CATCH WAVES, UNWIND & RE-CONNECT
SURF CAMP AND YOGA RETREAT IN MAGICAL SANTA CATALINA, PANAMA
INCLUSIVE, TAILOR MADE SURF AND YOGA RETREATS IN PANAMA
Find your perfect flow in an idyllic surf town in Central America
At Waluaa we believe surf and yoga are the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation for a week of complete rejuvenation. Our retreats are a chance to check out from the stresses of city life and connect back to nature and oneself. You will experience a soul satisfying week in a tranquil surf and fishing village tucked away on the Pacific Coast of Panama. Santa Catalina is a true experience of slow-living among a small and safe community of friendly locals and like-minded travelers, without the crowds.
We pride ourselves on being open and welcoming to all. Where you’ll feel at home, at ease, and cared for every-step of the way. Our surf retreats are designed for complete beginner up to intermediate level, with small groups and personalized coaching where our focus is on you. All surf instructors are ISA Certified for your safety and well-being. Our yoga classes are welcoming for all levels as our experienced instructors tailor classes to your needs. Whether surf and yoga or just surf or yoga, at Waluaa you choose the retreat experience that’s right for you.
Just book your spot and meet our shuttle in Panama City. We’ll take care of the rest which includes your transport, healthy meals, daily surf and yoga, restorative massage and adventure activities. These all-inclusive Yoga and Surf Retreats, combined with our years of local experience, means the only decision you need to make is which week you want to go!
“”You’ve been there, done that in San Juan del Sur, Nosara or Santa Teresa. You’re in search of the next off-the beaten path surf spot before it becomes the new ‘It’ place that’s suddenly teeming with tourists. Word is slowly getting out about Santa Catalina, Panama, so get there while you can.” ”
Why Choose Waluaa for your Surf & Yoga Retreat in Panama?
TRUSTED SURF PROGRAM WITH LOCAL CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS
Personalized coaching with no more than 1 or 2 surfers at your level for safe and accelerated learning. Professional, nurturing, bi-lingual local coaches and National Pro Surfers, certified by the International Surfing Association who are focused on helping you achieve your surf goals. Surf theory and technique taught simply, safely and effectively. Videos of your surfing are shared with you daily along with personalized video analysis. At Waluaa we only hire and train local surf instructors, who are experts on our local breaks and passionate about showing our guests a best-in-class experience.
UPLIFTING YOGA & MEDITATION FOR ALL
Daily classes designed to complement your surf and give you practical tips and tools you can bring home with you. De-stress and find balance with our experienced yoga, meditation and mindfulness teachers. Expect a holistic, therapeutic and grounding experience. Our classes are open level and welcoming to all, to provide an enriching practice perfect for the complete beginner to advanced yogi. Our class styles include Vinyasa, Hatha, Slow Flow and Yin, and will be tailored to your needs and goals each day.
CHOOSE THE EXPERIENCE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Our All-Inclusive Surf and Yoga Retreat includes daily Surf & Yoga, all your delicious fresh and local meals, island day trips & more. Add on what you need - airport transfers, extra night stay, or bring along a non-surf & yoga partner. You can also add on Double Surf sessions or Double Yoga Classes to your stay. Are you interested in just Surf or Yoga? Then choose our Surf Retreat, Yoga Retreat or our NEW Luxury Yoga & Adventure Retreat.
SEAMLESS & CATERED TO YOUR NEEDS
The biggest decision you’ll need to make is to choose your dates of travel and booking your flight. After that leave everything to us. Before arrival we will ask about your past surf and yoga experience, personal goals, dietary preferences and activities you are interested in such as massage, horse-riding, hiking, world-class snorkeling/diving. We will plan this into your stay seamlessly. You’ll be part of the family and experience life as you deserve to — easy, breezy, care-free.
AS SEEN IN
Escape from the daily grind to reinvigorate mind and body.
— FORBES MAGAZINE
walking distance to CONSISTENT SURF
No tuk-tuk or long car drive needed here. Surfing at Playa Estero is an easy walk away from our Surf & Yoga Camp and provides safe conditions with a soft sand bottom, no rips and no crowds. This makes it easier to learn and faster to progress. When the swell is up we head to Playa Santa Catalina for the peeling green waves that dreams are made of. No wetsuits needed, ever! Surf in warm waters all year round. Take out a complimentary board in your free time for a second session each day and advance your surfing.
