San José Province, Tinamaste, Costa Rica
April 6 - 12, 2025
About this Retreat
Dan Link is an internationally renowned biologist, adventurer, queer rights advocate, and primitive survivalist who brings a unique perspective to the outdoors. Growing up as a self-proclaimed 'weird kid' in a small town in Upstate New York, Dan discovered his passion for nature early in life. His love for the outdoors led him to a career as a dedicated biologist for Hawai'i's remote Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, where he combines conservation with adventure and strives to protect ecosystems worldwide.
Dan's outdoor expertise has been showcased in five successful primitive survival challenges on Discovery Channel's Naked and Afraid franchise, culminating in his recent victory on Naked and Afraid competition spinoff 'Last One Standing'. These achievements highlight his remarkable mental resilience, advanced outdoor skills, knack for adventure, and unmatched recognition as a skilled gay survivalist. As a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion, his visibility in a traditionally rugged and heteronormative space such as wilderness survival has made him an influential figure for LGBTQ+ representation in outdoor and adventure communities.
Dan's work is committed to pushing boundaries and breaking societal norms while fostering personal growth and promoting diversity and authenticity in outdoor spaces. His journey aims to inspire others to push their limits and explore the transformative power of connecting with nature.
Pacific Journeys offers professionally guided experiences to the Diamante private cavern located behind the stunning Diamante Falls, the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica. All experiences are led by local rescue certified, bilingual professional guides with extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna.
Details of this retreat
Get ready to unleash your inner explorer on Out and Wild: The Ultimate Queer Waterfall Adventure, a 7-day extravaganza that combines heart-pounding adventure, jaw-dropping landscapes, and the kind of queer joy that could turn the straightest waterfall gay. Led by legendary adventurer and 'Naked and Afraid' champion Dan Link, this retreat is your chance to rappel, hike, and cannonball your way through Costa Rica’s most iconic waterfalls—all while forging deep connections with nature and a vibrant queer community.
Your adventure begins with the majestic Diamante Falls, Costa Rica’s tallest waterfall, where you’ll spend a night sleeping in a cave (yes, a cave!) behind the cascading water. From there, it’s nonstop thrills: canyoning through waterfalls, a river hike with an optional 🍄 microdose (because we believe there is no better place to experience the wisdom of plant medicine than in nature), and splashing your way toward the breathtaking Nauyaca Falls, Costa Rica’s largest and most famous waterfall (quite a title considering all of the magic of Costa Rican waterfalls). When you're not hiking or hanging from a rope, you’ll enjoy daily yoga, aerial arts workshops, and soothing sound baths back at the Jungle Gayborhood, our little slice of queer paradise.
Whether you’re braving the surf at Dominical Beach or marveling at the Goddess Falls, this retreat is more than an adventure—it’s a journey into authenticity, connection, and your wildest queer dreams. Beginners and seasoned explorers alike are welcome; all you need is a love of nature, a sense of humor, and a willingness to say “yes” to unforgettable moments. By the end of the week, you’ll have rappelled down cliffs, danced under the stars, and formed bonds as deep as the pools beneath the waterfalls.
This isn’t just a retreat—it’s a celebration of queerness, community, and Costa Rica’s untamed beauty. 🌈
This adventure will be led by the Discovery Channels “Naked and Afraid” Legend Dan Link, an internationally renown biologist and primitive survivalist, Dan is celebrated for his extraordinary resilience and leadership on the hit show including his recent victory on Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing. His knack for adventure, experience in navigating extreme environments and passion for breaking societal norms in the outdoors bring a unique depth to this one-of-a-kind adventure.
While Dan is known for rugged survival in the wilderness, this retreat will be quite luxurious in the comfort of the Jungle Gayborhood. That said, Dan will offer an optional hands-on Primitive Wilderness Survival workshop, where you'll jump right into mastering key survival skills in a fun, immersive setting! Practice the art of crafting quick and effective shelters, learn how to identify edible plants, and gain valuable tips for water purification. You'll also get the chance to practice primitive fire-starting techniques to help you thrive in the wild. This immersive workshop is designed to provide an exciting experience which lays the foundation for skills you’ll continue to refine throughout the week.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
A hike to Diamante Falls with a 90ft rappel
Sleep overnight in a cave behind Diamante Falls (bedding and meals included)
Navigating between 8 (!!!) epic waterfalls
An (optional) 🍄 microdose and epic nature hike with glorious swimming hole dips
Two days of canyoning and river adventures from Diamante Falls to Nauyaca falls
A rest day of leisure, massage, sound baths and yoga
A surf lesson (all levels) and beach day in nearby Dominical
Morning yoga (offered on days without an early start to the river)
Evening playful practices including ecstatic dance, aerial workshops, and a spicy temple of sensuality (all optional)
An (optional) hands-on Primitive Wilderness Survival workshop with Dan Link
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?
