5 out of 5
★
TripAdvisor
The End of the Road.The Best Waves of Your Life.
An off-grid surf retreat in Pavones, at the very end of southern Costa Rica. Come for the long lefts. Stay for the jungle, the quiet, and the dinners that run late.
We didn't just find this place. We lived here. Three years running a surf hotel at the end of that dirt road, long enough to learn the breaks, the seasons, and everyone's name.
Wilmer coaches because he grew up on this wave. Wilbert takes you into the jungle because it's his backyard. Karen cooks, and people still talk about her food months later. Ten guests, one house, nothing rushed.
A taste of the retreat
Eight days at the end of the road. Here's what you're in for.
No wetsuit required.
Who this retreat is for
We keep it small on purpose. It suits some people better than others.
Not your dates? Or want it fully private? Ask about a private retreat.
"If you're browsing the internet for a surf retreat, you can stop now."
The Hideout
Our Costa Rica Retreat will be held at a gorgeous hideout in the rolling hills of Punta Banco, just down the coast from Pavones. Only a short walk from the beach, surrounded by jungle, and often visited by a diversity of (mostly) friendly animals. The accommodation offers all amenities you can think of. Bright, comfortable bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning, a big outdoor and indoor living area, and an infinity pool overlooking the Golfo Dulce. It’s the perfect place to recharge your batteries while enjoying priceless views, jungle sounds, and plenty of laid-back moments with new friends by the pool.
During our Costa Rica retreat, we offer rooms for two or three people, which you can share with your own surf buddy or with another retreat guest. Every room comes with its own bathroom, air conditioning, linens, towels, and stunning ocean or jungle views.
The Surf
We’re based in Punta Banco, a tiny town near the world-class surf break of Pavones. Punta Banco is blessed with a variety of incredible waves that work in different conditions. As any good surf trip should, we’ll explore different breaks throughout the region. The Pavones area offers many surf breaks suitable for beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers.
Of course, if conditions allow, we’ll give Pavones a go as well. So hopefully you can return with a big grin on your face, telling everyone you surfed the best wave of your life. Oh, and we’re surfing in tropical waters. So guess what? No wetsuit is needed.
The Coaching
Wilmer and our other coaches grew up in Punta Banco and Pavones. They could probably surf before they could ride a bike. If anyone knows every single surf spot in the area, it’s them. With all their knowledge and enthusiasm, they have one goal: to help you feel confident in the water. Whether you’ve never stood on a surfboard before, are already catching green waves, or are working on your turns, we offer surf lessons personalized to your level. With on-land and in-water coaching, (drone) video analysis, and surf etiquette and theory tips, we’re here to help you progress during your stay with us.
Please share your surf goals with us beforehand so we can create a plan for your week.
The Yoga
We dare to say that our Hide-Out offers the most beautiful yoga deck you’ve ever seen. Surrounded by jungle, with a view overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and the sounds of nature all around you. Our English-speaking yoga teacher will offer Hatha-inspired yoga classes with a focus on your surf activities. Did you know surfing and yoga are like two peas in a pod? The balance you develop during our yoga classes will help you on your board, while the stretching will ease those sore surfing muscles.
* Mats and blocks will be provided.
Massage
We bet your shoulders will be sore after a surf session or two. What sounds better than a deep tissue massage with essential oils? Right. Nothing. So we got you covered here.
The nature & adventures
During your stay with us, we’d like you to experience this place the way we do. So, our Costa Rica retreat is about much more than surfing. There’s always more to discover. The following activities are included in your stay:
Horseback riding
Don Wilbert is something of a local legend. He knows these hills, the rivers and the shortcuts better than anyone, and he’ll be leading the way. Whether you’ve never sat on a horse or grew up riding, this trip will be a memory that lasts a lifetime. You’ll ride into the mountains, past the Indigenous reserve of Punta Banco, and onto the wild, untamed beach towards Panama. You’ll see nature at its best and discover places where hardly anyone sets foot.