STAY OCEAN FRONT
Sip your morning coffee and be front row to the action. Our Surf & Yoga Retreat accommodation boasts breathtaking views of Panama’s world-class surf break, La Punta. Take out a Kayak, SUP board, bike or surfboard in your free time. Walk to the village center, or nearby beaches and get immersed in the local culture.
Our Luxury Yoga & Adventure accommodation rests on miles of pristine beachfront, a short drive from Santa Catalina. Here you’ll be immersed in nature and the call of the wild nestled on 2.5 acres of secluded beachfront. It’s the ultimate sanctuary to rest and recharge
SOUL-NOURISHING MEALS
Savor local wild caught fish, fresh local fruits and veggies every day. All your meals are locally inspired and naturally gluten and lactose free. At our Surf & Yoga Retreats we also dine at other local restaurants in the village so you can explore more of the amazing culinary scene. Don’t eat fish? No problem. We cater to all diets. Locally brewed coffee is served each morning and tropical fruit smoothies, and we include a complimentary glass of wine or local beer with each evening meal at our Surf & Yoga Camp. Salud!
AUTHENTIC & SAFE TRAVEL IN PANAMA
Leave your worries behind. Santa Catalina Panama is a laid-back, authentic village that’s not overrun with expats and tourists. Local kids roam safe day and night and visitors can stroll the town and beaches without hassle. Experience uncrowded beaches, world-class surfing and diving. All in Central Americaʼs safest country, Panama; with world-class medical facilities, infrastructure and the cultural sophistication of Panama City. Read More on the Safety of Panama.
“”If you’re looking for the perfect blend of surfing, yoga, and pure relaxation, look no further! Imagine the only decision you have to make is book a flight. Every last detail was handled seamlessly, from surf lessons to daily yoga. The food was fabulous, filled with local fruits and fresh fish. From the time I arrived until the last minute at Waluaa I felt part of the flow, part of the family. If you want to learn to surf, or build on your experience, you couldn’t ask for a better team. We also had mindfulness classes, and the massages that were nothing short of spectacular. This is a first class operation. Every detail was attended to with grace, from my first inquiry to the last day we were together. 100% recommend this trip. It’s the excursion of a lifetime”. ”
OUR Safe & Effective Surf CAMP PROGRAM
Learn and Improve Your Surf in Panama with Ideal Conditions
PERSONALIZED SURF COACHING
With no more than 1 or 2 other surfers at your same level for safe and accelerated learning. Surf lessons are coupled with theory, technique and video feedback, with videos sent to your device daily. Our local professional surf coaches bring expert knowledge on our beaches and will help you achieve your surfing goals.
ideal Waves & consistent surf
Playa Estero in Santa Catalina is one of the best beaches in Central America to learn and improve your surfing. Forgiving waves, a soft sand bottom, no rip currents and no crowds. And for intermediate surfers we offer personalized coaching at La Punta, with direct paddle access from our Surf & Yoga Retreat accommodation.
The Magic Duo: Surf and Yoga
Surfing is the ultimate mindfulness practice! It demands pure presence and awareness of yourself and your immediate surroundings. A great way to clear the mind, step away from day-to-day life, and wipe away the effects of stress.
OUR YOGA, MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION PROGRAM
De-stress, Find Balance & Improve Your Surf
INTEGRATIVE YOGA
Our yoga sessions are designed to enhance your surf experience, your connection to nature and self. Expect invigorating morning Vinyasa and Hatha practices and restorative evening Yin and Slow Flow. You’ll receive your own Manduka Pro mat for the week and our oceanfront studios are stoked with all the equipment you’ll need for a blissful practice.
UNWIND & REDUCE STRESS
Learn simple and effective meditation, breath work & mindfulness practices to quiet the mind and calm the body. You’ll explore a variety of techniques from Buddhist meditations, guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, kundalini meditations, breathing techniques and more. Learn practical tools you can take home to manage stress, get better sleep and improve your health.
The Magic Duo: Surf and Yoga
Yoga builds our flexibility, balance and core-strength for surfing. It also helps us cultivate mental focus, the ability to be calm and present, in and out of the water. Slow, controlled breathing helps our surfing with lunge expansion and slowing down our heart rate. Surf & Yoga, it’s the magic duo.
Our Waluaa Promise & Purpose
When we started this company we were living busy and hectic lives tethered to our devices and missing nature. Rarely did we have a moment to embrace a slower more intentional pace of life that we craved. We were determined to create a healthy lifestyle company that would give people like us a chance to slow down, get back to nature, and to find balance.
