Think of Swell as the anti-surf camp.
There’s plenty of surfing, of course, but the similarities to other surf camps end there. For starters, the rooms are stylish — more boutique surf retreat than reggae-loving surfer digs. Then there are the legendary breakfasts: omelets, pancakes and crepes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and fruit bowls.
Structured surf lessons take place each morning — an instructor alongside you and the head surf coach watching from shallow water, ready to offer learn-to-surf tips between riding waves. If you are serious about learning to surf, then Swell should be on top of your destination list. Highly recommended!
A surf and yoga retreat that costs what it should
Most surf yoga retreats worth booking in Costa Rica and Nicaragua start around $3,000–$4,000 a week, and the polished ones climb past $6,000. Swell runs a genuine surf and yoga retreat in Cabarete for a fraction of that — a full week of guided surf sessions, daily yoga, breakfasts and dinners included, no prior experience needed.
We sit between a busy surf camp and the high-end retreats charging two or three times more. You get the coaching, the structure and the recovery, without paying for a marble infinity pool you’ll use twice. This is an adults-only retreat built for capable people who want to actually learn something in a week.
Getting here is the other quiet advantage. A direct flight from much of the US and Canadian East Coast lands you at Puerto Plata (POP), about 20 minutes from our door.
- 2009
- Running since
- ~20 min
- From POP airport
- 18+
- Adults only
- 7 nights
- Standard week
What a real surf yoga day looks like
Two surf sessions, an afternoon yoga class, and a legendary breakfast in between. Here is the actual rhythm of a day, hour by hour.
- 6:45
- Coffee or tea with a light bite before surf
- 7:00
- Leave for the first surf session
- 10:00
- Legendary breakfast at Swell
- 10:45
- Second surf session
- 16:30
- Yoga
- 19:00
- Surf theory, twice weekly
Why our surf yoga holiday costs less
We're upfront about where we sit. Here's how a week at Swell lines up against the higher-priced retreats further south.
| Swell (Cabarete) | High-end CR/Nica retreat | What it means for you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical week | Well under $3,000 | $3,000–$6,000+ | More holiday for your money |
| Experience needed | None | None | Beginners welcome either way |
| Surf per day | Two sessions | Usually two | Plenty of water time |
| Yoga | Daily afternoon class | Daily | Recovery built in |
| Airport transfer | ~20 min from POP | Often 2–5 hrs from airport | Less travel, more surf |
The middle ground most people actually want
The cheapest surf camps pack you into shared rooms with a young, party-heavy crowd. The luxury retreats give you calm and comfort but charge like a five-star resort. We built Swell for the space in between.
You get proper coaching, small groups, good food and daily yoga — plus a grown-up, sociable atmosphere without the hostel energy or the resort markup. If you’re still weighing the two, our guide on surf camp vs surf retreat lays out the honest trade-offs.
Why the Caribbean beats the long haul
Part of what makes a surf and yoga vacation feel like a real break is not spending two travel days at each end. Puerto Plata (POP) takes direct and short connecting flights from much of the East Coast of the US and Canada, and we’re roughly 20 minutes away.
Cabarete’s waves are genuinely beginner-friendly, warm year-round and forgiving to learn on — the opposite of the shallow reef breaks that expert lists love. More on that in our piece on learning to surf in the Caribbean, and on how the region compares in Dominican Republic vs Costa Rica.
Ideal conditions
to learn or to progress your surfing
Surf & Yoga In Paradise
We’ve been teaching surfing since 2009, and in that time over 9,000 guests have learned with us. Our structured method is built to get you standing and progressing in a way that’s safe, efficient, and enjoyable.
Every session follows a clear sequence, so you always know what you’re working on and why it matters for your next step.
You’re grouped with other guests at your level, so lessons move at the right pace — no waiting on people ahead of you, no being left behind. Coaches work in small groups and adjust to how fast each person picks things up.
Whether you’ve never stood on a board or you’re already surfing and want to progress, there’s a group that fits where you are.
