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 below 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:

• Round trip transportation between the San Jose, Juan Santamaria Airport and Bodhi Surf + Yoga
• 6 nights of lodging (5 at the Bodhi Lodge and one at a hotel near the San Jose airport)
• 5 healthy breakfasts
• 1 welcome lunch
• 3 lunches
• 5 surf lessons
• A community walking tour
• A visit to the local waterfall
• A free day
• A $20 donation to Costa Rica Coral Restoration

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 a nearby rental shop
• 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)

Since our journey down to Uvita doesn't begin until 9:00 AM on Sunday, you can schedule your flight to arrive in Costa Rica at any time on Saturday.

Using the arrival details from your participant form, we coordinate your airport pickup so you don't have to worry about the logistics.

When you walk out of the airport doors, a driver will be waiting with a sign bearing your name, ready to take you and your family straight to your first night's accommodation.

We typically book our guests at our trusted go-to spot, the Adventure Inn, but if they are full, we will arrange a nearby hotel of the exact same comfort and quality.

Once you arrive at the hotel, take a deep breath, grab a bite to eat, and get some restful sleep so you are completely recharged before the pura vida adventure truly begins on Sunday!

Sunday (Day 2)

Sunday morning marks the true start of your journey down to Uvita! At 9:00 AM, our wonderful driver, Wali, will pick you and your group up for the scenic four-and-a-half-hour drive to Bahia Ballena, complete with a much-needed pit stop to stretch your legs and grab a fresh tropical smoothie.

You’ll arrive at Bodhi Surf + Yoga right around 1:30 PM, where our Head of Guest Support will be waiting to warmly welcome you.

After a quick intro chat and getting settled into your room, we’ll take you on the "Bodhi Tour"—a relaxed walk around the property to point out local wildlife, share a bit of our history, and help you get your bearings.

Once we've explored the grounds, we’ll sit down together for a traditional Costa Rican welcome lunch, beautifully wrapped and served in banana leaves.

At 3:30 PM, we head out for our community walking tour, which is honestly one of our absolute favorite and most important parts of the schedule.

Between sharing a meal and exploring the neighborhood, you'll have plenty of time to connect with your fellow guests, ask any questions about your upcoming surf and yoga classes, and spot a few jungle locals.

By the time Sunday gently winds down, you won't just feel like a passing visitor—you'll feel like a true neighbor and a welcomed part of our Bodhi Family.

Monday (Day 3)

By Monday morning, guests have an idea of the rhythm of Bodhi Surf + Yoga, Bahia Ballena, and life in general in a quaint coastal Costa Rican community. After a leisurely and filling breakfast at the Bodhi Surf + Yoga lodge, guests head to a local waterfall to cool down from the mid-morning heat.

Returning to the lodge after this refreshing outing, there is a period of chill time prior to the sunset surf session (the first surf lesson of five).

Tuesday (Day 4)

By Tuesday, your family is likely to be so into the way of life in the tropics that you rise — bright and early — with the sun. Next up: enjoying some local coffee or fruit juice, a delicious home-cooked breakfast, and conversations with fellow guests and staff.

After breakfast, everyone heads out for the second surf lesson of the week. Post learning and shredding the waves, you will head back to the lodge for some chill time in the pool or hammocks. On Tuesday guests often opt to enjoy a meal out at one of the local nearby restaurants.

Wednesday (Day 5)

Wednesday offers the most open schedule of your week, making it the perfect opportunity for your family to book a local tour, treat yourselves to a massage, or simply embrace the pura vida pace and catch up on some much-needed relaxation. You'll have breakfast, surf, and then much needed free time.

If you are looking to explore the area, our top family-friendly recommendations include taking a local coconut tour, visiting Costa Rica’s incredible coral reef restoration lab (opens in new tab), or strolling out to the national park’s famous "Whale’s Tail."

If a restorative afternoon is more your style, we work closely with a fantastic local company that provides on-site massages right on our yoga platform. Booking is incredibly simple—just let a team member know your preferred time and duration, and we will take care of the rest!

Back at the lodge, we’ve intentionally designed plenty of tranquil spaces for you and your family to kick back, recharge, and feel completely grounded in nature.

We highly encourage you to take a breath and be among the very first to experience our brand-new meditation garden, a quiet, natural haven we just opened for our guests to enjoy.

Thursday (Day 6)

On Thursday it’s back with a delicious breakfast first thing followed by a morning surf lesson. Your family may opt to spend more time at the beach, perhaps even enjoying the beautiful sunset from a comfy position on the sand or bodysurfing in the white water.

Thursday is the second to last group lunch at the Bodhi Surf + Yoga lodge. During this lunch together, the group reflects on some of the experiences we have had together or apart, and perhaps even go over the “high, low, and ha” of the trip so far!

Friday (Day 7)

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

After some packing and pool time, guests will attend the last lunch of the week and partake in “Bodhi grad”. Finally, at around 3:30 pm, you will be picked up at the Bodhi Lodge for your shuttle transfer to your hotel in San Jose where you will be spending your last night. A farewell, but not a goodbye!

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.

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 organized into the following categories — surf, yoga, travel, and responsible business

See you soon!