Secluded beaches, panoramic views and a surf-rich coastline await on this action-packed trip to El Salvador. With its right-hand point breaks and tropical climate, this beautiful country is a must-surf destination.
Join us and discover “Tierra de Joyas” (the land of jewels) – for this epic surf trip in one of Central America’s more off-the-radar locations. Share the stoke with like-minded women on the ultimate surf holiday.
El Salvador is blessed with miles of tropical coastline – and yet it’s also one of the least-visited Pacific coastlines in all of Central America so you’ll get to surf uncrowded waves.
The relatively short, south-facing stretch is home to countless pumping surf breaks, reeling, peeling, barrelling and wedging their way onto tropical beaches backed by dense jungle and soaring volcanoes.
You’ll get to meet a group of likeminded women on this trip, who all want to travel, ride fun waves, enjoy the surf/hammock lifestyle and improve their surfing.
Whether you’re surfing for the first time or you’ve been at it for years, join us and experience a warm climate, awesome waves and some seriously good vibes on this action-packed trip.
Tucked away in a small village where surfing takes priority, our resort is just 45 minutes from the airport. Relaxed and sophisticated with a shabby chic vibe, expect five-star service with a laid-back atmosphere. Our home for the trip is only 20 metres from the ocean.
Stroll beneath tall palms, smell the tropical scent of hibiscus flowers and check out the beautifully crafted woodwork in the resort (our host is a former carpenter). Situated right on the beach, there are four amazing surf spots within walking distance. At high tide, waves lap against the resort walkway and pool area. Drink it all in with a cocktail in hand while watching the sun set over the ocean… it doesn’t get much better than this!
ROOMS
The rooms have a laid-back surf pad feel with handcrafted, hardwood furnishings – some even have a bedside board rack. You’ll get fresh towels and quality bed linen daily to make your stay even more relaxed and comfortable.
FACILITIES
Hammocks are strung between palms, swaying gently in the sea breeze. Chill out with some yoga with stunning ocean views, or take a dip in the pool. Play a game of ping pong with your fellow surf girls, then kick back with a glass of local rum on the huge decked terrace and watch the last of the day’s waves. At sunset, sip a cocktail or slide into the illuminated pool beneath a starlit night sky. This is one resort you won’t want to leave.
Whatever your level of surfing, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re a beginner, learning to surf in a warm climate will make the start of your surf journey fun, hassle-free and an unforgettable experience.
If you’ve become a bit stuck with your progress, El Salvador is an ideal destination to work on your technique. The lack of crowd’s means you can build your confidence without feeling self-conscious or worrying about getting in other people’s way.
We split everyone into groups according to ability, so you won’t feel left behind or be too advanced for your group. Our expert, friendly coaches are on hand to guide you every step of the way. They’ll be in the water with you to give you handy coaching tips.
Each group – whether you’re a ‘New Surfer’, ‘Progressor’ or a ‘Green Wave Rider’ – will benefit from photo and video analysis. It’s the best way to improve and gives you a move-by-move breakdown of your surfing. Plus, you get to take the footage and photos home with you – it’s both a great memento and a valuable coaching tool.
The breaks up and down there are a good selection of waves for all abilities.
WHAT A TYPICAL DAY LOOKS LIKE
We want to maximise your time in the water. With morning offshore winds our daily focus is to take a morning surf session to start the day. The beauty of staying 20 metres from the ocean is that you step out of the accommodation on to the sand. When you fancy a break you can grab a coffee on our front deck and watch the action until you’re ready to jump back in for more. Everybody receives a surf lesson each day and a guided free surf session.
PHOTO AND VIDEO ANALYSIS
Seeing yourself surf is a fantastic way to improve…fast.
