Imagine waking up before sunrise, walking along a breathtaking wild beach, practising yoga in the heart of the tropical jungle, and spending your day learning to surf in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Now add fresh tropical fruit, personalized surf coaching, video analysis, spectacular sunsets, delicious local food, and perhaps a little salsa dancing before bedtime.
Welcome to a day with Girl on the Wave in Dominical, Costa Rica.
Our surf retreats are about much more than catching waves. They are about experiencing Costa Rica at its most beautiful, discovering your potential in the ocean, connecting with incredible people, and enjoying the freedom of a tropical adventure.
Wondering what a typical day looks like? Come along.
5:30 AM — The World Wakes Up, and We Check the Waves
The day begins early in Dominical. As the tropical world slowly wakes up, we head towards the ocean for our morning surf check. There is something magical about walking along a spectacular, wild Pacific beach at sunrise. The sound of the waves, the warm morning air, the endless coastline, and the jungle stretching towards the ocean create an atmosphere that is difficult to describe.
This is our moment to observe the conditions, check the swell, understand the tides, and see what the ocean has prepared for us. Surfing starts long before you paddle out. Learning to read the ocean, recognize different waves, and understand how conditions change throughout the day is an essential part of becoming a more confident and independent surfer.
And honestly? There are very few better ways to start your morning.
7:00–8:30 AM — Yoga in the Heart of the Jungle
After our ocean check, we move into one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. Welcome to The Shala, our extraordinary yoga space surrounded by the lush tropical jungle. Imagine practising yoga while listening to birds, feeling the warm morning breeze, and watching the jungle come alive around you.
Our yoga sessions offer an opportunity to stretch, improve mobility, work on balance, and prepare both body and mind for surfing.Surfing requires strength, coordination, flexibility, and concentration. Yoga beautifully complements these skills while creating space for relaxation and recovery. But beyond the physical benefits, there is something special about starting the day surrounded by nature. No city noise. No rush. Just movement, breathing, and the extraordinary energy of Costa Rica.
9:00–10:00 AM — Tropical Breakfast, Fresh Juices and Good Company
After yoga, it is time for breakfast. And in Costa Rica, breakfast is something to look forward to. Fresh tropical ingredients, delicious local products, and colourful fruit make mornings especially enjoyable. Imagine freshly blended juices made from pineapple, papaya, or mango — your choice.
Add a nutritious breakfast, good coffee, and conversations about the waves waiting for us later in the day. These shared morning moments are also when the group begins to feel like a little surf family. Some guests arrive alone, others with friends, but everyone shares the same curiosity about the ocean and the adventure ahead. And after a few mornings together, it often feels as though you have known each other for much longer.
Surf Time — Professional Coaching Around the Tides
Unlike a conventional holiday, our surf schedule follows the rhythm of the ocean.
The exact timing of our daily surf lessons depends on the tides and surf conditions.
This flexibility allows us to organize training sessions at appropriate times for our surfers. At Girl on the Wave, we divide participants into smaller groups according to their surfing experience and abilities.
Beginners — Building Confidence, One Wave at a Time
If you are new to surfing, our beginner sessions focus on building a solid foundation. You will work on ocean awareness, paddling, positioning, take-off technique, balance, and learning to catch waves safely. Our coaches guide you through the learning process step by step, adapting their feedback to your progress. There is no pressure to perform or compete. The goal is to help you understand the ocean, develop your skills, and discover how much fun surfing can be.
Intermediate Surfers — Taking Your Surfing Further
For intermediate surfers, the focus shifts towards improving technique and becoming more independent in the lineup.
Depending on your level and the conditions, sessions may include:
Wave selection and positioning.
More efficient paddling and take-offs.
Improving timing and wave reading.
Generating speed and maintaining flow.
Developing turns and manoeuvres.
Building confidence in different surf conditions.
Our approach is based on personalized coaching and individual progress.
Because even a small technical adjustment can completely change the way you surf.
Every Wave Counts — GoPro and Beach Camera Video Analysis
One of the most valuable elements of our Costa Rica surf retreats is our approach to video analysis.
Our surf lessons are recorded using both GoPro cameras and cameras filming from the beach.
This combination allows us to observe surfing from different perspectives. GoPro footage helps capture the action close to the surfer, while footage recorded from the beach provides a broader view of positioning, take-off, body movements, and wave riding.
Why is this important?
Because what you feel while surfing and what you actually do on a wave are not always the same. You might think your positioning is perfect, only to discover that a small adjustment could dramatically improve your take-off. Or perhaps you feel you are not making progress, until you watch yourself surfing and realize how much you have already learned. Video analysis helps turn those observations into practical improvements.
Rather than simply telling you what to change, our coaches can show you. It is one of the reasons why structured surf coaching can make such a difference compared with surfing without professional feedback.
Sunset — Our Daily Must-Have
There is one moment of the day we never want to miss.
Sunset on the beach.
The Pacific coastline of Costa Rica is famous for its spectacular sunsets, and Dominical offers an extraordinary setting to experience them. After a day of surfing, yoga, and tropical adventures, we head back to the beach to watch the sky change colour. Golden light, warm ocean air, silhouettes of palm trees, and the sound of waves rolling onto the shore.
