenting with raw living foods. We are lucky to also enjoy the potent nature and climate that is ideal for healing and transformation on all levels. It's not a question of whether transformation happens here, it's whether or not you're ready for it.

Each part of the process is fully personalized and flows according to your body’s unique rhythm. We begin with a one-on-one consultation before you arrive to understand your physical state, detox experience, emotional landscape, and intentions for the cleanse. From there, we create a gentle structure that supports your journey with clarity and care.

We begin the day with coconut water and then a silent and guided meditation taught by Alam named "polarity meditation," developed over the last 10 years from his time on annual silent meditation retreats. From there, we take breakfast, whether that's juice, whole fruits or smoothies. Then we move into different embodied movement practices based on your individual needs and designed to accompany your detoxification process.

There'll be time in nature ... river and sun bathing, beach relaxation, barefoot walks through the national parks, fruit farm tours or resting on the land

Space for naps, journaling, creative reflection, or emotional integration

Occasional and spontaneous educational sessions around raw living foods, detox, and Five Element healing.

Every day is guided by your inner rhythm. Some days may be very inward and restful.

What You’ll Experience

1. Deep Cleansing with Fresh, Living Food

You’ll be guided through a personalized retreat based which cleanse you decide on. You’ll receive guidance on how to prepare for the cleanse and how to transition out with ease and care.

2. Nervous System Rest and Reset

This retreat is intentionally simple. By removing overstimulation and tuning into natural rhythms, your body and mind will drop into deeper states of rest. This is your chance to slow down, listen inward, and allow real healing to unfold. Held in a very strong container, with daily meditation and embodied movement to assist you through any ups and downs. Alam and his team will be there with you every step of the way.

3. Connection to Nature and Community

Walk barefoot. Bathe in the river. Listen to the howler monkeys and birds. Throughout the week, you’ll also have the chance to connect with a local community of raw foodists, fruit lovers, and healing practitioners who have been living this path for years in their own unique way.

4. Education for Ongoing Healing

Learn the fundamentals of cleansing, natural hygiene, and the power of raw, living foods. You’ll leave with tools, practices, and clarity that you can integrate into your life beyond the retreat. We also offer a post-retreat after care process.

We also offer special couples and men's work retreats. Check out here for more information.