LOCATION INFORMATION AND TRAVEL PARAMETERS

PLAYA VENAO, PANAMA (PACIFIC)

Right at the center of Playa Venao is a beautiful 3km long crescent-shaped beach considered the one of the best surf spots in Panama.

The jungle beautifully fuses with the sea to create a lush, barely-touched landscape of rolling green hills and a year-round supply of waves suitable for all skill levels.

After trying to surf since 2010, I finally made some real progress here that has been a springboard to continuing to work on my skills once I got back home. I know this is the place to learn if you’ve ever thought about surfing!

This beach is why I created this trip to begin with. Not many of us, in our lifetimes, will be able to experience a relatively undeveloped beach such as this. And, unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it will stay that way for long. I don’t want to spend much time away from here, and I don’t want you and your family - or my family, for that matter - to miss this experience, either.

A not-fancy beach can seem a little too rustic to some. That’s OK. I get that. I’m used to Central America and Mexico, am comfortable here, and will do everything I can to help you get everything you can out of this experience while you are here. When you arrive, you may find it such a massive change of pace that it’s almost jarring, but one surf session or swim in the waves, and one amazing beach sleep later, I think you will be singing the praises of this pace and settle right into it. Then you’ll be like me: looking for reasons to go back! What can I say, it’s good for our health - physical, mental, and family!

To me, it’s unplugged, authentic, raw, and complete freedom to live more simply and naturally. When there are fewer distractions, we become more connected to our surroundings, ourselves, and the others in our lives. This is the perfect place to let that flow! It’s also really beneficial to let our kids experience the kind of independence and less-structured fun that we will find here. I know that most families would not be able to or want to take on the adventure and challenge of coming this far away, to such a remote place, on their own, and so I am stoked to guide you through this adventure of a lifetime!

BEACH BREAK SURF CAMP

Beach Break Surf Camp located in Playa Venao is owned and operated by lifelong surfers who love to share their passion for the waves with others.

After leading a yoga retreat in the highlands in 2023, I drove myself 6 hours to Beach Break, hit the water right away and instantly felt at home! (Ok, home is not tropical with surf just steps away, so maybe even better than at home!) I was there for a few days of total R&R and noticed all the families enjoying the beach and grounds, and sat down with the owner, John (from New Jersey!) over breakfast to start planning this trip.

Beach Break Surf Camp is the perfect place for families who want to enjoy a laid back beach vibe and world class surf just steps from their room.

It’s the type of place where kids can roam independently through the property and parents can rest easy knowing that the team and other guests will keep an eye on them! The kids with love the pool on-site just as much as they love the freedom to roam and explore.

Ask me for the out-take videos of me wiping out over and over and over - I’ll show you! I’m not shy.

We all start every single thing in life as beginners! Surfing here is for everyone, at every age, and every level.

Part of the surf package is video analysis so you can keep improving. I mentioned I started trying to surf in 2010, but really made progress here. Between the amazing instructors, warm water, consistent and not-too-big waves, ability to walk the board out (less paddling = less exhaustion = more waves and fun), and ability to view my surfing on video and discuss with the instructors, I got so much better at it and so quickly! Plus I had photos and videos to show for my effort. As parents, we take lots of photos and videos of the kids, but there aren’t usually many of us. Of course the kids get their own photos and videos too - but you don’t have to take all of them! You can be in the water or doing something else if you want.

TRAVEL PARAMETERS

FLIGHTS

Your arrival into Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is either Thursday, April 11, 2024 (if you are doing the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve day trip on Friday) or Friday, April 12, 2024.

Direct flights to/from the U.S. include: New York: JFK (that’s what we will be taking), Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Chicago O´Hare, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles and Las Vegas. Canadian cities Montreal and Toronto have direct flights to Panama City.

We will be meeting up at the hotel for welcome drinks and snacks pool-side at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 12.

Return: We will leave Beach Break Surf Camp on Friday, April 19. You may book a flight home for that evening or plan to stay another day or two in Panama City and then return home (not included). We can provide recommendations for accommodations, tours, and sights to see if you wish to stay a little longer.

Once you have secured your flights, please forward your flight confirmation email itinerary to bfreeyogawellness@gmail.com

PASSPORTS AND COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS

You must have a valid passport to travel to Panama. Please check your passport expiration date and make sure it is valid for at least 3 months after the end date of the retreat.

Currently, there are no COVID testing or vaccination requirements to enter Beach Break Surf Camp or Panama in general. 

See more detailed info here: https://pa.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

I will do my best to keep you posted if this changes prior to your retreat. However, registrants are personally responsible for complying to local laws, at their own expense, and for staying abreast of requirements.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The purchase of travel insurance is highly encouraged for this trip. This is for the peace of mind of your own family and would ensure that your family is covered in case of trip interruption, illness, injury, etc.

You are free to select your own policy provider. We have relied on Allianz in the past for our own family’s travel insurance and found their policies to be at a reasonable price for the peace of mind they offer. If you have a travel agent, they may be able to guide you.

Most policies protect you against potential trip delays or cancellations due to airline issues, family emergencies, illness, injury, etc. The travel insurance will also demonstrate to the host country that you are able to pay for any emergency services which may be necessary during your stay. You may want to purchase a plan that includes coverage for COVID-19 related trip cancellations and trip interruptions (not all do).