Your El Salvador team is made up of some of the best bodyboarders in the world, as well as some local legends! With decades of experience, all Bodyboard-Holidays staff 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 Director 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 British Surfing & Bodyboarding team, he was inspired to create unique bodyboarding experiences for like-minded people. Rob fell in love with El Salvador after reading about it in US Bodyboarding Magazine when he was a boy. Fast forward to 2017 and he was looking for an awesome location in Central America to run Bodyboard Holidays. After a few tip offs, he found what he feels is the most fun bodyboarding spot in the world!
João was born and raised in Portugal, he has lived in Porto since he was a child and enjoys bodyboarding the many and varied set ups! Starting bodyboarding at the age of 12 he now has over 27 years of experience as a bodyboarder. Even though Joao is a trained lawyer, he chooses to spend his time travelling the world teaching bodyboarding. 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. João rips, he’s one of Portugal’s finest riders.
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 a select number of 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. Please check the dates section to see what trips Jay will be joining us on.
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. Vicki joins us on a select number of trips, please check the dates section to see which ones.
This trip includes seven nights in a laid-back surf-vibes hotel, located just steps away from the beach (and four amazing surf spots!), surrounded by palm trees and hibiscus flowers. Private rooms and twin rooms are available, but please book early if you need a private room. We also use a second hotel that is just next door, which is similarly equipped.
Your accommodation includes:
Your accommodation is tucked away in a small village where wave riding is part of the fabric of the community, just 1 hour from the airport and only 20 metres from the ocean.
Rooms
The small, quaint rooms have a laid-back surf pad feel. All are ensuite with air conditioning. The accommodation has been chosen for its ideal location, equidistant from a right-hand point and a left-hand wedge! While the rooms are cosy for two adults, most attendees spend all their time in the pool, on the riverside terrace or at the beach.
Facilities
Comfy seating is strung between palms, swaying gently in the sea breeze where you can chill out with a 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 bodyboarder-friendly resort you won’t want to leave!
Your coaching team will provide 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.
If you haven’t been bodyboarding long or you’re a total beginner – 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, you’ll fill out a pre-trip 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 the next level. Improvements are 100% guaranteed.
Intermediate and Advanced Coaching
Your instructors will be hands-on in the water, able to give extra tips on the beach, and detailed feedback during your informal classroom video and photo analysis. Your 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.
Each day you’ll have one long session or two shorter sessions, depending on the swell, tide and wind conditions. You will leave with a selection of awesome, professionally shot land photography and your instructor will collect water-angle 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.
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 land, and water. 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!
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.
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. Many guests arrive early to relax and sleep off the jet lag. 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 Central America Bodyboard Tour.
If you arrive at an airport other than at San Salvador, you will need to make your own way to our accommodation.
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. If you’re transiting through the US you will most likely need an ESTA visa. Ask your travel agent.
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 ‘Bodyboard Holidays’ on it. Once your bags are loaded, they will take you to the accommodation, which is approximately 1 hour away.
We offer one airport transfer on the final day.
It leaves the hotel at 10am. It is a 1 hour drive to the airport and we like to get you to the airport 3 hours before your departure. So you should look to book a flight from 2pm onwards.
Alternatively you can choose a flight at a time that suits you and you can pay the small fee for a transfer to the airport. This transfer is organised through the hotel and is very straightforward.
Your trip includes seven healthy breakfasts like traditional beans and rice or internationally renowned eggs, toast, beans and sausage, perfect for fuelling your surfs.
Your hotel offers delicious, energy-packed food onsite. Expect global dishes with Salvadoran flavours – everything from burritos and quesadillas to salads and rice dishes. You’ll usually sit and eat together beneath the beautiful palapa-style roof, where you can chat about your day’s adventures.
To sample more local cuisine, we’ll be eating dinner out in the village. We’ll take you to some of our favourite local spots. You’ll be working up a big appetite after all that bodyboarding and the optional group evening meals are a big highlight of each day!
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 and 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, your 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.
Famous as the Bitcoin Beach, El Salvador is one of the few countries in the world that accept it as a currency. Prices in the area are low but you can expect high-quality living for your money in this coastal bubble of bliss.
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 menu for lunch and dinner. Or step out into the village. We have enjoyed Pupusas for dinner which cost $3 (total!) or fine dining at beachfront restaurants for around $16 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
When you’re not bodyboarding, you’ll have free time to relax by the pool, unwind with some surf-inspired 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! All activities are optional and some incur extra charges. For example, you can:
There are a host of further surf-inspired activities below which have the costs associated with them:
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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.
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.
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.
Many nations 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.
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!
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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