So in 2015 we curated an all-inclusive surf and yoga retreat in a dreamy, far away surf town in Santa Catalina, Panama. It’s paradise on earth. Santa Catalina’s allure is uncrowded beaches and consistent surf, where slow living is part of everyday life and safety is in the DNA of the town and the country.
Our retreats are accessible and welcoming to all. We provide top-level surf and yoga instruction tailored towards complete beginner to intermediate. Our goal is to have each and every guest feel welcomed, at ease, and cared for every step of the way.
Our business also serves to support the community and help it prosper. We partner with local services and talent to bring our guests an authentic experience while giving back and embracing the town we love so much.
With the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, healthy locally sourced meals, and the vastness and raw natural beauty that only Santa Catalina can offer, our goal is that our guests feel relaxed, balanced, healthy, happy and one with nature. We can’t wait to welcome you to Waluaa.
Vickie & Sergio
“”We loved absolutely everything about Waluaa! The surf lessons were highly professional, the instructors really focused on each student which made all the difference and especially the video analysis helped so much. We learnt to surf here and had so much fun and fast progress. The yoga lessons, food and optional programs (snorkeling in Coiba - do it!) were perfectly thought out. Not to forget: Vickie and Sergio are such kind and lovely Souls, we were really sad to leave. Highly recommended!” ”
Waluaa manifested from two magical words;
Wave ~ Tula
Waluaa is all about learning to ride the Waves in the water and in life, going with the flow, letting go of attachment to things and outcomes, and being at one with Mother Nature.
Tula, meaning Balance in Sanskrit. It reminds us everyday of our purpose. To live a happy, healthy and balanced life, where everything is in harmony and perfect flow.
This is why we are here. To help you experience Waluaa, through the practice of Surf and Yoga. Amongst the raw natural beauty of mother’s natures playground, here in Santa Catalina, Panama.
Everybody can learn to surf at our Panama Surf Camp.
A Philosophy of Inclusion
All our surf coaches are certified by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and share in the ISA philosophy of inclusion: it’s the right of all people regardless of age, gender, ethnic background ability level, to participate in the sport of surfing.
Our Retreats ARE For You If:
You want top-level surf and yoga instruction that doesn’t break the bank
You seek the next off-the-beaten path destination before it becomes the new “it” place that’s teething with tourists
You want to meet and share experiences with other like-minded travelers - age, gender, identity, ethnicity has no barrier
You seek a safe and adventurous travel experience within a community
You want to experience a slice of slow living at a Central American tropical retreat without the crowds
You want to retreat at a place where you feel you belong, to feel welcomed and at home
You want to de-stress and find a more healthy, balanced lifestyle
You make decisions all day, everyday. All you want to do is book and show up! Knowing that everything is taken care of and that an incredible week is ahead of you.
Our Retreats ARE NOT For You If:
You’re unwilling to try new things, relax into a diverse natural surrounding and step outside of your comfort zone
You’re looking for a boozy surf camp, or a hippy yoga retreat. Or you want to go shopping, hit the hipster cafes, beach bars & clubs - that’s not us, sorry!
You’re averse to travel - we are a 5.5 hour drive from Panama City, but oh so worth it :) Our remote location keeps the minivan tourist buses at bay. Here you’ll truly find time and space to tap out from your city life. Note we do offer 60min charter flights for those who want to see the magic of Panama from the skies and slice down the travel time. Just ask us!
You’re looking for a complete adults only experience - whilst our retreats are adults only, given the beauty and safety of Santa Catalina, our retreat properties do attract and welcome families, as well as solo travelers, friends and couples, who may be staying at the property during our retreat weeks.
Explore Waluaa’s 5-Star Tripadvisor & Google Reviews
How To Book Your Surf Camp or Yoga Retreat
EXPLORE RETREATS
Find the perfect week for you - whether it’s our Waluaa Surf and Yoga Experience, or a Surf Retreat, Yoga Retreat or our Luxury Yoga Adventure Retreat.
BOOK YOUR TRIP
Once you find your perfect experience, you’re a couple clicks away from an incredible experience using our easy-to-use, hassle-free booking process.
PACK YOUR BAGS
Passport? Check. Swimsuits? Check. Get your bags packed for a week of surf, yoga, and adventure.
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Are you a beginner surfer and looking to buy your first board? If you’re new to surfing, shopping for a new surfboard can feel overwhelming, we get it! As a beginner surfer, you don’t need the latest design from a top shaper, or the shortest board to make the most of your surf sessions. Instead, find a board that matches your skill level and allows you catch as many waves as possible so you can progress as a surfer. Check out our new blog post to find out which surfboard best suits your surf level!