Turning Photography into Art: 7 Days in Costa Rica to Transform your Photography
Turning Photography into Art: 7 Days in Costa Rica to Transform your Photography
Fenix Hotel - On the Beach, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica
Up to 12 in group
May 31 - June 6, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Lulu McPharlin is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer who specializes in connecting people to themselves, nature, and others through art experiences. She is renowned for creating alchemical surreal visual art and sensory-rich art installations and workshops.
- Creates visual works that explore themes of self-discovery, liberation, and the profound connections between humans, art, and nature.
- Encourages playful exploration and bold self-expression, offering tools to help participants connect deeply with their art, themselves, and the world around them.
- At the "Turning Your Photography Into Art" retreat, Lulu will guide participants in elevating their photographic practice. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, the freedom of travel, and each person's unique perspective, she will lead attendees through a journey of creative liberation and mindfulness--offering inspiration and insight that extends far beyond the lens.
- Enjoy optional events scheduled each day, from yoga to bonfires to kayaking. The event fee covers included daily activities and entertainment, in a boutique beachfront hotel room (each unit is 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom with full kitchen). Solo travelers and couples are welcome.
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Lulu McPharlin is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer who specializes in connecting people to themselves, nature, and others through art experiences. She is renowned for creating alchemical surreal visual art and sensory-rich art installations and workshops.
Lulu creates visual works that explore themes of self-discovery, liberation, and the profound connections between humans, art, and nature.
Her approach encourages playful exploration and bold self-expression, offering tools to help participants connect deeply with their art, themselves, and the world around them.
At the "Turning Your Photography Into Art" retreat, Lulu will guide participants in elevating their photographic practice. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, the freedom of travel, and each person's unique perspective, she will lead attendees through a journey of creative liberation and mindfulness--offering inspiration and insight that extends far beyond the lens.
Details of this retreat
What is the Photography into Art Retreat?
7 Days in Costa Rica to Transform your Photography: Create captivating photos in paradise and transform them into art, no Photoshop experience needed.
Learn Photography Skills:
Spend your days exploring with guided photography tours, and your evenings sharpening your skills in Photoshop workshops. Learn, create, and take home stunning visuals from your travels.
Who is this for: Whether you are a professional photographer or an enthusiast wanting to create art from your photography, all experience levels are welcome.
Our photographers generally have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with detachable lenses, but all cameras will work. You will need a laptop and Photoshop.
7 Days in Costa Rica to Transform your Photography: Create captivating photos in paradise and transform them into art, no Photoshop experience needed.
Learn Photography Skills:
Spend your days exploring with guided photography tours, and your evenings sharpening your skills in Photoshop workshops. Learn, create, and take home stunning visuals from your travels.
Who is this for: Whether you are a professional photographer or an enthusiast wanting to create art from your photography, all experience levels are welcome.
Our photographers generally have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with detachable lenses, but all cameras will work. You will need a laptop and Photoshop.
Schedule
Saturday
Arrive in Liberia Airport. You can rent a car at the airport (everyone speaks English) or you can coordinate a shuttle through us.
If you come in a shuttle, our favorite driver Alex will give you a mini tour of Costa Rica sights. You might see monkeys, stop at a local fruit stand, and can stop to get lunch. The drive is about an hour and 45 minutes through well-paved green mountain roads.
You will probably arrive in the late afternoon/early evening, just in time to join us on the beach for a fish grill. Change into your beach attire, take off your shoes, and join us in the yoga shala for dinner and meet and greet.
Go to sleep with the sounds of the waves in your apartment on the beach.
Sunday
Wake up to fresh coffee overlooking the beach. Maybe take a walk down the beach and start exploring Samara Bay.
Your first workshop starts around 9-10am lead by the amazing Poly coach Karen. You will learn communication skills, practice radical honesty, and create agreements with your partner/s. You will also get to know the rest of the group in a deep and fun way. There will be laughter and maybe tears.
Lunchtime: we will take everyone into town (or you can walk 15 minutes) and show you the best restaurants in town.
Evening: Join us for a huge bonfire activity on the beach, where we will lead you through an exercise in letting go and embracing a new start. (Or just have some beers and dance around the fire. :)
Monday
Our very gentle and kind yoga instructor Ashley will lead you through a meditation, followed by a gentle morning yoga routine overlooking the ocean waves.
After morning circle, join us in kayaking to an uninhabited island. This is a relaxing, unstrenous paddle with our group to a close by island. You might see turtles, pelicans, sting rays and definitely crabs.
For dinner, we will walk to one of the cutest ocean front restaurants you have ever seen to enjoy dinner and drinks while we watch the sun go down.
Tuesday
Wake up this morning to partner yoga--a very connecting and sometimes hilarious feat as we use each other for balance. People who have never done yoga before often LOVE partner yoga!
After morning circle, get a boogie board lesson and grab a board to play in the waves. We are in a bay, so the waves are gentle and good for beginners.
In the evening, we have an optional Dolphin and Whale watching tour scheduled. Chase the whales and the sunset in this boat tour with drinks included.
Wednesday
This morning's activity is all about taking care of our natural resources, when we walk the beach and do a beach trash pickup.
You can book an optional massage on the beach today, and listen to the waves and feel the ocean breeze while you get a massage.
It's grill night with the whole group tonight as we all make and bring a dish to our communal dinner in the yoga shala.
Thursday
You will learn how to build and decorate a giant sand castle on the beach, and enjoy the entire community joining in to add shells and decorations as they walk by.
