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TIERRA DE JOYAS
Four years ago, we sent our instructors on a reconnaissance mission through South and Central America to find the best location for a bodyboard camp. This idyllic, wave rich bodyboarding village in El Salvador is the result. With consistent swell, tropical weather, warm water, incredible sunsets, a community of frothing bodyboarders and three perfect waves a stone throw from the camp, this trip takes some beating!
Join pro bodyboarders Jay and Vicki Reale in paradise on this once in a lifetime bodyboarding trip. We bodyboard from dawn until the onshore winds kick in at 11am before watching back the day’s footage and surfing again in the late afternoon. And it’s not just the waves that’ll impress. Here you’ll be blown away by the magical sunsets, delicious food and the El Salvadorian hospitality.
This trip is popular with European, American and Canadian bodyboarders wishing to escape the northern hemisphere’s frigid winter and enjoy seven days of bodyboarding, chilling on the beach and making new friends. The consistent variety of breaks close to camp offer a fun park for bodyboarders of all abilities. From beginners to experienced shredders, get ready for an unforgettable week of bodyboarding.
Our El Salvador bodyboard week comprises 7 nights’ accommodation in a typically central American, family owned, beachside, complex.
We often take over the entire complex so it’s just us bodyboarders!
Throughout the week we will deliver several bodyboarding related workshops that are optional to attend.
We spend a lot of time bodyboarding, but when it is finished for the day, people’s time is then their own to visit the local village, grab a pupusa, check out the nearby bodyboard shop, watch your favourite team in the sports bar or simply chill under stars with a cocktail. We’ve spent many afternoons sipping smoothies, next to the river, staring at the waves from our accommodation. It’s the best way to recharge between sessions.
Every evening seems to play out the same way in El Salvador. As the afternoon sun begins to dip a little, we head to our fave beach as a group. We set up a basecamp with a cooler box, some chilled tunes and our bodyboarding kit. Some choose to surf through the sunset, while others are happy to relax and recharge while enjoying the action.
It’s always a fun atmosphere as the local bodyboarders from the village are out shredding. Seeing all ages rip the wedges to pieces, particularly drop knee and stand-up on their bodyboards is a sight to behold!
There is always an eclectic mix of travellers, surfers and bodyboarders mixed enjoying the sunset and the vibe is great. One of the highlights of the trip for sure.
For those who would like to party, the central Americans know better than most how to do it and there are a couple of beach bars that have a real buzz about them. When the sun dips, it’s time for dinner, so we usually head back to our onsite restaurant for a group meal or perhaps dinner in the village.
Despite being the smallest country in Central America with a surfable coastline of just 300km, what El Salvador lacks in length, it certainly makes up for in quality!
It has a unique shoreline, zig-zagging back and forth around a seemingly endless number of headlands, formed by volcanic eruptions of yesteryear. These offer a countless variety of right-hand point breaks, for which this small surfing nation has become so famous for.
These mechanically-long rights roll down cobblestone reefs with clock-setting regularity, so you can practice and refine the same manoeuvres over and over again, all on the same wave. It is perfect for progression, a great way to build your foundations and be well on the way to reaching that next level with your riding.
Just a stone’s throw from our camp is a feverishly fun right-hand point break, which on its day can give 400m rides! If you get bored going right, the camp is conveniently situated in front of a couple of peaky sand-bottomed beach breaks and a super-fun left-hand wedge, which is just tailor-made for bodyboarding!
And if that’s not enough, jump in a vehicle and just 20 minutes up or down the coast you’ll find another half a dozen world-class rights and lefts, with something for everyone.
While it’s easy to find peaks to yourself, on some of the bigger spots you’ll be sharing the water with an easy-going crew of super-friendly local bodyboarders … but don’t be fooled by their old worn-out gear, these guys shred!
Tucked away in a small village where wave riding is part of the fabric, our epic bodyboard-friendly resort is just 45 minutes from the airport. Relaxed and sophisticated with a shabby chic vibe, expect good service with a laid-back atmosphere. Our home for the trip is only 20 metres from the ocean.
Any pre-trip anxiety about El Salvador will soon wash off the moment you enjoy a welcome drink then check out the variety of epic waves a short walk from the camp.
