If you’re reading this, chances are you’re experiencing a little restlessness. You’ve scrolled past the passive beach vacations and you know, deep down, that your next trip needs to be different. It needs to be a pattern interrupt, a genuine, active challenge that leaves you feeling stronger, clearer, and truly awake.
The truth is, a typical “bucket list” often focuses on sights seen. But what about skills mastered? What about the version of yourself you become when you stop observing and start doing?
At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we don’t just host vacations; we guide you through a profound experience. We share surfing and yoga not just as activities, but as powerful tools for connection and personal growth. We believe the most valuable souvenir you can bring home is a story of self-mastery and a revitalized sense of Pura Vida.
Ready to trade your screen fatigue for saltwater stoke? Here are the 5 reasons why joining a Bodhi Sessions: Surf + Yoga Camp is the one bucket list adventure you need to tackle in the new year, especially during the glorious high season of January and February.
Reason 1: The Triumph of Skill—Don’t Just See the World, Master a New Piece of It
You don’t want to be pushed into a wave; you want to earn it. You want to feel the exhilarating triumph that comes from conquering a challenge. That feeling of going from zero experience to riding your first green wave or taking a wave down the line is why a surf retreat is the ultimate active escape.
Many people assume learning to surf means struggling in a cold, crowded coastline of California or in the warm and tropical, but overcrowded beaches of Hawaii. But here in the warm, gentle waters of Bahía Ballena-Uvita, Costa Rica, it’s different. The surf instruction is taught inside the Marine Whale National Park, a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach with lush jungle lining the coastline. Our philosophy of “Small is Beautiful” limits our week-long camps to just 10 guests, ensuring you receive personalized, expert instruction.
We aren’t just your average surf instructor, we are your Empowering Guides, providing the essential foundation and water safety skills so you can progress rapidly and safely.
“During our first trip I went from never having surfed to riding green waves in the first week and have since spent all my time outside the white wash. That was very gratifying.”
That moment when you finally find your feet on the board, feeling the flow and the sheer power of the ocean beneath you, is a feeling of pure, earned accomplishment. It changes how you view yourself.
Embracing the Wobble for Lifelong Mastery
We teach you the foundational skills, ocean safety, and awareness so you can truly become an independent surfer. And yes, there will be wipeouts. But at Bodhi, we are famous for “Celebrating the Wobble”—embrace the imperfection and the learning process as part of the deeper journey. When you learn here, you don’t just tick an item off a list; you gain a skill for life.
Reason 2: The Mental Reset—How Yoga Makes You a Better Surfer (and a Calmer Human)
You know that the greatest challenge in a busy life is often mental, not physical. You’re seeking a way to quiet the noise and find focus. This is the profound power of combining the rush of surfing with the grounding practice of yoga.
Our Vinyasa-style yoga sessions are intentionally designed to complement your time in the ocean.
- Physical Synergy: Yoga builds the core strength and spinal flexibility you need for the transition from prone (on your stomach) to feet (surfing) properly. It’s the ultimate way to prevent injury and quickly recover so you can paddle out again and again.
- Mental Focus (The True Reset): Yoga is the key to overcoming the 5 Most Common Surfing Fears Breath control (Pranayama), focus (Dharana), and mindfulness help you stay calm when a set wave approaches, and overcome frustration when you miss a wave. This deep focus is the ultimate pattern interrupt for a burned-out mind.
One guest beautifully captured the value of our teaching methodology:
“The personalized surfing and yoga sessions were incredible and so much better than we could have ever expected. We had first timers for both surfing and yoga but Travis and Pilar’s teaching methods allowed us to relax, learn the techniques and have a blast.”
At Bodhi yoga it’s not just a workout; it’s a tool for emotional regulation and profound clarity.
Reason 3: Engaging with the Bodhi Tribe—A Community Built on Shared Stoke
Most bucket list trips involve isolating yourself in an anonymous hotel. At Bodhi, we reject that model in favor of deep, intentional connection. We call our community the Bodhi Tribe.
Our limited capacity—max 10 guests per week—isn’t a constraint; it’s a feature. It guarantees a fast, intimate bond with a group of like-minded travelers who are all there for the same reason: growth, connection, and adventure.
The core of our community ethos is the concept that “shared struggle creates shared success”. You’re celebrating each other’s first waves, laughing about epic wipeouts, sharing silence during yoga and sharing honest conversations over breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, whether onsite at Bodhi or in our welcoming town.
This shared experience creates a connection that lasts long after you return home:
“Bodhi always catches me off guard and makes me have a real experience that I never forget, and by the end, I always find I am choked up to say goodbye. They are just so welcoming. They care.”
This is the anti-resort experience. This is finding your tribe.
Reason 4: Travel With Purpose—Your Adventure Creates a Ripple Effect
Are you a conscious traveler who wants their money to support the local community and the planet? That’s why choosing a B Corp is the ultimate bucket list travel mandate.
