Join SurfATL and escape to the lush jungles of Costa Rica July 1-7, 2024

All levels welcome

This area of Costa Rica provides waves for all levels. The beginners will be taken care of by the local surf school with daily lessons and coaching while the intermediate+ surfers will have 2x guided surf sessions, a boat trip to pavones and all the DIY surfing they want! 

The Osa Peninsula has plenty to do beside surfing which is why we also offer a "just chill' package for the non-surfers - yoga, jungle exploring, horseback riding, tree climbing, animal watching, waterfall chasing, beach combing and more.. there is plenty to do! And the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the screen and reconnect to nature with the awesome SurfATL community!

We will all gather together for meal times and group activities, and every evening we will meet by the monkey bar to share our days adventures and enjoy the pool and outdoor seating area under the stars.

We can't wait to share this magical place with you!

ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE

- 6 Nights / 7 Days 

- Our home: Encanta la Vida Jungle Lodge

- 3x Meals per day including early morning surfer snack and 3 course dinners.

- RT Taxi to/from lodge/local airport

- 5x Yoga/Surfer Stretch Classes

- Guided Upriver waterfall hike with mineral mud

- Beach bonfire

- Night hike to Martina's bar and artisian market on Friday for our last party together

Not Included

- Flights (International and domestic)

- Travel Insurance

- Gratuities 

- Anything purchased outside of the retreat inclusions.

Highlights

Not only are there 3 epic right point breaks within walking distance from our lodge, the Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse jungles in the world. You will feel like you walked into Jurassic Park when you arrive. Monkeys, toucans, sloths, scarlet macaws... it is truly a special place and one not to be missed.

Your Hosts

After an incredibly successful surf escape in Nicargua this past summer, @SurfATL and @JennasAdventures team up, once again, to give you another epic surf trip! 

SurfATL is all about community and bringing people together through the joy of surfing. They are busy building a Surf Park in the Atlanta area and continue to nurture a thriving wake surfing community in the meantime! The smiles, the positive vibes and their love for surfing is contagious. Surf trips are always fun, but doing one with SurfATL makes it a time you will never forget! Expect a ton of laughs and the stoke to be high!!

Jenna has traveled the world chasing waves and has stumbled upon dreamy surf destinations while making connections with the most respected and talented local surf guides. She has worked with surfers in many capacities from helping surf obsessed humans find and book their dream surf trips, to assisting guides in the water, to teaching surf inspired yoga classes - Jenna has got you covered and is here to ensure you have the best surf trip of your life! 

SurfATL & Jenna can't wait to share this magic with you!

THE BEGINNER PACKAGE

Learn from the best surf school in the Osa Peninsula

- Daily surf lessons with Pollo Surf School  

- Daily board rentals  

What to expect: 

Lessons are once a day and roughly 2 hours. Included are your surf instructor, boards and a rash guard.  

During the first lesson, you will start on the beach focusing on pop up technique and surf safety before you paddle out into the ocean to catch waves. During your following lessons the instructors will start to give you customized feedback and give you the best tips and coaching for improvement.  

After your lesson of the day is done, feel free to relax, enjoy yoga, book a massage or grab a surfboard and go back out to Pan Dulce and free surf on your own and practice all the sick skills you've been learning! 

IS THE BEGINNER PACKAGE FOR ME?

The Beginner package is designed for those who have never taken surf lessons or who recently started to surf or has surfed less than 15 times.  

As a beginner surfer, you are still using a soft top surfboard or a longer board. You are catching waves mostly in white water and want to learn how to surf green waves (going sideway). You are learning how to read the ocean. You are learning how to paddle and pop up properly. Finally, you still struggle to catch waves on your own and still need a push at times.

THE INTERMEDIATE+ PACKAGE

For those who want a more  "Do-It-Yourself" surf experience 

- 2x Guided Surf Sessions 

- 1 Boat trip to Pavones (2nd Longest left in the world) 

- Daily board rentals 

What to expect: 

You will get 2 sessions during the week with a surf guides to be taken to the best breaks of the day for your ability and be coached by expert local surfers.   

