7 Brill Surf Camps in Panama for 2025
There are now plenty of surf camps in Panama that are great for learning in this Pacific paradise. They stand out for us becuase there aren’t too many people surfing here (yet) and the waves are excellent for beginners.
Panama is definitely one of the upcoming gems of the Central American surf scene. It’s odd that only recently have people been talking about that remote Pacific coast, where beaches like Playa Venao and Estero offer perfect, peeling beginner waves right next to furious barrelling points.
Anyway, the secret’s out now and people are coming in growing numbers each year. There’s also what seems to be a new surf camp in these parts every darn month. It’s hard to keep up.
But keeping up is sort of our job, which is why we’ve slung together the very best guide to the top surf camps in Panama that exists on the whole wide interweb. Don’t let ChatGPT tell you any different, either.
These are the places that we really like in Panama at the moment. We’ve tried to offer a cross-section of options, but the truth is that most camps here are aimed at learners. There is one – Surfers Paradise – that’s really tailored to the more advanced crowd.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This is just one part of our complete overall guide to surfing in Panama and our complete guide to surf camps all around the world
Quick-click links to book our top surf camps in Panama
- Waluaa Surf & Yoga – The best surf camp in Panama right now
- El Ranchito Surfcamp – Best for budget
- Surfer Paradise Surf Camp – Best Panama surf camp for advanced surfers
- Safari Surf School -Best for beginners and solo travelers
- Selina River Venao – Best for remote workers
- Rancho Estero – For a low-cost, relaxed surf camp
- Beach Break Hotel & Surf Camp de Playa Venao – A great backup option that’s good for all levels
Waluaa Surf & Yoga
- Location: Santa Catalina
One of the leading stars in Panama’s de facto surf capital of Santa Catalina, Waluaa Surf & Yoga have our all-round favorite package in the country right now. In fact, we think it’s so well balanced that we’d go as far as to say that it’s one of our top picks in the whole of Central America. Ya, big words.
So, what’s so great about it? Let’s list…
- 10 hours of surf teaching in total throughout the week (taught in 5x 2-hour sessions)
- All ISA-certified surf coaches (this ensures high-quality teaching)
- 2 surf theory sessions with video analysis (that’s at least one more than most other camps at the same price point!)
- Small-group sessions (usually 1:2 instructor/student ratio)
I mean, the location does help here. Waluaa Surf and Yoga sits atop the hill just above Santa Catalina’s iconic La Punta point break (arguably the best break in Panama). That’s mainly for experts, but beginners and improvers have the whole playground that is Playa El Estero less than 10 minutes’ walk down the street.
So far we’ve focussed on the surf and the surf alone. Remember we said this one’s about balance? Cue a daily yoga schedule with classes run by Yoga Alliance instructors, an optional day trip by boat to some of the region’s idyllic island beaches, and all your food included. Not bad, eh?
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
El Ranchito Surfcamp
- Location: Guánico Abajo
If you’re dreaming of those empty Panamanian line ups but don’t have bags of cash, then all is not lost. The El Ranchito Surfcamp is a fine option for those on a shoestring. And it’s not just value for money: It’s also a fantastic escape to real, wild Pacific nature.
The camp itself really is a camp. You can even choose to stay in private belltent accomodation. They’re set up on lush meadows between clusters of palm trees and jungle. There are also double rooms and shared twin rooms on offer, but they’ll cost a little more (still not bank-account-busting stuff, though).
Unlike many of the other top surf camps in Panama mentioned here, this one’s not directly on the beach. Instead, it’s about 10 minutes’ drive up the highway from Playa Guánico Abajo; one of the remotest and most stunning beaches on the whole of the surf-rich Azuero Peninsula if we do say so.
That’s where you’ll go almost every day to have the 1.5-hour lessons that are included, with certified instructors no less. The upside is that it’s hardly ever busy, though the breaks do tend to be quite mellow so this is generally a better pick for beginners.
Surfer Paradise Surf Camp
- Location: Chiriqui
The Surfer Paradise Surf Camp is nothing short of legendary. We’re not overstating it when we say that some people travel all the way to the Panamanian Pacific JUST to go here and surf day in, day out.
