Your Costa Rica team is made up of some of the best bodyboarders in the world, with decades of experience, they all receive in-house training and are all qualified lifeguards – so you can be sure of being in safe hands for your entire trip.
Rob Barber is not only the founder of Bodyboard Holidays - he is also a former European and British Bodyboarding Number 1, after a remarkable 25-year career combined with his role as Head Coach for the UK Surfing & Bodyboarding team, he was inspired to create unique bodyboarding experiences for like-minded people. It’s a real treat to have him onboard this trip, he first travelled to Costa Rica in the early noughties and his years of experience means you’ll be learning from the very best.
Joao was born and raised in Portugal, he lived in the South by the waves for many years and has been bodyboarding for even longer! Starting bodyboarding at the age of 12 he now has over 27 years of experience as a bodyboarder. His main passion in life is bodyboarding and it means a lot to him to share all the amazing waves and experiences he has with people on the trips. His favourite part of working in the team is having the chance to share his passion for bodyboarding with the awesome people on Bodyboard Holidays Trips.
Jay Reale is a bodyboarding legend and one of the most accomplished figures in the sport’s history. Originally from Ocean City, Maryland, Jay has been riding waves since 1980, earning titles like U.S. Amateur Champion and competing in the world’s most iconic spots, including the Pipeline World Championships. Beyond his competitive success, Jay is known as a global ambassador for bodyboarding, with a career that spans magazine features, TV appearances, and worldwide travel. Jay now co-runs eBodyboarding.com, the largest bodyboarding shop in the world, combining his decades of expertise with a passion for supporting the bodyboarding community.
We’re incredibly lucky to have Jay join us on Bodyboard Holidays trips, where his unmatched expertise, fun personality, and passion for the sport take the experience to another level. Whether sharing tips in the lineup or stories from his incredible career, Jay brings an energy and enthusiasm that make every session unforgettable.
Vicki Reale is a pioneer in women’s bodyboarding, she’s famous for her fearless style and groundbreaking achievements. Born in Port Macquarie, Australia, Vicki quickly rose to prominence on the world stage, becoming the first Australian Women’s Pro Champion and competing in the World Surfing Games. Her travels have taken her to five continents, and she’s been a prominent figure in shaping the sport, even gracing the cover of Riptide Magazine as the first female bodyboarder to do so. Vicki now co-runs eBodyboarding.com, the world’s largest bodyboarding shop, where she helps riders of all levels gear up and stay stoked for the waves.
Having Vicki on a Bodyboard Holidays trip is an incredible privilege. Her wealth of experience, charming personality, and love for the sport make her an inspiring mentor and companion. Bodyboarding with Vicki is not just fun-it’s a chance to learn from one of the best in the game and share her infectious passion for the waves.
The trip includes 7 nights of accommodation in a tropical retreat on the Nicoya Peninsula, a short stroll from the Pacific Ocean.
Standard accommodation is a triple, quad or twin room. Please get in touch if you would like to request a private room.
The camp is intimate and consists of a guest house and bungalows – so there’s a personal and friendly feel.
The accommodation has been hand chosen for its luxurious feel, plus its safety and security so you can relax and enjoy the whole time.
The wooden bungalows are nestled amongst the palm trees with garden views. There are four different accommodation options to choose from, either a private, twin, triple or quad occupancy bungalow, all available first come first serve.
Cool off with a dip in the pool or relax in a hammock. Need to unwind? There are also plenty of wellness options, including a yoga area and a garden spa that offers a range of treatments including massages.
Expect to see the families of monkeys swinging in the jungle canopy above and hear the Howler Monkeys as part of the jungle chorus.
Facilities include a swimming pool, chill-out areas, yoga deck, pool table, hammocks beneath the palms, equipment storage and after-ocean rinse shower
There is an onsite bar, and restaurant and we supply filter water to refill your water bottle when required.
Intermediate and Foundation Level Coaching
Our coaching team offers daily tuition, tailored to your ability with instructors who are in-house qualified and fully insured. Our team are all experienced lifeguards, some have 30 years of bodyboarding experience and 20 years of worldwide travel experience all trained by multiple-times British National Champion and Team Coach Rob Barber.
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. We use separate ability groups to ensure that everyone receives one-to-one tailored tuition.
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 an enrolment form to measure your ability before you arrive. If you’ve not attended a coaching holiday before, don’t worry – we can have an assessment, get to grips with your riding and help plot a path of improvement. By the time you fly home, you’ll be well on your way to reaching that next level.
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 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.
Advanced Coaching
If you already rip and are just looking forward to tackling some Pacific swell in good company, with some expert guiding you’ll love Costa Rica – a daily routine of shredding crystal-clear bathwater barrels and boosting off punchy sections in the tropical sun. Our mission will be to make sure that you’re in the right spot for the best pits and ramps that the Santa Teresa area has to offer. The key will be to get plenty of footage to help you improve quickly. From peaky wedges to fast, sand-bottomed bowls, you’ll be tearing into Pacific power, so it will be the perfect opportunity to fine-tune your air or barrel game.
Seeing yourself bodyboard is a fantastic way to improve your performance. Every day you’ll watch a move-by-move breakdown of your bodyboarding session with footage both from the air, on land and in the water. Drone footage is a remarkable and exciting development in the bodyboarding world, and you will get world-class shots from your dedicated trip photographer.
