Jungle Fag 2025: A Weekend of Intentionality, Connection, and Play in the Costa Rican Jungle

By Roland Fitz

I flew to Costa Rica and took a 4-hour taxi to the Jungle Gayborhood to document their 2nd annual Jungle Fag party. As a new New Yorker juggling work, friendship, love, sex, and community—and the intersectionality of it all—I was looking for a new framework for gay partying and connection.

Or maybe just tapping back into an older, more authentic one.

Jungle Fag was marketed as an event that prioritizes authenticity, wellness, connection, and play, and it over-delivered. The weekend was infused with intentionality: learning and unlearning, connecting with each other, ourselves, and nature. It all came together to create a slowness that invited us to look within while surrounded by a breathtaking vista of the Costa Rican jungle.

I arrived a few days early and connected with the space and the staff who create this haven of queer freedom and joy. As we awaited the shuttle bringing attendees, nerves kicked in.

A gaggle of gays and theys poured out of the van, and I masked with jokes and my camera, documenting as the story began to unfold.

Me and 40 strangers at a weekend-long party? Equal parts dream and nightmare.

The duality of man. The duality of a Gemini. The duality of working past insecurities.

That shit ebbs and flows (derogatorily).

I reminded myself: everyone is feeling these feelings to some degree. I’m projecting so hard, there’s no way they’re not feeling the same.

As we sat down for our first group meal, that nervous energy slowly dissipated. Slowly. First-day-of-school awkwardness lingered. Again, probably just projecting, but we’ll say it was mutual. Most people seemed to only know one or two others, some having come alone. But as we all sat down at one long table for dinner, there was no choice. We had to connect with the three dozen people we’d be sharing the jungle with for the next few days.

With the sunset, dinner turned into a bonfire, slow jungle house harmonizing with the jungle’s natural symphony. Unwinding from a long travel day required self-care. Cue the nail salon toolbox. Everyone huddled together, painting each other’s nails, making sure we all looked and felt pretty heading into the weekend.

It’s these slow moments of connection, infused with self-care, that made the weekend so special.

Most people filed off to bed early, only to be woken by howler monkeys around 6 a.m. It was aggressive and animalistic, a clear foreshadowing of what was to come.

Our first full day began with a packed schedule: an intentional group psilocybin journey, guided yoga and meditation, and an afternoon dance party. The morning ended with a sound bath to gently extend the journey before lunch. Afterward, we hiked outside the Gayborhood to a nearby waterfall.

Dressed in skimpy swimwear, drapery, and fanny packs, my 30 new friends and I made our way to the most idyllic waterfall imaginable. Most quickly stripped out of their hiking looks and swam freely. Bodies popped vividly against the dark rocks and green water. It felt like a scene from a classic… something. I don’t know what, because I’ve never seen anything like it. Despite its newness to me, a feeling of nostalgia washed over me—fulfilling, slow, and iconic.

We hiked further up the waterfall, helping each other over slick rocks to an even taller cascade. My first-day jitters still lingered, but between the morning’s journey and playing in the waters, they began to wash away.

After dinner and naps, I left my camera in my hut for the tantra, ropes, and consent workshop. It was a learning moment: stepping away from the camera, no hiding behind it. The workshop transitioned into a dance party, bonfire, and more play under the moonlight. 

To paint a picture; I’m cradled in the sling, my vision framed by two towering trees (not a euphemism). The various curves and hairs of his muscular body silhouetted with the blue moonlight from above, contrasting perfectly with the flickering red glow from the fire below. No camera needed; some moments will live rent-free, ingrained in my psyche. 

The first day felt like three days long, and we still had two more to go.

Saturday: Gay Summer Camp Vibes

After breakfast and restorative yoga, we packed sack lunches and in a single file line hiked to a further waterfall and swimming hole. The gay sleepaway summer camp vibes were palpable. Once we arrived, those vibes quickly turned into timeless gay iconography.

The time in the water felt like something out of classic literature—a story I probably would’ve sparknoted in high school. A tale about community, love, and nature. All good stories have devastating moments, but here, prioritizing quiet moments of connection and community is what saves everyone in the end.

It felt classic in the way queer people have always found solace in pristine nature. Finding laughter and connection in the midst of something wild and beautiful.

Later, we had a beginner aerial class with Davey Swinton, where they taught us basic-level aerial acrobatics. While I struggled with the grace to excel in this art form, I appreciated the continued theme of play. A judgment-free zone to try something new—even if I wasn’t good at it immediately. And trust me, that’s something I struggle with.

Playtime above all else. Play in the most healing and intentional ways. Releasing shame and the fear of judgment. Play for the sake of play. The themes of the weekend were coming through. 

The Jungle Fag Party

The main event was about to begin: Jungle Fag Party. We started with an optional group medicine journey, setting intentions of freedom, openness, and connection. The music? Incredible. We were spoiled with DJs who typically play to massive crowds, taking 40 of us on an audio journey through the night—including a perfectly placed “Funkytown” remix. Personally, as a girl who needs room for some choreo, this setup was perfect. The night unfolded, and I set my camera down. Those hours were for me. Those stories were for us. Sometimes, it’s good to just let the moments be.

That is, until my friend lit some sticks on fire and gave us the most incredible fire spinning performance. Backlit by the waning moon, framed by the dense jungle. Cuddled up on the hill, I couldn’t resist capturing it.

The night danced on, and so did we, until the dark sky began to change. The slow, warm gradient of morning overwhelmed the deep blue blanket of stars. Guided by our vibe maestros, we had a quiet moment as the sun rose. Taking it all in, before getting it back up. Thanks in part to the Viagra snowcones.

Inward & Onward

Sunday was slow. Rest and relaxation. A sound bath and group massage turned into our final dinner: a home-cooked meal capped with a cabaret show featuring performances by attendees. Aerialists, vocalists, poets, and even a Britney Spears tarot reading. More play. Silly queer joy and authenticity. People expressing themselves and holding space for each other. It turns out that’s important. Possibly the most important.

Queer joy and authenticity is radical.

I’ll carry this intentionality, slowness, and prioritization of authenticity and connection back to the uncertain, real world. All I can do is focus on the people around me, prioritize community, and let that energy lead me to others on the same wavelength. Through connection, expression, and authenticity—that’s where we thrive.