After dinner we will celebrate our entire week together with a private Margarita party and live music provided by the lovely Zoe. After the entertainment, we move the party to the pool.
Friday
The event officially ends Friday morning as you head back to the airport. However, many of our guests elect to stay longer, and tour Costa Rica together, or just stay a few more days relaxing in the hammocks. You can expect that you will make travel friends for life.
Arrive in Liberia Airport. You can rent a car at the airport (everyone speaks English) or you can coordinate a shuttle through us.
If you come in a shuttle, our favorite driver Alex will give you a mini tour of Costa Rica sights. You might see monkeys, stop at a local fruit stand, and can stop to get lunch. The drive is about an hour and 45 minutes through well-paved green mountain roads.
You will probably arrive in the late afternoon/early evening, just in time to join us on the beach for a fish grill. Change into your beach attire, take off your shoes, and join us in the yoga shala for dinner and meet and greet.
Go to sleep with the sounds of the waves in your apartment on the beach.
Sunday
Wake up to fresh coffee overlooking the beach. Maybe take a walk down the beach and start exploring Samara Bay.
Your first workshop starts around 9-10am lead by the amazing Poly coach Karen. You will learn communication skills, practice radical honesty, and create agreements with your partner/s. You will also get to know the rest of the group in a deep and fun way. There will be laughter and maybe tears.
Lunchtime: we will take everyone into town (or you can walk 15 minutes) and show you the best restaurants in town.
Evening: Join us for a huge bonfire activity on the beach, where we will lead you through an exercise in letting go and embracing a new start. (Or just have some beers and dance around the fire. :)
Monday
Our very gentle and kind yoga instructor Ashley will lead you through a meditation, followed by a gentle morning yoga routine overlooking the ocean waves.
After morning circle, join us in kayaking to an uninhabited island. This is a relaxing, unstrenous paddle with our group to a close by island. You might see turtles, pelicans, sting rays and definitely crabs.
For dinner, we will walk to one of the cutest ocean front restaurants you have ever seen to enjoy dinner and drinks while we watch the sun go down.
Tuesday
Wake up this morning to partner yoga--a very connecting and sometimes hilarious feat as we use each other for balance. People who have never done yoga before often LOVE partner yoga!
After morning circle, get a boogie board lesson and grab a board to play in the waves. We are in a bay, so the waves are gentle and good for beginners.
In the evening, we have an optional Dolphin and Whale watching tour scheduled. Chase the whales and the sunset in this boat tour with drinks included.
Wednesday
This morning's activity is all about taking care of our natural resources, when we walk the beach and do a beach trash pickup.
You can book an optional massage on the beach today, and listen to the waves and feel the ocean breeze while you get a massage.
It's grill night with the whole group tonight as we all make and bring a dish to our communal dinner in the yoga shala.
Thursday
You will learn how to build and decorate a giant sand castle on the beach, and enjoy the entire community joining in to add shells and decorations as they walk by.
After dinner we will celebrate our entire week together with a private Margarita party and live music provided by the lovely Zoe. After the entertainment, we move the party to the pool.
Friday
The event officially ends Friday morning as you head back to the airport. However, many of our guests elect to stay longer, and tour Costa Rica together, or just stay a few more days relaxing in the hammocks. You can expect that you will make travel friends for life.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Fenix Hotel & Retreat Center, Fenix Hotel - On the Beach, Guanacaste Province, Sámara, Costa Rica
Directions
Book your flight to Guanacaste Airport (LIR)
The cheapest way to travel is through discount airlines: Southwest and Alaska Airlines both fly into Liberia, Costa Rica. You can get rates around $500 round trip!
Once you arrive, you can rent a car or coordinate a shuttle through us. It is about $130 (plus taxes) for a private shuttle.
The cheapest way to travel is through discount airlines: Southwest and Alaska Airlines both fly into Liberia, Costa Rica. You can get rates around $500 round trip!
Once you arrive, you can rent a car or coordinate a shuttle through us. It is about $130 (plus taxes) for a private shuttle.
Accommodation
Your Room Whether you are coming with a partner or solo, our guests enjoy an apartment-style hotel room with a main living area and full kitchen. The regular event fee includes a shared room with two XL twins. You may also upgrade to a private room with a King bed for $699. All bedrooms have A/C.
Shared Ocean Front Room
Private Ocean Front Room
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Fenix Boutique Hotel & Retreat Center is the ideal place to host your next retreat or group event. When you book your retreat or event with us, you book the entire property including the house and all rooms.
Our six apartment-style rooms have two beds in each. Retreat hosts also have full access to The Casa, which is a beautifully renovated space designed to seat 10-12 people comfortably. Other gathering spaces also include an outdoor palapa seating area and a yoga area overlooking the ocean.
Our six apartment-style rooms have two beds in each. Retreat hosts also have full access to The Casa, which is a beautifully renovated space designed to seat 10-12 people comfortably. Other gathering spaces also include an outdoor palapa seating area and a yoga area overlooking the ocean.
Meals
A communal breakfast will be coordinated each day. Breakfasts are usually simple with eggs, granola, and lots of fresh fruit: mangos, pinapple, papaya, passion fruit.
What's Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day
- Welcome drink
- Daily yoga classes
- Group excursions/activities
- Specialized workshops
- Free excursions to sites of interest
- Parking
- Wifi connection
- Fish Fry Dinner on the Beach
What's Not Included
- Lunches & Dinners
- Optional excursions of your choice: surf lessons, cloud forest tours, dolphin & whale watching tours