The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for Bodhi Family: 7 Day Family Surf Camp

If you’re reading this, it’s because you and your family have made the decision to do a family surf camp with us here in Bahia Ballena, Osa, Costa Rica. We are so excited, and we hope that you are as well.

Still undecided? Read the following blog to help you!

Now it’s time for y’all to get ready, and that is where this Ultimate Guide comes in handy. Get ready for your upcoming, epic adventure, Bodhi Family 7 Day Family Surf Camp!

It is a consolidation of the relevant resources we have created over the years. In it, we have endeavored to answer all of the commonly asked questions to facilitate your visit to Bodhi Surf + Yoga.

Note that if it’s not answered here, you can also check our FAQ.

We hope that your family is ready for a week of connection, fun and laughter, physical engagement, and immersion into this beautiful and wild corner of Costa Rica.

What you can expect on your Bodhi Family: 7 Day Family Surf Camp

We first started offering the Bodhi Family surf camp in 2015 as our best family surf camp option, and have welcomed many families from all over the world, and all walks of life, since then.

One of the main reasons that many families choose this vacation is that once they book, the trip itself plays out with ease.

You may know that we are not an all-inclusive retreat, but what you may not know is why.

This is intentionally designed as we want to allow our visiting guests the opportunity to be independent travelers and to interact with our (lovely) local community.

Not only is this an important part of travel, for us it is also the more socially responsible option. It allows the economic benefits of your family’s visit to extend beyond just our business, and allows y’all to have a more well-rounded, culturally enriching experience in our little town here in Costa Rica.

So what is included in the Bodhi Family: 7 Day Family Surf Camp?

Bodhi Family Surf camps run from Saturday to Saturday, and each week includes the following:

• 5 night at the Bodhi Lodge
• 1 night in a San Jose hotel
• 5 surf lessons
• 5 breakfasts
• 3 dinners
• Snacks at surf lessons
• Walking tour of Bahia Ballena
• Waterfall visit
• Round trip transportation between San Jose and Bodhi Lodge
• Shuttle service from San Jose airport to San Jose hotel
• National Park entrance fees for surf lessons
• Travelers’ Philanthropy donation

Also, your family will be staying at a quaint lodge with a group of passionate, family-friendly individuals (some of whom are kids!).

Collectively, we have lived in the community of Bahia Ballena for decades and we have a ton of local knowledge to share.

We are here (and excited) to help with logistical details, to offer local knowledge and suggestions — and honestly, just to chat!

Other meals, tours, and transportation

You will notice that our program is not all inclusive. And this may make you a bit nervous!

Yet never fear, there are a ton of options for both keeping your family fed well and active/engaged in our little community.

Meals

Whether your family opts to buy groceries to prepare at the lodge or eat out, there are many small, family-owned and operated businesses in our area that offer great options.

Preparing food on your own

If you wish to prepare your own food while at the lodge, we recommend that you stay in the private family-friendly Bungalow Gratitud. It has an independent kitchenette so you can buy ingredients at one of the three walking-distance supermarkets and prepare meals at your leisure.

As you will see with our sample schedule below, the structure of most days is to have a bigger brunch-style breakfast after the daily surfing or yoga session.

Many opt to have a snack (such as a fruit smoothie) or a light meal (like a salad, chips and bean dip, or yogurt and fruit) in the afternoon when temperatures reach their peak. After the afternoon activity is done and the sun goes down, they go out for a bigger dinner.

Going out for meals

We are blessed to have a wide variety of great restaurants in our community. There are options for all budgets and most cravings. This is actually a pretty unexpectedly great place to stumble upon if you’re a foodie!

There are a whole host of restaurants in the Costa Ballena area which range in distance. There are approximately 20-25 restaurants in the immediate walking distance (20 minutes or under) from the Bodhi Surf + Yoga lodge. If you opt to take a taxi anywhere (in 20 minutes or under), the number of restaurants available goes up greatly.

You can read more about some of our and guests’ favorite restaurants in our restaurant guide, here.

Tours, activities, and transportation

Tours and activities

If you’re an active traveler and the five surf lessons, community walk, and waterfall outing are not enough action for you, you’ll be happy to know that there is both time and options for other activities.

For more information about what is available and recommended, refer to this handy “Things to Do in Uvita” blog.

If you already know what you want to do, we recommend that you book it ahead of time as many activities fill up in advance (especially during high season dates like US Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year’s week, and spring break season).

Getting around

Transportation is included to all included activities (surfing, waterfall visit, and community walking tour).

There are a few options for getting around in Bahia Ballena. We are located quite centrally in the community, and are within walking distance to restaurants, supermarkets, shops, and banks.

Walking to anywhere you may need to go is perfectly appropriate and safe — 90% of our guests opt to do just that.

However, if exploring via foot seems out of the question for your family, y’all can also do any of the following options:

• Rent bikes at Bodhi Surf + Yoga
• Take taxis to the place and activities that are too far to reach on foot, or if everyone is too knackered
• Rent a car at one of the various car rental locations (Enterprise, National, Adobe, to name a few)

Bodhi Family: 7 Day Family Surf Camp daily schedule

The following breakdown is designed to give you an idea of what to expect!