Boat trip to Matapalo
We will be taking the boat out to the other side of the Golfo Dulce. The other side is known as the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Depending on the conditions, we may have a surf session here, enjoy breakfast on a deserted beach, and chase waterfalls to cool down. During this trip, you might be able to spot different kinds of monkeys, toucans, parrots, turtles, dolphins, and maybe even some humpback whales.
Turtle Walk
This one depends on the season. Nesting runs July to October. Hatchlings from September into January.
Turtle eggs have been a delicacy here for decades, which also attracts poachers. So the local community walks this beach every single night. When the season is on, we walk with them in small groups.
You might see one of the four species that nest here. You might see nothing. They’re wild animals. Keep your distance.
Whales
The Golfo Dulce is one of the few places on earth where humpbacks turn up from both hemispheres. Northern whales from December to April. Southern from July to November. They come here to calve, because the water is calm.
On the boat trip to Matapalo we keep an eye out. Some days it’s just blue.
And some days a mother and calf surface a hundred metres off the bow, and nobody says anything for a while.
The Food
In case you’re worried about the food, please don’t be. Karen runs our kitchen, and there’s a reason people still talk about her food months later. We’re absolute food lovers ourselves, so no holiday would feel complete without delicious food. Pinky promise. What will it taste like? Well… After your morning surf or yoga session, you can dive into a generous breakfast of freshly squeezed juices, fruit from the garden, homemade bread and yogurt, eggs, or traditional gallo pinto.
Lunch will be a delicious vegetarian dish. How about some quesadillas, grilled veggie wraps, or couscous salad? We’ll make sure those hungry surf bellies will be satisfied. After a beautiful sunset and a long day of awesome experiences, there’s nothing better than to join our dinner table. A menu that changes daily, with both local and Western dishes and always plenty of vegetables and salad, will be the perfect end to another perfect day.
Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies. We can always adapt our menu to your preferences.
The Hosts
Hi, we’re Marthe and Jonne.
We ran a surf hotel here for three years. Long enough that this stopped being a place we worked and became a place we belonged, and long enough to meet the people this retreat is built around. Wilmer, our surf coach, who grew up on this wave. Don Wilbert, the cowboy who knows every trail into the mountains. Karen, whose kitchen you’ll still be thinking about months later.
They’re not suppliers we hired. You eat at the same table, you hear Don Wilbert’s stories, and by the end of the week you’re not a guest anymore. You’re one of us.
Questions, or want a private retreat on your own dates? Chat with us here.
Room options & pricing
Limited spots:
28 Nov - 5 Dec 2026 (spots available)
3 - 10 April 2027 (spots available)
Early Bird: $200 off per person on the 28 Nov – 5 Dec 2026 week. First 4 bookings, until 15 September 2026.
What's included:
- 7 nights luxury accommodation at one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth (between the jungle and the ocean)
- Daily surf sessions with a qualified surf guide
- Surfboard rental (although we’d suggest bringing your own if you have one)
- Surfing theory class & drone video analysis
- Daily yoga classes
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner that will make you drool + water/coffee/tea all day long
- BBQ night
- Horseback riding trip discovering the beautiful surroundings of Punta Banco
- Full day boat trip to Matapalo (where you can find an awesome right-hander as well)
- 1x massage
- Turtle walk: join a seasonal nesting patrol or, with some luck, watch hatchlings make their way to the ocean (seasonal, September–January).
- Transport to and from the local airport of Golfito on start/finish days of the retreat *
- Transport to different surf spots in the area
Don't take our word for it
" Our days were perfectly planned with just the right amount of surf, adventure, and time to relax. Our surf instructors and the video analysis were great and really helped a beginner like myself. Every meal was fresh and flavorful. You can tell the bonds that Marthe and Jonne share with everyone are very special. I can't recommend Mokum Surf Club enough and can't wait to return. "
Annette
THE UNITED STATES
" At arrival Marthe & Jonne made me feel at home right away. The accommodation was nothing but magic. I came to crank up my surf skills and Wilmer helped me catch some awesome waves. The horseback riding through the jungle was kind of liberating. Yoga, massage, sunsets and probably some tequila — I had such a great time and would recommend it to anyone who's in for an adventure. "
Laurens
THE NETHERLANDS
" My partner and I had a wonderful time. The retreat was extremely well organized and we ate amazing food with newly made friends. They even helped me celebrate my birthday by decorating the house and making me an ice cream cake! A huge thank you to Marthe and Jonne — we would absolutely love to join another retreat. "
Brandon
THE UNITED STATES
Questions people ask us
Pavones is remote. That's the point. Here's how it actually works.