- Consistent waves
- Waves for different levels
- Quality equipment
- Warm water
- 2 Sessions per day
- Small groups
- Experienced instructors
- Lessons in english
- Year round surf season
- Since 2009
Wingfoil
A new and exciting sport to learn; wingfoil. Looks hard but it actually has a short learning curve. Our beaches are amongst the best in the world for learning Wingfoiling.
- Steady side-shore wind
- Quick progress
- Safe learning
- Qualified instructors
Sleep (s)well.
A purpose-built surf retreat: a place to sleep in comfort, meet fellow travellers, chill between sessions, and eat delicious, home-cooked meals.
Every air-conditioned room has its own ensuite, a ceiling fan and crisp 100% cotton sheets. After an action-packed day in or on the water, you can sleep as well as you should. We have kept the palette calm and the beds generous: the real comfort and style us more “mature” folks are after.
At the centre of our surf retreat is the communal hub — an open living room and one huge dining table where the day winds down. Enjoy a game of pool with fellow guests, or let your body relax completely on the sofas and chairs.
Outside, a freshwater pool sits in a beautiful, palm-shaded garden, with ample loungers for the down time between sessions.
- Ensuite · AC · ceiling fan
- 100% cotton sheets
- Fresh breakfast & dinner
- Restaurants minutes away
- Communal living-room hub
- 24/7 staff onsite
- Fresh water pool
- Set in tropical garden
- Walk to restaurants & shops
- No need for a car
Easy & hassle free
3 Different international airports
Puerto Plata (POP) has nonstop flights from Miami, New York, Boston and Toronto. From the terminal Swell is just a twenty-five minute drive down the coast road — and our driver will be waiting for you at arrivals.
Puerto Plata (POP) is the closest airport to us but it isn’t the only one. Two more international airports sit within an easy drive: Santiago (STI) is about an hour and a half away, and Santo Domingo (SDQ) around three and a half — both worth a look if the fare or the timing happens to work better for you on the day you want to travel.
Whichever you choose, we’ll help you line up the transfer so the final leg is sorted before you touch down. There’s a full breakdown of routes, drive times and transfer options on the Getting here page.
Surf, Yoga & Adventure in a stunning setting — the pool, the breakfasts, the waves, the people, the country.
Don’t take
our word for it.
Google · Tripadvisor
Best trip ever! This experience had a personal touch to it you cannot find anywhere else. This was the perfect place to spend a birthday, and I will for sure return with more friends. Great experience that left me wanting more. The staff from instructors, housekeeping, cooks, all the way to security do a great job! This is a one-of-a-kind experience and I highly recommend giving it a try.
Questions,
answered.
Anything we’ve missed? Write to us — Swell's owner, Clare, will get back to you within a day.
Many surf yoga retreats in Costa Rica and Nicaragua run $3,000–$4,000 for a single week, and the high-end ones exceed $6,000. Swell runs a full week of surf, daily yoga, breakfasts and included dinners for well under that. See current rates on our pricing page.
No. Our retreats are built for complete beginners as well as returning surfers and yogis. You get two guided surf sessions a day and an afternoon yoga class, all scaled to your level. Plenty of guests arrive having never stood on a board.
Yes. Swell is an adults-only surf and wingfoil retreat, which keeps the pace and the atmosphere geared to grown-ups on a real holiday. Solo travellers fit in easily thanks to shared sessions and communal meals.
Fly into Puerto Plata (POP), which takes direct and short connecting flights from much of the East Coast. Swell is about 20 minutes from the airport, so you’re in the water quickly. Details are on our getting here page.
An early coffee, a first surf session from 7:00, breakfast at 10:00, a second session at 10:45, then yoga at 16:30. Surf theory runs twice a week and dinner is served three nights a week, with easy evenings after.
Luxury resorts charge two to three times more for polished extras like infinity pools and gourmet tasting menus. We focus the budget on good coaching, small groups, honest food and daily yoga — the parts that actually make the week. Our surf camp vs surf retreat guide explains where we sit.
Watersport paradise
Tell us your dates, how many people you are thinking about coming with, and we’ll send you a custom price and availability quote; almost instantly. Hasta pronto, see you soon.