The Bodhi Sessions: 14-Day Adult Surf + Yoga Camp are set-date, semi-inclusive surf and yoga vacations that invite you to surf, stretch, breathe, and sweat while learning about the environment, engaging with the community, and having lots of fun!
The Bodhi Sessions: 14-Day Adult Surf + Yoga Camp will provide you with a deep and meaningful travel experience, one that leaves you feeling enriched and rejuvenated after an in-depth adventure in a pristine area of the world. In the spirit of experiential learning, you will be active in an outdoor classroom and work toward your own personal goals. You will also have time to unwind and reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with other people in a safe and nourishing way.
Th experience exemplifies an "off-the-beaten-path" kind of tourism that focuses on community engagement, cultural exchange, and immersion into the local way of life. We provide just enough structure to keep you active and just enough flexibility to allow personal growth, friendship-building, and some much needed rest and relaxation!
WHY SHOULD I STAY FOR 14-DAYS ?
For those who choose to extend their stay, a second week at Bodhi Surf + Yoga Camp offers a profound journey into the heart of the Bodhi experience.
Beyond the foundational lessons of the first week, this extension is an opportunity to delve deeper, refine your skills, and truly immerse yourself in the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Your surfing will progress from learning the basics to honing your technique, with personalized coaching on everything from wave selection to board control. You'll work on building muscle memory and developing the fluid style of a true awakened surfer. The added time in the water allows you to gain a more intuitive understanding of the ocean's rhythms and power.
The yoga practice will also evolve, moving beyond the physical poses into a deeper exploration of philosophy and self-awareness. You'll have the chance to explore asanas, breath work, and meditation techniques. This deeper dive into yoga's spiritual and mental aspects complements your surfing, helping you cultivate the mindfulness, focus, and calm that are essential both on and off the board.
In this second week, the community becomes more than just a group of fellow travelers; it becomes a family. You'll gain a richer understanding of local culture, interact more with the people of Bahía Ballena, and discover the subtle nuances of Costa Rican life.
This deeper connection fosters a more authentic appreciation for the Bodhi Surf + Yoga ethos of community, conservation, and conscious living.
It’s an opportunity not just to visit, but to belong.
Your flight to Costa Rica is scheduled to arrive on Saturday. To ensure a smooth transition, we've arranged airport transportation with TAXI UNIDOS to your pre-booked hotel.
We primarily utilize the Adventure Inn for our guests' arrival night, and we've secured your reservation there whenever possible. Should the Adventure Inn reach capacity, we will arrange accommodations at a comparable nearby hotel.
Your airport transfer to the Adventure Inn Hotel is included and pre-arranged for you with TAXIS UNIDOS, the official orange airport taxi service.
After picking up your luggage at baggage claim, you'll then head through customs. Once through customs, you'll see the TAXIS UNIDOS official orange airport taxi service representative. Simply ask a TAXIS UNIDOS representative (they are easily identifiable by their orange uniforms and vehicles) near the international exit for your complimentary transfer to the Adventure Inn Hotel. Do not accept any other transportation offers.
We recommend utilizing your arrival day to rest, enjoy a meal, and relax before your scheduled departure to Uvita on Sunday."
The Adventure Inn Hotel - Not a cookie-cutter chain hotel
Established in 1995, family-owned and operated Adventure Inn prides itself on personalized service that you won't get at a chain hotel, while not sacrificing on amenities - all included in your rate. There's a reason they are constantly at the top of review sites.
Your adventure begins Sunday morning! At 9:00 AM, our friendly driver, Wali, will collect you and the rest of the group for a scenic 4.5-hour journey to Bahia Ballena. We'll pause along the way for a refresh and bathroom break, ensuring a comfortable trip.
9:00 am - Departure from Adventure Inn Hotel
1:30 pm – Arrival and welcome
2:00 pm – Bodhi Tour
2:30 pm – Lunch (not included)
3:30 pm – Community walking tour
6:00 pm – Welcome dinner
Anticipate arriving at Bodhi Surf + Yoga around 1:30 pm. Our guest experience representative will be there to welcome you with chilled, fresh coconuts – the perfect way to rehydrate after your travels.
Following a brief introduction, we will guide you to your rooms and lead you on the "Bodhi Tour." This walk-about will familiarize you with our beautiful property, highlighting points of interest, local wildlife, and the unique history of Bodhi Surf + Yoga.
