Skip to content

Costa Rica · March 12–14, 2027 · 9th edition

Toward infinite happiness.

Three days at the UN-established University for Peace with global leaders in happiness, well-being, and positive leadership — hosted by the UPEACE Centre for Executive Education and the World Happiness Foundation.

Tickets on sale · Discounts for GGH alumni, groups, and Costa Ricans

Gross Global Happiness Summit — Costa Rica

9th Edition · GGH 2027

UN-established certification

Receive a certificate from the United Nations-established University for Peace Centre for Executive Education.

A tight-knit global cohort

Form a close group of like-minded colleagues from around the globe in just three days.

Aligned with the UN mission

Contribute to a more just, peaceful, and happier world — alongside people who are already doing the work.

What you leave with

Three days. Skills for a lifetime.

Outcome 01

Cutting-edge practice

Learn techniques from global leaders in the field to bring more well-being into your work and personal life.

Outcome 02

Compassion & emotional intelligence

Deepen the human skills that let you connect with others and lead a more fulfilling, impactful life.

Outcome 03

Habits that hold

Develop practices that sustain well-being — for you, your team, and your community — over the long term.

Moments from the campus

Where the summit happens.

Three days inside the United Nations-founded University for Peace — 300+ hectares of forest, campus classrooms, and open-air dialogue.

Aerial view of the UPEACE campus and forest, Costa Rica
Participants gathered at the Gross Global Happiness Summit
Session at the Gross Global Happiness Summit
Drone view over the University for Peace grounds
Delegates in dialogue at GGH
Cohort learning together in Costa Rica

Past speakers

Thought leaders who will transform how you think about happiness.

Speaker

Tal Ben-Shahar

Professor, Author · Co-founder, Harvard Happiness Studies Academy

Speaker

Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky

Researcher · Author of 'The How of Happiness'

Speaker

Raj Raghunathan

Psychology & Behavioral Science Researcher

Speaker

Dave Evans

Co-founder, Stanford Life Design Lab · Author of 'Designing Your Life'

Speaker

Robin Stern

Co-founder, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

Speaker

Mark Brackett

Co-founder, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence · Author of 'Permission to Feel'

Speaker

Lars Kure Juul

HR Executive · Bestseller on Organizational Happiness

Speaker

Dr. Gillian Mandich

Happiness Researcher · Health Science PhD

The venue

The University for Peace.

A United Nations-founded university in El Rodeo, Costa Rica — about 30 minutes from San José airport. As a UN-established institution, UPEACE works tirelessly to contribute to world peace and progress.

Visit UPEACE
  • El Rodeo, Costa Rica — 30 minutes from San José (SJO)
  • March 12–14, 2027 — 9th edition
  • A country famously carbon-neutral by design, army-free since 1948
  • 20% credit toward a UN-mandated UPEACE Diploma in Leadership or Innovation

Beyond the summit

Costa Rica, up close.

Included excursions and host-family stays turn three days of study into a full immersion — nature, food, music, and the culture of a country that made peace its constitution.

Aerial perspective of the Costa Rican landscape around UPEACE
Community moment during GGH in Costa Rica
Forested valley surrounding the University for Peace
Immersive circle experience during the summit
Group workshop at GGH Costa Rica

Ticket options — early bird pricing

Choose how you want to arrive.

3-day event access

Ticket Only

$1,200

  • 3-day event ticket (60+ sessions)
  • 3 lunches, snacks & drinks at the event
Choose ticket only

Logistics handled — you show up

Hotel Package

$1,825

  • 3-day event ticket (60+ sessions)
  • 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, snacks & drinks
  • 4-night stay at Hilton Garden Inn, Santa Ana
  • Airport transfer + daily transport to the event
Choose hotel package

All-inclusive · Immerse in local culture

GGH + Positive Leadership — Host Family

$2,450

  • 7-night stay with a Costa Rican host family
  • All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
  • Positive Leadership course + 3-day GGH ticket
  • Airport pickup + 1-day cultural excursion
  • Transport to/from all program activities
Choose host family

Comfortable hotel · Essentials covered

GGH + Positive Leadership — Hotel

$2,995

  • 7-night hotel stay
  • All breakfasts and lunches included
  • Positive Leadership course + 3-day GGH ticket
  • Airport pickup + 1-day cultural excursion
Choose PL hotel stay

Pre-summit add-on · Thursday, March 11

Coffee & Culture in Costa Rica — $95

Arrive early for a curated exploration of Costa Rica's coffee heritage: a family-owned organic coffee farm, guided tour, tasting, and scenic lunch overlooking the Central Valley. Round-trip transport included. Limited availability.

Real stories from the summit

In their own words.

"GGH is one of the few platforms that offers coaches, trainers, and experts in the happiness field a chance to come together and co-create high-quality, innovative programs — in an intimate and natural setting on one of the most beautiful university campuses on Earth."

Carine Bouery

United Arab Emirates · Founder, Synchro Comms

"GGH has been a high-return investment for my business, teaching, and research. The depth I gain in Costa Rica — plus the year-long connections with participants — strengthens my professional and personal life. Highly recommended."

Art Sherwood

United States · Professor, Western Washington University

"Years of studies, analysis, and investigations on happiness, shared by presenters and participants from different parts of the world — the richness of diversity and multiculturalism you can only experience in a non-replicable event."

Víctor Rojas

Costa Rica · Industrial Engineer

"This event is not only a breakthrough for personal leadership — it provides a platform to reengineer the planet. It ignites the imagination of a more compassionate, kind, purposeful, and creative world."

Dianne Hunt

Trinidad & Tobago · Owner, Dianne Tea Shop

Event organizers

Co-hosted by UPEACE and the World Happiness Foundation.

University for Peace · UPEACE Centre for Executive Education

Established in Costa Rica in December 1980 as a Treaty Organization by the United Nations General Assembly, UPEACE contributes to world peace through education. The Centre for Executive Education delivers dynamic workshops and training around leadership and social innovation.

World Happiness Foundation · World Happiness Fest

The world's largest, most diverse, polycentric forum and network of happiness and well-being experts, thought leaders, and changemakers. Present in more than 60 cities. Higher purpose: a free, peaceful, conscious, and happy humanity. #TenBillionHappy by 2050.

Gross Global Happiness 2027

Come home to a global cohort of Happytalistas.

Three days at UPEACE, in Costa Rica — with the researchers, practitioners, and leaders shaping the future of well-being.