The Velvet Rage Retreat: Finding Contentment
Join Dr. Alan Downs in Costa Rica for 5 Days of Transformative Workshops
Exclusively for Gay & Queer Men
May 2 - 8, 2026
6 Nights | All-Inclusive | Private or Shared Room
Register NowInspired by his groundbreaking book The Velvet Rage, this immersive retreat - created exclusively for gay and queer men - opens a space to explore peace, purpose, and the freedom to live with ease and genuine contentment.
Part of Reunion’s Cultivating Pride & Authenticity retreat series, and guided by Alan Downs, PhD, clinical psychologist and bestselling author, you’ll take part in workshops that explore gay identity, emotional healing, and the path toward deeper belonging and joy.
More than a getaway, this is a meaningful experience of letting go of old stories and cultivating contentment within, supported by a community that understands you.
What's Included
- Direct beach access steps from your room
- Oceanfront location with stunning sunset views
- Daily movement & wellness programming: yoga, breathwork and meditation
- Access to wellness amenities: saltwater infinity pool, hot & cold plunges, infrared saunas and fitness center
- Modern accommodations with high-speed Wi-Fi
- Farm-to-table meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Optional Enhancements
- Spa & Wellness Treatments
- Shuttle Transportation between LIR Airport & Reunion
- Laundry Services
Dr. Alan Downs, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist and Bestselling Author
Clinical Psychologist and Bestselling Author
Investment for this extraordinary all-inclusive week in Costa Rica:
- $1,850 USD | Shared Room
- $3,250 USD | Private Room
To expand access, 5 Need-Based Partial Scholarships are available for this retreat. Apply Here.
Join the Retreat
Finding Contentment, Together
In a culture that often tells us to seek more success, more beauty, more validation - this retreat offers a pause. Together, we’ll explore what it means to feel enough, to be present, and to live from a place of inner peace and gratitude.
Through open dialogue, embodied practice, and heartfelt connection, you’ll rediscover the strength of authenticity and the joy of being fully seen.
Contentment isn’t the absence of desire - it’s discovering at last that who you are is already enough.
The Hidden Gem of Costa Rica
At the gateway of Costa Rica’s Blue Zone, designed for renewal in every sense.
Reunion is an oceanfront sanctuary set along the shores of Costa Rica’s celebrated Blue Zone coastline—one of the world’s longest-living and most life-giving regions. Here, the natural world leads the way, and the rhythm of the waves sets the pace for your return to balance.
Tucked along Costa Rica’s serene coastline on Sugar Beach, Reunion offers all the amenities of an all-inclusive boutique resort, without the crowds. Our secluded oceanfront alcove-less than an hour from Liberia (LIR) International Airport-creates a rare sense of privacy and ease, with optional shuttle service for seamless arrival and departure.
Every element of your stay is designed to restore harmony: nourishing cuisine, thoughtfully curated wellness programs, and experiences that invite deep rest and renewal.
Explore the ResortAll-Inclusive Relaxation
Cradled by Nature
The sights and sounds of the ocean waves and acres of lush Costa Rican landscape create a full sensory immersion. Step outside and onto trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking, with more adventure beginning right at the edge of the property.
Curated Wellness Amenities
Wellness facilities and optional services blend modern science with holistic practices, offering evidence-based treatments designed to rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, and restore balance within.
Farm-to-Table Meals
With 3 fresh, whole-food focused meals included daily, you can feel your best. Indulge with minimally processed, flavourful, and healthy dishes with ingredients grown in our on-site greenhouse.
Restful Casitas & Suites
Inspired by the ‘Pura Vida’ Costa Rican lifestyle, our spacious casitas are designed to provide calming comfort. With an expansive porch, you can truly soak in the soothing natural elements surrounding you
