This winter, Bodyboard Holidays Trip Leader Joao Veiga joined our trips to Central America for the 4th consecutive year. He scored some epic waves, enjoy the action in the video above.
Central American Bodyboarding - Why Costa Rica and El Salvador Are a bodyboard dream
Golden beaches, bath warm water, and waves that seem purpose built for bodyboarding – Central America is a destination that keeps drawing us back year after year.
From Costa Rica’s lush jungle fringed point breaks to El Salvador’s hollow, ruler edged beachies, this region offers the perfect combination of consistent swell, tropical climate, and welcoming surf culture that bodyboarders dream of. It’s here that our own Bodyboard Holidays story in Central America began, and it remains one of our most popular adventures today.
The Magazine Article That Sparked the Journey
It all started around 25 years ago when I was thumbing through an issue of Bodyboarding Magazine.
Some Californian riders had travelled on a photo trip to El Salvador and scored big. The pages of the magazine were full of fun beach break shots, wedges, hollow shorebreaks and everyone was in boardshorts.
This wasn’t Hawaii where you have to challenge yourself against the world’s most dangerous waves. Or mainland Mexico where you have Bandito’s breathing down your neck if you make a false move. This was a new land, where bodyboarders are king.
Why El Salvador’s Waves Are Built for Bodyboarders
Yep, beach break barrels, where bodyboarders rule. With waves that were literally designed with fun bodyboarding sessions in mind, endless swell, short paddle outs and board short temperatures, the local kids had nothing better to do than hit the water day after day. As a result they had fast become some of the best riders in the world.
Meeting the Local Legends of Central America
I decided I had to go, so as soon as I had a chance. I started to explore Central America. First Costa Rica, then Nicaragua and finally I made it to El Salvador. I was immediately blown away by both the friendly and welcoming nature of the local riders as well as their inspiring ability to shred. Notably locals with exotic names like ‘Zancudo’ (the World number 1 Stand up rider), amazing drop knee rider ‘Mutsu’ and incredible all rounder ‘Rene Efrain Alverez Meija’!
A round up of El Salvadorian perfection, all shot during the camps that we have held over the last 10 years that we have visited.
Costa Rica’s Pura Vida Vibes and Perfect Beach Breaks
After a lot of planning, multiple test visits and organisation it was time for Bodyboard Holidays to run two trips to El Salvador each winter and a trip to Costa Rica’s perfect waves sandwiched in between. We then contacted pro bodyboarders Jay and Vicki Reale who now join us in Costa Rica and El Salvador as celebrity guests. This gives riders from all over the world the opportunity to experience two different countries during one multi stop trip. It has become a really popular choice to spend a week in El Salvador and a week in Costa Rica. Enjoying the beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife and Pura Vida (Pure Life) vibes of Costa Rica and then the less developed, empty line ups of bodyboarding epicentre, El Salvador.
From Papusa's to pits. Why João loves Central America
We caught up with João Veiga our trip leader for a coffee and a chat to reflect on his experiences with us in Costa Rica and El Salvador.
Q. How many times have you been to El Salvador and Costa Rica with Bodyboard-Holidays?
A. I’ve been twice and looking forward to many more!
Q. What is it that keeps you going back to Central America?
A. Consistently offshore mornings that easily offer barrels and ramps, warm water and tropical natural vibes.
Q. What do you think about the local bodyboarding scene?
A. In El Salvador we have a super strong bodyboard culture and community, where locals shred any conditions. They are always stoked, smiling and welcoming it’s simply awesome! We love to support the groms every year by taking equipment over for the crew. Making sure they have everything that they need to stay in the water enjoying bodyboarding. In Costa Rica we have less local bodyboarders, but the ones that exist are super friendly and very keen to bodyboard and make new boogie board friends!
Q. What would you say to people who are worried that it may not be safe?
A. Both countries are super safe, criminality is super low, health centres are well equipped. We already know all the do’s and don’t’s and we always have local community support during our coaching events which is brilliant.
Q. Can you share some memories from previous trips to El Salvador and Costa Rica please?
A. In Costa Rica I remember the pleasant walks to the beach where all the guests have this happy chill good vibe that spreads and feels infectious. I love to walk through the jungle with the sunrise then see beautiful empty barrels. The first time I heard howler monkeys minblowing! In El Salvador, I remember my first day, it was pumping right where we stay and I had a blast bodyboarding there. I remember some epic sessions in the spot that we call ‘Barber’s Bay’ and I loved it because it’s a punchy a-frame beach break, very similar to my favourite wave in Portugal! Of course regarding both places, I have lots of great memories with guests and the staff that work with us and some local people too.
Q. What is your favourite food when in El Salvador / Central America?
A. In El Salvador the fajitas from the accommodation that we stay at are my all time favourite and the pupusas have to be tried, they are amazing value for money. In Costa Rica the burger from the beach front restaurant that we visit is great and I also love the fresh fruit smoothies that we have straight after the surf, they make you feel so good.
