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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 FROM THE UK
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
We will arrange airport pick-ups and drop-offs to and from the bodyboard camp which is just 45 minutes away.
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.
