Surf & Yoga Retreat on Ecuador's Pacific Coast at Balsa Surf Camp

Balsa Surf Camp is in La Punta, the quieter end of Montañita on Ecuador's Pacific coast. The beach is about 30 metres away — you cross a road and you're on it. The surf school runs lessons and packages for all levels, from first-timers to surfers working on turns, and the Punta break right out front is one of the best waves in Ecuador. Boards and instruction are handled by the camp's own team, led by a shaper who's been surfing this coast for decades.

The lodge is small and built in a typical coastal style — bamboo, wood and palms, lots of vegetation, hand-painted murals and carved details from local craftsmen. Rooms are simple and comfortable, and the property includes a spa, a jacuzzi, a yoga space and the Jaja en Balsa restaurant, which serves fresh national and international food.

Yoga classes run regularly and are open to all levels — a good counterweight to hours in the water. The spa does massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing, and the jacuzzi is there for sore shoulders after a long session. There's strong internet, which is why digital nomads settle in here for weeks at a time, and Spanish classes are available if you want to use the trip for something beyond surfing.

What separates this from a standard surf camp is the mix of people and the length of stay. You get short-term guests, long-stay remote workers, local surfers and the owners themselves around the same table. It's a community rather than a resort, and the evening usually ends on the beach watching the sunset.

Montañita town is a short walk away for restaurants and nightlife, but La Punta stays calm. Between the surf, yoga, spa, restaurant and the beach on the doorstep, you can fill a week without leaving the property — or use it as a base to explore the coast.

What's included

- Accommodation at Balsa Surf Camp (room type depends on booking) - Daily surf sessions with board and equipment - Yoga classes - Access to the beachfront property and common areas - 24/7 security - Wi-Fi

What's not included

- Flights to Ecuador - Airport transfers (can be arranged for an additional cost) - Meals and drinks at the restaurant - Spa treatments and massages - Spanish classes (available for an extra fee) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses