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MULTI DESTINATION TOURS
For most Central America is long haul flight away and a one-week trip flies by in an instant. That’s why we created this multi trip option, so that you can make the most of your travelling and budget by visiting two countries. Both offering consistent swell, tropical weather, jungle-backed coastlines, incredible sunsets, friendly locals, bodyboarding in boardshorts and deliciously healthy food.
In both destinations, we are up at the crack of dawn to take advantage of perfect clean waves and empty line ups before the onshore breezes starts blowing at around 11am. After a long morning of bodyboarding, we drag our blissfully worn-out bodies back to camp to feast on a huge and healthy breakfast and to watch back the morning’s action in our video and photo analysis sessions. It’s then chill time for a few hours before going for a splash and dash at sunset and sharing a convivial evening meal and beers together.
The multi trip is for those bodyboarders wanting to really escape the winter blues, tick off two destinations while getting a real feel for life in Central America, and making noticeable improvements in their riding. It’s also aimed at those looking for a mix of adventure and exploration with a host of likeminded bodyboarders. Two weeks away is also a great opportunity to polish your Spanish skills too!
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Costa Rica
Santa Teresa (7 nights)
Here we spend seven nights at a surf & yoga lodge nestled into the jungle but just a short walk from the idyllic beaches.
El Salvador
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!
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Costa Rica
El Salvador
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 coffee spots, surf shops or chic boutiques that Santa Teresa has to offer, or simply chill in the pool or with a book in a hammock. We organise an excursion to the waterfall and guide you through the jungle to this epic location. Much the same in El Salvador, during the heat of the day we chill in the pool, recover from our long morning surf, visit the bodyboard store in the local village, take an afternoon walk in the neighbouring town of El Tunco or rest in the air conditioning before the sunset bodyboard session.
We enjoy epic evening meals together at the camp or occasionally visit one of the beach front restaurants. The highlight of each evening is the end of day free surf. We take a cooler box to the beach, set up camp, enjoy the incredible sunset with a cold drink and buy snacks from the local vendors who walk the sands selling everything from cookies to quesadilla’s!
Each day we’ll get up early and score perfect, clean waves, tracking down the best peaks and breaks under the incredible rising sun. – You’ll remember these dawn sessions forever, we guarantee it!
Costa Rica
With low crowds, no localism, high swell consistency, morning offshores and a big variety of surf spots, travelling bodyboarders are spoilt for choice in the breaks around Santa Teresa and south to Playa Carmen. From sucky, fast low tide barrels to mellower peaks at high and the sheer variety of sand banks means there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced ripper or first timer, you really couldn’t wish for better setups and consistent conditions to improve your abilities.
El Salvador
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! Its shoreline zig-zags its way back and forth around a seemingly endless number of headlands, which offer a countless variety of perfect right-hand point breaks. 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.
Straight out in front of the camp we are spoiled for choice! Choose between a fast-right-hand point, which on its day can give 400m rides, a super-fun left-hand wedge tailor-made for bodyboarding or a peaky sand bottomed beach break offering up A-Frame barrels galore.
Costa Rica
Our bodyboarder-friendly accommodation is located amid palm trees just 200m from the white sandy beaches and warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.
It comprises a welcoming guest house, comfortable bungalows, a refreshing swimming pool and a reasonably priced restaurant. A yoga area is located on the guest house’s second floor and the garden spa offers massages. There is a family of howler monkeys that live in the jungle canopy above!
ROOMS
LARGE BUNGALOW
BUNGALOWS
ALAJUELA, SAN JOSE
Bookending the trip on the first and last nights, we will stay in a hotel in the old colonial part of Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose. It is a modest hotel that we choose due to its excellent locality, a short drive to the airport and a walk in to the colonial city centre which is a great please to chill out and acclimatise after a long journey.
El Salvador
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!
Costa Rica
When it comes to meal times, we’re super fortunate that the food in Santa Teresa is incredible. The reason? Well, 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!
The restaurant at our accommodation offers a great selection of dishes. Traditional Costa Rican cuisine includes Gallo Pinto (a tasty brekky consisting of rice and black beans) deep fried plantains and a whole host of fresh fruit including mango, guava and starfruit. 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. Bottomless filter water is also available free of charge for guests staying in the accommodation.