After the tour, you'll have approximately an hour to enjoy lunch at a nearby eatery. Then, at 3:30 pm, we embark on one of the most enriching experiences of your stay: the community tour. This is a fantastic opportunity to get acquainted with our vibrant community culture and spot some of the flora and fauna you'll encounter during your two weeks with us.
Sunday concludes with the "Bodhi Welcome Dinner." Join us for a relaxed meal where we can connect, share stories, and address any questions you may have about the schedule, classes, meals, and activities. It's the perfect way to kick off your Bodhi Surf + Yoga experience!
Rise and shine! Monday marks your first full day immersing yourself in the Bodhi Surf + Yoga experience.
We begin at 7:15 AM with a rejuvenating yoga session, designed to awaken your body and prepare your mind for the adventures ahead.
Following yoga, make your way to Area Alegria, where a delicious and nourishing breakfast awaits, complete with that essential morning coffee!
During breakfast, you'll have the chance to chat with members of the Bodhi Surf + Yoga team. We're here to answer any lingering questions and provide you with all the necessary information for your first surf lesson. We'll cover everything from what to bring and expect, to ensuring you feel confident and prepared.
Shortly after breakfast, you'll join our expert surf instructors for your inaugural lesson at the breathtaking Marino Ballena National Park.
This initial session is tailored to understand your individual surf experience, goals, and any potential concerns. We'll also delve into the theoretical aspects of surfing, including:
The significance of the national park to our community.
Understanding the ocean's dynamics.
Surfboard anatomy and terminology.
How to conduct a surf report.
And, of course, we'll start with some fun bodysurfing and conclude with surfing!
After the surf lesson, we'll return to the lodge and prepare for a relaxing trip to the stunning Uvita Waterfall, a hidden gem nestled within the lush jungle.
You'll have approximately two hours to unwind, take a refreshing dip in the waterfall's natural pool (prepare for a cool treat!), and enjoy lunch at the local restaurant.
Your first day concludes with the freedom to explore our local culinary scene for dinner. We'll provide you with a curated list of our favorite restaurants, ensuring a delightful evening.
Typical Monday Schedule:
7:15 am - Restorative Yoga
9:00 am - Nourishing Breakfast & Surf Lesson Briefing
10:30 am - First Surf Lesson at Marino Ballena National Park
1:30 pm - Uvita Waterfall Excursion
Tuesday brings a familiar rhythm, building upon the foundation of your first day. Expect another invigorating yoga session, followed by a hearty breakfast, and then, of course, your second surf lesson.
You might notice a few new aches and pains this morning – don't worry, it's perfectly natural! Surfing and yoga engage muscles you never knew you had, a testament to the full-body experience.
Today's surf lesson will see you spending more time in the water, putting your newfound knowledge into practice. We believe in building a solid foundation, ensuring you can continue your surfing journey long after you leave us. Our goal is to empower you to confidently surf anywhere, not just here.
The highlight of Tuesday is our on-site group lunch, a delightful culinary experience! Our talented chef, Luci, will treat us to a freshly prepared, traditional Costa Rican feast, thoughtfully crafted to accommodate everyone's dietary needs.
To complement the delicious meal, we'll enjoy homemade fruit juices, which can also be transformed into refreshing cocktails for those who fancy a tipple. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect, share stories, and savor the flavors of Costa Rica.
Typical Tuesday Schedule:
7:15 am - Revitalizing Yoga
9:00 am - Nourishing Breakfast
10:30 am - Surf Lesson
1:00 pm - On-Site Group Lunch
Wednesday’s schedule is the least crowded of all the days, making it a great day to do a tour, get a massage, or just chill out and catch up on some relaxation.
In terms of activities, some our favorites that we always recommend to our guests are the coconut tour, a visit to Costa Rica’s one and only coral reef restoration lab, and walking our park’s famous ‘Whale’s Tail”.
If a relaxing massage is more your cup of tea, we’ve got you covered. We work with a local massage company that comes here to conduct on-site massages up on our yoga platform.
They’re super easy to book – you just let a member of our team know when and for how long you’d like to have your massage and we’ll take care of it!
Speaking of relaxation, we have many spaces here on our property designed to allow you to kick back, relax, and recharge – all while feeling connected to nature.
Our newest addition to our lodge includes our meditation garden, which is now OPEN. Come and be amongst the first to enjoy this new natural and relaxing space!
You’re also ‘on your own’ again for lunch on Wednesday. Guests usually head to our local farmers market, where you can enjoy various exotic fruits, baked goods, typical lunches, and more!
