Balancé Surf & Yoga Retreat
Playa El Tunco, El Salvador
Boutique surf retreats at a stylish beachfront property at one of the best surf breaks in El Salvador.
Set right on the beach in Playa El Tunco, El Salvador, Balancé has fantastic surf retreats that include everything you need to have an amazing surf trip. Revel in the glory of booking an awesome surf trip without having to do any planning. Beachfront accommodations, delicious meals, surf guides, massages, transportation, and more, are all done for you and wrapped up in a perfect surf trip package.
Balancé has a lot going for them. Besides having a stellar surf break out front (La Bocana), and a few more breaks within easy walking distance, the recently renovated property is a tropical modern haven. Complete with upscale rooms and a lounge-worthy pool and garden lined with palm trees, the hotel is a short walk to all of the great food and nightlife options in El Tunco, but far enough away from the action that you will enjoy a peaceful, noise-free stay.
Surf retreats include most everything you need on your trip, so you can basically pick travel dates, get your flight, and be ready to roll. Surf retreats are available for 5- or 7- nights and cater to both beginner and intermediate surfers (packages slightly differ depending on skill level).
Retreats include accommodation, round-trip airport transfers, a daily morning pre-surf gourmet snack, daily full breakfast, most lunches and dinners, primo surf lessons (or guiding), daily board rentals, deep tissue massage, Waterfall or Mayan Ruin Tour, and all taxes and fees. Full details can be found below.
To add some zen to your surf schedule, Balancé also has a yoga studio on site that holds regular classes with top-notch teachers.
Our tailored surf trips include
Luxury accommodations
Trusted expert surf coaches and surf guides
Talented private chefs
Private transportation
Tailored trip & itinerary planning
Expertise & support before, during, and after your trip
Exclusive Lush Palm Travel Guide to the area
The Lowdown
VIBE: Laidback tropical modern
LOCALE: Beachfront at a stellar surf break
ROOMS: 8 private suites and a separate 3-bedroom villa
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes
CLOSEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS: El Salvador International Airport Oscar Arnulfo Romero (SAL)


Features
Inside
Rooms are tropical modern featuring polished concrete, rich wood, and a private terrace with outdoor space and a hammock. All rooms have hot water showers, A/C, premium bedding and linens, safe, mini fridge, high-speed fiber optic internet, and a 5-gallon purified drinking water dispenser that is refilled throughout your stay.
Outside
The tropical palm-fringed pool deck and garden face the waves and are a welcome space to chill in between surf sessions. Kick back in a comfy lounge chair with friends and a cold one to recount the best waves of the day.
Eat & Drink
The cafe serves up made-from-scratch healthy and hearty eats made with fresh local ingredients. Fuel up on delish dishes like veggie burritos, french toast loaded with fruit, and pitaya smoothies. Fresh coconut water and purified drinking water are included. Can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian diets.
The Surf






Multiple waves are within an easy walk from the property – La Bocana is right out front, and it’s a quick walk to La Bocanita and El Sunzal.
El Salvador is the land of world-class righthand point breaks, but there are lefthand points, river mouths, and hollow A-frame beach breaks on offer too. Being a south-facing stretch of coast, the main surf season is from April to October, but there are fun waves and favorable winds year-round. November to March are great months for beginners to intermediate with often fun days for advanced surfers too. Whether you’re a beginner or pro, longboarder or shortboarder, there are a variety of waves to suit your ability and style.
WATER TEMP: 80 – 83 °F ( 27 – 28 °C) all year long but can get a bit cooler on occassion
PEAK SURF SEASON: April – October
SHOULDER SURF SEASON: Nov – March
SURF EXPERIENCE: Beginner to advanced
Rooms
All rooms at Balancé have hot water showers, premium linens, air conditioning, and a 5-gallon purified drinking water dispenser that is refilled throughout your stay. Please bring a refillable water bottle such as a Hydroflask or Nalgene.


The Fuego Suite has 1 King bed and faces the La Bocana surf break on the second story. It comes with an exclusive, large private terrace and deck, a small kitchenette with mini-fridge, tea kettle, coffee maker, and sink; high-speed fiber optic internet, a small desk and workstation, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a beautiful open-air bathroom.
Max Guests: 2


The Mango Suite is located at the heart of the surf retreat – right under the shade and beauty of the central Mango tree. This is the ideal room for 3-person groups and families because of the option for 3 separate beds. The ground floor space has the option for 1 King bed or 2 Twin beds, and there is an additional mezzanine level with a queen bed and desk. Includes a small kitchenette with mini-fridge, tea kettle, sink, private bathroom, air conditioning, private terrace with hammock space, high-speed fiber optic internet, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a large beautiful bathroom.
Max Guests: 4 adults or 2 adults, 3 kids


The Viento Suite has the option for 1 King bed or 2 Twin beds and faces the La Bocana surf break on the second story. It comes with an exclusive, large private terrace and deck, a small kitchenette with mini-fridge, tea kettle, and sink; high-speed fiber optic internet, a small desk and workstation, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a chic bathroom.
Max Guests: 3


The Agua suite sits poolside and faces the La Bocana surf break. Agua is on the ground floor and is one of five “element” suites on the waterfront side of Balancé. This room comes with 1 Queen bed and a private terrace with a garden. Agua has a mini-fridge, high-speed fiber optic internet, a small desk and workstation, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a beautiful bathroom.
Max Guests: 2


The Tierra suite sits poolside and faces the La Bocana surf break. Tierra is on the ground floor, adjacent to the Agua Suite, and is one of five “element” suites on the waterfront side of Balancé. This room comes with 1 Queen bed and a private terrace with a garden. The room has a mini-fridge, high-speed fiber optic internet, a small desk and workstation, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a beautiful bathroom.
Max Guests: 2


The Bamboo Suite is located at the center of the retreat under the shade and beauty of a bamboo and mango tree. The suite comes with an option for 1 King bed or 2 Twin beds. Includes a small kitchenette with mini-fridge, tea kettle, and sink; private terrace with hammock space, desk/workstation, high-speed fiber optic internet, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a beautiful open-air bathroom with shower garden.
Max Guests: 2


The Almond Suite is located just behind the waterfront suites and near the café and almond trees. The room comes with an option for 1 King bed or 2 Twin beds. Includes a small kitchenette with mini-fridge, tea kettle, and sink; private terrace with hammock space, small desk, and workstation, high-speed fiber optic internet, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a beautiful open-air bathroom with shower garden.
Max Guests: 2


The Madera suite sits poolside and faces the La Bocana surf break. Madera is on the ground floor and is one of five “element” suites on the waterfront side of Balancé. Madera comes with 1 Queen bed and a private terrace with a garden. The room has a mini-fridge, tea kettle, high-speed fiber optic internet, a small desk and workstation, a closet/organizer, a secure safe, and a beautiful bathroom.
Max Guests: 2
Location
Playa El Tunco, El Salvador

Balancé stands out from the rest of the hotels in Playa El Tunco because it is waterfront to one of the best surf breaks in the country (La Bocana) and a short walk to all of the great food and nightlife options in El Tunco. The location is ideal because it’s close to everything, yet far enough away from the restaurants and bars that you will always have a peaceful, noise-free stay.
Details & Rate
Surf trips to this property are highly customizable. We specialize in private luxury surf trips for families and groups tailored to your surf level, surf style, and travel preferences. Whether you’re looking for a getaway that’s full of activities, super laid back, or somewhere in between, our expert travel designers will work with you to create your dream surf vacation.