7 Best Panama Surf Camps Reviewed {2023 Guide}
Have you been wondering about the best Panama Surf Camps? I’ve got you covered!
Panama is one of my favorite countries to go to for travel and surfing! With nice warm water all year around (between 78°F to 82°F), many remote beaches and thus uncrowded waves.
Panama is also one of the safest countries in Central America and that makes it perfect for solo female travelers. A surf camp is a great way to experience the Panama surf.
There are so many great Panama surf camps available, so let me break them down for you to make your choice a little easier.
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My Top 3 Picks: Best Panama Surf Camps
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ Surfing Video Analysis
✅ All-inclusive
✅ Infinity swimming pool
7 Amazing Surf Camps in Panama
1. Waluaa Surf & Yoga Retreat– Best Panama surf camp for yoga
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 💸 Cost: $$$ | 🌊Availability: Check here!
Waluaa Surf & Yoga Retreat is an amazing Panama surf camp is located in beautiful Santa Catalina. Santa Catalina provides excellent waves for beginners and intermediate surfers all year around.
At this all-inclusive Panama surf camp you receive 2 hour lessons for 5 days, and there is a surf enhancing yoga class every day. After the surf lessons they give you a good analysis of your progress and what you might need to improve.
You will receive the footage that they make with a GoPro. A SUP tour to the beautiful Santa Catalina Island is also included, and this is an amazing experience in itself!
Waluaa Surf Camp has a mix of shared rooms and private rooms, both with air conditioning, and all the rooms have ocean views.
There is a really nice area where you can relax and swim in the beautiful infinity pool. The camp includes 3 meals a day. At night you will have dinner at a local restaurant with the rest of the guests, and this is also included in the package.
Special features:
- All inclusive
- Swimming pool
- Organized beach bonfire
- Possible to book an airport transfer for an extra fee ($100)
“My partner and I had a life changing experience at Santa Catalina Retreats. The hotel was a beautiful space, in a very quiet area of Santa Catalina. The food was served family style and was delicious! We had the opportunity to try a wide variety of local fish. Eva was an incredible yoga instructor who brought each and every one of us through an inward journey. I looked forward to the time I had with my teacher, myself, and the community at the retreat. The surf lessons were so much fun! I was a beginner and my boyfriend had a lot of surf experience. The surf instructors were professional, world competing riders who gave us such a great experience. It was WELL worth the money and HIGHLY recommend this retreat to anyone looking for an adventurous vacation.”
-Jordyn (see more reviews)
2. Safari Surf School– Best for backpackers
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 💸 Cost: $$$$ | 🌊Availability: Check here!
Safari Surf School is another great Panama surf camp located in Playa Venao, a beautiful dark sand beach that provides excellent waves for all skill levels.
This surf camp includes 1.5 hour lessons, two times a day. One session in the morning and one in the afternoon. This gives you time to really improve your surfing.
Safari Surf School also does a video analysis session two times a week, to see where you might need some improvement.
Board rental is included and they provide you with all the equipment needed, including a rashie.
Safari Surf School offers a choice between staying in dorms, or staying private rooms with air conditioning. Breakfast is included, and coffee, tea and water are available all day. The surf camp is located right on the beach, so you can listen to the peaceful ocean sounds all day and night!
Special features:
- Budget friendly
- 3 hours of surf lessons per day
- Video analysis
- Located right on the beach, so perfect ocean views
“We had a fantastic week with Trico and Safari Surf in Playa Venao with our family. Surf lessons everyday and a wave to be found for everyoneWe also were able to fish, snorkel on isla iguana, go horseback riding and do the zip line. All were excellent.Stayed at Villa Marina. Condos were great. Quiet and a very short walk to the center of town.Trico did a wonderful job as our host and surf instructor and more importantly made us feel very much a part of the playa venao family!Highly recommend!!”
-Ranjiv
3. El Ranchito Surf Camp– Best Panama surf camp for uncrowded waves
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 💸 Cost: $ | 🌊Availability: Check here!
El Ranchito surf camp is located in Guanico village, only a couple of minutes’ drive from Playa Guanico.
Playa Guanico Abajo provides very consistent mellow waves for all skill levels, and there is a lot of foam for the beginners.
This Panama surf camp is for beginners and intermediate surfers. You will have 6 days of 1.5 hour surf lessons from a professional instructor.
At camp, a healthy dinner is provided daily. You’re welcome to use the shared kitchen to prepare the rest of your meals.
The shared kitchen and huge hangout area offer the perfect places to relax, mingle with other surfers, and enjoy the sounds of the jungle.