It’s carved out a name for itself in the annals of Central American surfing since opening way back in 1996 on a small riverine islet on the edge of the Gulf of Chiriqui. Now, if that sounds remote then that’s because it is! And baby, it’s all part of the charm!
This is much more like a surf camp or surf charter you get in the Ments or in the more off-path island of central Indo than the beginner-centric options in other major towns. Guests travel to surf breaks by boat each day, and there’s basically not another soul surfing them for that reason.
The upshot here is that Surfer Paradise is much more suited to more advanced surfers, though anyone in the decent intermediate range is likely to have a ball.
When it comes to the lodge, don’t expect the Ritz. Do expect a traditional set of Panamanian cabanas with thatched roofs and electricity for only a few hours a day. It’s old-school and that’s what we love about it!
Safari Surf School
- Location: Playa Venao
The Safari Surf School was one of the first to recognize the learn-to-surf potential of Playa Venao in the southern Azuero Peninsula. Today, they offer some of the most comprehensive surf camp packages on the black-sand beach, with this flagship, 8-day option a perfect choice for beginners and solo travelers.
Accomodation is in a beach-side hostel that’s got a pretty chill, cool tropcial vibe to it. You’ll stay in shared dorms that open into the palm forests literally steps from the sea. There are communal deck areas and an all-round nice vibe.
There’s lots of surf involved in the itinerary. You get in the water in the early morning and then usually again in the late afternoon. Those are the peak times for catching the lighter winds and offshores. Lessons last 1.5 hours apiece and are pretty darn good, especially becuase they have a focus on ocean awareness and wave choice, not just surf technique.
It’s for that reason, and the basic buzz of the hostel setting, that we often reccomend this to beginners and solo travelers heading to Panama for the surf.
Selina River Venao
- Location: Playa Venao
We used to like the Selina beachfront option in Playa Venao over this more budget-friendly option just back from the sands. But we’ve switched. Why?
Lots of reasons.
Okay, so you don’t get front-row seats overlooking the waves here. But the accommodation is slick, and affordable, and super zingy and colorful.
They have a mix of options that range from spacious private double rooms to mixed dorms, which means pretty much every budget has a choice.
Everyone gets access to a huge swimming pool surrounded by a lovely cafe-chillout space; half indoors, half out. And there’s a shared kitchen, plus a small shop on the grounds.
It’s just an all-round nice place to stay.
One of the top selling points is the very good WiFi. The Selina brand has really made its name offering accommodation for nomads and remote workers. We won’t say it will work ALL the time (this is Central America, after all) but it’s going to be one of the more reliable options in town.
Rancho Estero
- Location: Playa Estero, Santa Catalina
Named for the beach in Santa Catalina where most first-time surfers here will catch their first waves, this ranch is great bang for your buck.
With packages starting at around just $700 per person, it’s among the cheapest choices in Panama. For that, you’ll get a private room in a bamboo cabin, but no meals. You can pay more (up to $1,000 odd per person) to get full and half-board in more upscale cabanas, too.
One of the selling points here is that the itinerary is a little less intense than other camps. They’ve added in four surf lessons in total, and there’s no planned yoga or anything. That’s to be expected given just how cheap it is, but does mean it’s a great choice for travelers who aren’t into that organized fun sorta thing.
Beach Break Hotel & Surf Camp de Playa Venao
- Location: Playa Venao
- Price: A week’s surf stay starting at $308 (£251) per person
There’s a whole lot of love out there for the Beach Break Hotel & Surf Camp de Playa Venao. People who breeze through often end up extending their stay by days, even weeks. It’s just super-chill, super-nice, and the owners know how to make you feel welcome.
This is a accommodation-only booking (which we recommend you do through Booking.com) and then you can add your surf lessons or board rentals on when you arrive – they have an onsite surf school that does multi-day lesson plans if you so wish.
The bar at the hotel is one of the gathering spots of the whole town. They serve up arguably the best pizza in the country outside of Panama City, always have plenty of cold beers in stock, and enjoy front-on views of the whole beach and the waves.
If you’re struggling to find a planned surf camp to suit your needs, then this is a solid backup option that will put you super, super close to some of the best learner waves in the country.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