Sometimes we talk about the day’s surfing. Sometimes we laugh. Sometimes we simply sit quietly and watch the ocean. These are the moments that remind us why we travel. And why a surf retreat is about so much more than surfing.
After Sunset — Surf Workshops and Video Feedback
Once the sun has disappeared over the Pacific, it is time to return to our surfing progress. Our evening surf workshops are an important part of the Girl on the Wave experience. Together with our coaches, we review footage recorded during the day’s lessons.
We discuss technique, analyze individual waves, identify areas for improvement, and prepare for the next training session. The atmosphere is constructive, supportive, and often full of laughter. Everyone has their own challenges and achievements.
For beginners, seeing their first successful waves on video can be incredibly motivating. For intermediate surfers, understanding technical details can unlock the next stage of progress. And for the entire group, these workshops are another opportunity to learn from one another.
The goal is simple: to leave Costa Rica not only with wonderful memories, but also as a more confident and technically skilled surfer.
Evening — Local Dinner, Margaritas and Maybe Some Salsa
After our surf workshops, it is time to enjoy another essential part of Costa Rican life: food, music, and good company. We gather for a shared dinner, enjoying local flavours and conversations about the day’s adventures. There is something particularly satisfying about a delicious meal after a day spent moving, surfing, and exploring.
And for those who still have some energy left? Dominical has its own relaxed tropical nightlife. A margarita in town? Why not.
A little salsa dancing? Even better. There is absolutely no pressure to join every evening adventure. Some people prefer an early night, especially when the next morning begins with another beautiful sunrise. But if you feel like dancing, laughing, and discovering the local atmosphere, the evening might not be over just yet.
Days Without Surfing — Discover the Wild Beauty of Costa Rica
As much as we love surfing, Costa Rica has far too much to offer to spend every single day in the water. Our days away from surf training create opportunities to explore some of the country’s most extraordinary natural attractions. Dominical is an excellent starting point for discovering the wild beauty of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific region.
Waterfalls and Horseback Adventures
Imagine riding through tropical landscapes towards a hidden waterfall, surrounded by lush vegetation and the sounds of the jungle. Or spending time exploring spectacular waterfalls, swimming in natural pools where conditions allow, and discovering the beauty of Costa Rica away from the beach. Horseback excursions can make these adventures even more memorable.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is one of the destinations where visitors can encounter extraordinary marine wildlife. Depending on the season and conditions, boat excursions may offer opportunities to observe whales and dolphins in their natural environment. Seeing these magnificent animals in the wild can be an unforgettable experience. Of course, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
Snorkeling and Marine Adventures
For those who love being in the water even when they are not surfing, snorkeling is another wonderful way to explore Costa Rica. Discovering tropical marine environments offers a completely different perspective on the Pacific Ocean. Excursions depend on sea conditions, availability, and the chosen destination.
Exploring Costa Rica’s National Parks
Costa Rica is internationally known for its biodiversity, protected natural areas, and extraordinary wildlife. From tropical forests to beautiful coastal ecosystems, the country offers countless opportunities to reconnect with nature. Exploring national parks can mean walking through lush vegetation, observing wildlife from a respectful distance, and discovering landscapes that feel almost untouched.
These experiences are a beautiful complement to the intensity of surf training.
Excursions are optional experiences and may involve additional costs. Their availability depends on local conditions and the retreat program.
Why Choose a Women’s Surf Retreat in Costa Rica?
Surfing can be challenging, especially when you are learning something new or trying to overcome a technical obstacle. That is why the environment in which you learn matters. At Girl on the Wave, we believe that professional coaching, personalized attention, and a supportive atmosphere can make a real difference.
Our retreats bring together women from different countries, backgrounds, and surfing levels who share a love of the ocean and adventure. Some are discovering surfing for the first time. Others already surf regularly and want to improve their technique.
Some travel alone, looking for a new experience and new connections. Others simply want to dedicate time to themselves and something they genuinely love. What brings everyone together is the desire to learn, explore, and enjoy the ocean.
With international surf retreat experience dating back to 2018 and Costa Rica retreats since 2019, Girl on the Wave combines professional surf training with a boutique group experience. Our philosophy is simple: small groups, individual attention, real progress, and unforgettable experiences.
Join Girl on the Wave in Costa Rica in 2027
Imagine two weeks surrounded by tropical nature, surfing warm Pacific waves, practising yoga in the jungle, improving your technique with professional coaching and video analysis, and sharing extraordinary moments with people who love the ocean as much as you do.
Early morning ocean checks.
Yoga surrounded by jungle.
Fresh mango and pineapple juice.
Surf sessions adapted to your level.
Spectacular Pacific sunsets.
Evening surf workshops.
Local dinners, margaritas, salsa, and adventures into the wild beauty of Costa Rica.
This is the rhythm of our Costa Rica surf retreat.
And perhaps it is exactly the kind of experience you have been dreaming about.
Ready to join us in Dominical in 2027?
Explore our upcoming Costa Rica surf retreats, discover the available packages, and find the experience that feels right for you.
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The ocean is calling. See you in Costa Rica!