How to Choose the Best Surfing and Yoga Retreat
Looking for the best surfing and yoga retreat?
With so many great options out there, it’s hard to know which is right for you. Personal preference, skill level, timespan, and budget are just a few aspects you’ll want to consider when deciding which surfing and yoga retreat to choose.
We would like to say you can’t go wrong when booking a surfing and yoga retreat (it is surfing and yoga, after all). But in reality, booking the “wrong” kind of retreat could lead to a major disappointment – and a waste of money and vacation time.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing your ideal surfing and yoga retreat. If it turns out Beach Break Surf Camp is the right choice for you, browse our Group Retreats to learn more about our upcoming surfing and yoga retreats.
Location
Location is possibly the most important thing you need to consider when looking for a surfing and yoga retreat. Plenty of places offer yoga and surfing, but not all locations are ideal for every personality, budget, and skill set.
For example, plenty of surf destinations may have fantastic waves – but they’re too advanced for the beginner surfer, or too crowded to have space to practice. You can roll out a yoga mat and downward dog just about anywhere, but if you’re smack in the middle of an EDM party the vibes may not be quite right.
Unless you specifically want a party experience, we recommend finding a yoga and surfing retreat in a location that isn’t yet overcrowded or known to be a party spot.
Beach Break Surf Camp in Playa Venao, Panama hits that “sweet spot” of attracting travelers and surfers from around the world – but is still undiscovered enough to offer a serene tropical atmosphere. Not to mention, our beautiful beach offers waves suitable for all skill levels– from beginner to advanced!
Timeline
We would all love to have an infinite timeline for our surfing and yoga retreat, but in reality most of us have limited vacation time to work with.
If that’s the case for you, consider not only where you’ll go for your retreat, but how long it will take to get there. You don’t want half your vacation time to be spent racing between connecting flights.
While most great surf destinations are somewhat off the beaten path, you can still find a “happy medium.” Panama, for example, is known as the “Hub of the Americas” and welcomes countless direct international flights each day. From there, it’s an easy private shuttle service out to Playa Venao (if you’re staying with us at Beach Break, that is).
Other locations may require a more drawn-out itinerary, with multiple days set aside simply for travel logistics. Consider what your ideal timeline is, and what locations and retreat options are able to accommodate it.
Budget
For many of us, budget is going to be a key consideration when booking our surfing and yoga retreat. Retreats come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of luxury– and the budgetary range is just as diverse.
If budget is important to you, consider looking for an all-inclusive surf camp such as Beach Break, which wraps everything you need into a clear-cut package. Our surf and yoga retreats are customizable, but typically include accommodations, meals, surf lessons, yoga classes, board rentals, and even surf photography. We pride ourselves on offering some of the most affordable, yet high-quality, group retreats in the world.
Other surf and yoga retreats may command a higher price, often due to the level of luxury in the accommodations. If having a private hot tub is important to you (and in the budget), you can find plenty of higher-cost retreats around the world.
Just don’t assume that paying more guarantees higher quality, as that’s not always the case!
Activities
Naturally, a surf and yoga retreat should offer plenty of yoga and surfing. That may be all you’re looking for in a retreat, and if so– great! But there are other activities and options that a retreat provider may offer.
For example, our surf and yoga retreats at Beach Break can also include other activities, such as waterfall hikes, whale watching, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, and island hopping. Depending on the retreat host, there may also be additional services such as meditation or breathwork classes, massages, or martial arts lessons.
In fact, Beach Break also offers a modern beachfront fitness center that offers a full calendar of group classes ranging from jiu jitsu to group fitness.
Consider what kind of activities you want in your ideal surfing and yoga retreat. If you like the idea of supplementing surfing and yoga with other adventures and activities, choose a retreat that offers those options.
Traveling Solo?
Another thing to consider when choosing your surf and yoga retreat is if you’ll be traveling solo, or with a friend or partner.
If you're traveling alone, you may want to choose a location with a community vibe. Our location in Playa Venao, for example, is known for its friendly and diverse community of travelers and expats from around the world – along with the lovely local community, of course!
If you're traveling with a friend or partner, you may not care as much about the community aspect. But even if you’re partnered up, there’s nothing quite like getting out of your comfort zone and connecting with fascinating people from around the world.
The Best Surfing and Yoga Retreat for You
In the end, what makes the “best” surfing and yoga retreat is really up to the individual. The perfect retreat for one person may not be quite right for another.
Considering these factors is an important first step in finding your ideal surf and yoga retreat. If it sounds like Beach Break Surf Camp might be right for you, jump over to our Group Retreats page to learn more about our upcoming surfing and yoga retreats.