ONE-WEEK SESSION
Every January/February, dates vary.
Nosara B&B Retreat
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
A creative workshop in the jungle and on the beach
- Professional-level
workshop instruction
- Comfortable, well-furnished
Bed & Breakfast
- Five-minute walk
from a gorgeous beach
- Custom-prepared meals included
- Field trips
- Small, inspiring
writers’ community
Join us for an inspiring, relaxing retreat in a Costa Rican paradise. Our group will be small and you will receive individual guidance on your writing. This workshop is perfect for all writers, whether this is your first foray into the wilds of creative writing or whether you are a seasoned writer ready to expand and deepen your craft. The instructor, Clive Matson, draws on many years’ experience helping writers merge words with the power of their creative unconscious.
There will also be ample time to enjoy swinging in a hammock, siestas, reading, taking in the spectacular sunsets, and practicing the fine art of doing nothing. The comfortable lodgings invite you to completely unwind, watch the monkeys and listen to the birds.
WORKSHOPS/FIELD TRIPS
Most workshop days include two independent free-writing sessions, morning and afternoon. The group convenes each evening to share the day’s work following the syngenetic format where members will receive general suggestions for increasing the power of their writing. One full day and two afternoons during the week are set aside for field trips to neighboring attractions, including a cruise up the Nosara River, visits to the jungle Biological Preserve and to the SIBU Monkey Sanctuary. Nosara does not lack other spectacular places to be explored. On the last full day in camp workshop members discuss their progress during the week, and make plans for continuing their writing, a long way away, back home.
ENVIRONS: Nosara, on the Pacific coast south of Liberia, Costa Rica
The Nosara B&B Retreat is located near one of Costa Rica’s most protected wildlife preserves and is situated on two acres of lush tropical gardens and jungle. Looking out, you are surrounded by magical green flora, flowers and abundant nature. The setting is pristine and quiet, the air, clean and fresh. The ocean roar becomes more audible during high tide. Bird songs, butterflies, and an occasional humming bird contribute to the secluded and inspiring atmosphere of the location. In between sessions, a four minute walk brings you to the secluded Pelada Beach, with its fine white sand and pristine warm tropical water. The buildings and gardens of Nosara B&B Retreat are inviting, gorgeous, and comfortable. Our writing area has been tried and tested, and it's inspirational. The location is almost out of this world: rich jungle, a short walk to the beach or to the Nosara River, to a biological preserve, and a brief drive to the wild animal rescue center. Winter in Nosara is dry, with rare rainfall or humidity.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The cooks are excellent and the food is grown locally. Best of all, the staff responds to our needs, quickly and lovingly. We've gone there ten years in a row and if you could dream up the ideal retreat, this would be it. Exceptionally healthy food is prepared by experienced staff and served buffet style. Food can be vegetarian, raw or include fish, chicken or red meat according to your preferences. We provide seven charming rooms with single, double or triple occupancy, all with fans and hot water.
PRICE
The price is $1,400 for double-room occupancy, $1,800 for a single-room occupancy for one week. Price includes seven nights of lodging, all meals (except dinner during trip from airport, breakfast at Lagarta Restaurant, dinner at Rancho Tico, and dinner at La Luna), writing workshops, boat tour, tour of ecological reserve, van transportation to and from airport in group taxi.
Price does not include airplane tickets, transportation to and from airport not in group taxi, monkey sanctuary tour, sweat lodge, breakfast at Lagarta Restaurant, dinner during trip from airport, dinner at Rancho Tico, dinner at La Luna, rental of snorkeling equipment, taxis (for example, to San Juanillo beach or into Nosara for shopping), laundry service, alcohol, additional nights, additional meals, gratuities.
Rave Reviews
Screaming monkeys, hair-raising zip lines over tropical rain forests, swimming in aquamarine waters, fresh mangoes for breakfast – Costa Rica with Clive was the perfect place to channel mystery, fear, the delight of salt water on skin, and unforgettable flavors – and then try get it all down in a notebook under the shade of a coconut palm. Thanks to Clive, I wrote way more than I expected and had a memorable journey as well.
Elaine Ellison, participant
Come to Costa Rica and go crazy!
or write in your jungle hammock if it pleases you.
You need to hear new sounds,
trust me.
Your gecko roommate will cluck 3x
when you turn off the light
to go to bed.
You may attract an unwelcome early morning howler monkey suitor,
just sayin'.
Have you ever got a second look from a monkey?
i have.
See a beach with no people
What?!
Hurry! it won't last long
Come see the stars!
Venus and Mars
will do a minuet
just for you
while teeny crabs do their chores.
See mother as you never have before
shh! don't tell anyone.
Maybe we'll have a chance to share
Have you ever met a Minnesotan?
One day you may lay on the sand after your swim
to open your eyes to see 2 large oxen walking by
i am not accustomed to seeing such beasts!
People bring their pet piglets on Sunday
They lay in the sand with
their family of five:
two planned;
one interesting accidental tourist.
Sandra Merhar,2016 participant