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Why We Exist

At the Jungle Gayborhood, we exist to create a vibrant home for LGBTQ+ lives to heal, connect, and shine.

What does it mean to Heal?
What does it mean to Connect?
What does it mean to Shine?

What does it mean to Heal?

To heal is to release the weight of past experiences and embrace all parts of ourselves as worthy of love. It’s about letting go of stories that no longer serve us, releasing shame and fear, reclaiming self-compassion, and finding autonomy in how we feel, connect, and grow.

What does it mean to Connect?

To connect is to build meaningful relationships—with ourselves, others, and nature. It’s about finding safety within, experiencing shared joy, and recognizing our unity with the world around us.

What does it mean to Shine?

To shine is to discover what excites and fulfills us, exploring our passions and purpose in ways that feel authentic. It’s about finding the things that light us up, embracing play, and living unapologetically as our true selves. We believe that as we let our own light shine, it invites others to do the same. And today, the world definitely needs more lights shining. 

How We Do It?

We curate immersive experiences that weave together nature’s beauty, heartfelt connection, and expert guidance. Whether through intentional practices like yoga, meditation, and plant medicine, or joyful celebrations and adventures, we create safe, inclusive spaces where you can explore, heal, and grow. Our retreats are designed with care, emphasizing preparation, integration, and deep respect for every individual’s journey.

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What Do We Offer?

From profound plant medicine journeys and sacred sexuality retreats to playful festivals and thrilling adventures, we offer a diverse range of experiences to suit your unique path. Every retreat is held in the lush Costa Rican jungle, a space alive with wonder, where you can rediscover wholeness, unlock joy, and connect with a vibrant queer community.

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Join us in this sanctuary of growth, freedom, and celebration—your journey starts here.

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Who we are

Founder and General Manager

Shelby Clark

Shelby is a seasoned entrepreneur, experienced investor, enthusiastic embodiment facilitator, and an eager student on his own path. 
With a desire to create spaces for the LGBTQ+ community that inspire personal exploration, radical self-expression, and a sense of connection, Shelby has founded the Jungle Gayborhood, an LGBTQ+ focused retreat center in Costa Rica.

In addition, Shelby is thrilled to combine his passions, experience, and interests as a partner at Lionheart Ventures, where he invests in and supports companies that expand human consciousness (with a specific focus on mental health and psychedelic therapies). 

Shelby lives in Costa Rica, and feels most alive when moving to great music, surrounded by epic nature and tight-knit community. 

OUR TEAM

Shelby
Clark

Founder

Kirby
Duncan

Director of Programming

Jose
Cruz

Customer Support Manager and Tico Ambassador

Jess
Brown

Director of Programming

Eugenia
Aguilar

HR

Eric
Stephenson

Head of Guest Experience

Charlie
Delgago

General Manager