You’ll get to take a photo and video package home with you at the end of the week too, which is a helpful tool for your ongoing progress and an epic memento of your trip. It will all be uploaded to an online gallery as you go so you have access to all your best shots and videos to upload throughout the week. We love seeing your waves on social media so feel free to share them as you like and make all your friends wildly jealous!
We recommend flying into San Jose airport the day before the trip start date and staying in a local airport hotel. You can then take the short flight to Cabano the next day. Please see below for a few local hotels you can book within 5-10 minutes from the airport with a shuttle bus.
San Jose Airport Hotel Recommendations (all available via Booking.com or Lee at Dial A Flight can help book these for you)
Please arrange your flights to coincide with the following times:
If you want to arrive earlier or leave later, that’s fine. We’ll let you know where and when to meet us on the first day at our accommodation. However, please be aware that if you arrive at an airport other than Cobano, you will need to find your own way to Santa Teresa.
You may also be interested in our Multi Stop Tours as you can carry on your trip with Bodyboard Holidays to El Salvador if you really want an epic adventure! Remember you can book with us for two weeks in Costa Rica if you get in early enough.
Connections
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays.
It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Costa Rica if possible.
This piece of paradise is an adventure away from the hustle and bustle of Costa Rica’s capital city San Jose, but it’s so worth it!
You will need to arrange your own flights to Cabano Airport (Aeropuerto de Cobano). This will usually mean flying into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and connecting from there.
The flight is only 22 minutes, and you will have the team waiting for you with a taxi transfer to take you to Santa Teresa!
This is an amazing experience, and makes the journey as stress free as possible – all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the views as you land in paradise. When you land, look out for your transport representatives, they’ll have a clipboard with “Bodyboard Holidays” on it. You’ll then head to the accommodation to get you checked in.
We highly recommend that you read our ‘How to book a flight’ blog post to help you organise the best flights for your holiday.
If you’re worried about booking your flight and you’re based in the UK, give our good friend Lee at Dial A Flight a call on 020 7295 1556. Lee’s been booking our flights for the last 15 years and will find you the best deal and connection time. He can even book the whole trip for you, so you can relax and just rock up to the airport!
Once you’ve booked you will receive further information on how everything works upon your arrival. The arrival team will be tracking your flight and keeping you informed over our per-organised WhatsApp group, so there’s open communication the whole way to keep you relaxed and to help with any problems or worries.
For your return, you need to arrange your flight out of Cabano on the final morning, you need to sync this up with your departing flight out of San Jose. Alternatively, you can book another night in the San Jose Airport hotel for your last night of the trip so that you are fresh for your early flight home. You will receive airport transport from your accommodation to Cabano airport. You will arrive at the airport by 11 am. So we recommend booking a flight to leave after 12 pm. If you want to arrive at Cabano at a different time, then again, we can help you to organise a taxi to the airport which will cost you around $60 USD per person.
When it comes to meal times, you’re in luck – the food in Santa Teresa is incredible from local produce to local chefs. The bounty of this country really is endless. Food is not included in the trip, however, you can experience plenty of amazing places to eat nearby for very reasonable prices. You can expect fresh, healthy, colourful and totally delicious dishes! Costa Rican food allows you to experience the essence of Central America on your plate.
Tuck into everything from Gallo Pinto – a tasty brekky consisting of rice and black beans –to deep-fried plantains and fresh fruit including mango, guava and starfruit. Bottomless filter water is available free of charge at your accommodation at all times. There’s also a nearby supermarket if you want extra yummy snacks, such as salty plantain or corn chips and “chorreadas” pancakes. If you’re on a budget or prefer to cook for yourself, you can use the self-catering facilities in your accommodation and purchase food from the local stores and markets.
Many surf-loving chefs from around the world have visited this peninsula and never returned home, deciding instead to set up kitchens in their own slice of paradise! If you would like to explore a little further out, there are plenty of other nearby restaurants, bars and cafes offering fantastic food options should you wish to switch it up.
The restaurant at your accommodation also offers a great selection of dishes. We can send you a varied menu before the trip begins to get your taste buds tingling! The Bodyboard Holidays staff team choose to eat almost exclusively here as it’s so convenient with the restaurant being on-site.
We also offer a self-catering option if you are on a budget or you would just prefer to cook for yourself. Food is not included in the package price. Please see the ‘Budget’ section for further details.
When you’re not bodyboarding, you’ll have free time to relax by the pool, unwind with some yoga or kick back in a hammock with a good book. Or, if you’ve still got some energy, there’s plenty more to see and do in the area!
Please note that all of these activities are optional and some may incur additional charges.
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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.
If you wish to bring a non-bodyboarding partner with you, that is absolutely fine, however, the price stays the same.
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.
Most international mobiles work in Costa Rica, however you should check with your supplier before you fly.
Yes there is WiFi which is of a good standard for the area.
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.
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.
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.
Please check international travel requirements for your nationality. Please contact your travel agent or airline if you are unsure or have any further questions.
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 you will receive a contact number for the team 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 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
Otherwise, 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.
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.
The obvious answer is the Costa Rican colon. It’s accepted everywhere and you never have to worry about exchange rates after you arrive. However, the US Dollar is used widely and most businesses accept both currencies.
Please refer to the ‘Budget’ 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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