FAQ
Do I have to share a room?
No. Self-guided retreats are single accommodations.
Can you accommodate my special diet?
Probably. Individual needs will be assessed one-on-one.
CAN I SMOKE?
You cannot smoke in the house anywhere. You can smoke outside provided you use an ashtray and you respect others’ smoke-free space. During the dry season, all it takes is a single cigarette butt to light up an entire mountainside like a matchstick house. Don’t do that.
Is there a TV?
No. Casa Mismac is purposely disconnected from the events and trappings of the outside world at large. You are welcome to use your smartphone or computer on Wi-Fi to get caught up on the world, but we suggest letting that all go while you’re here.
Do you have hair dryers, toiletries, etc.?
We provide soap and basic shampoo and conditioner. Please bring anything else you need from home.
Is there hot water?
All showers have hot water. All other taps are single-temperature.
Is there a printer available for use?
We charge 10 cents per page for printing. Printers, ink cartridges and decent paper are luxury items in Costa Rica and therefore very expensive.
Are there laundry facilities?
Casa Mismac has laundry facilities. It’s more efficient if people pool together to do laundry rather than everyone doing tiny loads.
Is there a schedule?
“Morning comes whether you set the alarm or not.” -Ursula Le Guin
The sun rises around 5:30am and sets around 6pm. Dinner is from 6 to 8pm. Besides that, no.
Are there bars and restaurants nearby?
There are small sodas (small family restaurants) open for breakfast and lunch about 15 minutes away, also two dinner restaurants close by where we go for dinner once a week. There are a couple of bars about a 10-minute drive away ($10 each way for driver).
I like to listen to music while I write. Is that okay?
Absolutely! Bring your headphones, not your speakers, please.
Do I need earplugs?
Birds and trucks wake up at sunrise (5am).
Is the area safe?
Yes. Casa Mismac is in a non-touristy area that is relatively crime-free. The property is protected and gated.
Can I stay longer than a month?
Let’s start with a month and see how it goes. Returning writers may request longer stays.
Do you provide direction, prompts, editing, etc.?
Self-guided retreats include one session with a writing coach. The retreat is for you to explore your writing your way on your own time. The Casa Mismac library has writing books and prompts, we often share our writing in the evenings, at which time you can ask for gentle feedback from other writers. Editing services can be added for an extra fee, but wait on that for a bit. It’s often better to let your writing progress and deepen on its own before seeking critical feedback.
Can I bring my partner and/or children?
Retreats at Casa Mismac are designed to give you a break from your daily life, your daily routine, and all those things that keep you from immersing in your writing at home. You’re here to rejuvenate your soul and free your writer’s mind. This is a time for you and your writing.
Note: If you and your partner are both writers and would like to attend together, we can accommodate the two of you sharing a room.
what do i do about money?
The cheapest and easiest way to get colones, the local currency, is to use the bank machines in Puriscal with your Canadian or US bank card. While US dollars are widely accepted in much of Costa Rica, they are rarely accepted in Puriscal.
When are you open?
We are open January, February, March and July every year. We are often open in April as well. This depends on demand.
