The founders
...and for 13 years its guiding spirit
All co-founders share a conviction about what we want to see happen in the world, as well as how we want to run our business. We each have had very distinct life experiences, and thus each offers a unique approach to the development and implementation of Bodhi Surf + Yoga. As owners and operators of Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we are stoked to run a truly international business and are always excited to learn from our guests (who, excitingly, come from all around the world to visit us), and hear their stories, experiences, opinions, and suggestions. More than anything, we are exceedingly grateful for the opportunities that Bodhi has given us: to develop personally and professionally, to make a living doing what we love, to utilize our business as a force for positive change, and to meet and make friendships with amazing people from all over the world.
Our Staff
The full-time staff at Bodhi Surf + Yoga: These valuable team members work tirelessly every day to ensure that everything runs smoothly at the Bodhi lodge. They also do so while laughing, singing, dancing, and making everyone around them feel cared for!
Our Instructors
The full-time staff at Bodhi Surf + Yoga: These valuable team members work tirelessly every day to ensure that everything runs smoothly at the Bodhi lodge. They also do so while laughing, singing, dancing, and making everyone around them feel cared for!
Our Yoga Instructors
Our Surf Instructors
Our Partners
Adrianne Chandra-Huff
Co-Founder + Surf Instructor
Adrianne is the fun-seeker, socialite, and extrovert of Bodhi Surf + Yoga, a fact obvious to all who come into contact with her. She relishes spending time with the Bodhi Surf + Yoga guests, conversing, teaching, learning, and laughing. Being a creative and linguistically-inclined individual, Adrianne enjoys taking on the tasks of content creation: writing, editing, management of visual content generation. She also loves to create in the kitchen. Travel, reading, and surfing are probably the three biggest teachers that Adrianne has ever had, and their presence in her life has undoubtedly altered its course (for the better)! She is one of the orginial creators of the B Corp Travel and Tourism group and a has been a panelist about tourism and responsible business at several conferences and speaking events.
Pilar Salazar
Co-Founder + Yoga Instructor
Pilar is the grounding energy of the Bodhi Surf + Yoga team. Her calm composure and "Pura Vida" vibe are evident to all who meet her. Pilar brings what she has learned in her career, from her myriad of travels all over the globe, and from personal study of world philosophy, into her various roles Bodhi Surf + Yoga. She is the main yoga teacher, as well as being in charge of administration, human resources, and bookings. Pilar is passionate about creating a positive, safe, and hospitable workplace for all of Bodhi Surf + Yoga staff. Outside of Bodhi, she is president of Bahia Ballena's Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. Personally, she is an engaged wife and mother (soccer mom!), avid foodie and cook, passionate yoga practitioner, and lifelong student of the human condition.
Travis Bays
Co-Founder + Surf Instructor
At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, Travis Bays is known as the connector and the "ideas guy", always dreaming up new projects to take on, finding ways to connect [with] individuals and movements, and looking for ways to improve himself and everything around him. A former Peace Corp Costa Rica volunteer who spent his two service years in Bahia Ballena, Travis feels privileged to have been able to start a social and environmental impact business in the community that stole his heart and affected his life so positively. Professionally, he also has nearly 20 years of experience in micro credit community banking, project design and management, and best practices for sustainable tourism. He is a co-founder of a number of movements in his home community including Fundación SOMOS and the safety and security council. He is a committed husband and father, ardent surfer, and ocean lover, and enjoys incorporating his passions into his wide array of roles at Bodhi Surf + Yoga.
Maya Paz Bays
Bodhi Surf + Yoga Helper
Maya is the first daughter of Travis and Pilar, and as such, has already had more exposure to yoga and surfing than most of our guests! She is extremely helpful in operations, with her great attention to detail, outgoing personality, and wisdom beyond her years. Whether it's helping with table set-up and takedown, double checking the chalkboard schedule, or entertaining and engaging with the guests, Maya is an excellent team player! She is a very curious, intelligent, and independent child who loves nature deeply and abides by the Bodhi principles of respecting and helping preserve the environment. In her spare time, she loves to dance and hang out with her friends.