Individuals of any sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or ethnicity
LGBTQ+ individuals looking to connect and strengthen their bonds with nature and a supportive, vibrant community
Allies. While this experience is curated for the LGBTQ+ community, allies are warmly welcomed to join us
Physically active individuals who are in good health and capable of participating in moderate to strenuous physical activities like hiking, canyoning, and river adventures
Adventurers and Nature Lovers ready to step outside their comfort zone and try new experiences, including canyoning, rappelling, and yoga in the serenity of the outdoors
Curious and open-minded people looking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationship with the environment
Community-oriented individuals who enjoy being part of an inclusive, playful, and supportive group dynamic
Beginners in outdoor activities who are comfortable trying new things and who are also prepared for physical challenges
This retreat is designed for anyone who’s ready for an unforgettable adventure, whether you're a seasoned explorer or a first-time adventurer. No prior canyoning experience is necessary, but a love for nature, community, and new experiences are key!
ADVENTURE ITINERARY
(*subject to change)
Day 1 – Welcome to the Jungle Gayborhood!
Arrive in time to settle into our vibrant community nestled in the lush rainforest. Share a delicious dinner and connect with your fellow adventurers as we prepare for the exciting journey ahead.
Day 2 – Diamante Waterfall Hike & Cave Yoga
An early start takes us from the Gayborhood to the towering Diamante Falls, Costa Rica’s tallest waterfall. We’ll hike through pristine jungle trails to discover hidden cascades before reaching the top of Diamante Falls, where we’ll spend the night together in a spacious cave tucked behind the falls (mattresses and bedding provided).
Day 3 – River Adventure
Begin the day with an inspiring yoga session overlooking the Diamante Valley and the coast all the way to the ocean. Then we’ll descend from Diamante, followed by an exhilarating nature hike along the Diamante River with a number of stops at glorious swimming holes. There will be an optional 🍄 microdose offered during the hike. Please note there will be no swimming or river navigation following the optional microdose.
Once we’re back in the comfort of the Gayborhood, we’ll heat things up with an optional primitive survival workshop with immersive activities like shelter building and fire-starting!
Day 4 - Canyoning Adventure
Swim, wade, and marvel at the waterfalls and pools as we explore this unforgettable waterway. By mid-afternoon, we’ll return to the glory of the Gayborhood to rest and reconnect.
Day 5 – Nauyaca Falls Exploration
Costa Rica’s largest and most famous waterfall awaits! After a hearty breakfast, we’ll hike through lush forest trails to the Nauyaca Falls, a mesmerizing cascade perfect for photos, swimming, and picnicking. We’ll return to the Gayborhood in the afternoon to relax and unwind.
Day 6 – Dominical Surf Day + Sendoff party
Cap off your retreat with the thrill of riding waves at Dominical Beach. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a curious beginner, this beach day is the perfect way to embrace the ocean’s energy before we say goodbye. We’ll wrap the week with a fun and fabulously queer dance party.
Day 7 – Farewell for Now
Depart with memories to last a lifetime and a community you’ll always carry in your heart.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Accommodations at the Jungle Gayborhood and Diamante Cave
All camping materials for a night in Diamante Cave
All meals and snacks - local, fresh, and delicious! (Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated)
Waterproof backpacks
Guided waterfall hikes, and river adventures. Waterfall rappelling will be led by local experts.
Yoga and wellness activities
Transportation for all excursions
SAFETY
Your adventure on Out and Wild: The Ultimate Queer Waterfall Adventure is all about embracing exploration, but your safety is our highest priority. This retreat includes exhilarating activities like rappelling, river navigation, and surfing, which carry inherent risks. To ensure a safe experience, participants should be in good physical condition and stay mindful of their body’s limits, recognizing signs of fatigue or discomfort and stepping back when necessary. Each activity—whether hiking, rappelling, or canyoning—will be led by insured, experienced guides who are there to support, instruct, and keep you safe, and will include appropriate safety gear. We also strongly recommend that participants obtain travel insurance that covers high-risk activities, so you can fully enjoy the adventure with peace of mind.
To create a safe environment conducive to healing and community development, we will ask all participants to adhere to these agreements throughout the week. While we will explore topics of sexuality, we will ask participants to refrain from sex during the retreat. This helps to create a safe environment, and encourages deep connections without the motivation of sex, which past participants recognize as a very refreshing change for queer men.
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