Stroll beneath tall palms, smell the tropical scent of hibiscus flowers and check out the beautifully chilled views along the river that we are situated next too. There are four amazing surf spots within walking distance. At high tide, the waves lap calmly up the river, watching the kids play and the local villagers go about their business is a very cruisey way to spend the afternoon.
A two minute evening walk from our accommodation and you’ll be taking in the orange hue of the setting sun whilst ordering your favourite tropical cocktail. As the sun sets, walk past the bar and slip into the pool to enjoy a star-lit night sky before waxing lyrical about the day’s waves … yeah, make no mistake, it’s a hard time in El Salvador!
ROOMS
The small, quaint rooms have a laid-back surf pad feel. All are ensuite with air conditioning. We choose the accommodation as it is ideally positioned, equidistant from the righthand point and the left hand wedge! While the rooms are cosy for two adults, we figure, from our previous trips that you literally sleep in the room but spend the rest of your time in the pool, on the river side terrace or of course, at the beach.
FACILITIES
Comfy seating is strung between palms, swaying gently in the sea breeze. Chill out with cool drink overlooking the river and enjoying views of the beach, relax in the shade with a book or take a dip in the cooling pool.
Use the wifi to stay in touch with friends, then kick back with a glass of local rum while watching some bodyboarding on the big screen in the bar.
At sunset, sip a cocktail or slide into the pool beneath a star-lit night sky. This is one bodyboarders friendly resort you won’t want to leave!
The food in El Salvador is awesome! In addition to the country’s staple diet, a typical local restaurant serves burritos, quesadillas, tacos, salads and a variety of rice dishes. Simple, clean and full of flavour & energy.
In El Salvador, sampling a “pupusa” is a must. These thick, saucer-sized corn tortillas are filled with beans, cheese, veggies, meat or seafood, and served with a marinated cabbage salad. Don’t forget a local Pilsener beer to go with it!
To take the hassle out of catering for yourself, our resort offers excellent food on-site. It’s great value for money with faultless, local service. It’s trustworthy, healthy food which limits your concerns about upset stomachs! Our hosts put a huge focus on tasty meals made with high quality ingredients.
For your included breakfast you can choose between local dishes and surf camp favourites. These will include banana pancakes, superfood chia bowls and bliss balls. If you eat onsite for lunch it’s typically Central American with a delicious variety of meat, seafood or veggie burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads.
At dinner our guests generally eat together in the onsite restaurant or take a stroll in to the local village. There is a great selection within a 5 minute walk.
Our coaching team offers daily tuition, tailored to your ability with instructors who are in-house qualified and fully insured. Experienced lifeguards, some have 30 years of surfing experience and 20 years of worldwide travel experience, trained by multiple-times British National Champion and Team Coach Rob Barber.
FOUNDATION LEVEL TUITION
You’ll never be thrown straight into the deep end. We’ve got your back whatever your ability, and that’s a promise. Likewise, intermediate and advanced-level coaching is also tailored towards the individual.
Don’t stress if you haven’t been bodyboarding long – on this trip there’s something for everyone. You’ll be amazed how quickly you master riding good-quality waves, and we’re committed to patiently helping you progress.
To aid with this, we send out a pre-event form to measure your ability before you arrive. If you’ve not attended a coaching holiday before, don’t worry – we can have a surf assessment, get to grips with your riding and help plot you a path of improvements. By the time you fly home you’ll be well on your way to reaching that next level. Improvements are 100% guaranteed.
INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED COACHING
Our instructors are on hand with groups in the water, able to give extra tips on the beach, and give detailed feedback during our informal classroom video and photo analysis. Our coaching covers all levels of riding, with separate ability groups and instructors to suit your standard, whether you’re a novice or a pro. Each day we’ll split the groups and coach accordingly.
We aim to have one long session or two 2-hour sessions each day, depending on the swell, tide and wind conditions. There will also be both photo and video analysis available following most sessions to help improve your riding. You will leave with a selection of awesome, professionally shot land and water based images and video of you bodyboarding during your trip.
If you’re already a ripper and are just looking forward to tackling some Pacific swell in good company, you’ll love El Salvador – a daily routine of seeking out the best breaks in the area, pulling into tropical tubes and boosting out of barrels in the sun.
