In February 2018, Centauri Arts will be running our third annual creative writing retreat to Costa Rica. But what does a writing retreat entail? In case you’re wondering, here’s a sample itinerary, based on our 2017 trip:
Day 1:
Arrive at San Jose airport. We all connect with one another in the arrivals area, and meet our driver for the picturesque trip to our lodge. We stop halfway at a stunning viewpoint, taking photographs across the hills, browsing for crafts and picking up snacks (and wine!) for the week. Arriving at our stunning rainforest lodge in the late afternoon we check into our rooms, explore, and meet for dinner in the lovely open air restaurant by the side of the pool. Here, we start to get to know one another!
Day 2
This morning we wake to a cacophony of birds in the forest. Some of us take an early morning walk to the top of the lookout tower to watch the forest come to life, and we all meet for a huge breakfast buffet. An hour later, we’re in our 
first writing workshop, sitting in a circle of comfortable chairs on a patio looking down on the pool, and only occasionally distracted by the hummingbirds. The subject of our first workshop is “How to Find Inspiration” and by the end, writers already have a wealth of prompts to work with throughout the week. After a swim, and lunch, writers launch into their individual work, writing in hammocks, or at their desks, or by the pool. In the late afternoon we meet the resident nature guide, who takes us on a fascinating tour of Finca Luna Nueva. Dinner is a relaxing and shared meal again, after which we meet for an evening session. Tonight, Julie reads from her novel, and answers questions about agents and publishers.
Day 3
We’re in our groove, now! This morning’s workshop focuses on story and plot, and a few of our writers share their work. After lunch, a group decides to visit the nearby volcano in a taxi organised by reception, while others enjoy a massage, or swim, or write. Dinner is a long affair tonight as we linger to talk about books, and our writing projects, building strong connections with each other.
Day 4
Today we’re exploring character and dialogue! At the end of the morning workshop, a group heads in by cab to La Fortuna – the local tourist town – to explore, while others continue writing, or meet with Julie one-on-one about their projects. After dinner, we meet our nature guide and head out to explore the magic of a rainforest at night. We walk only a short distance, but in that time, we see sleeping birds, brightly coloured frogs and a kinkajou (tiny night bear) high in the trees.
Day 5
This morning’s workshop is on beginnings and endings. After a busy morning writing and sharing, and a couple hours to write or explore, we head out by cab together to the local hot springs – a trip included in the tour. Afterwards, we have dinner in La Fortuna, before heading back to our lodge.
Day 6
We’re hard at work on our final projects, now. Some writers are working on novels or plays they began before arriving at the retreat, while others are finishing pieces they started here. This morning’s workshop is about world-building – for all genres, not just science fiction and fantasy. This afternoon, we all settle into our writing, though several of us break off for a hike and swim. After dinner, we take the chocolate-making workshop offered by our lodge.
Day 7
Our final writing workshop is all about editing, and we end by applying techniques we have learned to the projects we are working on this week. All afternoon, writers meet one on one with Julie, preparing for their reading this evening. Our final dinner is a big social affair, as we make the most of our remaining time together. This evening, we gather with dessert and a few bottles of wine, and each writer shares an excerpt from work they have completed over the week. Tonight is all about celebrating one another’s achievements, and saying goodbye. It’s difficult to articulate how each writer has changed, and what they have gained, from a week away from their lives to be nothing but writers. But each person knows the courage it took, and leaves with a new sense of all that is possible.
Day 8
This morning, there’s time for breakfast and a last climb to the top of the lookout tower, then we leave paradise behind, heading by air conditioned mini bus to the airport at San Jose, where we each depart for home after an inspiring and invigorating experience.
Check out more details about the Cost Rica Writing Retreat 2018 here.