The Friendship
Formula Retreat
A Life-Changing Retreat
for Teens & Parents
August 16 - 22, 2025
Fenix Hotel & Retreat Center in Samara, Costa Rica
EXCLUSIVE INVITATION
7 Days in Costa Rica to Create Lifelong Friendships for Teens and Parents
$3500 per room
Early Bird Special
$2497 per family
(up to 3 people)
LIMITED TIME!
( Only $500 deposit! )
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What is the Friendship Formula Retreat?
Support your teenager in building friendship skills in an ideal environment.
If you're a parent of a teenager who struggles to connect and make friends, this retreat is designed for your family.
Does this sound like you?
Your teen spends a lot of time alone or plugged into their phone. They might engage with you at home, but struggles to engage with peers. They might not be able to navigate a crowd of kids at school, and would do better in a small group or one-on-one interactions.
About our Event Host: Jess Engel
Jess is a professional educator and co-founder of Trinity Peak Foundation. Jess teaches regulation practices for home and school environments. Her curriculum guides children to develop deep emotional awareness and mindfulness. Jess hosts events for children and families to find deeper meaning, in life, together.
Ocean Front Experience
Ocean Front
Fenix Hotel
Our guests at the Fenix Hotel enjoy stepping out of their rooms onto the white sand beach.
The property includes a small pool, hammocks and beach beds for everyone, and a quiet unpopulated beach front.
It is a WOW.
We are a 15-minute ocean stroll to the city center with 20+ restaurants. Close enough but far enough to get away from it all.
Your Room
Your apartment on the beach sleeps up to three people. You can come with:
just you and your teenager
you and two teenagers (age 12-17)
a spouse, partner or friend & your teenager
Our guests enjoy an apartment-style hotel room with a main living area and full kitchen.
The bedroom area has A/C and sleeps two. The twin bed or sofa sleeper in the main area has screen ventilation and powerful fans.
A Sampling of our Daily Events & Activities
Live Music Party
Enjoy live music as you watch the sunset and enjoy your new friends. This is a magical night you won't want to miss. INCLUDED.
Partner Yoga
Enjoy laughing and connecting with the group in partner yoga, even if you have never done yoga before. INCLUDED.
Ziplining
For the Thrill Seekers: Soar through the lush jungle canopy on an exhilarating zipline adventure! OPTIONAL (about) 70 person
Dolphin Cruise
Enjoy chasing dolphins on this magical excursion. You might even see whales! OPTIONAL.
~ $55/person.
Kayak to an Island
Free activity with event purchase! Enjoy a kayak tour exclusive to our group to an uninhabited island.
INCLUDED.
Your Daily Retreat Itinerary
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 grilled fresh-caught fish. Change into your beach attire, take off your shoes, and join us on the beach for dinner and a meet and greet.
Go to sleep with the sounds of the waves in your apartment on the beach.
Sunday
Wake up to fresh Costa Rica fruit breakfast overlooking the beach. Maybe take a walk down the beach and start exploring Samara Bay.
Your first friendship circle starts at 9-10am lead by the amazing Jess. You will be guided through exercises in getting to know each other, connecting both one-on-one and in small groups. There will be laughter!
Lunchtime: we will take everyone into town (or you can walk 15 minutes) and go grocery shopping for the week (or there are 20+ restaurants within walking distance!)
Evening: Join us for a bonfire activity on the beach, where we will lead the teenagers (and parents!) you through an exercise in setting intentions and embracing a new start.
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 friendship circle, join us in kayaking to an uninhabited island. This is a relaxing, non-strenous paddle 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 friendship 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 in this boat tour with snorkeling 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, followed by a communal breakfast in the Casa.
You can also go on an optional Ziplining tour today, floating above the jungle canopy with breathtaking views of the ocean.
It's BBQ night with the whole group tonight as we all make and bring a dish to our communal dinner in the yoga shala.
Thursday
After morning friendship circle, 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 beach front party with live music. This is a magical evening listening to music under the stars and celebrating your new friendships.
Friday
The event officially ends Friday morning as you head back to the airport. However, you can expect to stay in contact with your new friendship circle for years to come!
Travel FAQ's
Q: What airport do I fly into? Do I need a passport?
Liberia, Costa Rica. Yes, you will need a passport.
Q: Is the area safe? For teens & families?
Costa Rica is known for being very safe for all travelers. I have traveled all over latin America, and Costa Rica is the safest I have ever felt! However, we still recommend walking in a group, and taking a taxi to and from town when it is dark.
Q: Will there be people who aren't part of our group there?
Nope. The entire boutique resort will be filled with teens and their parents.
Q: How much is airfare to Liberia Airport from the US?
The discount airlines Southwest and Alaska have round trip flights regularly for $500. If they don't fly in your area (or you prefer a more comfy seat!) expect to pay $700-$1000 roundtrip.
Q: What is the age group? Are kids allowed?
All teens age 12 - 17 are allowed. Parents and/or friends or other supportive adults are invited. No children under 12 will be at the event.
Q: What is the room situation?
All rooms at the Fenix Retreat Center sleep 3. You can bring any combination of three people--whether that is two adults and one teen, or one adult and two teens. You can choose to have a king bed with a twin, or 3 separate beds.
Q: Can I accompany my teen solo, or with a partner or friend?
Yep, any combination of parents or teens is welcome.
Two parents and one teenager
One parent, one parent friend, and a teenager
One parent and two teenagers (siblings or friends)
One parent and one teenager
Q: What kind of teens will be there? Is this a autism spectrum event?
This event is for all teenagers who need support with making friends and developing social skills. Whether your child is going through a shy or awkward phase, or if they are neurodiverse or have a learning disability, the content and format of this retreat is structured to support them in making friends.
Q: Can I put down a deposit? Make payments?
Yes, your room can be reserved with a $500 deposit. If you would like to make payments, please select the full pay amount, and use Klarna or Afterpay in the checkout options. They offer payment plans of up to 24 months!
Q: How far are we from town? Is it a party place?
We are about a 15-minute beach walk from Samara city center. Samara is known for having a chill family-friendly vibe. It is not a party town.
Q: Can I do additional tours / excursions?
If you have dream to helicopter, zipline, or surf, we have tours for that and more. We'll have a list to choose from when you get here.
Q: Can I come early / stay after?
As long as the hotel has availability for those dates, absolutely. Contact us to book the hotel as a regular hotel guest outside of the event week. (This site is the only place to book a spot for this event.)
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
All full payments are 70% refundable up to 90 days before the event. Payments are not refundable 90 days before the event. We recommend travel insurance! Deposits are non-refundable.
Q: Should I rent a car?
You can rent a car at Liberia Airport to get to the retreat center. We can also coordinate a private or shared airport shuttle for you.
Q: Can I come for just a few days of the event?
The rate is for the entire week. You will pay the same whether you stay for all or a portion of the event.
Q: What age group is a "teen"? Can I bring younger children?
We are defining "teen" as age 12 - 17.
No, this retreat is only for teens and adults. No children under 12.
Q: Will there be additional support available if my child requires assistance with behavior regulation?
No. At this time, we do not have additional staff or resources to provide one-on-one support. If your teen would benefit from extra assistance, we encourage you to bring a trusted support person (such as another parent, caregiver, or another designated individual) to help as needed.
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