You will need to arrange your own flights to San Salvador International Airport (SAL) in El Salvador.
We highly recommend that you have a read of our ‘How to book a flight’ blog to help you organise the best flights for your holiday.
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS TIMES
Please arrange your flights to coincide with the following times:
The Bodyboard-Holiday doesn’t begin until 3pm on the first day of the trip.
If you want to arrive earlier before the trip begins, or leave later after it ends, that’s fine. We’ll let you know where and when to meet us on the first day of the trip or how to book extra nights in the accommodation at the end. If you’re after something slightly longer, you may be interested in our Multi Stop Tours.
If you arrive at an airport other than at San Salvador, you will need to make your own way to our accommodation.
FLIGHTS AND CONNECTIONS
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays. If you’re flying from Europe, your stop will often be in New York, Miami or Atlanta.
It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in San Salvador if possible.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
Airport transfers are included in the price, if you can make the times that we have available.
ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT
When you walk through arrivals and step outside the doors (after collecting your bags) your driver will be there to meet you, please keep an eye out for him. He will be holding a sign with your name on it. Once your bags are loaded, he will take you back to the accommodation which is approximately 45 mins away.
WELCOME MEETING
Once we’ve all arrived at the accommodation and checked into our rooms, we’ll have a group meeting to chat about the holiday and get excited for the waves ahead.
El Salvador has firmly found its tourism feet in recent years and offers even more for those interested in bodyboarding. It’s a fascinating country with natural and cultural wonders, from dramatic volcanoes and cascading waterfalls to tropical wildlife and Mayan ruins. Most importantly for us, it also has a surf-rich coastline.
Our accommodation is located in a quiet region around 45 minutes from San Salvador. It’s packed with El Salvadorian culture so expect a warm welcome from the locals via a fist bump or a high five.
THINGS TO DO
When you’re not bodyboarding you will most likely be relaxing in a comfortable seat at our accommodation. Feeling energetic? Hike up one of the country’s volcanoes or splash in a jungle waterfall. If you’re a culture vulture, you could visit a nearby town, take a tour of a local tea plantation or visit an ancient Mayan archaeological site.
Other activities include:
VISA
Tourist visa entry fee – $12 USD on arrival in the airport
FOOD
While breakfast is included we urge you to enjoy the delights of the onsite restaurant and its customer tailored (to our customers) menu for lunch and dinner. Or step out in to the village. We have enjoyed Pupusas for dinner which cost $3 (total!) or fine dined at beach front restaurants for around £14 per meal. There are some fantastic options and food is one of the highlights of the trip!
DRINKS & SNACKS
Budget for $10-$20 a day for any drinks, ice creams, snacks and cocktails
The equatorial tropical climate is predictably consistent year-round. We’ll be there midway through the dry season, which extends from November to April, where the average high temperature is 29°C and the average early morning low is 19°C.
According to our local guide, the rainy season (May to October) on this coast is exactly the same as the dry season, just that it rains during the night! The dominant winds are offshore from the north east, meaning offshores in the morning, and more often than not, again in the evening.
Sitting just north of the equator means the sea temperature in El Salvador is a bath-like 28°C – 30°C. Even our coach Mave, well-renowned for feeling the cold (and even once spotted wearing a wetsuit in Indonesia) couldn’t resist surfing in boardies. What better way to beat the January blues with boardshort barrels in the tropics?
At the time of booking, you will receive an email listing all the kit you need for your bodyboard holiday to El Salvador.
What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss, with Mave, the trip leader, the required kit and equipment, on the pre-trip video call.
We Offer 3 Easy Ways To Pay!
We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details on.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with a host of new bodyboarding buddies.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for up to 24 hours without payment.
You are welcome to attend for a shorter period to suit your personal schedule, however the package price will remain the same.
Group booking discounts are available, please contact us for more information.
ASAP! These holidays fill up quickly and, with limited spaces available, sell out fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. If you want to secure your place on the trip, it is advised that you pay as soon as you can.
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to book or chat through the holiday details, we can be contacted through our online chat.
We have a great mix of all ages from young whipper-snappers to silver surfers.
The gender ratio at the moment is around 60% men to 40% women. However, this is constantly changing and Bodyboard Holidays is inclusive to all.
