Thanksgiving Surf Camp at Rincón: 7-Day Surf & Yoga Escape in Puerto Rico

Rincón Surf Resort runs this camp as a Thanksgiving week trip, and the schedule is built around the water. Surf sessions last about three hours each. Day one starts with 30 minutes on the beach going over objectives, then two and a half hours in the water working on the basics: paddling, catching waves, standing up, and surf etiquette. If you book the 7-day package you get multiple sessions, and the school's progression goes from fundamentals through board control and riding longer waves, then understanding swell direction, wind, currents and tides, then wave selection and maneuvers like bottom turns. By the fourth or fifth session you're choosing your own spot with a little guidance and trying different boards. Instructors are with you the whole time and the groups are kept small enough that you get hands-on help.

The Thanksgiving dinner is the other anchor of the week. It's a traditional spread with Caribbean sides, served outdoors under the stars, and it's included in the package. The rest of the meals aren't spelled out on the page — you'll likely eat at the resort or in town — so plan for that.

Beyond surfing, the camp lists snorkeling, horseback riding on the beach, hiking through tropical forest, visits to artisan markets, salsa dancing nights and historic sites. These aren't a fixed itinerary; you slot them in around your surf sessions. Rincón itself is a small surf town on the west coast, known for consistent winter swell and a string of breaks for different levels. The resort is up on a hill with ocean views, and you can walk to some breaks or drive to others. Because the camp recommends renting a car, most people do — it makes it easy to chase the best conditions or head into town for dinner.

The 4-day option covers a shorter version of the same setup: a few surf sessions and the Thanksgiving dinner if it falls during your stay. The 7-day option gives you more time in the water and more chances to hit the progression milestones.

This isn't a structured fitness retreat. There's no gym work, no yoga classes unless you arrange them, and no set meal plan beyond the Thanksgiving feast. What you get is a lot of time in the ocean with good instructors, a comfortable room, and a holiday week that feels more like staying with friends who surf than a formal camp. That's why so many guests come back — the reviews mention people returning three years in a row.

What's included

- 7 or 4 nights accommodation in ocean-view rooms - Professional surf lessons (3-hour sessions) - Thanksgiving dinner (for 7-day package or if holiday falls during stay) - Surfboard and equipment for lessons - Access to resort amenities

What's not included

- Flights to Puerto Rico - Airport transfers - Car rental - Most meals (except Thanksgiving dinner) - Travel insurance - Optional activities (snorkeling, horseback riding, etc.) - Personal expenses