Note that this is a sample schedule, as exact times of activities are subject to change. The surfing component of our schedule requires us to change it weekly, around the tides and wave conditions.

Saturday (Day 1)

Guests may arrive to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica, at any time on the first Saturday of camp.

The first night of lodging (Saturday) is at a hotel near the airport, and is included in the camp. Transportation to the hotel is included, provided by the hotel itself.

Dinner on the first night is on your own. You can dine at the delicious hotel restaurant, or go to a nearby restaurant.

Sunday (Day 2)

You may your first breakfast in Costa Rica at the hotel restaurant whenever it opens. We recommend the traditional Tico or Costa Rican breakfast, called Gallo Pinto with a nice cup of coffee.

You and the other guests will be picked up by Bodhi Surf + Yoga’s private transportation service, Wali Rider, at 9am. Together, you will make the 4-4½ hour journey to Bahia Ballena – Uvita, Osa, Uvita, and the home of Bodhi Surf + Yoga.

You will arrive at Bodhi Surf + Yoga and be welcomed by members and receive a tour of the lodge and property, and see the schedule is for the week to come.

You may go out to a local restaurant for your first lunch, or go to the store to purchase some groceries to prepare food on your own.

Dinner the first night is included: guests and Bodhi staff will go out to a local restaurant and get further acquainted and chat with your fellow campers and staff about what you are most looking to get out of the week!

Monday (Day 3)

Mondays start with an early breakfast of locally sourced fresh fruit, coffee, banana bread, and eggs.

Following that, there will be a Community Walking Tour of Bahia Ballena with a trained local guide. This activity is a great way for guests to learn about the local community and get some insider perspectives, see some of the local flora and fauna, and learn the general “lay of the land”.

Expect to see some of the local flora (and maybe even fauna), and maybe even finish with a local snack or drink!

After returning to home base, you may want to continue strolling to the local supermarket to stock up on snacks and meal stuff or go out for lunch at a nearby restaurant.

After that, you will head down to the Marino Ballena National Park for your family’s first surf session. Once there, your instructors will provide you with some history and information about the park, including a brief discussion about where you are going to be spending the next few weeks! You will also learn about where you’re surfing, equipment, and do some preliminary drills from a prone position.

Monday is a free night, so guests often opt to enjoy a meal out at one of the local nearby restaurants.

Tuesday (Day 4)

Your second full day at the Bodhi Lodge is Tuesday, and hopefully you will be getting into the way of life in the tropics that they rise — bright and early, with the sun.

Perhaps you and your family will head out on a walk in town before the later-morning breakfast.

There, you will enjoy some local coffee or fruit juice, a delicious home-cooked breakfast, and conversation with fellow guests and staff.

After breakfast, everyone heads out for the second surf lesson of the week. Post learning and hopefully standing to your feet on the board, everyone heads back to the lodge for some chill time in the pool or hammocks.

You may choose to do an afternoon activity such as a cooking class at the lodge or a local cultural tour.

Tuesday night is group dinner number two at Bodhi Surf + Yoga, an experience that consists of delicious local fare and many moments of laughter. Bodhi Surf + Yoga team members may prompt reflections of the day or a “High, Low, Ha!”!

Wednesday (Day 5)

By mid-week, you and the fam will likely find yourselves rising early with the sun, as your bodies get in tune with their natural circadian rhythm.

After grabbing a light snack and some coffee or juice, you will return to the beach for your third surf lesson, where you will continue perfecting your wave-riding abilities.

Post surfing, another filling breakfast at Bodhi Surf + Yoga is in order. Have a nap, read a book, hang out in the pool. The world (and the afternoon) is your oyster.

Then you are free to do your own thing. Massages are an optional add-on for anyone who is feeling the burn of the last few days!

Thursday (Day 6)

Today, we start the day with a delicious breakfast first thing followed by the fourth surf lesson in which it is not uncommon for the instructor to cover techniques for paddling out into the “lineup”.

Guests may opt to spend more time at the beach later that day, perhaps even enjoying the beautiful sunset from a comfy position on the sand.

Thursday night is the last group dinner at the Bodhi Lodge, and perhaps even game night if the energy is high! On this last evening together we share an epic meal, reflect on some of the experiences we have had both together and apart.

Friday (Day 7)

On Friday morning, it’s not unlikely to have a final “dawn patrol” sunrise session where the aim is that on the fifth surf lesson, everything comes together. Following that, a delicious and filling breakfast (and perhaps a heft cup of coffee) is in order.

After some packing and pool time, guests will attend the “Bodhi grad”.

Finally, at 3:30pm, you are picked up at the Bodhi Lodge for your shuttle transfer to the Adventure Inn in San Jose. Friday night is not included in the program, so you are free to book your own hotel anywhere you’d like. Sometimes, guests even stay in the Uvita area.

