Welcome to our Partner Lodge for 2025: Las Cascadas, Quepos, Costa Rica!

Our creative writing retreat is hosted by Las Cascadas, a small boutique hotel just 2.5 hours south of the international airport at San Jose, and a 5 minute walk from Quepos Marina and waterfront. Accommodation is in 2- and 3-bedroom cottages, with additional single rooms reserved for male writers or couples. The large, 3-bedroom cottage has an indoor writing area with AC and seating for 12 as well as a large outdoor patio – two perfect locations for our workshops.

Las Cascadas is family-owned and located on the edge of rainforest. The hotel has a lovely pool surrounded by tropical flowers, and a poolside restaurant and bar. Scarlet macaws nest on the property, while toucans, squirrel monkeys and tropical bird can be spotted regularly. The hotel offers several ideal spots in which to write, and is also a short walk from the Quepos Marina, with a wide choice of restaurants, cafes and stores. Many more restaurants can be found in Quepos town, just a 10 minute walk or brief cab ride away.

Las Cascadas is located just a 10-minute drive from Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica’s most famous National Park, and there are plenty of other sightseeing possibilities close by, as well: sunset catamaran cruises, kayaking trips, waterfall hikes, ziplining, beaches and more.

Fully Escorted

Our participants come from all over the world, arriving by air at San Jose’s international airport by 4pm on the first day of our retreat. Some writers choose to arrive a day early, spending a night in San Jose at the start of their trip, and we are happy to connect writers who wish to do so.

Our group gathers in the airport coffee shop, and we travel together by air conditioned minibus to our hotel, arriving in time for dinner.

Julie Hartley is the writing instructor for all our trips, and she will be on hand  to help with anything you need throughout your stay. At the end of our retreat, we return together to San Jose airport, though it is also possible to extend your stay in Costa Rica, either at our hotel, or at a different location.