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. One night during the trip we will organise a social get together meal at a stunning seaside restaurant. There’s also a nearby supermarket if you want extra snacks, such as salty plantain, corn chips or “chorreadas” pancakes.
We also offer a self catering option if you are on a budget or you would just prefer to cook for yourself.
El Salvador
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.
If you’re already a ripper and are just looking forward to tackling some Pacific swell in good company, you’ll love Costa Rica & 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. With each session recorded to view afterwards if you so choose.
You need to arrange your own flight to Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica. Then you need to arrange an onward flight to San Salvador International Airport in El Salvador, plus your return flight home from El Salvador.
Please chat to us and we will advise you which flight to book from Costa Rica to El Salvador, as we will be travelling with you. Please see the Price Tab for what to budget for this flight.
FLIGHTS WITH 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 possible to avoid a stop in the US by flying via Canada or Columbia. This can make transit run a little easier.
It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Costa Rica if possible.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
We offer airport pick ups in Costa Rica included in your package price at 13:30 or 15:30. If you arrive outside these times, we’ll email you taxi details to travel the short distance to the hotel.
We’ll send you details of who to look out for at the airport in your final pre-trip arrival email.
You may have a short wait at the airport as the rest of the group arrives. It’s worth bringing a good book, a Kindle or an iPad.
We arrange airport drop-offs from the bodyboard camp in El Salvador, which is just 45 minutes away.
WELCOME MEETING
Once we’ve all arrived at our accommodation and checked into our rooms, we’ll have a group meeting to chat about the trip ahead. It’s time to get stoked for an epic holiday of waves!
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s surf scene is epic – but there’s plenty more on offer. Hike to jungle waterfalls, whizz through the rainforest canopy on a zip wire, or go horse riding. Look out for monkeys, anteaters, jaguars, iguanas, turtles and parrots.
You can also check out the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, just a few miles from camp. It’s Costa Rica’s first protected area and has hundreds of different bird species.
Back at the beach, relax between surf sessions by snorkelling or swinging in a hammock. As well as being an active holiday, there’s plenty of downtime. Want to get zen? Stretch your surfing muscles with a beach yoga session.
El Salvador
El Salvador is a fascinating country with natural and cultural wonders, from dramatic volcanoes to 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. Expect a warm welcome from the locals.
When you’re not surfing, relax in a hammock, hike up a volcano or splash in a waterfall. If you’re a culture vulture, you could visit a nearby village, take a tour of a local tea plantation or visit an ancient Mayan archaeological site.
Costa Rica
MEALS
Budget £15 for a good standard evening meal. Lunch and breakfast would be £8.
DRINKS & SNACKS
Budget for £10 a day for any coffees, snacks and cold drinks etc.
TAXI’S
We will use local taxi’s to get to the waterfall, zip lining etc. So please budget around £20 for this.
El Salvador
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 Pupusa’s 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
Costa Rica
We visit Costa Rica during the dry season. Santa Teresa has one of the driest climates in the country.
Unlike some tropical destinations, local microsystems don’t affect the weather. It’s very predictable, with constant sun, high temperatures and a guarantee of no rain.
Average air and sea temperatures hover around 28℃. You’ll need bikinis, boardshorts, rash vests and sun cream – whether you’re on land or in the sea.
El Salvador
The equatorial tropical climate is predictably constant year-round. We travel midway through the dry season, which extends from November to April. The average high temperature is 29℃ and the average early morning low is 19℃.
According to our local guide, the rainy season (May to October) on this coast is exactly the same as the dry season – but 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℃ to 30℃.
At the time of booking, you will receive an email listing all the kit you need for your bodyboard holiday to Costa Rica & 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.
If you are not paying in full at the time of booking, we do offer a deposit system if needed.
You can either:
Full payment must be made 12 weeks prior to the trip start date.
We can’t guarantee your place until we receive payment (in full or a deposit).
You’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email and an invite to a video meeting.
We prefer to chat to our guests after they have jumped aboard, this gives us the chance to answer any burning questions that you may have and to explain all the details about the trip, everything from flights, insurance and airport meeting arrangements to kit advice and what to pack etc. This helps to tailor the trip exactly to your needs.
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.
Most international mobile’s work in Costa Rica and El Salvador, 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.
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.
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 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
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.
The US Dollar is the currency of choice in El Salvador.
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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