How do I get to Pavones?
Fly into San José (SJO), then take the domestic flight to Golfito, about an hour. We pick you up there and drive you the last stretch. That drive is part of the experience, so don't rush it.
Prefer to come overland? A taxi from San José can be arranged at extra cost, from four people. Just tell us in advance.
Are flights included?
No. You book your own flights to San José and on to Golfito. Everything from Golfito onwards is on us: transfers, stay, all meals, surf, yoga and activities.
Not sure which flights work with our start and finish days? Ask us before you book. We do this often.
Can I come on my own?
Yes, and plenty do. Meals are shared, activities are done together, and with a maximum of ten guests in one house you won't be a stranger by dinner on day one.
Rooms are shared by two to three people, or you can book a private room. Most solo travellers leave with a group chat they're still in a year later.
I've never surfed. Is this for me?
Yes. Wilmer and our other coaches grew up on these waves and coach to your level, not to a curriculum. Beginners start on a soft top in the gentler sections and usually stand up in the first days.
Already surfing? Tell us what you're working on, your pop-up, going down the line, your turns, and we'll build the week around it. Drone video analysis included.
How big is the group?
Ten guests, maximum. One house, one table, everyone together. That's a deliberate ceiling, not a rough guide.
Do I need a wetsuit?
No. The water sits around 28°C (82°F) all year. Boardshorts and a rash guard are enough.
What if I don't want to surf every day?
Then don't. There's a pool, a garden, a hammock and a jungle full of monkeys. Some guests surf twice a day, others skip a session for a book. Nothing is compulsory.
What about food and dietary restrictions?
Three meals a day, cooked by Karen and her team with local ingredients. Family style, at one table.
Vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly meals, whatever you need. Tell us when you book and we'll work around it. We've never had a problem.
Will I see turtles?
Only in season. Nesting runs July to October, and hatchlings make their way to the ocean from September into January. When it's on, we join the local night patrol that protects the nests from poachers.
These are wild animals, so we never promise sightings.
Is there wifi?
Yes, throughout the house, and it's fast for a place this remote. Fine for photos, calls and a bit of work if you need it.
Mobile coverage is patchy once you leave the house. That's rather the point.
Are there many mosquitoes?
Not really, lucky for us. But if you're the type who's always a mosquito's favourite meal, a bit of repellent won't hurt.
What currency do I need?
The local currency is colones, though plenty of places accept US dollars too. Handy to carry both, and to pay in whichever currency is asked for. Exchange rates on the spot tend to favour the seller.
Do I need to tip?
Nothing is expected. Everything inside the retreat is covered.
That said, most guests leave something at the end of the week. Whatever you give goes into one pot and gets split between the whole team: coaches, kitchen, everyone who makes the week run.
Outside the retreat, in bars and restaurants, 10 to 15% is the norm in Costa Rica.
How does payment work?
You send a request, we confirm availability within 24 to 48 hours. No money changes hands before that.
Once confirmed, you secure your spot with a 50% deposit. The rest is due 30 days before arrival. Bank transfer, Wise or PayPal.
Is it safe out there?
Pavones is a small village where everyone knows everyone, and we've lived here for years. It's remote, not risky.
Do bring travel insurance that covers surfing. We handle the rest.
Still wondering something? Ask us directly on WhatsApp. We answer ourselves, usually the same day.
Request availability
This is a request. We confirm availability within 24–48 hours before any payment.
Payment option: secure your spot with a 50% deposit. The remaining 50% is due 30 days before arrival.
Early Bird offer: Save $200 per person for the first 4 bookings until September 15, 2026.
Other dates? A private retreat is also possible — message us on WhatsApp or fill in the booking form below.
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