Clea James Bays
Bodhi Surf + Yoga Helper
As the second daughter of Travis and Pilar, Clea pretty much loves the same things as her sister, and of course, idolizes Maya! She is also helpful around the Bodhi lodge, especially with entertaining the guests with her daredevil antics. She is very inquisitive and adventurous child, she loves nature and being outdoors and especially at the beach. Clea enjoys eating fresh tropical Costa Rican fruits, having dance parties, and doing arts and crafts.
Maria Vargas
Head of Housekeeping
Maria started as head of housekeeping at Bodhi Surf + Yoga in 2022. Maria is from the Uvita area, and has four children. She is a kind and steady presence for Bodhi Surf + Yoga guests and staff alike. She is an exceptional cook and is always bringing homemade goodies to share with the Bodhi team. Maria is an incredibly hard worker and team player. It is not uncommon to see her with a big smile on her face!
Fanny Cordero
Chef
Fanny started working at Bodhi surf + Yoga in 2019. She is in charge of the kitchen and also assists with housekeeping when needed. Fanny has a very positive outlook on both life and work, and enjoys working in a team and helping to take on any challenge or task. She enjoys learning, singing, dancing, and being creative, and is happy to be able to do all of these in her place of work! In her spare time, Fanny is most happy spending time with her kids and taking them on adventures - whether that's in the mountains or at the coast.
Monica Vargas Solis
Housekeeping + Utility Player
Monica has been working at Bodhi Surf + Yoga since 2022. Monica primarily works taking care of Maya and Clea, but also does a variety of other jobs in and around Bodhi Surf + Yoga! She hails from the nearest city (Perez Zeledon) and is a trained childhood educator. Monica enjoys living at the beach and spending time with her family!
Anki Cramer
Content Creator + Yoga Instructor
Anki began working at Bodhi Surf + Yoga in 2019. During her time with us, Anki has worked on a variety of tasks and projects including social media, marketing, video and photo creation, yoga instruction, guest relations, cooking, and more. She is an avid environmentalist, passionate vegan, lover of both surf and yoga, and enthusiastic extrovert. She also loves reading, dancing, and being in nature.
Spencer Dunlap
Bodysurf Instructor
Spencer has been working with Bodhi Surf + Yoga since late 2018. His passions include environmental conservation, reading, writing, and surfing/bodysurfing. He is stoked to be able to use all of these passions at his place of work. He worked to make Bodhi Surf + Yoga offer bodysurfing as a main activity in our retreats and camps. In his spare time, Spencer loves to be in the ocean, read a good book with coffee in hand, or hanging with his puppy, Nefta.
George Frost
Guest Experience Manager + Sustainability Assistant
George is Bodhi Surf + Yoga's first ever intern from Bermuda, and loves sharing his culture with those he meets. Before moving to Costa Rica for his internship, he lived and studied tourism management in the United Kingdom. At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, he works in a myriad of different areas: sustainability, guest relations, blog-writing, and food. These align with his passions: nature, people, and food. He also loves traveling, football (AKA soccer), and music!
Keisha Jimenez
Receptionist
In 2023, Keisha began working at Bodhi Surf + Yoga as our very first ever receptionist. She works supporting both staff and guests in a number of ways, and is always a bright smiling light and friendly presence in the office. Keisha is from the Costa Ballena area and has lived here all her life. She enjoys traveling and being with her family.
Jimena Amador
Surf Instructor
Jimena has been working at Bodhi Surf + Yoga since the end of 2019. Prior to that, she was actually a regular participant at our Surf Saturday community service events. She primarily works as a nanny for Maya and Clea, but also does a variety of other jobs in and around Bodhi Surf + Yoga! She has lived in the community of Bahia Ballena her entire life, and love to hang out with her friends and go to the beach in her free time!
Chef Diego
Chef
Diego has managed the kitchen in his family restaurants for 10+ years. He is responsible for breakfasts, dinners, and some snacks. When he isn't too busy cooking he also assists with general maintenance when needed. Diego has a very positive attitude and is always looking to improve. An avid soccer player, Diego plays center mid and loves challenging himself on the pitch with our local soccer club.