Meet the community: Alex Wilson
Can you share a bit about your personal journey? What led you to move to Costa Rica and join The ARK?
We were looking for something new. Both, my wife Arkayla and I, had faced challenges and emotional upheaval over the past 12 to 24 months, and it felt like the right time to make a life change.
I took a holiday to Santa Teresa to surf for a month, and while I was there, I discovered what The ARK was trying to achieve. I felt called to reach out and learn more about the project. My experience may be a bit different from most— I arrived in Santa Teresa and then found The ARK, which seems to be the reverse of how others discovered it!
Before moving to Costa Rica, we had met in Australia after moving from the UK about 15 years ago. We’ve always been part of international/nomadic families, so relocating to Costa Rica wasn’t too daunting for us. Arkayla works online a lot, and my background is in events and construction, which makes our skillsets adaptable.
Our families are spread out—my sister is in Boston, while Arkayla’s brother and mine are still in the UK. With children we want to visit often, the connections from Costa Rica to Europe are appealing.
Professionally, I’ve always been involved in events or developing environments and experiences for people to enjoy. I ran an event management company in Australia, organizing international events, festivals, and product launches. Later, I expanded into a business that converted shipping containers into bars, kitchens, and cafés—mostly for commercial use. After about seven or eight years, the market in Australia wasn’t providing the growth I hoped for, and COVID-19 put additional pressure on us. We closed the business in February 2024, which created the opportunity to make the move to Costa Rica.
What do you hope to bring to The ARK community?
I hope to bring a sense of childlike wonder—it’s my favorite expression of creativity, curiosity, and exploration. I believe this mindset is essential for growth and regeneration, and I hope it becomes a key part of the community.
I’m also taking on a role in the development and construction of The ARK’s infrastructure, helping to coordinate residents as they purchase land and work with local architects and builders.
I consider myself calm, excitable, and enthusiastic, and I hope this energy helps drive the growth of the community. I love surfing and learning, and my own spiritual journey has been a gradual one. I’m sure living in the Costa Rican jungle and surfing the Pacific will speed it up!
What excites you most about this new chapter at The ARK?
I’m excited about the opportunity to help develop a community with soul—a place where luxury and togetherness are at the core. Starting this new chapter with my wife and learning a new language and skillset is exhilarating.
I’m particularly excited to work with The ARK’s team, who already have a strong vision. I hope to contribute by bringing my own knowledge and experience to the project, adding fuel to the fire.
I love that The ARK isn’t driven by a strict agenda. It’s built around cooperation, regeneration, openness, kindness, compassion, and the nuances that arise from discussions and ideas. I want the infrastructure and buildings we develop to reflect these values—not just for The ARK and its residents, but for the natural environment as well.
I’m also looking forward to the challenge of bringing together people from different backgrounds and belief systems into a space where they can coexist under a shared commitment to regeneration, growth, and compassion. Even though we’ve only been in Costa Rica for two months, I can already see and feel the friendships, community, and sense of purpose growing around us. It’s not just the future—it’s happening now!
Alex