Special features:
- In the middle of the lush jungle
- Budget friendly
- Includes dinner
4. Surfer Paradise Surf Camp– Best Panama surf camp on a private island
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 💸 Cost: $$$ | 🌊Availability: Check here!
Surfer Paradise is an amazing Panama surf camp is located in the Gulf of Chiriquí area in Panama, on a beautiful private island full of surf breaks! There are 10 surf breaks around the Island and no crowds.
Surfer Paradise has a policy of no more than 15 people at the accommodation, so empty waves all around!
All surf spots are accessible by boat. The surf camp drops you off by boat at a surf spot of your choice daily. Surf lessons are not included in this package, but are available at the accommodation. 3 meals a day are also included.
Special features:
- All Inclusive
- Private island
- No crowds
5. Rancho Estero Surf Camp
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | 💸 Cost: $ | 🌊Availability: Check here!
Rancho Estero Surf Camp is located in Santa Catalina, and the surf in Santa Catalina perfect for all skill level surfers.
The camp package includes 3 x1.5 hour surf lessons, and board rental is also included.
You will stay in a beautiful cabana with an ocean view. There is a beautiful garden with hammocks, where you can relax or meet the other guests.
There is also shared kitchen available to cook your own meals (breakfast is included).
Special features:
- Ocean view
- 50 meters from the surf spot
6. La Coralina Island House– Best Panama surf hotel for wellness and luxury
⭐️ RATING: 8 out of 10 Stars | 💸 Cost: $$$ | 🌊Availability: Check here!
La Coralina Island House is located in the Caribbean, and on the main island (Isla Colon) of the beautiful archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro is great for surfing, and provides good waves for all skill levels. This hotel is located close to Bluff beach and Paunch reef break.
This high-service hotel has many facilities to completely relax, there is a wellness center, with a spa and a fitness area. There also is an outside pool and the hotel provides yoga lessons in the beautiful lush jungle. This island is perfect to discover by bicycle and bike rental is available in the hotel. There is an excellent restaurant on the property.
Special features:
- Ocean view
- Swimming pool
- Wellness center
- Airport transfer included
“The property of Coralina Island house was much larger than expected. Beautiful place, Bali style. Excellent service. Great food. Very quiet and peaceful. Great walk in the jungle garden: trees, flowers, birds and monkeys (if you search well)”
– Pia (read more reviews)
7. Beach Break Hotel & Surf Camp– Best Panama surf hotel for yoga and wellness
⭐️ RATING: 8.8 out of 10 Stars | 💸 Cost: $$$ | 🌊Availability: Check here!
Beach Break Hotel & Surf Camp is located on the beautiful beach of Playa Venao. This very long, dark sanded, beach has multiple breaks for all skill levels.
The accommodation has a swimming pool and all the rooms have a hammock in front of the room. Besides surfing, there are many activities you can book at this hotel. Such as snorkeling, hiking, canoeing and horseback riding. And if you want to relax, there is a spa where you can get a massage, a manicure and other beauty treatments. There is also a restaurant on the property.
Special features:
- Ocean view
- Swimming pool
- Spa
“Perfect location, beautiful views and the staff was very welcoming. Also we had the best surf lessons given by Brent! The hammocks and the beach views are excellent. the shared kitchen was very convenient.”
-Becky (read more reviews)
FAQs about the best surf camps in Panama
Where is the best surfing in Panama?
There are many surf spots in Panama, and the Santa Catalina area is arguably the most famous one, because of its consistent waves and many different surf spots for all skill levels. The Rainy season provides the best swells.
Is Panama a good place to surf?
Panama provides good surf all year around, especially for beginners, on both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts. The water has a nice temperature all year around (between 78°F to 82°F), so you can leave your wetsuit at home!
Where is the closest surf break to Panama City Panama?
Actually, Panama City has some surf spots such as Las Bovedas and Mojon beach, but the waves are very crowded here and the water is highly polluted. Only a 1,5 hour drive away from Panama City you can find several proper surf spots like Playa Malibu, Playa Serena, and Rocky point.
Is Panama known for surfing?
Panama is very known for surfing and because of its long twisted coastline, it provides many surfing opportunities. There are also some big waves in Panama. With the right conditions you can find big waves in Bocas del Toro, Santa Catalina, and Playa Venao.
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Final Thoughts: Best Panama surf camps
If you want to go surfing in Panama there are lots of options that will fit your needs.
And a surf camp is the perfect way to learn from the local surfers. Whether you like to avoid the crowds, do some spiritual healing, or want to party at night, Panama has it all, including world class waves!
