The 6 Best Surf Camps in Ecuador
Home to some amazing waves, Ecuador is an awesome place to surf. You’ll find peeling lefts, barrelling breaks, and mellow vibes in the small towns along the Pacific Coast.
Mompiche, Esmeraldas
Home to some absolutely amazing left-hand point breaks, Mompiche is a great place for intermediates and advanced surfers from December to April. The point peels for 200m+ when the southern swells roll in. As you get into summer, you’ll find waves that are a bit smaller and slower, making it a great option for beginners or beginner-intermediates. Longboarders can also find some perfect waves here. It’s a small town with a ton of breaks along the coast, so you’ll find empty lineups and everything from pointbreaks to beach breaks.
Surf Camps in Mompiche
La Facha Hostel - Located just a block from Mompiche beach, La Facha Hostel is the place to stay in the area! Surf camps for three days start at just $115 in a shared dorm, or $250 for two people in a private room. The surf camp includes three meals a day, and they help organize other activities like boat tours, jungle hikes, and horseback riding.
Montañita, Santa Elena
Montañita is one of the most popular surf spots in Ecuador. It’s a vibrant town, rich in surf culture and party vibes. It’s not an overwhelming party scene, but you will find an active nightlife here. The point here provides a right-hand point-break that advanced surfers absolutely love. It’s quick and the rocky bottom produces beautiful barrels. There is also a beach break more suited for beginners and intermediates.
From the Store
Surf Camps in Montañita
Tres Palmas - Tres Palmas sits literally on the beach at La Punta in Montañita. It’s as close as you can get to the famous point break here, and only five minutes walking to the center of town. There’s a beautiful waterfall pool, Jacuzzi, and lovely garden area. Camps include breakfast and dinner, and they can accommodate vegetarian guests. They also include an outside excursion of your choosing. Camps run from $500 for 4 days to $950 for 6 days. They have private single and double rooms available.
Casa del Sol - Casa del Sol is also located at La Punta, just a few minutes walking from town. They have incredible reviews, are super close to the best surf spot, and offer a full yoga studio. They offer guided yoga sessions daily, included breakfast, a 90-minute massage, and all the surfboard rentals you could want. This is the place to go if you want something relaxing, healthy, and holistic. Their beginner camps start at $575, and their yoga and surf camps start at $450. They offer shared dorms and private rooms.
Brothers of the Wave - Brothers of the Wave is tucked up in Barrio El Tigrillo, inland from town. It’s quieter than the places in town and they have an outdoor pool, hot tub, and bikes you can rent for free. Rooms have kitchens, snacks and fresh fruit are included, and they offer plenty of other activities for when you’re not surfing. They also offer included surf photography and videography. It’s a bit more economic than the places on the beach, with 6 day camps starting at $400 for one person or $600 for two people, or 3 day camps starting at only $220.
Hotel Sumpa - Located just north of town toward La Punta, Hotel Sumpa is a lovely little hotel just a few meters from the beach. All meals are included in surf camps, and they offer a ton of other activities. They can organize Spanish classes, dance classes, massages, mountain biking, sightseeing in nature, snorkeling, visiting archaeological zones, and more. The price includes all surf lessons, three yoga classes, one massage, and airport transportation. They also have a gym, outdoor swimming pool and hot tob, A/C in all rooms, a yoga deck, and a peaceful garden area. Camps start at around $1,000 for one person for a week, or $1,780 for two people.
Ayampe, Manabí
Ayampe is a relatively mellow town up north of Olón and Montañita. If you walk just a few minutes out of town, you’re likely to find a literally empty beach. And the lineups are quite similarly empty. With so many miles of beach, the surfers in the water spread out quite well. It can take swells from the north and south, making it a great place to surf year-round. You’ll find plenty of lefts and rights with barrels on offer quite often. There are many days with strong currents, but beginners usually stay safe on the inside.
Surf Camps in Ayampe
Vistamar Guest House - You can see the ocean from every bed in Vistamar! It’s an awesome place with amazing vibes. Their surf camps are holistic, and include holistic surf coaching sessions, surf-specific yoga classes, daily organic meals, guided meditation sessions, and more. For anyone looking for a wellness-oriented surf camp, Vistamar is the place to go. It’s not the cheapest option in Ecuador, but you definitely get what you pay for here. Their 5 day camps start at around $1,400, while 9 day camps run $2,000.
Olón, Santa Elena
Olón is just north of Montañita in the province of Santa Elena. It doesn’t provide quite the size or punchiness of the waves in Montañita, but is a great option for anyone intermediate or newer. The waves are even less crowded here in Olón. There are miles of white-sand beaches, and a mellower town. It’s calmer, and full of people looking for a natural experience. It will feel a bit more raw than Montañita to the south.
Surf Camps in Olón
Outdoor Ecuador - Outdoor Ecuador is a mellow hotel with dorm-style rooms. They also have private single rooms and quadruple rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, there’s meals on offer, and they have bikes for rent. For a stay in Olón, Outdoor Ecuador is the place to be. They also offer a homestay program where you can stay with a local family to help you understand the culture and community. They offer 8 day camps for around $450/person and 22 day surf camps (with Spanish lessons) for $1,800.
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