Permaculture, Ecotourism, Retreats & Community in the mountains of Grecia, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Greetings, I am Vaillant, a native of France with a deep-rooted connection to the land. Over two decades, I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey within the dynamic realm of Silicon Valley in the United States. However, the winds of change led me to Costa Rica in March 2020, where I now reside.
In my quest for a life aligned with nature's rhythms and driven by heartfelt inspiration, I birthed the haven known as Theleme. Within its embrace, we cherish values that encompass sustainability, autonomy, the delicate equilibrium between liberty and accountability, human kinships and bonds, personal evolution, mindful communication, spirituality, entrepreneurial spirit, authenticity, fun, and the spirit of reciprocity.
On our idyllic grounds thrive a charming community of 6 goats, 15 chickens, 8 ducks and 3 turkeys. A flourishing greenhouse paints a canvas of vibrant vegetables and fragrant herbs. Our present endeavors revolve around the principles of permaculture and sustainable construction. Intermittently, we orchestrate retreats that delve into personal growth, a testament to our holistic approach.
The individual best suited for us would be a harmonious blend of ethical diligence, practical adeptness, a spiritual compass, and the gift of self-governance. We're in search of those who yearn to engrain themselves within our community's fabric on a more prolonged basis. Our current pursuits span the development of economic frameworks, including ecotourism and the distribution of farm-grown produce.
For those drawn to volunteer, your commitment entails five morning sessions of communal labor each week. The afternoons generously unfold for personal introspection and creative exploration. Nourishment and shelter are offerings extended in exchange for your dedication. Still, we remain receptive to alternative forms of reciprocity.
Should the notion of this endeavor resonate with you, I invite you to establish contact. We prefer long-term volunteers. Stays are 1 month minimum.
Permaculture, organic gardening, composting, animal care, milking goats, seeding, cheese-making, kombucha making,
7 am Animal care
8 am Community breakfast
9 am Farm projects
1 pm Community lunch
Fun or creative activities are scheduled in the afternoon depending of everyone's inspiration or interest
Members cook their own dinner in the community kitchen
We have 3 bedrooms available for WWOOFers. Beautiful accommodation in unique site with view over all of the central valley
Unlimited hiking as our property touches the national park of Bosque del Nino, that connects through the forest to volcan Poas national park
Nearby waterfall and cold plunge
We have a guitar, piano or box for musician
We have a ping-pong table, and there is a tennis club 15 minutes away
Two electric mountain bikes available
Jacuzzi/Hot Tub
Yoga deck
Calisthenics
Board games
Healing work
Fire circle
Bonjour, je m'appelle Vaillant, et je suis originaire de France. Pendant plus de deux décennies, j'ai été un entrepreneur au cœur de la Silicon Valley aux États-Unis. Cependant, les vents du changement m'ont conduit au Costa Rica en mars 2020, où je réside désormais.
Dans ma quête d'une vie en harmonie avec les rythmes de la nature et animé par une inspiration sincère, j'ai donné naissance à un havre de paix: Theleme. En son sein, nous chérissons des valeurs qui englobent la durabilité, l'autonomie, l'équilibre délicat entre liberté et responsabilité, les liens humains, l'évolution personnelle, la communication consciente, la spiritualité, l'esprit entrepreneurial, l'authenticité, le divertissement et l'esprit de réciprocité.
Sur notre domaine idyllique prospère une charmante communauté composée de 4 chèvres, 8 poules et 8 canards. Une serre florissante peint un tableau de légumes vibrants et d'herbes parfumées. Nos efforts actuels gravitent autour des principes de la permaculture et de la construction durable. De manière intermittente, nous organisons des retraites qui explorent la croissance personnelle, témoignant ainsi de notre approche holistique.
L'individu le mieux adapté à notre communauté serait un mélange harmonieux d'éthique de travail, de compétences pratiques, d'une certaine spiritualité et d'autogouvernance. Nous sommes à la recherche de ceux qui aspirent à s'intégrer durablement dans le tissu de notre communauté. Nos efforts actuels englobent le développement de modèles économiques, notamment l'écotourisme et la distribution future de produits de la ferme.
Pour ceux qui sont attirés par le volontariat, votre engagement comprend cinq sessions matinales de travail communautaire chaque semaine. Les après-midis sont disponibles pour l'introspection personnelle et l'exploration créative. Nourriture et abri sont offerts en échange de votre dévouement. Cependant, nous restons ouverts à d'autres formes de réciprocité.
