Why does bodyboarding in El Salvador and Costa Rica in January and February make you feel so good?
The other day I was sitting having a coffee with a friend who’s been having a bit of a tough time lately. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the kind of stuff that creeps up on all of us. Work pressures, family responsibilities, bills, endless notifications, and the general weight that comes with being an adult. We were chatting about ways to reset, and I casually said, “Mate, you need a boog trip to Central America.”
He laughed, thinking I was joking. “A bodyboard holiday isn’t going to solve all that,” he replied.
“Challenge accepted.”
I pulled out my phone, opened ChatGPT, and asked a simple question: What are the mental health benefits of going on a bodyboard holiday? I expected a few obvious answers, but what came back actually surprised me. Beyond the waves themselves, it highlighted seven key benefits: doing physical activity, spending time with friends and making new relationships, enjoying the outdoors, being in nature, eating well, stepping away from screens, and learning something new.
Reading through the list, it became pretty obvious that a bodyboard holiday isn’t just about catching waves. It’s about giving yourself the chance to reset in ways that many of us rarely do. And as I read through each point, I realised that our bodyboard trips to El Salvador and Costa Rica tick every single box.
In this blog, I’d like to touch on each of those points and explain why bodyboarding in El Salvador and Costa Rica in January and February makes you feel so good.
Physical Activity Without It Feeling Like Exercise
One of the best things about bodyboarding is that you’re exercising without constantly thinking about it. Paddling, swimming, duck diving and riding waves provide a fantastic full-body workout while you’re simply having fun. Research has shown that surfing improves cardiovascular fitness, upper-body strength, balance and overall physical wellbeing, making it a brilliant way to stay active without it ever feeling like exercise. On our Costa Rica and El Salvador trips, the bath-like water and consistent waves make it easy to spend hours in the ocean, leaving you blissfully exhausted and sleeping better than you have in months.
Friends Old and New
One of the things I’ve always loved about our bodyboard trips, and one of the reasons I keep coming back as a coach, is the people. It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 68, a beginner or an experienced rider, every trip has the same laid-back, fun-loving atmosphere. Everyone’s there for the same reason: to chase waves, switch off from everyday life and enjoy a laugh along the way. Whether you arrive with mates or come on your own, it’s amazing how quickly strangers become friends, sharing waves, meals and stories that often turn into lifelong friendships.
Giving Back
There is nothing that makes you feel better than helping others. Apart from feeling good, the universe rewards you for treating others as you would like to be treated yourself. The correlation with getting good luck and good waves, through the laws of Karma is a thing! Helping those less fortunate than yourself to get access to the ocean and the ability to enjoy the waves is incredibly rewarding. Our initiative in El Salvador to bring bodyboarding equipment to gift to the local community started 6 years ago. We now do the same in Secret Morocco, Sumatra, Newquay and beyond. We ask our guests to bring bodyboarding equipment, take requests from the locals and try our best to marry up correct sized boards, fins, rashguards and accessories to riders of all ages. Meeting the local bodyboarding fraternity on the second night of our trip, to present the gifts is also a great time to get to know the crew, hang out and talk about our fave subject. Bodyboarding. Many guests site this as a highlight of each trip.
Time Outdoors
Time OutdoorsMost of us spend our days under artificial lights, staring at computer screens and rushing from one commitment to the next. Running my own business, I know that feeling all too well. That’s another of the things I love most about our trips to El Salvador and Costa Rica, we swap office walls for warm sunshine, tropical beaches and fresh sea air. Sometimes simply spending your days outdoors is enough to completely change your mindset. In fact, research has shown that spending just two hours a week in nature can significantly improve both your health and wellbeing. On our trips, you’ll often tick that box before lunchtime on your very first day.
Being in Nature
Being in NatureThere’s something incredibly grounding about spending hours in the ocean with tropical rainforest and towering volcanic mountains as your backdrop. Feeling the swell beneath you, reading the waves and waiting for the next set has a way of bringing you into the present moment. In Central America, nature is everywhere. Wake up to the calls of howler monkeys, paddle out alongside turtles, watch pelicans skim the waves at sunset and keep an eye out for dolphins beyond the break. It’s almost impossible not to slow down and appreciate the world around you. Perhaps this is why so many guests tell us they feel calmer within days of arriving, being surrounded by nature, away from the noise of everyday life, has a powerful effect on our mental wellbeing. One of my favourite tips is to download the iNaturalist app before you travel. You’ll be amazed at how much wildlife you can spot and identify between surf sessions.
Eating Well
Whether it’s fresh tropical fruit for breakfast, local seafood after a surf or a traditional gallo pinto supper, people naturally eat better on holiday. On our Central America trips, good food is simply part of the experience, and after long days in the water, every meal feels well earned. Research has shown that a healthy, balanced diet can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, with links between good nutrition, improved mood and better overall brain health.
