posted by Travel Cat on Mar 28
Panama’s Pacific coast line is perfect for surfing, but the northern Caribbean coast also has some favoured spots – and is probably warmer water! Early travellers found these perfect locations and kept returning time after time, passing on the word to others for generations who you can find surfing off Chirique, Panama.
There are now a whole lot of people wanting to come to Panama to learn to surf, and due to the rise in demand for these Panamanian waves, a small industry has appeared to take care of hoards of feisty arrivals. As a result there are now many areas along the pacific coast and one well known Caribbean resort where you can lodge safely and cheaply and learn to surf or improve your existing skills!
They are called ‘surf camps’ and are available all over the world, but there are a lot of people asking me about surfing camps in Panama. So, what I’ve done is selected 3 of these well known surf camps in Panama that offer a good deal, and have detailed them below for you.
Bocas Surf School – Bocas del Toro – Caribbean Coast
Price: $89/£45 for 1 day up to $369/£185 for 5 days tuition.
This surf camp offers daytime lessons only for both new surfers and experienced and can either be for 1,3 or 5 days. It includes some equipment and several boat rides around the area. It doesn’t include accommodation or food, but the area is well developed with many local hotels to choose from (around $6/£3 to $60/£30 pppn) and nearly all residents speak English here, you’ll find them trying to sell you equipment from surf board racks and accessories as well. You can even take your non-surfing friend along with you!
Panama Surf Camp – Morro Negrito – Pacific Coast
Price: $650/£325 per person per week inclusive.
This surf camp is based on 2 islands off the coast of the Chiquiri province. It offers full week long surfing packages for all abilities, and includes pick up from the airport, all accommodation and 3 meals a day as part of the package. They also offer a whole host of other activities from horseback riding to spear fishing payable as extras.
Punta Brava Lodge - Santa Catalina – Pacific Coast
Price: from $625/£312 based on 3 or more sharing to $1150/£575 for singles
This lodge offers excellent surfing tuition on one of Panama’s best beaches. The price includes airport transfers, 3 meals a day and accommodation for 7 nights, as well as offering fishing and diving around the area off of their boats. Their website shows some great photos of the accommodation – it looks amazing!
I haven’t tried any of these myself, but if you do – or you have already – let me know about your favourite and let other readers know of any different surf camps in Panama, or elsewhere that you would recommend.
Finally, with the budget for staying in Panama is only around $20-$30/£10-£15 per day, so why not stay after surf camp and enjoy everything else Panama has to offer – you don’t need a visa if travelling from the US, Canada or the UK, you just need your passport and your sense of adventure…..
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