Absolutely not. Writers of all ability levels are welcome to participate.

Parador Nature Resort and Spa

• Punta Quepos
• Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
• 877-506-1414
• info@hotelparador.com
• https://hotelparador.com/

The hotel is accessible. It is built on the side of a hill, so guests need to be able to navigate ramps and some steps.

No, you will need to arrange for your own flights. We purposely set the retreat dates from Wednesday to Wednesday for lower fares. Twelve of the fifteen major US airports have direct flights to San Jose International Airport. You can book your own flights, or once you submit your deposit, the travel agent assisting with retreat arrangements will contact you. if you so desire.

Transportation to and from the hotel is included in the retreat price, provided you arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO) by 1:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

If you arrive before 1:30 p.m., you will be taken to wait at Sr. y Sra Ese Souvenir Store and Restaurant. There you can purchase food, do a bit of shopping for great-priced souvenirs, and take a tour of their woodworking factory where many of the souvenirs are made.

Should your flight be delayed, or you are not able to arrive in San Jose by the 1:30 p.m. deadline, we can help you arrange for a private transfer at your expense, which costs approximately $250 to $300 per person.

If you are concerned about not arriving in time to access the provided transportation, you may want to fly in a day early.

Our transportation back to San Jose International Airport (SFO) leaves the hotel at 8:00 a.m. and takes three hours to reach the airport.

It is recommended you arrive at the airport three hours before your international flight, so to be safe, I would not schedule your return flight before 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2023.

• Flights to/from San Jose International Airport.
• Travel insurance.
• Meals besides those specified.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Excursions besides those included with the retreat.
• Personal expenses/shopping/souvenirs.
• Transportation for non-group exploration.

Yes, you can begin making monthly payments on September 1, 2023. Each payment consists of one-sixth of your retreat fee. Payments will be auto-debited from your account on the first of each month, beginning in September 2023 and ending in February 2024. Contact Patricia at patricia@writingyourlife.org if you are interested.

Definitely, there is much to see and do in Costa Rica. Once you submit your deposit, the travel agent assisting with retreat arrangements will contact you. if you so desire.

Writing in the Rainforest will host a small, intimate group, no more than ten writers and their companions.

If desired, each writing participant can submit a story with photos for inclusion in the Writing in the Rainforest anthology. Once we return home, your stories will be professionally edited, and a coffee-table-style book will be expertly designed and published. We will also include some of your retreat photos, making this book a keepsake of your Writing in the Rainforest experience. Two copies of the anthology are included in your writer’s participation fee, and others will be available for purchase at a discounted rate.

A write-in is time set aside to write as a group. At the start, everyone says what they plan to work on, and we check in midway through to see how each person is doing. It’s a great way to draw energy from the group to accomplish a lot of writing.

You will need a passport, but United States citizens do not require a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you leave Costa Rica.

You can bring your laptop and/or writing paper/pens, whichever you prefer.

Not at all. More than ninety percent of Costa Ricans or Ticos speak English, and all guides are fluent in English.

Yes, optional thirty-minute sessions with Patricia are available at $60 per session.

• 100% refund, less the $250 administration fee, before November 29, 2023.
• 50% refund before December 31, 2023.
• No refund after January 1, 2024.

It is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Once you submit your deposit, the travel agent assisting with retreat arrangements will contact you, if you so desire.

Costa Rica offers delicious food, including pico de gallo; pork, chicken, beef, and seafood; fresh fruit and vegetables; plantains; and other local specialties. Gluten-free and sugar-free options are readily available.

Temperatures range from daytime highs of 82 degrees and evening lows of 75 degrees. It’s humid with lots of sunshine and the possibility of a shower or two. Prepare to sweat. Bring cool clothes, cooling towels, bandanas, and such.

The Manuel Antonio National Park area offers many activities depending on your preferences—hiking, snorkeling, sailing, beach combing, ziplining, kayaking, horseback riding, spice tours, coffee tours, bird watching, biking, fishing, and much more. A full menu of excursions will be available soon.

You can pay the deposit with a credit card, but the balance will be paid by ACH bank transfer. After you sign up, you will be invoiced for amounts due on specified dates. If you must use a credit card to pay the balance, contact Patricia at patricia@writingyourlife.org. An additional service fee will be charged to cover all credit card fees.

Costa Rica is a relaxed, casual environment so you can leave your suits, ties, high heels, and hosiery at home. Instead, bring shorts, slacks, lightweight shirts, sundresses, light rain jacket or poncho, sun hat, bathing suits, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, toiletries, medication, day pack, plastic or metal water bottle, sandals, sneakers or hiking boots, and anything else you may need or want. Don’t forget your passport, and make sure it is valid for at least six months from the date you leave Costa Rica.

In Costa Rica, pura vida is both a saying and a way of life. Translated, it means pure life or simple life. It reflects gratitude for what the people have rather than focusing on the negative. Costa Ricans or Ticos use it to say hello, goodbye, and everything is good.