Costa Rica·November - April
In collaboration with the radical women at GRLSWIRL
AWA’s Surf Skate retreats are totally unique in the sense that few retreats offer skate instruction. Meaning you will not only learn the skateboarding basics, but also you will be able to improve your surfing techniques out of the water through surf skate training. We will be learning skate basics, including bowl training to finally learn how to skate in your local park! All team riders at GRLSWIRL specialize in beginner instruction and will create a comfortable and patient space for you to learn step by step!  Expect sensational handmade food, jaw dropping nature, patient instructors and the opportunity to experience Santa Teresa like a local. You will be hosted at all times by an amazing community of like minded women that share only good vibes and inspire through their simple and mindful way of living. Level requirements: ALL LEVELS are welcome and good vibes encouraged!
We truly believe that through our individual stories and community support, we can inspire people to conquer their fears and insecurities through the simple act of trying something new. We will collectively hold space for you all to challenge limits, step into fear and learn together while forming everlasting bonds through skate.
Spread out a few kilometers of dirt road, Santa Teresa parallels and hugs the pacific coast. Our jungle wooden lodge is located in the heart of town. Walking distance to the best surf spots, skate parks, hip stores and everything that this laid-back destination has to offer.
One of a kind surfskate lesson program to get you flowing and maximize the skills you’re learning in the ocean. We will visit different parks and bowls -adapting to all levels- and be held and coached at all times by GRLSWIRL team members.
Creator, CEO and Co-Founder of Grlswirl from Cornwall New York, she started skating in early 2017. Lucy fell in love with how empowered and liberated she felt from skating and passionately wanted to get others on boards in order to experience the same momentous feeling. She has taught hundreds of folks to skate of all ages, levels and backgrounds and is deeply passionate about sharing skate with others.
lucyjean333
Grlswirl Team Rider, Brazilian roots who has been living in California for the past 8 years. Sarah learned how to skate and fell in love with the sport, and how she could learn about herself and life through it. She is also an artist, founder of a clothing company, and co-leader of Swirl San Diego, a non-profit that holds meet ups for marginalized skaters to learn to skate and meet likeminded individuals.
SARAHREWELLC
Grlswirl Team Rider, adventure enthusiast, born and raised in northern California. You will likely find her carving around barefoot, with a big smile and lots of energy. She’s constantly in search of the perfect pool bowl to skate, perfect left to surf, & perfect dance floor to boogie. She loves to travel and create community wherever she goes. She has plenty of enthusiasm and stoke to go around, come join the fun!
VALALALAFORGE
Argentinian surfer, creator soul and ultimate jungle warrior reshaped her life by the Costa Rican sea over a decade ago on a search for a more simple life. She is the embodiment of fun and adventure and brings the high vibes and stoked into whatever she does. Be ready for some loud laughs, deep ocean conversations and a life-long friendship with who will turn your surf trip into a radical life-changing experience.
mona.picasso
Italian chica who left behind the fashion world in the big cities for a barefoot and raw new life in the jungle. Giulia is the team mamma, who can effortlessly drive around through the jungle large groups of women with one main goal in mind: make everyone have the most unforgettable freakin' epic time of their lives. And she does it, gracefully, over and over again. Buckle up! and let yourself adventure with the most radical and fun amazonian queen out there.
giulia_vallotto
6 nights accommodation.
5 Surf Skate lessons adapted to your level.
4 surf lessons adapted to your level with certified local surf instructors.
Surf video analysis
Daily Surf & Skate equipment.
Yoga, stretching, movement workshops, and meditations.
Daily organic local breakfast and lunch adapted to all diets.
4 special candlelight dinners.
Daily drinks and snacks.
Transportation to activities.
Daily cleaning services.
Goodie Bag.
An epic time.
International airfare.
Transportation to and from Mal Pais.
2 dinners in town.
Optional activities such as SUP board tour, horse back riding, and more.
Alcoholic beverages.
Medical Insurance.
Water Photography.
With A/C, WiFi, Small Kitchen, Queen bed, private bathroom and spacious private lounge terrace.
FROM$4,850.00/pp
With A/C, WiFi, small kitchen, queen-size bed, shared bathroom.