A farewell, but not a goodbye. After all, you can always come see us again. We hope you do.

Saturday (Day 8)

Guests typically fly out of San Jose back to their homes on this day.

Preparing for family surf camp

Bodhi Family: 7 Day Family Surf Camp packing list

Depending on what time of year you come, your list of what to pack may change a little. Refer to our article which breaks down the weather here by month.

Note that this is the tropics and the weather is ever-changing, so this is not a guarantee rather something to give you an idea!

Mandatory

• A few sturdy, comfortable bathing suits. For guys, you’ll want to bring at least two pairs of board shorts, and note that some stretch is good. For ladies, there is a lot to be said about finding a good surf bathing suit. Read more about this subject here.
• Hats. The sun here is much stronger than in other parts of the world, and being diligent about wearing a hat while out in the sun will help to prevent sunburns, heatstroke, and dehydration. We also recommend you bring a surf hat (with a strap) that can be worn during lessons. Read more about this subject here.
• Personal rash guard. Bodhi Surf + Yoga has rash guards in a wide variety of sizes, but oftentimes people like to bring their own to ensure a good fit.
• Sunglasses. The sun and brightness are very hard on the eyes, so bring your sunglasses! If your eyes are sensitive, polarized sunglasses are recommended for optimal protection. If you are worried about losing or damaging your sunglasses, it’s a good idea to bring a less valuable pair for the beach and other activities.
• Sandals. Flip flops or strap-on sandals are everyone’s favorites for going to the beach. Sturdy, good quality sandals with a hard sole and straps that are sewn on are recommended.
• Shirts. Bring a variety of t-shirts and tank tops. Cotton or other natural fabrics such as linen are preferable. If you are visiting between June-November, you may want to bring a light sweatshirt or jacket as well, as it can cool off at night.
• Shorts. Bring several pairs. Again, if you’re coming between June-November, you may also want to bring light pants.
• Waterproof sunscreen. While it is available to purchase down here, it is significantly more expensive and there is significantly less selection than in your home country. We recommend mineral sunscreen both for you and the planet’s health — read more about it!
• Reusable water bottle. The water here is both potable and delicious! We at Bodhi Surf + Yoga care greatly about the environment and thus try to reduce our plastic consumption. We hope you will join us in this effort!
• Some cash. Credit cards are widely accepted and there are several ATMs in town, but it’s always good to have some cash on hand at the beginning of your trip.

Suggested

• Rash guard pants. These are a new addition to the list, but a great one, and we recommend them especially for women. These prevent both burning and rashes on the knees, two issues that come up quite frequently!
• Running or hiking shoes. There are many worthwhile places to see in the area which involve walking or hiking. Paths can be anywhere from in perfect condition to mildly treacherous, therefore we highly recommend a closed-toe shoe with good grip.
• Day backpack. Great for going to the beach, on hikes, walks, or other tours.
• Natural insect repellent. Bugs aren’t a huge problem here, but sometimes it’s nice to have repellent if you’re out during the evenings or early morning.
• Personal toiletries and medications. Again, most items can be found here but just in case, it’s best to bring your own!
• Earplugs and eyemask. These are suggested if you have issues sleeping. As we are located within the community, there are certain sounds associated with that: birds, dogs, music, weed whackers, etc. Also, keep in mind that it gets light between 5-6am.
• Dressy outfit. There is no dress code here at the beach in Costa Rica but you may feel like getting dressy for a night out at least once during your stay! [Note: “dressy” here in our beach town is pretty casual, i.e. sun-dresses for gals, short-sleeved button up shirts and khaki shorts for guys.]
• A few good books or magazines. The Bodhi Lodge does not have any televisions on premises, but there are plenty of comfy areas to lounge around and read! We have a small library here, but you may want to use this time to power through your personal reading list.
• Games. We have several games at the Bodhi Lodge (as well as painting and drawing supplies), but if you have personal faves, this is a good opportunity to get some quality game time in.

We are excited to see you soon!

Bodhi Surf + Yoga was founded in 2010, and our vacation offerings are designed to facilitate connection: to self, to nature, to community, and to purpose.

In our 12+ years of being operational, here are a few of the accolades that we are most proud of:

• We have been awarded with TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award multiple years running
• We’re a certified B Corporation, and a recipient of their “Best for the World” honor in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022
• We have been a proud 1% for the Planet member since 2018
• We’re a Transformational Tourism Council partner
• We are a proud Platinum Sponsor of the Center for Responsible Travel

We are so excited for your upcoming trip and look forward to meeting you. In the meantime, if you want more material to get you stoked and ready for your upcoming stay, be sure to check out the following resources:

• Our entire surf lesson video series: get ahead and study up for your week of surf lessons
• A surf fitness video: start getting in shape early
• The Bodhi Wave documentary: you’re going to be staying an entire week (or maybe two!) with us, so learn a bit more about the our sustainability measures and company ethos

See you soon!