During our boat trip, we will leave early in the morning to take a 30 minute boat ride to the other side of the Gulf where Pavones,  the 2nd longest left in the world, awaits us! This is a must check off the bucket-list!   Snacks, water and drinks included. Expect a 4-6 hour journey. 

More boat trips are available at additional cost.  

Other than your 2 guided sessions and the Pavones Boat trip, you have all the time in the world to free surf! There are 3 different breaks all within walking distance that work at all tides... you can literally surf from sunrise til sunset! Enjoy yoga, jungle explore or chill if you don't feel like surfing.

IS THE INTERMEDIATE PACKAGE RIGHT FOR ME?

The Intermediate package is designed for those who are beyond the basics of surfing and who are comfortable surfing on their own without instruction.

JUST CHILL PACKAGE

For the non-surfer who wants to enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer!

- 1x 90min massage

- plus the all inclusive offerings (yoga and guided adventures)

There is plenty to do in the jungle if you're not surfing!  A la carte Activities: Tree Climbing (highly recommended), Horseback riding, Zip-lining excursion or book a surf lesson! Give it a try :)

Matapalo is a true paradise. Surfing under the flying scarlet macaws, falling asleep with the jungle and waking up to the howler monkeys is an adventure you'll never forget. From beginner to expert, these 3 right point breaks, all walkable from our jungle lodge, will not disappoint.

Pan Dulce is a long boarders dream with sections that seamlessly connect and which can easily take you 500+ yards. Perfect for beginners, although don't be fooled. You can see the locals and expert surfers catching air and doing tricks all over the face of this yummy and forgiving wave. Only a 3 minute walk through the jungle and you can find yourself in this heaven!

Backwash is a 5 minutes walk from the lodge and in many people's opinion, one of the most beautiful stretches of beach you will ever lay your eyes on. This wave is for the surfer looking for a challenge as this wave carries some power and has a more critical take off.  Perfect for those looking for that push to help boost them from beginner to intermediate.

Matapalo, located at the end of the jungle path, is a powerful right-hander that is a favorite by the locals. For the experienced surfer only as this break is marked by a giant rock sticking up in the middle of the lineup.

Pavones A must have on the surfers bucketlist is the famous Pavones break located across the bay. A 30min boat ride will drop you off on one of the longest lefts you'll ever ride. Included in the Intermediate+ package. More day trips can easily be arranged on site.

Location: Encanta la Vida is a luxury jungle resort, located in Cabo Matapalo on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica which is  home to the Corcovado National Park and is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. There is one dirt road through Matapalo and a few local and ex-pats have homes scattered and hidden within the jungle foliage. There are no street lamps or power lines. All properties run off their own generator. You will truly be experiencing the jungle life. www.encantalavida.com

Surrounding Area: The lodge is about a 45 minute taxi ride through the Jungle to the closest town, Puerto Jimenez. There are a few tourist and local clothing shops, grocery store, pharmacy and an emergency room. You would need to take a flight out from Puerto Jimenez to get to a general hospital. The emergency room in Puerto Jimenez is quick and efficient. Jenna knows as she was treated for staph infection there a few years ago, which if left misdiagnosed or not treated with efficiency could have been deadly. Martina’s, the only restaurant and bar in Matapalo, serves delicious food and holds a local arts and crafts market every Friday. It’s fun to stay afterwards and dance too!

Where we practice: We will have the pleasure of having our sessions on one of the most beautiful yoga decks in the world! The two-story 36 x 33 foot yoga shala is breath taking – located at the beach under the rainforest canopy and overlooks the crystal blue waters of the “Golfo Dulce” – the ideal place for a unique yoga experience. You do not need to bring a mat as the yoga deck is equipped with mats, blankets, blocks and straps however feel free to bring your own mat and props if you wish.

Accommodations: Your rooms are tucked in along the tropical garden paths. All guest accommodations are furnished with top quality mattresses, linens, lights, fans, mosquito nets, a safe, bathrooms and hot water. Guests will enjoy the comfort of private patios and balconies set up with rockers, hammocks adding to a relaxing ambiance. Each room is shared (3-4 people) with a limited availability for a private room. Shared rooms are mixed with queen and twin beds.  Beds will be assigned on arrival on a first come first pick basis.

