About Libélula
Nestled in the mountains of Costa Rica, Libélula is a sanctuary for deep healing, rest, and reconnection.
Surrounded by primary rainforest, abundant wildlife, and two sacred rivers flowing through more than twenty waterfalls, the land itself is an active part of the work. Life here unfolds slowly — inviting the nervous system to soften and the body to remember its natural rhythm.
Libélula is a place to step out of urgency and into relationship — with yourself, with nature, and with something deeper that often gets lost in modern life.
What We Offer
Libélula hosts deeply healing retreats, immersive journeys, and occasional trainings, all held within a carefully structured, trauma‑informed, and ethically grounded container.
While we specialise in sacred plant medicine retreats, this is not the only way we work. We also offer non‑plant‑medicine retreats focused on rest, nervous system regulation, embodied healing, and reconnection — as well as occasional courses and immersions in holistic and therapeutic practices.
Across all offerings, our work weaves together:
Indigenous‑led ceremonial wisdom (where appropriate)
Strong emphasis on integration and nervous system regulation
Body‑based practices such as yoga, breathwork, fascia work, qigong, and somatic care
Nourishing, seasonal food designed to support healing and embodiment
Rather than chasing peak experiences, our approach prioritises safety, rest, and integration, allowing transformation to unfold in a grounded and sustainable way.
Our Story
Libélula was founded by Kene and Maisie, a couple from England united by a shared devotion to healing, learning, and service.
Our journey began in Portugal, where we first created sacred space grounded in community and intention. Yet both of us felt a deeper calling — to land, to nature, and to a way of working that honoured the body, the nervous system, and ancient wisdom traditions more fully. That calling led us to Costa Rica.
What began as a simple visit quickly became something undeniable. After travelling across the country, we arrived here, and felt an immediate sense of recognition — as if the land itself was welcoming us home. Libélula was born from that moment of listening.
This work is lived, not abstract. Kene’s own healing journey — including recovery from addiction through plant medicine and integration — deeply informs how we hold space today. We know firsthand that healing is not about being “saved,” but about remembering one’s own capacity to heal when the right conditions are present.
Why ‘Libélula’?
Libélula means dragonfly in Spanish.
Long before Libélula existed as a place, dragonflies were already appearing as messengers in our lives — during moments of ceremony, transition, and decision. When we secured the land, dragonflies arrived again, in numbers impossible to ignore, as if confirming what had already been felt.
Dragonflies live between water and air. They spend much of their lives unseen before emerging into flight. For us, they represent metamorphosis, timing, and presence — transformation that cannot be forced, only allowed.
If you spend time here, you will be sure to see them too — near the rivers, the shala, or soaring over the natural pool. Gentle reminders that change happens when we give it space.
Our Philosophy and Approach
At Libélula, healing begins with respect — for the body, for the land, and for the Indigenous traditions we work alongside.
We collaborate with Indigenous elders and medicine carriers whose lineages remain unbroken, honouring their knowledge with humility, consent, and reciprocity. Ancient ceremonial wisdom is held alongside modern understandings of trauma, integration, and nervous system care.
Our approach is:
Trauma‑informed and nervous‑system aware
Rooted in ethics, consent, and integrity
Personalised, compassionate, and non‑dogmatic
Healing here happens in relationship — with the body, with community, with nature, and with the rhythms of the land itself.
Beyond the Individual
Our work does not end with personal healing.
Libélula is committed to sustainability, land stewardship, and giving back to the communities and Indigenous families who make this work possible. We believe true wellness is interconnected — what heals the individual must also honour the land, the lineage, and the wider web of life.
Integration, ongoing support, and community connection are central to our retreats, because healing continues long after guests return home.
Our Team
Libélula is held by a dedicated team of facilitators, healers, bodyworkers, chefs, and support staff — each committed to creating a safe, grounded, and nurturing environment.
Every guest is supported with care, presence, and respect, allowing the journey to unfold at its own pace.