7:15 am – Yoga
9:00 am – Breakfast
10:30 am – Surf lesson
It’s at this point in the week that you are tuning in, polishing up your skills on and off the mat, understand the ebbs and flows of surfing and really starting to feel the local vibes.
Surf lessons on Thursday may be at a different time than the three previous days, due to the tide changes during the week.
Sometimes the surf lesson on Thursday stays at 10:30 am, but more often than not we have Thursday’s surf class in early morning for a sunrise sessions around 6:45am or in the late the afternoon for a sunset sessions at 3:15pm.
Yoga and breakfast are weaved into the schedule and Thursday is also your last opportunity to squeeze in a last minute tour or massage.
Don't forget, you are also treated to one of our on-site lunches that we provide. ¡Que rico!
7:15 am – Yoga
9:00 am – Breakfast
1:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Surf lesson
A typical Friday at Bodhi Surf + Yoga usually starts with surfing! Again, we can’t promise that every Friday will start like this because of the tides.
But more often than not, the tides work in our favor when we finish the week with an early-bird surf lesson.
This class starts bright and early at 7:00 am. That may sound really early, but after a week of being on Costa Rica time you’re already accustomed to waking up early with the sounds of the exotic birds and howler monkeys.
This really is a beautiful time to be down there at the national park – there’s usually no one else there!
You’ll come back from your final surf lesson to find breakfast and coffee waiting for you. But there’s no rush, you have plenty of time to shower off and freshen up before sitting down for breakfast.
At this breakfast you'll say see you later/goodbye to your new friends (who sadly couldn't do 14 days), and we will make some final housekeeping announcements regarding your weekend:
Following breakfast, you will enjoy a chill and restorative yoga class to end the week.
At 1pm we share our final (so sad!) on-site lunch for the week with you new friends, followed by the last activity on the schedule – The Bodhi Grad. This is a sort of play on words, meaning both grad-uation and also grad-itude (gratitude circle).
Here, we sit around the breakfast tables one last time and share something that we’re grateful for. We believe that by practicing gratitude, we’re putting positive energy out there into the universe that has positive impacts on our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Once we finish up with Bodhi Grad, it’s time to say our goodbyes (see you laters) to our new friends and wish them a happy and safe journey.
Lucky you, because you have another week left of your 14 day experience.
7:00 am – Surf lesson
9:30 am – Breakfast
11:30 am – Yoga
1:00 pm – Lunch
3:00 pm – Bodhi Grad
3:30 pm – Departure for those that aren't lucky enough to stay 14 Days
You’ve got the weekend, and a whole other week with us here in paradise. Saturday and Sunday are very chill here – we recommend taking it as an opportunity to relax your body after your first week of surf and yoga. Many of our guests also book tours for the weekend!
Your Saturday here at Bodhi Surf + Yoga is completely free – no schedule, nowhere to be, just takin’ it easy!
Our cleaning team will be here on-site from the morning, and they will at some point need to enter your room to give it a clean. But we try to coordinate for that to be while you’re out and about getting coffee, doing a tour, or on a walkabout.
Your Sunday morning is also free! Take a stroll around the community, maybe head to the beach, or do nothing! You’re on vacation. And your body will probably appreciate you taking one more chill day before another week of surf and yoga.
And speaking of your second week – it will likely follow the same ‘typical day’ format as your first week. There may be one or two slight changes in the schedule in terms of surf lesson timings, as it’s all based on the tides.
For those who choose to extend their stay, a second week at Bodhi Surf + Yoga Camp offers a profound journey into the heart of the Bodhi experience.
Your days and nights will likely follow the same ‘typical day’ format as your first week. There may be one or two slight changes in the schedule in terms of surf lesson timings and yoga, as it’s all based on the ebb and flow of tides and Mother Nature.
Typical Schedule:
7:00 am - Enhanced Surf Lessons
9:00 am - Nourishing Breakfast
1:00 pm - On-Site Group Lunch
4:00 pm - Revitalizing Yoga
Beyond the foundational lessons of the first week, this extension is an opportunity to delve deeper, refine your skills, and truly immerse yourself in the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Your surfing will progress from learning the basics to honing your technique, with personalized coaching on everything from wave selection to board control. You'll work on building muscle memory and developing the fluid style of a true awakened surfer. The added time in the water allows you to gain a more intuitive understanding of the ocean's rhythms and power.
The yoga practice will also evolve, moving beyond the physical poses into a deeper exploration of philosophy and self-awareness. You'll have the chance to explore asanas, breathwork, and meditation techniques. This deeper dive into yoga's spiritual and mental aspects complements your surfing, helping you cultivate the mindfulness, focus, and calm that are essential both on and off the board.
