Group of people gathered outdoors on a wooden deck with palm trees in the background.

The ARK

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Forming
  • Ecological
  • Town/Small City

Founding year

  • 2021

What we do

The ARK is a regenerative village for the new era, located in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Designed to be self-sufficient and self-funded, it blends shared ownership, environmental care, and community-driven innovation.
Residents participate as co-creators and profit partners in a system that supports well-being, restores the land, and fosters human potential.
The village includes an organic farm, wellness spaces, conscious architecture, and an upcoming education center inspired by nature-based learning.
The ARK is a living blueprint for a more grounded, collaborative, and regenerative way of life where people and nature thrive together.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create a cooperative village rooted in regeneration, nurturing healthier living for everyone involved.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Ecovillage
  • Sustainability practices
  • Regenerative agriculture or permaculture
  • Activities
  • Education
  • Experiences

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2021
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2021
  • Started living together
  • 17 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
64

How to join

To purchase land at The ARK, we follow a clear and respectful three-phase process designed to support future residents every step of the way. It begins with an introductory call to explore their vision and introduce the project, followed by a short questionnaire and a conversation with a current resident. Once aligned, they are invited to visit the land in person. If everything feels right, they proceed to the contractual phase, which includes a 5% down payment, a 14-day due diligence period, and final contract signing. Once the full payment is completed, the land title is officially transferred to their name. This journey ensures transparency, mutual alignment, and a strong foundation for their future at The ARK.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Visit our website to book a stay: https://www.theark.world/stay or to join one of our upcoming events: https://www.theark.world/events

Primary decision-making authority

  • Single Leader or Founding Couple

One person or partnership has ultimate authority.

Decision-making process

  • Leadership Decides

A single person, couple, or small group makes most major decisions.

Governance structure

  • Founder/Leader-led

Primary authority rests with the community’s founder(s) or designated leader(s).

Economic model

  • Complete Income-Sharing

All member income goes into common pool for community use.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a labor obligation

Additional economic information

Labor: Encouraged or suggested

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Workshop, Outdoor Kitchen, Fire pit, Gym or sports area

Frequency of communal meals

  • 1-3 times per month

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary type

  • Vegetarian Only

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • School, Educational Institute or Experience
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Family-focused (many children and parents)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a single individual, couple, or Family Trust

Setting

  • Town/Small City

Smaller municipalities with local services but rural character.

Community type

  • Cohousing

    Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
    interaction while maintaining independence.

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

Sustainability approach

  • Regenerative agriculture or permaculture

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Greenhouse / aquaponics
  • Land area size
    80 hectares

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Location

  • Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Needs and Offers

Offer
Offer
  • Marketplace
6 years ago

Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves Books for Sale

Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves, Charles Durrett and Kathryn McCamant introduce Cohousing with stories and pictures of both Danish and American communities. Beautiful photographs and line drawings illustrate the warmly written account of how these communities came to be. Specific information on legal and financial aspects of working with developers, group process, and design issues make this book informative as well as inspiring. This is the book which brought Cohousing to North America. This book is the much prized second edition which has become a rarer and somewhat of a collectors item. Its community case studies were not included in the more recent publication. It preceded Creating Cohousing which is widely available. I acquired 25 cases from a local distributor who closed down. If you would like three or more copies for yourself, to share with your friends or to market your group, please let me know. I would love for them to be made useful and find great homes. Books are paperback (hard copy was not an option at the time from the publisher) all brand new, in Oakland (CA) so could be picked in Oakland or mailed to you. I would very much like to recuperate what I paid which is $10 per book. So, If you would like three or more shipped, I will add the postage, packing and handling fees. I have sold several cases (18 books per case) for $150 per case ($8 per book). I have a little wiggle room on the pricing. Please let me know if you are interested. Use the Send Message button on this page.
Offer

Information

Communities

A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

Organizations

An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

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