Join Sherry and the Surf Sisters on an amazing women’s only Surf & Yoga Retreat in beautiful El Salvador – 9 Day Surf Retreat to Central America’s best-hidden gem.
Steamy rainforest, smoking hot volcanoes and stunning reef-fringed shorelines, El Salvador, is a god-given playground for the adventurous. It has become a firm fixture on the international surf scene, but our gorgeous waterfront accommodation is on an isolated beach break. Reliable waves peel elegantly along its 300km Pacific shoreline, and unlike the busy breaks of nearby Costa Rica, the water stays swimsuit-friendly 25–30°C year-round.
This surf-focused itinerary is sure to get you stoked on surfing and give you the skills and confidence you need to get into the water on your own. Each day will be complemented by daily yoga practice, classroom sessions and camaraderie.
Optional pre-adventure to Suchitoto (Jan 12-14th, 2024)
Please book flights arriving to El Sal in the morning/afternoon of JAN 12th and departing El Sal AFTER 1PM on JAN 21st, 2024.
Surf Sister‘s professional certified surf instructors have partnered with a Salvadorean surf guide to ensure that you have the best experience possible in El Salvador.
Surf Sister was founded in 1999 to promote women’s surfing in Tofino and worldwide. Surf Sister’s goal is not to exclude men from our lessons, rather it’s to make sure that women feel included when trying surfing in Tofino for the first time.
All Surf Sister instructors meet the requirements for safety and training as determined by the British Columbia Association of Surf Instructors (BCASI) and hold certificates for Standard First Aid, CPR, and Lifesaving. We are also the only surf school in Canada to be accredited by the National Surf School and Instructors Association (NSSIA) which is the highest governing body in the surf instruction industry in North America.
So what are you waiting for? Join us for the experience of a lifetime. We’ll be out there having a blast, sharing our passion for waves.
Hotel Los Mangos is right in front of the Punta Mango point break. Just walk down the stairs towards the beach and can start paddling! This is a cobblestone right point break and fun beach break, surrounded by beautiful mountains located in one of El Salvador’s more remote areas. This is a paradise for those who are looking for warm uncrowded waves, perfect for improving their surf skills! A true little slice of paradise!
Best suited to Beginner/Advanced Beginner surfers with a moderate fitness level and love of the ocean.
TIFF - AKA...Surf Sister GM. If you are looking for a good time, track down this beauty by following the echoes of her contagious laugh. This girl pours her heart into making sure anyone that walks through the doors at Surf Sister has a good experience and surf lesson. She cares so much about surfing, we are certain she wants you to enjoy it as much as she does. Tiffany inspires us all to be better surfers with her early morning surfs almost every dang day and her yoga practise that keeps her shreddin'. She is the queen of the big hugs and and if you need it she'll pet your head like a cat. We love her almost as much as she loves birds.
JAZZ - She loves big waves and little dogs! Hailing from Gibsons BC, Jazz has called Tofino home for several years. She will be the one to convince you that the West Coast is the best coast. Jazz discovered surfing during a stint in Australia and knew she had to move to Tofino to pursue cold water waves. Now she gets to share her passion for the sport with her students, both in Tofino and abroad! When she isn't out shredding her locally shaped Cox Bay fish, you can find her taking landscape photos, walking her tiny dog or going on good ol’ adventures.
The yoga practice is suitable for all levels of fitness and flexibility. Each posture has many modifications and you will be supported and encouraged to develop your personal practice according to what is right for your body. Yoga is optional of course, but is included in the package and excellent for flexibility. The yoga classes are meant to complement your surfing lessons and stretch out sore muscles. Classes are held once or twice a day – sunrise and sunset yoga sessions with our beautiful, Salvadorean instructor, Ana Larios.
Learn more >> Acro Yoga El Salvador
I’m Sherry, I’ve been traveling around the world and writing about it since 2006. I started out a novice middle-age traveler, and have transformed into a world explorer! I share my adventures, tips, and advice on how to your conquer fear of traveling or traveling alone so that you may take epic adventures to intriguing places!
Playa Los Mangos is a sandy beach and a volcanic landscape right in front of Punta Mango beach and a point break.
Perched on a lush cliff on El Salvador’s eastern pacific coast, overlooking the deserted beach and surrounding tropical vegetation. Hotel Los Mangos offers a warm home atmosphere for you to enjoy an excellent stay. The only Eco Boutique Hotel in the area where you really relax. Enjoy the morning sunrise or beautiful sunset at night with a nice sea breeze and a spectacular ocean view. One of the main advantages of Hotel Los Mangos is that it overlooks world-class surf point break Punta Mango and the uncrowded beaches below.
Join us for an optional pre-camp adventure to the gorgeous colonial town of Suchitoto. (Price $160). Please click if interested.
Dates: Jan 12-14th, 2024
Suchitoto is about 47 km north of the capital San Salvador, surrounded by complete Spanish colonial buildings like the church in the main square and cobbled streets. In Nahuat, Suchitoto means "place of birds and flowers", a proper name for this beautiful city. A cultural range of activities and events led to this city being declared the cultural capital of the country. The main square turns every night into a bustle of people wandering the streets. Many places in the city have a great view of Lake Suchitlan; Lake Suchitlan was formed between 1973 and 1976 for the construction of the Cerron Grande hydroelectric dam, the largest lake in El Salvador, declared a Ramsar site for its importance in the conservation of both migratory and resident birds and for its abundant and varied vegetation.
Other interesting places are: Don Alejandro Cotto House and Museum, House of Sculpture, Galleries, Las Ruinas Theater or Cultural Center and Center for Arts and Peace. Nearby day tours can be the Guazapa volcano with a former member of the guerrilla, Los Tercios waterfalls, Cihuatan archaeological site or the town and park of Cinquera.
Jan 13th - 8.30am Suchitoto was the nation's capital for 15 years from 1528. Today it's a quaint colonial town with several tourist attractions along its cobblestone streets and rich in cultural and artistic attractions. Suchitoto has great colonial houses and church, art galleries and is close to Lake Suchitlan, a former river that was dammed and has an ecosystem that offers much ornithological interest for abundance as well as for the variety of species, pelicans, herons, and storks. We will have a historical city tour around all the interesting points in town. Guided walk in Suchitoto, visiting the church, market, and corn mill.
Afterwards, we visit the Indigo workshop of Irma Indigo. Indigo is a blue dye harvested from the leaves of the xiquilite plant that has been in use since the time of the ancient Maya. We will have the opportunity to observe the process of its production, including its extraction, drying, and milling.
Extra special afternoon excursion!
Hotel: Casa 1800
Please book flights arriving to El Sal in the morning/afternoon of JAN 12th and departing El Sal AFTER 1PM on JAN 21st, 2024.
CONTACT INFO:
Surf Sisters: Tiff - +1 250 726 6964 Jaz - +1 250 222 0086
JOIN WHATSAPP GROUP - https://chat.whatsapp.com/K9XySkdyuW29eMEebmQscN
Manuel (surf guide & driver): +503 7796 8590
Esther (our host in El Sal): +503 7890 4751
Ricardo (our host in El Sal): +503 7871 5320
Finisterra: Keri +1 604 505 2472 I Nicola +1 604 762 5851
MONEY MATTERS - I've had a couple of questions about money, so I thought that I would just respond to everyone. I would recommend taking out USD in advance and requesting smaller, crisp bills - $5, $10, $20 bills. I would recommend bringing a few hundred US dollars ($300+) as you can always go back home with USD (it doesn't go bad). There are no ATMs near Los Mangos.
You will need to pay $12USD cash upon arrival (subject to change without notice) in San Salvador so you must have cash for this. The only meals that you will need to purchase are in San Salvador (although we arrive late) and lunch the next day. All meals are included at Los Mangos and you can use a credit card or cash to purchase extra beverages and snacks from the hotel in Los Mangos (pay at the end of the week).
TIPS/GRATUITIES - Of course, tipping is subjective, however, it is very much appreciated. You will likely want to bring USD to tip the staff at the hotel, surf instructors, and yoga teacher. We would recommend $5-10USD per person per day for the hotel staff (they serve and prepare 3 meals a day and clean the rooms), $8-15USD per person per day of instruction for each surf instructor and yoga teacher. You can tip everyone towards the end of the week before we part ways. Please note that these are just suggested amounts and of course, it is totally up to you.
SURF SISTER SURF INSTRUCTORS - Tiff Olsen & Jasmine Turner
LOCALS - We will also have a great local certified Surf Instructor named Manuel (Manny/Manuelito/Meno). He's done 7 surf camps with us and is a delight to work with. He is learning English so he is a great person to practice Spanish with!
Our wonderful local Yoga Teacher is named Ana. We absolutely adore her. This is Ana's 6th year as our yoga teacher on these camps - she speaks fluent English and actually lived in Canada for a short time during her childhood. Her yoga style is meant to complement our surf lessons - restorative and gentle.
REMEMBER: Passport, $USD, a few swimming suits, plenty of sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt for sun protection, a reusable water bottle, yoga clothes, PJs (for those sharing a room), ...etc.
INSURANCE - You MUST have Travel Insurance to participate in the adventure so if you haven't already purchased it, you can do so here - https://finisterra.ca/travel-insurance/
MEALS & DRINKS - All meals are included at Los Mangos. You will just need to pay for your own meals in San Salvador. Filtered water, coffee, and juice is included at Los Mangos. If you would like to order cocktails, sodas, beers, or smoothies, at Los Mangos, no problem. They will run a tab for you which you can pay at the end with USD or credit card.
eSIM - Here’s a link to a discount eSim. Hey, have you tried an eSIM? Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo. Use code KERI0076 when you sign up or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/4JAa
El Salvador 