Our professional photography team will create an awesome package of images and video footage for you to keep. It’s not only an invaluable coaching tool to help improve your surfing; it’s also a great memento of your trip.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
Room | Bed | Price per person | Duration | Fan | Air Conditioning | En-suite bathroom | Shared Bathroom | Private Terrace/ Shared balcony |
Standard Room 1 (3 sharing) | Single | £1,399 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Standard Room 2 (2 sharing) | Single | £1,449 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Standard Room 3 (2 sharing) | Single | £1,299 | 7 nights | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Standard Room 6 (single occupancy) | Double | £1,449 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Standard Room 9 (single occupancy) | Single | £1,349 | 7 nights | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Standard room 11 (single occupancy) | Single | £1,449 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Premier room 4 (2 sharing) | Single* | £1,599 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Premier room 4 (2 sharing) | Double | £1,699 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Premier Room 5, 7 & 8 (2 sharing) | Single* | £1,549 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Premier Room 5, 7 & 8 (2 sharing) | Double | £1,649 | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Room (Private double) | Surfing couple | Couple where one is a non surfer | Duration | Fan | Air Conditioning | En-suite bathroom | Private Terrace/ Shared Balcony |
Premier room 5, 7 or 8 | £1549pp | £1549 (surfer) + £1399 (non surfer) | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Premier room 4 | £1599pp | £1599 (surfer) + £1449 (non surfer) | 10 nights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
*Slightly smaller than standard European width.
Suitable For All Surfing Levels (See New Surfer, Progressor Surfer and Green Wave Rider descriptions in the boxes below)
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO BUDGET FOR?
HOW DO I BOOK?
We have developed an event status to reflect travel advice with reference to Covid-19.
EVENT STATUS: AMBER
This indicates that currently the trip is planned to go ahead, and we are taking booking deposit payments of £150. When we are confident, we will change this from Amber to Green status. At which time we will let you know that you should book your flight or travel to the location plus any accommodation that you may need. It will be when the status is moved from Amber to Green that we will take full payment for the trip or we can structure a payment plan for you at that point.
Further information about Green status in our Covid Terms and Conditions
You’re ready to begin your surfing journey and want to learn the right way from the start. We’ll supply you with all the correct kit, knowledge and skills that you need to know. You’ll progress quickly in a fun, no-pressure environment with other like-minded girls.
We’ll get you up and surfing in no time!
You’ve surfed before and are keen to take your skills and stoke up a level. You’ve successfully caught white water waves, stood up and cruised to the shore. Perhaps you’ve had a taste of surfing out the back?
You want to surf regularly ‘out back’ and learn to catch unbroken waves. We can take you there!
Paddling out, catching unbroken waves and successfully enjoying the buzz of taking the drop in fun conditions has captured you in its addiction. Now you’re looking to refine your skills, improve your style and work on the huge array of moves that will see you love surfing even more.
AREA
El Salvador has firmly found its tourism feet in recent years, and offers much for surfers. 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. Expect a warm welcome from the locals via a fist bump or a high five.
THINGS TO DO
When you’re not surfing, swing in one of the resort’s hammocks or unwind with some beachfront yoga. Feeling energetic? Hike up one of the country’s volcanoes 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.
WAVES
It may be the smallest country in Central America with a surfable coastline of just 300km – but what El Salvador lacks in length, it certainly makes up for in quality.
The country’s unique shoreline zig-zags around endless headlands, formed by pre-historic volcanic eruptions. For regular footers, El Salvador is a dream as it’s known for countless right hand point breaks – all shaped by the volcanic landscape. These long rights break with clockwork regularity. It’s perfect for practising and refining manoeuvres.
Less than 80 metres from the sundeck of our accommodation, there’s a fun beach break, a right hand point break and a mellow left-hand reef. And if that’s not enough, jump in a vehicle and head just 20 minutes up or down the coast. You’ll find another half a dozen fantastic rights and lefts with waves for everyone.
CLIMATE
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°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 – 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°C to 30°C. It’s the ultimate way to escape the chill of the northern hemisphere winter.
If you have your own kit, great! You’re more than welcome to bring it with you.
There’s a good range of kit available to hire. Not sure what you need? No problem. Just contact us and we’ll let you know. If you need to hire anything, we’ll make sure it’s ready for you when you arrive.
See our equipment hire costs under the ‘Prices’ tab for details.
SURFBOARD
If you’ve never surfed before, we suggest learning to surf on a foam board or “foamie”. They’re super floaty and make it much easier to catch waves. You’ll progress quicker than being on a hardboard or riding a board that’s too small for you.