FROM$4,550.00/pp
With A/C, WiFi, small kitchen, two twin beds and shared bathroom.
FROM$3,950.00/pp
The AWA Jungle Home
Griss is a jungle wooden lodge located in the heart of Santa Teresa. Walking distance to the best surf spots, skate parks, hip stores and everything that this destination has to offer. You´ll enjoy beautiful and cozy accommodations surrounded by the lushest gardens, a pool and yoga/workout deck.
This AWA Lodge is located in the heart of Santa Teresa, on the south western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Our location is relatively remote - it's what makes the area so stunning, and while this means uncrowded beaches, take into account travel time to reach us.
There are a few options for getting to us from San José or Liberia airport depending on your time and your budget. Flying from San José to Tambor (closest local airport) and then taking a cab is significantly quicker but also more expensive. In the intermediate price range is to travel via private shuttle, a door-to-door service.
PLANE
There are currently two airlines providing daily flights from San José to Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula. The flight is approximately 30 minutes and it costs something between $120-$150. If travelling with friends, we recommend booking these flights together, in order to avoid changes to one of the reservations and not the other (rare, but just in case).
We recommend Costa Rica Green Airways which operates out of the separate domestic airport, a five-minute walk from San Jose's main terminal (SJO). As they operate out of a different airport, you are not connecting, instead, you’ll first need to go through Immigration and collect your luggage. Upon leaving Arrivals, walk straight ahead to the main boulevard, turn left, and you will see the Domestic Terminal located 500 feet ahead. If in doubt, an airport official will be able to point you in the right direction. Book here: CR Green Air
Sansa is another Costa Rican airline operating out of the domestic terminal; it also offers multiple flights per day. Sansa also flies into Tambor from the Liberia International Airport. Book here: Sansa
On arrival into Tambor, grab a taxi to Mal PaÃs – approximately 40 minutes and $60. We recommend the services of Miguel Delgado (on booking, we’ll be able to put you in touch).
Alternatively, Sansa offers a shuttle service from Tambor to Santa Teresa at the time of flight booking, which while shared, does end up more cost-effective than a taxi for solo travellers and smaller groups.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above options won’t work for those who are travelling with surfboards bigger than 7’0.
SHUTTLE
There are a number of companies that provide shuttle service to Santa Teresa and surroundings; we frequently use the services of Tropical Tours. You'll be collected from San José and driven to the Puntarenas ferry (approximately 1.5-2 hours). At Puntarenas, you'll leave the van and board the ferry, taking your bags with you. The ferry crossing is approximately 1.5 hours and on arrival you'll be met by another van, which will drive you the rest of the way to the AWA Lodge (approximately 1.5 hours).
The quoted cost of the shuttle includes all legs of the journey (shuttle > ferry > shuttle) and is approximately $60.
Citizens/residents from ALL countries are currently allowed to enter Costa Rica. All mandatory requirements have been dropped by the national government since April 1st.
You no longer need to get tested to travel back to the US.
You can either bring your own board or pick your perfect match from our quiver. We suggest you travel with your own board if you are feeling comfortable surfing with it. Have in mind that the internal flights in CR won't allow you to travel with a board bag bigger than 7 feet.
You can either bring your own skateboard or use one of ours. We suggest you travel with your own board if you are feeling comfortable with it. We definitely suggest you bringing your own helmet and pads to make sure you will have the most appropriate protection along your whole trip.
Check-in is at 3PM.
Check out is at 11AM.
We recommend you make your reservation ASAP to make sure you secure your spot as we have limited availability and we fill up fast.
All reservations are made via the AWA Website. In order to secure your spot, we request an initial 25% deposit and the remaining is due a month from arrival. Check out our new Payment Plan option, its awesome!
None! AWA experiences are for ALL levels of.
A large amount of our retreaters are solo travellers who are about to meet their new favourite friends.
No. We host fully immersive retreats so we encourage everyone to share the same space and that way deeply drop into the whole experience.
There will be daily coached surf skate sessions during the week with optional free skate at any time. All skate equipment will be available for you every day.
There will be 3 coached surf sessions during the week with optional free surf at any time. All surf equipment will be available daily.
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