In Costa Rica, one of my favourite lunch spots is Eat Street, where the focus is on fresh, healthy and wholesome food from around the world. Their breakfast burrito and power smoothies are hard to beat after a morning session. In the evening, there’s nothing better than a cold beer, a great vegan burger, live music and watching the sun disappear over the horizon, at Banana Beach.
In El Salvador, our accommodation’s modern twist on traditional dishes has guests looking forward to every mealtime, while a walk into town at sunset for authentic pupusas is an experience that perfectly captures the local culture.
A Proper Break From Screens
One of the things I love most about bodyboarding is that, by default, you have no access to your phone. For many of us, our phones are never more than an arm’s length away, but the moment you paddle out into the ocean, the distractions of everyday life stay safely back on the beach.
There are no notifications, emails or endless scrolling when you’re waiting for the next set. Your focus naturally shifts to reading the waves, feeling the ocean beneath you and enjoying the moment. When you’re back on land, you’ll often find yourself watching monkeys in the trees, chatting with new friends or taking in another incredible Pacific sunset instead.
Research has shown that reducing excessive screen use and spending less time connected to devices can have a positive impact on wellbeing, including improved mood and reduced stress. Perhaps that’s why so many guests tell us they return home feeling calmer and more refreshed after our bodyboard holidays.
New or not to bodyboarding, the mental health benefits are the same
Learning Something New
Learning Something NewStudies have shown that learning new skills helps keep our brains active, supports cognitive health and can contribute to a greater sense of wellbeing as we get older. Perhaps that’s why trying something new has such a powerful effect on people, it reminds us that we can still grow, improve and surprise ourselves.
Having coached on our trips for years, I’ve seen this first-hand. Whether you’re a complete beginner catching your first wave or an experienced rider learning a new maneuver, the excitement when someone unlocks the next stage of their riding is incredible to watch. Confidence grows, smiles get bigger and the stoke becomes contagious.
Our trips to El Salvador and Costa Rica offer waves for a range of abilities, making them the perfect place to build confidence, learn new skills and rediscover the joy of being a beginner again.
A World Away From Everyday Life
For many people living in Europe, North America or Canada, winter often means grey skies, cold mornings, short days and long hours spent indoors. We wake up in the dark, commute to work, spend the day staring at a screen, then head home as the sun disappears once again. It’s easy to fall into a routine where the weeks blur into months, and before you know it you’re counting down to summer.
Now compare that with waking up on our El Salvador or Costa Rica bodyboard holiday. 
Coffee in hand overlooking the Pacific, warm water, waves with your mates, fresh local food, wildlife all around you and another stunning sunset to finish the day. Sometimes a complete change of scenery in January or February is exactly what’s needed to reset both body and mind.
Why Bodyboarding Is So Good for Your Wellbeing
Beyond the holiday itself, bodyboarding is simply regarded as one of the most accessible and enjoyable sports you can try. It’s a non-contact sport, relatively safe, easy to learn and incredibly rewarding from your very first wave. That’s one of the reasons our Central America bodyboard holidays are so popular. People are up and riding quickly, getting active, spending time in the ocean and, most importantly, smiling. Unlike many sports, bodyboarding doesn’t require years of experience before you start having fun.
Time for Your Own Reset
At Bodyboard Holidays, we’ve seen it time and time again. Guests arrive on our Central America bodyboard holidays in January and February looking for a break from everyday life and leave feeling refreshed, re-energised and already talking about their next trip. The waves might be what first attracts people, but it’s the atmosphere, the people, the incredible surroundings and the feeling you take home that keep so many coming back year after year.
If you’ve been feeling like life has become a bit repetitive, or you’re simply looking for a winter holiday that’s genuinely good for both your body and your mind, we’d love to welcome you on one of our Costa Rica or El Salvador bodyboard holidays. Come for the waves, stay for the people, the adventure and everything in between, you might just find it’s exactly the reset you’ve been looking for.
What to expect in El Salvador and Costa Rica in January and February
| What to Expect | Costa Rica | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 28-29°C (82-84°F) | 28-30°C (82-86°F) |
| Typical Surf (January-February) | Fun 3-5 ft beach breaks, with the odd overhead pulse | Consistent 3-6 ft point and beach breaks, with occasional overhead days |
| Average Meal Cost | $10-20 USD | $5-12 USD |
| Local Beer | $2-4 USD | $1.50-3 USD |
| Wildlife | Sloths, monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, sea turtles and dolphins | Howler monkeys, sea turtles, dolphins, pelicans, frigatebirds and iguanas |
| Language | Spanish, with English widely spoken in tourist areas | Spanish, with English spoken at our accommodation and in most surf areas |
Your Reset Starts Here
If you’re craving warm water, empty waves, new friendships and a genuine break from the pressures of everyday life, we’d love to welcome you to Central America.
Whether you’re drawn to the laid-back Pura Vida lifestyle of Costa Rica, the endless point breaks of El Salvador, or want to experience the best of both on one unforgettable adventure, we’ll take care of everything. All you need to do is turn up ready to ride.
If you’re struggling, or you’re worried about someone else, please reach out to someone you trust or contact your local mental health support service.
