Travel Central AmericaOur Central American getaways!
Our surf camps in Central America
Discover the magic of surfing in Central America! From the lively vibes of Costa Rica to the never-ending waves of El Salvador and Nicaragua, each camp offers a blend of world-class surf, breathtaking scenery, and vibrant local culture.
Explore the best surf camps in Central America
Want to join us on a surf adventure across Central America? Here, we have three surf camps, each with its own flavor, located in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Let’s find out which camp is the right fit for you, or maybe you plan to visit all three? Here’s what you need to know!
Camp destinations
Dive deeper into each Central American destination and find the camp that suits your vibe. Here’s an overview of what each camp has to offer:
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: A bustling camp in a lively beach town with plenty of waves and nightlife to enjoy. Different surf packages are available.
El Sunzal, El Salvador: An intimate, luxurious camp right by the waves – ideal for surfers seeking a more private experience where you surf 1-on-1 with your instructor. Different surf packages are available.
Los Clavos, Nicaragua: This premium surf camp combines classic surf culture with laid-back vibes, perfect for those looking to escape and unwind. 10x2 hours of surf lessons.
Costa Rica: Pura Vida in every wave
Costa Rica is the ultimate surf destination for you who want to experience the ‘Pura Vida’ way of life. Santa Teresa offers consistent waves, lush jungles, and vibrant surf culture.
It’s no wonder this is every surfer’s dream destination to visit. Add in breathtaking sunsets and jungle adventures, and you’ve got yourself the perfect getaway.
El Salvador: Endless waves = Endless stoke
El Salvador is your ticket to lineups right outside your room with perfect waves year-round. At the El Sunzal camp, you can watch the sunrise waves from your bedroom while having your morning coffee. Beyond the surf? Volcano hikes, local flavors (do not miss the pupusas!), and unforgettable views.
Nicaragua: A surf camp in an old-school way
Nicaragua brings together pristine beaches, epic surf, and a sense of adventure like nowhere else. You’ll live in a bungalow by one of our favorite surf breaks and will spend your vacation living and breathing surfing like in the good old days.
This is a smaller, all-inclusive camp where you truly can unwind. And for the brave at heart: don't miss out on volcano boarding!
Three camps, one trip – Our best travel plan to visit all camps
Why settle for one epic surf destination when you can experience all three? With our camps in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, you can turn your surf trip into an unforgettable journey through some of Central America’s best waves. We’ve got the travel plan laid out for you—no matter if you're a solo traveler looking for the smoothest connections or a group seeking adventure on a budget!
The best travel route: El Salvador → Nicaragua → Costa Rica
We recommend visiting the camps from El Salvador to Nicaragua, then Nicaragua to Costa Rica. This order makes the most sense regarding logistics, surf conditions, and maximizing your trip.
Plus, if you visit all three camps in a row, you can unlock up to 20% discount as part of our loyalty program. Just contact us, and we’ll help you organize your dream trip!
The journey
El Salvador → Nicaragua
Option one: Flights
Option one is a shorter journey that is easier, especially for solo travelers:
Take a transfer from the El Salvador camp to the airport (included on Mondays).
Fly San Salvador → Managua with Avianca Airline (direct) or Copa Airlines (one stop in Panama).
Transfer from Managua Airport to Nicaragua camp (included on Mondays at 9 AM and 4 PM).
Note: The flights usually apply an extra fee for surfboards, so keep that in mind when you make your booking!
Option two: Shuttle and boat
Option two will be a longer journey but cheaper; let’s divide it into steps:
From the El Salvador camp to La Unión:
Private shuttle: The easiest and most comfortable way is to arrange a private shuttle. It takes between 2.5 to 3 hours ($60-$90, depending on the service provider).
Public transport: You can take a local bus from El Tunco to San Miguel, then transfer to another bus heading to La Unión (4-5 hours, depending on connections, $5-$10 total).
Boat from La Unión to Potosí, Nicaragua:
Boat ride: From La Unión, you can catch a boat to Nicaragua (usually to Potosí or El Ostional). The journey takes approximately two hours and includes an immigration stop.
The boat from La Unión, El Salvador, to Potosí, Nicaragua, operates up to three times a week through the Cruce del Golfo service.
Note: The travel information will be communicated by the company you’re traveling with. However, you will need to go to the Immigration office near the harbor, where a few people will come to you and ask you to fill out a document with your details. They will then ask for your passport so the authorities can control and stamp it. Once done, you’ll have to wait a touch before hopping on the boat.
