The word ‘festival’ has developed many predispositions—with an overarching view that it typically involves drinking, partying, loud music, a chaotic atmosphere, and others. While that may be the case for festivals like Coachella, Envision Festival is a time machine that transcends its goers back to the natural order of things; to a place where the jungle meets the sea, and inspiration evokes action.
“You came down to see a headliner after seeing some cool photos of the stage online, but when you’re here, you’re barefoot in the jungle. You see monkeys in the trees, you jump in the ocean, everything’s built out of natural materials, and everybody around you is living an inspired life. Something clicks, it just feels right,” says Festival CEO & Creative Director Josh Wendel.
This is a mere glimpse into the confluence of people and nature experienced during the 7-day immersive festival—and did I mention it’s open to all ages? Besides the diverse lineup of 150+ artists who perform on one of the 7 stages, Envision hosts yoga and movement classes, immersive workshops, sacred spaces, ceremonies, a global art and artisan marketplace, and a wellness and skin spa. All this to say, the entire festival is run on sustainable practices.
“It’s good for me, it’s good for you, it’s good for everything the world touches,” Wendel notes.
In 2020, they were recognized with the AGF Community Action Award by A Greener Future:
“Envision Festival has excelled in terms of Local Community Impacts, Management Systems and External Reach and Behavioural Change…. The Envision management team is acting in many ways to become fully sustainable and Earth Positive.”
With a mission of creating an eye-opening experience and providing “tools that can be integrated into the life we are already living or to inspire a complete shift in our life path,” it’s no surprise the festival has been recognized for breaking barriers and, in turn, building sustainable practices.
“We’re not a festival with a green initiative, we’re a green initiative with a festival,” Wendel says.
Hosted in the remote and diverse landscape that is Costa Rica, Envision Festival is a catalyst for personal growth and inspiration and sets the stage to reconnect anyone who attends to unity, love, and the raw force of nature. But what separates Envision is simple; they don’t just talk about change, they create it. In 2020, the non-profit organization Somos El Cambio was initiated. The focus is to make a local impact from the ground up through regenerative environmental practice, restoration of ecosystems, and empowerment of the local community. Through all of the experiences Envision provides, the goal is to share concepts and tools that can be integrated into people’s lives at home and work.
“We’re giving voice to ecosystems, we’re creating communities through ancestral wisdom and the modern integration of culture. Envision is a place to become of the collective dream. One of interconnection, community, respect, mutual aid, global health, and a deep celebration of this gift of life,” said Envision Festival Co-Founder Sarah Wu.
The question then remains, as a call-to-action event designed to create a lasting impact, how do individuals walk away from this experience and apply what they’ve learned at the music event/wellness retreat in their respective lives?
Last year, Wendel and the Envision team launched an online education platform to bridge that often overlooked gap.
Denoted as “the best resource to empower you with the knowledge and tools to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life”, the Envision Holistic Education Bundle was designed to help individuals embrace a new paradigm of living and integrate the same lessons at home.
“Let’s say 100 different artists came in and taught at the Envision Festival. But how can we make sure it’s mutually beneficial in a way that it gives people the tools to be able to walk away from the festival and access that content, learn from it, and then find the teachers and artists they loved?” Wendel discusses.
“What we did with bundles is you get 100 or 200 courses, but there are series of courses and individual classes so you can continue following the instructor and go much deeper into their education and components.” The expert-led courses include Personal Growth & Development, Spirituality & Wellness, Sustainability & Permaculture, and more.
Envision provides unforgettable moments combined with tools that can be implemented in the real world. Over 80% of solo travelers describe Envision as life-changing, and now, a global audience can join in on that experience through the online education platform.
This year marks a shift in what Envision is bringing to the table. Rather than simply standing tall as a lighthouse for human-nature connection, the festival is turning inspiration into actionable steps individuals can apply in their lives.
“We don’t have time to sit around and talk about creating sustainable solutions. It’s a call to action. It’s go time,” Wendel concludes.
To learn more about how Envision Festival is creating a meaningful impact, visit their website here. To become a part of a vibrant community of change-makers, visit their online education platform here.