Q. What would you say to someone who is thinking about going to El Salvador and Costa Rica?
A. Just do it, it’s a safe bet. Be prepared for the heat and bring a Polypro core bodyboard to maximise your performance in the tropical water temperatures.
Joao will be delivering coaching for all ages and abilities with us in Central America again this winter.
Russell ‘Rusty’ Morrison has joined our camps in El Salvador and Costa Rica as a guest and as a coach. We love nothing more than to see him take apart the wedgey lefts with his explosive drop knee riding.
Russell ‘Rusty’ Morrison has joined our camps in El Salvador and Costa Rica as a guest and as a coach. We love nothing more than to see him take apart the wedgey lefts with his explosive drop knee riding.
As well as being a Bodyboard Holidays guest for nearly 10 years, Russell ‘Rusty’ Morrison has also been employed on our instructor team. He likes nothing better than super hollow left and right barrels so the conditions suit him perfectly. Enjoy this clip of him tearing the tropical juice apart in his favoured ‘Jack-stance’.
Travelling all the way over from Australia to join us on a regular basis, Rusty proves that Central America has waves that keep even the very best bodyboarders coming back for more. The fast that we can have riders that have never bodyboarded before and then riders like Rusty who are blowing up every session make this a special part of the world. We cracked open a coconut with him during our last trip and dug deep into what makes him keep coming back for more.
Q. How many times have you been to El Salvador and Costa Rica with Bodyboard Holidays?
A. I’ve been to both Costa Rica and El Salvador three times each. They’ve become regular destinations for me, and for good reason.
Q. What is it that keeps you going back?
A. Mostly, it’s the consistency. The waves just keep on delivering. I often surf up to seven hours a day, sometimes squeezing in three sessions, because the waves are literally right in front of where we stay. The quality is unreal, and you can surf yourself ragged without even thinking about it.
The timing works perfectly too. I live in Bali, and around that time of year it’s the hideous wet season with constant rain. My work takes me offshore to gas platforms in Australia, where it’s brutally hot. So escaping to Central America is perfect. You can even do both trips back to back, which makes the most of your flight and works out cheaper in the long run.
Q. What do you think about the local bodyboarding scene?
A. Whether we want to admit it or not, bodyboarding isn’t as popular as it once was. In many places, you’re in the minority compared to stand-up surfers. But El Salvador is one of those rare pockets where bodyboarding is thriving. There’s a crew of young kids with so much froth, they’re pushing each other, competing, and progressing fast. Some of them could easily hold their own on national tours and even world events. It’s inspiring to watch.
Q. What would you say to people who are worried that it may not be safe?
A. Honestly, I’ve never felt unsafe. The people in both Costa Rica and El Salvador are friendly, welcoming, and proud of their surf culture. As with any travel, you keep your wits about you, but both destinations feel chilled and easy to settle into.
Q. Can you share some memories from previous trips to El Salvador and Costa Rica?
A. In Costa Rica, one of my favourite memories is just hanging at the back of the bungalow and spotting the trees full of howler monkeys. Walking to the beach in the morning with them screaming like the lead singer of a metal band is something you don’t forget.
In El Salvador, there was this one afternoon I surfed with Chris Burton at a right-hand wedge around the corner. I looked up to see a giant dinosaur, well, a big fibreglass brontosaurus, on the cliff above. It was like someone had started building a theme park. I pointed it out to Chris, and he must have thought I’d lost my mind, but no, it was really there. The waves were firing too, so it made for a surreal and epic session.
Q. What is your favourite food when in El Salvador / Central America?
A. In El Salvador, hands down, pupusas. There’s a little pupuseria just around the corner from the accommodation that’s loved by locals and expats. They’re cheap, tasty, and a real “when in Rome” kind of experience.
Costa Rica is next level for food too. You can’t beat fresh fish tacos, there are some great pizza spots, and honestly, the fresh fruit is a standout. Day-picked tropical fruit sounds simple, but it’s epic.
Q. What would you say to someone who is thinking about going to El Salvador or Costa Rica?
A. Stop thinking about it and just book the flight. The surf is so consistent, the food is amazing, the people are friendly, and the location is unbeatable. I live in Bali and I’m spoilt for waves, but if I had to move somewhere else, El Salvador or Costa Rica would be at the top of my list. They tick all the boxes.
How to Join Our Costa Rica and El Salvador Bodyboarding Trips
If you’d like to experience the best of Central American bodyboarding, join the experts, Bodyboard Holidays in El Salvador, Costa Rica or both!
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El Salvador
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El Salvador and Costa Rica
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Costa Rica with Jay & Vicki Reale
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Costa Rica and El Salvador
On Sale!
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El Salvador with Jay & Vicki Reale
On Sale!
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El Salvador
On Sale!
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El Salvador and Costa Rica
On Sale!
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Costa Rica
On Sale!
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Costa Rica and El Salvador
On Sale!
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El Salvador
On Sale!