Si l'idée de cette entreprise résonne en vous, je vous invite à entrer en contact. Notre engagement volontaire s'étend sur une durée minimale de trois mois, les trois premières semaines servant de période d'essai mutuel.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Sheep or goat farming
Raising of other farm animals
Dairy farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Cheesemaking
Traditional crafts
Methods or systems
Aquaponics
Holistic management
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
0.6
Hectares
|
1.5
Acres
Vaillant
Member since 2024
Languages spoken:
English, French, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 90%
Response time: typically within 3 days
Costa Rica
SJO is one hour away, and bus terminal from Grecia 25 minutes
Reviews
Lucia
United States
•
December 2025
Where to start! The farm work, shared meals, and meaningful conversations I experienced at Thélème opened my eyes to mindful living within a community of multicultural and multi-animal individuals. 🐐🐤🦆 Learning to care for goats and poultry, pour cement, work various tools, tend to the greenhouse, and practice Spanish are just a few of the many activities available to volunteers. Even more importantly, however, is Vaillant's and Joselyn's focus on creating a healthy community environment full of laughter, meals together, and excursions into the neighboring mountain national park. Thank you, Thélème!
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Rubén
Spain
•
October 2025
Thélèm es un lugar excepcional a unos 1500mts de altitud y ubicado en las faldas del volcán Poás, ofreciendo unas vistas privilegiadas del valle de Grecia y de las cordilleras volcánicas que lo rodean.
Aquí todo fluye al ritmo de la naturaleza, acompañándote al recogimiento y a la introspección, haciendo que disfrutes de los paisajes externos y internos.
Es una finca ideal para aprender la dinámica de diferentes tipos de animales: cabras, patos, gallinas, codornices, pavos… ofreciendo una visión realista y bella de su cuidado.
Es perfecto para practicar idiomas ya que suelen haber voluntarios internacionales.
A nivel de convivencia aprendes la diferencia entre compartir vivienda y vivir en comunidad, con toda la complejidad y retos que ello conlleva. Una experiencia realmente enriquecedora.
El trabajo principal es el cuidado de los animales. Después hay diversas faenas como preparación del suelo, plantación, recolección y cuidado de plantas en el green house, gestión del compost, faenas de mantenimiento y jardinería, elaboración de queso, yogur, pan, cocina cooperativa, etc
Cualquier idea suele ser bien recibida y escuchada.
A nivel personal me he sentido muy acogido por la familia y les estoy enormemente agradecido por ello, como también lo estoy con las voluntarias y voluntarios con los que he tenido el privilegio de compartir esta experiencia.
En mi estancia he aprendido mucho a nivel práctico, emocional y personal.
Espero volver a compartir camino con ellos.
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Marlene
Germany
•
August 2025
I had a very special experience at this place. The work didn’t feel like work (it was taking care of the garden and the animals, community cooking and planting/caring about the fruits and vegetables in the Green House). The area around the farm is very nice and you can do some hiking. I loved the spiritual vibe at the place, a book I’ve read really impacted my way of thinking. I love everybody and would definitely come back !!
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James
United States
•
August 2025
I spent a month WWOOFing at Thélème in San Isidro de Grecia, and it was truly one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had. The farm sits high in the Costa Rican hills, surrounded by green and birdsong, and it’s not just beautiful—it has a soul.
The daily work was hands-on and satisfying: planting, harvesting, helping with the animals, and preparing meals with ingredients straight from the land. There was a good rhythm to everything, and while it was physical, it never felt overwhelming. Just real, grounded, and honest.
Meals were a daily highlight—delicious, simple, and shared. The conversations around the table were often as nourishing as the food itself. There was plenty of space to be quiet, too. I found time to write, walk, reflect, and just soak in the beauty of the place.
Vaillant and Joselyn are incredibly kind and thoughtful hosts. They lead with love and care, and their deep connection to the land and community set the tone for everything. I came here looking for a break from the noise and left feeling more alive, more centered, and way more connected to myself and the earth.
If you’re considering WWOOFing here—do it. Thélème isn’t just a farm. It’s an invitation to slow down, show up, and be part of something real. I’ll never forget my time here.
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Reply from Vaillant
Thank you James. It was a pleasure having you around. We only got stellar feedback about you in the community
Lo
United Kingdom
•
July 2025
I would like to express my gratitude to Thélème Farm and its wonderful hosts, Vaillant and Joselyn. It has been a great experience spending time on the farm. They are very flexible with the work, and the various tasks kept things interesting and engaging.
The core daily responsibility was caring for the animals. The farm is home to three goats, turkeys, ducks, quails, a goose, fish, and, of course, the true queen of the farm, Galleta (Biscuit), an adorable dog. I’ll miss her companionship, especially during my walks around the farm and through the surrounding countryside.
Beyond animal care, I also got to help with cheese-making, kombucha preparation, and enjoying delicious meals made with fresh ingredients. On the farming side, we worked on planting vegetables in the greenhouse, composting, mulching, and enriching the soil with various organic materials.
The farm is peacefully nestled above the small town of Grecia, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a serene atmosphere. It’s been a pleasure to be part of Thélème, and I am very grateful for the experience. I wish Vaillant, Joselyn, and the farm all the best in the journey ahead.
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Lisa
Germany
•
May 2025
It was a great pleasure to be part of the community. I learned a lot about myself and learned many new things about how to deal with the animals there and to work in the nature and in the green house.
I can definitely recommend it to others!
Fantastic vibes and a magical environment!!!
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