BOARDSHORTS / SURF LEGGINGS AND RASH VESTS
On any tropical surf trip, you should invest in a couple of pairs of high quality, lightweight, board shorts, bikini bottoms/one piece that stays in place or surf leggings. You’ll also need a lycra rash vest for sun protection. A lycra swimsuit with long arms and short legs is another option.
LEASH
This is essential for attaching your surfboard to your ankle and will save you a swim! Bring a spare leash with you. When you hire a board from us, you’ll get a leash too.
BOARD BAG
A decent board bag will protect your kit. They range from £50 to over £100. The more you pay, the better the storage and protection you get. Use bubble wrap and pipe lagging to help protect your board as much as possible during flights.
BOARD SOCK (OPTIONAL)
This will protect your board from the sun and double up as a board towel. It’s a lighter option for carrying your board between surfs, especially if you’ve invested in a heavy duty travel surfboard bag. Put your board in a sock between surf sessions to stop the wax from melting.
SURFBOARD WAX
Pack a few blocks of tropical wax in your board bag. You’ll need a hard wax to prevent it melting in tropical water temperatures.
ACTIVE WEAR / YOGA KIT + TOWEL (OPTIONAL)
Bring a pair of trainers for hiking. Remember to bring yoga clothes and a towel. You don’t need to bring a mat.
SUN PROTECTION
There’s nothing worse than ruining your holiday through sunstroke and sunburn. It’s painful but completely avoidable if you cover up sensibly. Wear waterproof sunscreen and re-apply regularly. Zinc-based sticks are a good option and won’t run into your eyes. Wear a hat while surfing if your head burns and wear a lycra rash vest over your bikini or swimsuit.
SUNGLASSES
Protect your eyes from the sun – the better the lenses, the more effective the sunglasses will be at blocking out the sun’s harmful UV rays.
FIRST AID KIT
As well as basics like painkillers, plasters, antiseptic cream, wipes, Vaseline and mosquito repellant, you may want to pack Imodium if you experience travel sickness or have a sensitive tummy.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Don’t forget your passport, boarding pass and travel insurance documents. Bring any medical cards / information that you usually carry with you. Take photos of your documents and email them to yourself as back ups.
EXTRAS TO MAKE YOUR TRIP MORE COMFORTABLE
These include:
CLOTHING
Bring comfortable clothing, particularly for changing into between surf sessions. We recommend bringing:
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
Please bring a reusable water bottle. As surfers, we’re all for limiting our use of plastics.
It’s awesome! In addition to the country’s staple diet, a typical 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, our resort offers excellent food onsite. It’s great value for money with faultless service. It’s trustworthy, healthy food with no concerns about stomach upsets which can be a pitfall of eating outside of the camp. Our hosts put a huge focus on awesome meals.
For breakfast you can choose between local dishes and surf camp favourites, such as banana pancakes, superfood chia bowls and bliss balls. Lunch is typically Central American with a delicious variety of meat, seafood or veggie burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads.
Dinners are a real highlight. Our host cooks up a three-course feast of European influence. We’ll eat together around a beautiful long wooden table (another of the host’s creations) with top-notch service to match the fine cuisine.
You need to arrange your own flight to San Salvador International Airport in El Salvador. Flights are not included in the price, please see our FAQs for more information.
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 El Salvador if possible.
RECOMMENDED ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES
You can check in to your room from 3pm on the first day of your trip. We host a welcome meeting at the resort at 4pm so please consider that when booking your flight.
The holiday begins at 3pm on arrival day.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
We arrange airport pick-ups and drop-offs to and from our accommodation (45 minutes away).
Please pay your airport transfer fee to our hosts at the end of your stay – budget $45 per journey for your transfer.
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.
BAGGAGE FEES
Make sure you check the airline’s baggage charges when you book, especially if you bring your own surfboard.
You can also hire equipment. Just let us know in advance – see the ‘Prices’ tab for hire fees.
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 holiday ahead. It’s time to get stoked for a week of waves!
You can either:
We’ll agree on the instalment dates with you at the time of booking. Generally, we take instalments on the 1st of each month.
We can’t reserve your place until we receive payment (in full or an instalment). You’ll then be sent a trip confirmation and enrolment form.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for 24 hours without payment.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with friends for life.
