Surf & Yoga Wellness Escape on Ecuador's Pacific Coast

Puerto Engabao is off the tourist circuit. It's a quiet fishing village on Ecuador's southern coast, and the hostel sits directly in front of one of the country's most consistent surf breaks. No shuttle needed, no long walk — you check the waves from a hammock and paddle out in under a minute.

Mornings start with yoga on the open-air deck overlooking the ocean. Classes are designed around surfing: hip openers, shoulder work, core strength, the kind of thing that helps you paddle longer and pop up faster. After breakfast, you're in the water. The local instructors know this break inside out and work with beginners through to intermediates looking to improve on the long right-handers.

Dinners are vegetarian and served family-style. Everyone sits together — solo travellers, couples, small groups — and the phones go away. The food is simple, local, and made fresh each day. One night there's a cooking class where you learn to make a few Ecuadorian dishes yourself.

Outside of surf and yoga, you do what you like. The skatepark is one of the best in Ecuador if that's your thing. There's a pool for cooling off, a library, and reliable wifi if you need to catch up on work. Some guests book dolphin-watching trips or head to nearby beaches; others just read in a hammock until sunset.

The place has been running for seven years. It was started by a group of friends who wanted to surf year-round without a wetsuit and live right on the beach. That's still the ethos — come as you are, find your rhythm, and leave feeling like you spent a week living rather than just vacationing.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation (dorm or private room) - Daily breakfast - Vegetarian family-style dinner each night - Daily yoga classes - 1 theory surf class - 3 beginner surf lessons with local instructors - Unlimited surfboard rental - Unlimited skateboard rental - 1 local cooking class - Drinkable water - Free wifi - Free parking - Luggage storage

What's not included

- Airport transfers (available for $75–85 USD) - Flights - Travel insurance - Lunches - Additional surf lessons beyond the included 3 - Extra nights before or after the retreat - Optional activities (dolphin trips, fishing trips, cacao tours)