We are proudly a Certified B Corporation, recognized globally for using our business as a force for good. When you book a Bodhi Session: 7 Day Surf + Yoga Camp, you are voting with your wallet to support:
- Environmental Stewardship: We are a 1% for the Planet Member and operate within the protected Marino Ballena National Park. Your lessons help protect the pristine environment you surf in.
- Local Community Investment: We choose the non-all-inclusive model to encourage you to explore and support local restaurants and businesses right here in Uvita. We also provide educational opportunities to visit the Costa Rica Coral Restoration Lab, the only coral reef restoration lab in all of Central America.
Your adventure doesn’t end when you leave. It starts the Ripple Effect. We empower you to become an Ocean Guardian, carrying the lessons of surfing, yoga, sustainability, and activism back home to your own community.
Reason 5: Escape the Cold: Why High Season in Costa Rica is Your Cold Weather Game-Changer
What better way to check off a major goal than by trading the gloomy depths of winter for the vibrant, sun-drenched, and dry season of Costa Rica?
Because we adhere to our “Small is Beautiful” philosophy, spots are strictly limited to just 10 guests per week. The windows for these peak January and February weeks close faster than a set wave breaks, meaning you have to act decisively to secure your spot for a transformative experience.
January and February are, quite simply, glorious in the Southern Pacific region.
- Optimal Conditions: This is the dry season in Uvita, meaning clear blue skies and wave consistency. These conditions enhance learning and maximize your time on the board.
- A Real Escape: The ultimate reset means a total escape from the familiar. Leaving the cold and the routine for a truly tropical, action-packed week provides the mental separation you need for a genuine internal recalibration.
- Easy Travel & Logistics: The high season means reliable flight schedules. We include your shuttle transportation from SJO airport to your hotel upon arrival and then to Bodhi Surf + Yoga with Wali Rider, our trusted transportation provider. Take a sneak peak at a sample itinerary here.
- Vibrant Local Immersion: The clear, sunny days of the dry season make local exploration effortless. During this time, the community spirit is high; the local community is very welcoming and embracing of friendly visitors seeking to immerse themselves into the Pura Vida lifestyle. This is your chance to step outside the lodge, connect with local life, and feel the genuine warmth of Costa Rica.
Start your year with an opportunity to awaken purpose!
Frequently Asked Questions about Surf + Yoga Retreats
Why do you combine surfing and yoga?
The practices are highly complementary. Surfing is dynamic and requires strength, balance, and focus. Yoga (specifically Vinyasa and Hatha) builds the core strength, flexibility, and breath control needed to paddle efficiently, execute the pop-up, and stay calm when challenging yourself in the ocean. Mentally, yoga helps conquer the fear and frustration common during the learning process.
Is January or February a good time to visit Uvita, Costa Rica for surfing?
Yes, January and February are considered the peak of the dry season, which makes them one of the most sought after times to visit. The weather is sunny, the local energy is vibrant, and the waves at our local beach Playa Chaman inside of the Marine Whale National Park, are consistent 2-3 feet and perfect for beginner and intermediate surfers. Just see for yourself in this video as we capture the essence of Playa Chamán: the lush surroundings, the wildlife, and vibrant surf culture which make it perfect for surfers of all levels and an ideal place for a peaceful yet adventurous surfing getaway.
What level of surfing or yoga experience do I need?
None! Bodhi Sessions 7 Day Surf + Yoga Camps are intentionally crafted for beginners and intermediates in both disciplines. Our small group size ensures personalized attention, meaning whether you’re touching your toes for the first time or riding your first green wave, our empowering surf instructors and yoga teachers meet you exactly where you are and push you in a supportive way.
Do I need to travel with a partner to join a camp?
Absolutely not. Because of our focus on building community connection aka the ‘Bodhi Tribe’ and our small group size (max 10 guests), we are an ideal place for solo travelers. As a matter of fact, our most frequent visitor is solo female traveler. You arrive solo, but you instantly become part of a supportive family, fostering connections built on shared struggle and shared stoke.
For more information check out a more holistic FAQ section here.
Awaken Your Purpose: The Start of Your Take-Home Wave
If you’re looking for a profound experience and a true mental reset, stop scheduling passive relaxation. Instead, invest in yourself and embark on an adventure that will leave you physically stronger, mentally clearer, and deeply connected to a community.
As one of our transformed guests put it:
“We left transformed. Not only had Hilary and I brought our Yoga practice and Surfing to an entirely new level, but we left deeply relaxed, and blessed with a profound appreciation for the environment, the ocean, and a commitment to carry the lessons we learned forward.”
The limited high-season spots for our Bodhi Sessions Adult Surf + Yoga Camp fill up quickly. Don’t let your 2026 adventure wait. Book now to secure the transformative experience that you deserve.
Ready to start your Take-Home Wave?
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