Food: Encanta hosts several retreats throughout the year and understands that groups enjoy a healthy and sometimes very specific diet. They have developed a menu with something for every taste and dietary need. There is a section for specific dietary needs on your registration form. Tea and coffee is available all day, breakfast, lunch and a 3 course dinner every night.

Spa: Enjoy a spa treatment, acupuncture (subject to availability) or therapeutic massage by one of Encanta la Vida’s professional spa specialists.

Surf and the Beaches: There are 3 perfect right point breaks within walking distance from the Lodge. Pan Dulce, which sits in front of the Yoga Shala is arguably one of the longest right point breaks in Costa Rica and perfect for absolute beginners learning how to pop up to advanced surfers practicing turns and tricks. Please note, due to the turbulence of the water, it is not suitable for snorkeling. However sunbathing and swimming at beautiful Backwash is the ultimate paradise. If you are new to surfing but want to learn the lodge can arrange a surf lesson with Pollo Surf School.  

Other Activities: Adventures are plentiful in Matapalo and surrounding areas. Waterfall rappelling, Matapalo tree climbing, hiking and wildlife spotting. Our day off is perfect for a longer excursion such as ziplining through the rainforest canopy, jungle hikes to waterfalls,  horseback riding and surfing or day trip to Carate to hang out at the remote black sand beaches. Or simply kick back and relax on your hammock with a book. All activities are subject to availability.

Wi-Fi & Electricity: Being so deep in the jungle internet is not the fastest, however it is still available in the office area. Please note that the wi-fi may not be strong during certain weather conditions or if too many guests are on it at once. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this time to be away from technology and truly immerse yourself in the jungle life.  

Meal Times

Let the kitchen know if you don't plan on being back in time.  They'll save a plate for you!

Brekky: 7:30a - 9:30a 

Lunch: 1p-2:30p 

Dinner: Promptly at 6:30p

*surf school and surf guide times will vary depending on the day, tide and conditions

Sample Schedule

6a  - Fuel up with coffee, tea, fruit, yoghurt and granola

7a   - Surfs up! Your guide will take you to the best spot of the day or if you're with the surf school, you'll take a short stroll through the jungle to Pan Dulce where most of your lessons will be held.

9:30a -Full brekky

11a - Group hike upriver to the secret falls with mineral mud!   Escape the mid day heat and cool off in the waterfalls before your next surf session.

1p - Delicious lunch   

3p - Afternoon surf session or chill time

5p - Sunset Restorative yoga on at the jungle shala    

6:30p - Epic 3 course dinner

8p - Take a dip in the pool under the stars with a tropical drink as we share all our adventures and wind down the day.

Details on flights and getting there will also be included in your info packet. Flights both international and domestic are not included.

Travel

1. Fly into San Jose International Airport, Costa Rica (SJO)

2. Take a charter plane to Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica (40-45 mins) *After deposit and registration is received you will be given contact information of a travel assistant who will help you book the connecting charter plane 

3. A taxi will be waiting for you to take you to the Retreat Center (45-50 mins) (Taxi to/from lodge from the Puerto Jimenez airport is included)

Tips:

- Look up flights under a 'private browser' to prevent mysterious price increases

- Reasonable RT flights to Costa Rica from ATL are around $400-600. 

- RT Charter Plane flights range from $250 and up 

FAQ's, Packing List & Additional Information is included in the information packets which will be emailed to you once your deposit is received. 

By submitting a deposit you agree to the following refund/cancellation policy:

Payment Schedule

1.  $500 non-refundable deposit upon registration

2. Oct 1st, 2023 - 25% of balance due

3. Feb 1st, 2024 - 50% of balance due

3. May 1st, 2024 - remaining balance due

* We are happy to customize a payment plan for you just let us know! 

Withdrawal/Cancellation

- AFTER Feb 1st, 2024 -  50% of current funds paid returned, minus $500 deposit. 

- AFTER May 1st, 2024 - No refunds 

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