Essence of Bodysurfing: Costa Rica 2026

Limón Province, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

VA
Viva Adventures
  • Email address verified
4 reviews
Jan 24 - 31, 2026
Group size: 8 - 20
Essence of Bodysurfing: Costa Rica 2026
Limón Province, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Viva Adventures
  • Email address verified
4 reviews

Jan 24 - 31, 2026
Group size: 8 - 20

About this trip

Join avid bodysurfers and expert instructors, as well as a member of the Viva Adventures team as your onsite coordinator for an epic week of bodysurfing, relaxation, and fun in the incredible Caribbean.


Bodysurfing, or the art of catching waves with just your body, is an ancient and therapeutic pastime practiced by many distinctive civilizations for eons. It is an amazing way to connect with the ocean and yourself, great exercise, an exhilarating and innocent kind of joy that you will feel lucky to have experienced.

Outside of the bodysurfing, you can expect to eat amazing food, participate in a number of other optional activities in the area,  wake up to the sound of howler monkeys and the scent of Costa Rican coffee on the breeze, and reconnect to nature and yourself.

We will be staying at the beautiful and environmentally-conscious Sonora Retreat Center near Playa Negra and Puerto Viejo. All transportation in-country is included with our awesome driver.


https://www.puertoviejoyogaretreat.com/

We can't wait to catch some waves with you 🌊

Instructor Bios


Hannah Walsh

Hannah Walsh began bodysurfing as a kid growing up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She was a competitive swimmer as well as an Ocean Lifeguard, and would spend her free time wave sliding.   She began teaching bodysurfing while working at a surf camp in Costa Rica, co-designing a teaching curriculum. 

She began in-water photography and videography while she lived in Costa Rica,  going on to study documentary filming in Canada. Her filmmaking is grounded in stories about water, often featuring swimming, surfing, or bodysurfing. She aims to utilize her voice to make actions sports more inclusive, and to bring awareness to the natural world and compel people to take care of it. 


Spencer Dunlap

Spencer has been bodysurfing for fun since he was young, loving the connection he felt with the ocean and the exhilaration of catching waves with his body alone. He started coaching bodysurfing and surfing formally after moving to Costa Rica, co-designing a teaching curriculum. He was also an Ocean Lifeguard in San Diego, California.

As he got more into the sport, Spencer would always try to seek information about bodysurfing online, but learned it was not easy to find. After years of researching and collecting any information he could find about bodysurfing around the world, he began The Bodysurf Blog and now publishes these finds for the world to see.

What’s included

  • Lodging
    2 nights at a hotel near the San Jose International Airport for arrival and pre-departure and 5 nights at the Sonora Retreat Center
  • 2 Meals per Day
    2 delicious and healthy meals at Sonora each day
  • Transportation
    Safe, private transportation and a driver available throughout the trip
  • Bodysurf classes
    5 bodysurf classes with your expert instructors, who are also avid bodysurfers, highly competent waterwomen and men, and ocean lifeguards
  • Pool session
    Swim technique session with bodysurf instructors in the pool at Sol Sanctuary
  • Bodysurf talk
    History and culture of bodysurfing talk from instructors
  • Bodysurf movie night
    Movie night at the lodge with snacks
  • Retreat leader
    A Spanish/English-speaker guide will be available facilitating the activities and coordinating anything else you may need during your entire retreat
  • Free day
    A day to explore the area on your own and do an optional add-on tours or activity
  • Use of private yoga deck
    The space is ours to use, whether to stretch before bodysurf sessions, or to request a private or group yoga class as an add-on

What’s not included

  • International airfare
    Flight to San Jose International Airport (SJO) on January 24, 2026, and departure from same airport (SJO) on January 31, 2026
  • Travel insurance
    We recommend you purchase cancel for any reason travel insurance from a private provider in the event of cancellation or emergency as trip deposits and payments are non-refundable
  • Optional activities
    We can help coordinate any additional activities you may want to do (Surf lessons/rental, waterfall hike, Jaguar Rescue Center visit, chocolate tasting & tour, snorkeling and more)
  • Alcoholic drinks
    You are more than welcome to purchase on your own
  • Bodysurf fins
    You will need to purchase your bodysurf fins ahead of the trip as they are more difficult to find in Costa Rica (we recommend Hydro Tech 2 and DaFin)

Available Packages

Triple Occupancy Package
Deposit: $500

You'll be sharing an air conditioned bungalow at Sonora Retreat Center with two other people.  Your bed is a twin sized bed and your room will have an ensuite bathroom.  


At the hotel in San Jose you'll be sharing a room with 1 other person, each with your own bed and private bathroom.  

$3,465
Deposit: $500
Double Occupancy Package
Deposit: $500

You'll be sharing an air conditioned room at Sonora Retreat Center with one other person.  Your bed may be a twin, full or queen size.  Your room will have an ensuite bathroom.


At the airport hotel in San Jose, you'll be sharing a room with one other person and you'll have a private bathroom.    

$3,665
Deposit: $500
Single Occupancy Package
Deposit: $500

You'll enjoy your own air conditioned room, with ensuite bathroom, in both the San Jose hotel and at the Sonora Retreat Center.  

$3,995
Deposit: $500
Non-Body Surfer Price Double Occupancy
Deposit: $500

This is the price for anyone who would like to join the experience but not receive bodysurf coaching nor participate in the organized official bodysurf classes.  


You'll be sharing a room with another person.  Bedding arrangements are your choice.  Ensuite bathroom.  

$3,145
Deposit: $500
Non-Bod Surfer Triple Occupancy
Deposit: $500

 This is the price for anyone who would like to join the experience but not receive bodysurf coaching nor participate in the organized official bodysurf classes.   


You'll be sharing a room with 2 other people.  All beds in the room are twins.  Ensuite bathroom.

$2,945
Deposit: $500


Itinerary

Welcome to Costa Rica
Jan 24: Arrive to San Jose International Airport (SJO)

Arrive to San Jose International Airport (SJO) on January 24, 2026. There, a Viva Adventures team member will be there to greet you and help you make your way to the hotel.  We will share dinner together and make introductions for the week.

Your Organizer


VA
Viva Adventures
4 reviews
We specialize in custom group tours, focusing on high quality and unique hand selected locations around the world. We take care of every detail so you can relax and enjoy the trip without worry. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Reviews

An amazing trip! Extremely well organized and so very thoughtful. Looking forward to the next one!! Thank you!
By Susan S for Body and Soul Yoga Goes to Greece on Jul 26, 2024
EG
Tara, Jess, and Noelle provided a phenomenal experience for my body and soul! Tara took care of all of the details flawlessly and the yoga classes with Jess and Noelle were amazing - especially the morning classes on the rooftop shala with the most incredible views ever. The accommodations were perfect and the food was delicious, too.
By Erin G for Body and Soul Yoga Goes to Greece on Jul 15, 2024
MH
Exceptional trip! Tara, Jessica and Noelle were truly outstanding. The yoga, accommodations,, food and resort staff were really professional and warm. The activities offered were so fun and interesting. The group we traveled with was a perfect combination of personality and easy to travel with for sure. Tara Jessica and Noelle made sure all went smoothly. My daughter and I miss them already! Thank you Viva adventurers Body and Soul.
By Mary H for Body and Soul Yoga Goes to Greece on Jul 12, 2024
This trip was INCREDIBLE! Everything was extremely organized, from leading up to the trip to the activities while there. I was so impressed with Tara and her organization with accommodations, activities, etc. I wish I could do an adventure every month! I'll never forget this experience and I'm very grateful to now know Tara.
By Jenn W for Body and Soul Yoga Goes to Greece on Jul 08, 2024