Bring a rain jacket & dry clothes—it can get splashy!
Potosí to the Nicaragua camp:
A Lapoint driver will come and pick you up, and the drive to the camp will take around 1.5 hours.
Note: Arriving in Potosì, a few officials will be waiting for you on the docks and asking for your passport but also to fill in a document with your traveling information. You need to hand out your passport before they stamp it and then retrieve it before going to the small office at the exit and paying an entrance fee in Nicaragua of $18. Our local driver will wait for you from the beginning and guide you through the procedure. We ask you to have a decent and respectful attitude when arriving there as you are in a military area.
Note: The prices are approximate and were last updated in February 2025.
The Journey
Nicaragua → Costa Rica
Option one: Flights
The first option is easier and less time-consuming:
Take a transfer from the Nicaragua camp to Managua Airport (included on Mondays at 1:30 AM and 7 AM, and the drive takes up to three hours).
Flight from Managua → Cobano (direct with Sansa Airlines).
Pick-up at Cobano Airport to Costa Rica camp (20-30 min. / $50).
Note: The prices are approximate and were last updated in February 2025. The flights may apply an extra fee for surfboards, so keep that in mind when you make your booking!
Option two: Bus and ferry
The second option will take longer to reach the camp, let’s divide it into steps:
From the Nicaragua camp to Peñas Blancas (Nicaragua-Costa Rica border), either by bus or private shuttle:
By bus: Take a transfer from the camp to Managua (included on Mondays), then a bus to the border. Several bus companies operate from Managua to the Peñas Blancas border, including Ticabus and TransNica.
The journey from camp to Managua typically takes 2–3 hours (closer to 3 hours if you’re traveling during the day). From Managua to Peñas Blancas, it’s another 2–3 hours.
If you’re heading straight from camp to Peñas Blancas without any stops, the trip can take up to 6 hours. However, if you include a stop at the bus station in Managua, the total journey easily stretches to a minimum of 8 hours.
By private shuttle: You can arrange a private shuttle or taxi service to take you directly from our camp to the border ($270). The journey takes around 6 hours. Our local partner will pick you up at the camp and drive you to the border. At the border, our local partner will provide you with all the information necessary to safely cross the border without forgetting anything.
Border crossing: You will need to pay a few things on the way:
Ticket fee: $1 ticket fee before entering the immigration office.
Exit Nicaragua fee: $3 exit fee from Nicaragua.
Once you go through the office, scan your bags and exit the building. Walk from the Nicaraguan office to the Costa Rican office. There, you need to go to the desk where an agent will take care of you. Be sure to have a ticket out of Costa Rica, as they generally ask you for proof of onward travel (flight/bus/boat ticket out of Costa Rica). They also ask you a bunch of questions regarding where you stay, give them everything they need, get the stamp, and then go through the scanner once more. Once done, you’re now in Costa Rica!
Peñas Blancas → Santa Teresa:
First bus: After crossing the border, you can catch a bus or a shuttle to Liberia. The bus ride takes about 1.5-2 hours. From Liberia, you can catch a bus to Puntarenas.
Then ferry: From Puntarenas, you take the ferry to Paquera. From Paquera, you can take a bus or taxi to Santa Teresa.
The entire journey will take between 7-10 hours from Managua and around 14 hours from the camp (depending on your transport choices and waiting times at the ferry or bus stations).
Note: The prices are approximate and were last updated in February 2025.
The journey
El Salvador → Costa Rica (skipping Nicaragua)
Get a transfer from the El Salvador camp to the airport (included on Mondays).
Flight: San Salvador → San José (Avianca), then San José → Cobano (Green Airways/Sansa).
Get a transfer from Cobano Airport to the Santa Teresa camp ($50).
Note: The flights usually apply an extra fee for surfboards, so keep that in mind when you make your booking!
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Need help organizing your trip?
Planning a multi-camp surf trip doesn’t have to be complicated. Are you looking for the fastest, cheapest, or most adventurous way to travel between our camps? We’ve got you! Contact us for personalized travel advice and details on multi-camp discounts!
Does something feel unclear?
Get in touch!
Sustainability
The beach is our home. We are leaving it better than we found it.
We have made a commitment to our ocean, beaches and community. They are our playground, our home and our livelihood. We are going to leave them better than we found them. That means that all our employees, friends and guests helps out with recycling and taking other actions for the environment. Each week there are beach cleaning and recycling activities to ensure that our home stays the way it was supposed to be.
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