Please follow the instructions on the ‘Travel’ tab above. Then for further help please read our helpful blog post about booking flights.
If you can’t make the full trip, please get in touch for a tailored quote.
Yes, we can arrange for you to extend your stay. You may want to consider our Multi Stop Tours as well. Give us a call on +44 (0) 1637 226017 and we can discuss in further detail.
If you wish to bring a non-surfing partner with you please see our accommodation costs on the ‘Prices’ tab above.
Partners are welcome to join our evening meals, excursions etc.
Please see our accommodation costs table under ‘Prices’ and see the single occupancy room pricing and booking information.
Please see the information on our ‘Prices’ tab above for guidelines about costs during the trip.
You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of surfer you are. You may be in different groups suited to your ability. However, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at camp and during our social times.
We choose the time of year and location for our events based on local knowledge and historical swell data. El Salvador is incredibly consistent with a fantastic variety of beaches available to us. In the very unlikely 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 ‘Other things to do’ in the ‘Area, Waves + Climate’ tab.
We may adjust the format of the trip. For example, choosing to run more surf sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.
Please visit our T&Cs for more information
With decades of experience and knowledge within our team, we pick the best dates that the surf conditions are most consistent and will be most suitable for the group. We’ll send you a brief predicted forecast in the pre-trip email. We choose El Salvador at this time of year due to the fun waves and gorgeous weather. The beautiful long sandy beaches offer peaks for all abilities; the skill is to know which is best on the tide and wind conditions that are on offer. That’s where our local guides are worth their weight in gold. We pride ourselves in having you in the right place for the best waves for your ability each trip.
Before booking please take a look at our surfing level in the boxes above. If during the trip you would benefit from changing groups your instructor will organise for you to move, no problem! Please be aware, we pride ourselves on coaching everybody as an individual, so you will always receive individual feedback throughout each session.
Our Women + Waves trip leaders will be accompanied by local El Salvadorian members of our coaching team. We use female and male instructors during this trip.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline. Read their guidance for carrying surfboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving so you need a tough travel bag and pack it well.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with the largest, most permanent marker you can find. 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 your bag zips with a padlock.
Please check with your citizenship requirements in advance.
There’s a $12 USD entry fee on arrival. Please check international travel requirements for your nationality.
Please contact your travel agent or airline if you have any further questions. It’s a good idea to carry copies of your important documents and guide books. 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. The parent or guardian doesn’t need to participate in the surfing sessions if they choose not too. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat to you before you book. Please email us to arrange a time and we’ll contact you. Or you can call us on +44 (0) 1637 226017.
On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so that 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 to book your flight then just drop us a line.
If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away having tracked your arrival time. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them, please call +44 (0) 1637 226017 or follow the instructions in your pre-flight email. One of us will locate you.
Please inform our coaching staff of any medical complaints or conditions prior to your trip.
We’ll ask for travel insurance details when you book, so please organise this as soon as possible. Travel insurance needs to cover you for medical issues, cancellations and baggage. We’ll also ask you to fill out an enrolment form with these details before the holiday. Please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
Visit Gov.uk for medical advice for El Salvador
Please contact your doctor if you’re unsure about vaccinations. We advise you to take mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten.
Since 2001, El Salvador incorporated the United States Dollar as its national currency. You can pick up US dollars from travel agencies, banks or post offices before you arrive, or from exchange facilities in airports as well as ATMs.
It’s less hassle and cheaper to change your money before the trip. The banks and ATMs in El Salvador charge a lot for changing and withdrawing money, plus the nearest ATM from the camp is a $10 USD taxi ride away, so please come prepared!
We are a UK based company that deliver trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.
El Salvador has an unwarranted reputation for crime. The statistics concentrate on particularly impoverished areas of the capital city.
The rest of the country’s considered safe to travel, particularly the coastal region where we stay. We’ve visited since 2014 and never experienced any crime.
You can find out the latest safety and security advice for El Salvador from Gov.uk.
If you’re based outside the UK and want to chat through the trip details, you can contact us through WhatsApp, Facetime, Zoom or Skype.
Just let us know by email and we can arrange this with you.
If 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 charges are payable as follows:
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.
Find out more under our terms and conditions.