Yes, we have had good phone connection during our trips.
The accommodation has acceptable WiFi which can be used for video calls, emails etc. It would not be strong enough to support the downloading of films and large files.
You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of bodyboarder you are. You may be in a different group suited to your ability, however, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at the accommodation and during our social evening meals.
We choose the time of year and location for our holidays based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities and day trips to help you get the most out of your holiday.
Please take a look at our Area section for more information. We may also adjust the format of the week, for example, choosing to run more bodyboard sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.
Please visit our Terms & Conditions for more information.
The area that we visit is blessed with constant surf, you can expect great conditions most days of the trip. To give you a clearer idea, the videos on this webpage were all filmed during previous bodyboard holiday trips.
Please refer to the Waves section for more details.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as reading their guidance for carrying bodyboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving, so a tough bag and intelligent packing are a must.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with a permanent marker. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes around your board inside the bag for added protection. Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking the zips on your bag with a padlock.
British nationals can visit El Salvador for up to three months without a visa. However, entry into the country may be refused and airlines may turn you away if you have less than six months left on your passport or if you don’t have an onward ticket.
Please check international travel requirements for your nationality. Please contact your travel agent or airline if you are unsure or have any further questions.
You may also need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). If you are travelling through America you should take a look at this website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
There are now enhanced security requirements to travel through the U.S using the Visa Waiver programme.There is a charge for the ESTA. If you are unsure, please contact your travel agent or the company that you purchased your air ticket from for further information.
If you’re not a British national, please check international travel requirements for your nationality.
It’s a good idea to carry photocopies of your important documents and guide books and pack them separately. We also suggest scanning copies and emailing them to yourself for extra reassurance.
If you are under 18, we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the holiday. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat with you about the trip before you book. Please contact us via our online chat.
On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes. Please inform us if you’re early or delayed for any reason.
If you need help booking your flight then just drop us a line or read our helpful blog post about booking flights.
If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away. Our transfer representatives will have access to your arrival details. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them follow the instructions in your pre-arrival email. One of the team will locate you. Upon booking the trip the trip leader will share their direct mobile number so that you can contact them if you need them
As with any holiday, full travel insurance is a requirement for all guests booking a trip with the company.
Please also ensure that your policy covers you for ‘disruption to travel’ and ‘cover for cancellations’ as standard.
For further help please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
You may need to add additional cover for surfing or bodyboarding, it is essential that your insurance policy covers you for all activities during your stay. Failure to take out travel insurance breaks the contract between Bodyboard Holidays and the client.
If you are joining one of our trips and you are native to the country of its location (i.e you live in Lisbon and are joining our Portugal trip) you do not need to take out medical travel insurance. This is as long as you have your own personal health-care plan or are covered by your country’s National Health Service. Although, we kindly request that you still take out trip disruption and cancellation insurance to cover all possible eventualities.
Health and safety medical advice for UK travellers can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/world
Contact your GP or the Department of Health (DoH) for further information. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) also issues up-to-date information on safety issues for countries world-wide. Contact the FCO travel advice line on 020 7238 4503/4504 if you have any concerns.
If you are not from the UK, ask the company that you buy your flight from for advice about medical requirements for the country that you are visiting.
Please contact your doctor if you’re unsure about vaccinations. We advise you to take mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten, though we’ve never been aware of any malaria or dengue fever cases in the areas that we visit. According to netdoctor.co.uk, the risk is very low.
Since 2001, El Salvador helpfully incorporated the United States Dollar as its national currency. You can pick up US dollars from travel agencies, banks or post offices before you come, or there are exchange facilities in airports as well as ATMs. Recently the country became unique in its recognition of Bitcoin as a national currency. We have always used US dollars when in El Salvador and they are accepted everywhere.
It is better to get your money changed before the trip as the banks and ATMs in El Salvador charge a lot for withdrawing money, and on top of this, the nearest ATM to the camp is a taxi ride away, so please come prepared!
Please refer to the “What to budget for?” section.
We are a UK based company that delivers trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.
If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.
Cancellation terms:
We hold part or full costs, depending on when you cancel:
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.
Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions videos.
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Bodyboard Holidays
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Newquay
Cornwall
TR7 1LW
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