In this second week, the community becomes more than just a group of fellow travelers; it becomes a family. You'll gain a richer understanding of local culture, interact more with the people of Bahía Ballena, and discover the subtle nuances of Costa Rican life. This deeper connection fosters a more authentic appreciation for the Bodhi Surf + Yoga ethos of community, conservation, and conscious living.
It’s an opportunity not just to visit, but to belong.
Here, we’ll leave you a high level packing list for things that we recommend that you bring with you for your trip.
For a much more detailed explanation of what we recommend you bring, head over to our blog!
We recommend you bring:
Passport (valid for the entirety of your stay in Costa Rica)
Proof of Exit from Costa Rica (within 180 days)
A couple of swimsuits (check out our blog on picking the right swimsuit for surfing)
A rashguard for surfing
A light rain jacket
A pair of closed shoes/ sneakers
A pair of sandals/flip-flops
A hat and sunglasses (we love Sunski sunglasses)
Clothing essentials — shirts, shorts, socks, underwear
Light sweatshirt / long sleeve (mostly for air-conditioned buildings or transportation)
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Reusable water bottle
$200 – $400 cash USD per week
$100 worth of local currency (Colones)
Debit and credit card
Tylenol / Advil (just in case)
Electrolytes (optional, but good for transitioning to warm/sunny climate)
Snacks!
Some guests do prefer to bring their own yoga mats, but that is not mandatory! We provide you with clean and well-kept yoga mats to use throughout the week.
Here are some basic Spanish phrases that can be helpful when traveling to Costa Rica:
Hola - Hello
Gracias - Thank you
Por favor - Please
Sí - Yes
No - No
¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?
¿Dónde está el baño? - Where is the bathroom?
Ayuda, por favor. - Help, please.
Lo siento - I'm sorry / Excuse me
Pura Vida! - This is a quintessential Costa Rican phrase, meaning "pure life." It's used as a greeting, farewell, to express thanks, to say everything's great, or as a general positive affirmation. You'll hear it constantly!
Learning these basic phrases can make your interactions with locals much smoother and more enjoyable.
We're here to help you plan the perfect experience! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:
Phone or WhatsApp: +506 8712 8919
Email: [email protected]
Address: Bahia Ballena, Osa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
"We help people build a deeper connection to themselves and the planet, inspiring them to create a more sustainable world through the practices of surfing, yoga, and community."
At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, our "Small is Beautiful" philosophy has been our guiding star for over a decade.
We believe that travel, whether with loved ones or alone, has the power to transform. We prioritize depth over quantity, focusing on creating educational, inspiring, and empowering vacation experiences for you.
Our intimate lodge, hosting a maximum of 10 guests per week, ensures a more personal, comfortable, and familiar experience. Here, you can unwind, recharge, and discover new passions, all while making lasting memories.
We look forward to welcoming you into our home.
Bodhi Surf + Yoga isn't just a business; it’s a journey into love, both personal and planetary; between a family, a community, and the natural world.
Our story began with a simple dream: to share our passion for surfing, yoga, nature immersion and community engagement.
Over time, Bodhi has evolved into an award winning, B Corp-certified and 1% for the Planet member, always committed to creating positive social and environmental impact.
We believe that travel can be a force for good, inspiring guests to connect with themselves, each other, and the planet.
In 2005, Travis Bays arrived in Costa Rica as a Peace Corps volunteer, little knowing he'd find love and purpose in this tropical paradise. His love story with Pilar began in 2007 and led to a shared dream: to create a sustainable tourism business that would foster personal growth and environmental consciousness. Together they founded Bodhi Surf + Yoga in 2010. The name "Bodhi" symbolizes enlightenment, and the founders aimed to inspire guests through surfing, yoga, and mindful living.
A Growing Family and Business
In 2011, the birth of their first daughter, Maya, solidified Bodhi as a family business. The expansion of the lodge in 2015 and the birth of their second daughter, Clea, further deepened their commitment to the community and sustainable tourism. The retreat expanded, and a dedicated team worked tirelessly to provide an exceptional experience for guests.
To this day, Travis and Pilar, are deeply rooted in this community. They understand the importance of active listening and meaningful engagement. By participating in local initiatives and supporting community organizations, they strive to contribute to the well-being of their neighbors.
Today, Bodhi remains a family-run business dedicated to sustainable tourism. With a focus on personalized service and a maximum of 10 guests per week, Bodhi offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself into surf, yoga, nature, and community.