Puro Surf
El Zonte, La Libertad, El Salvador
Oceanfront surf hotel and academy with excellent food, top-notch training facilities, and epic waves out front.
Infinity pool. Check. Ocean views from every room. Check. Carver skatepark. Check. Full-size gym, yoga studio, and 25-meter lap pool. Check. Super friendly staff and knowledgeable surf instructors. Triple check. When we say that Puro Surf Hotel and Performance Academy has it all, we mean it.
Located in the quiet little village of El Zonte in El Salvador, Puro Surf sits perched on a cliff with sweeping views of the Pacific and a very consistent right hand point break. The 13-room boutique hotel is the perfect place to leave behind any stress and relax into a surf-eat-sleep rhythm at a comfortable place that covers all the bases.
Aesthetically speaking, Puro Surf has some architectural eye candy, but it’s not all about the looks, the design is also highly functional. The beautiful palapa-style roof of the hotel’s restaurant Covana doubles as a rain catcher, helping the hotel recycle water naturally for their lawns, gardens, and property.
The hotel is strategically situated with easy walkable access to multiple surf breaks and you can check the waves from the infinity pool (always a plus). There’s a punchy and consistent beach break only a stone’s throw away, and if point breaks are more to your liking, take your pick, as there’s a consistent right point out front and a left point around the corner.
The on-site Surf Academy caters to surfers of all abilities, offering everything from fundamentals for beginners, to coaching sessions and video analysis for more advanced surfers ready to take their surfing to the next level. All surf instructors are certified by the International Surfing Association and leverage the onsite training facilities to teach multiple aspects of surfing: technique, tactics, mind, and body.
The Lowdown
VIBE: Modern comfort meets performance surf academy
LOCALE: Wave-rich oceanfront
ROOMS: 12 rooms of various sizes and a 2-bedroom apartment
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes
CLOSEST AIRPORT: El Salvador International Airport Oscar Arnulfo Romero (SAL)
PRICING: from $200/night for rooms | $55/person for dorms | all-inclusive packages available
Features
Inside
Rooms feature ocean views, floor-to-ceiling windows, plush beds, A/C, wifi, and a smart TV. Outfitted with handmade furniture and unique decor made by local craftsmen and artists, the comfy rooms are a perfect sanctuary to rest after an epic day of surf progression. Multiple options are available – from large suites for families to dorms for the solo traveler.
Outside
The property has lush green landscaping, ocean views from every angle, and plenty of places to relax in-between surfs. With an infinity pool (where you can keep your eyes on the waves), lap pool, yoga studio, full gym, and a concrete wave skatepark, you’ll be living the dream and tapping into your full potential in and out of the water.
Eat & Drink
Puro Surf’s open-air oceanview restaurant Covana sits under a soaring palapa and serves up outstanding global cuisine and local Salvadoran flavors. The seafood-rich menu features everything from healthy eats to fresh ceviches to artisan sandos. Fresh ingredients are sourced from local farms and fisherman, and there’s also local craft beer and premium coffee on offer.
The Surf
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 March to November, but you can typically find fun waves and favorable winds year round. January is the least favorable month for more experienced surfers, but it’s one of the best months for beginners and kids. Whether you’re a beginner or pro, longboarder or shortboarder, there’s 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
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Details
Every room has an ocean view and comes with A/C, hot water, high speed internet, a smart TV, and in-room safe. All stays include breakfast from a selection of the house breakfast menu.
Puro Surf has a variety of offerings including; weekly set schedule 4 or 7 Night Surf Camps (which always start on Saturday, although starting April 30, 2023, Surf Camps will always start on Sunday), and various other 5 or 7 night Packages which offer flexible check-in dates (the Just Chill Package, Yoga Package, and Surf Trip Package).
CHECK IN: 2 pm
CHECK OUT: 12 noon
Rates (Ã la carte)
Jr. King: $215
Double: $215
Deluxe King: $230
Triple: $245
Treehouse (2 bedroom apt): $325
Dorm bunk bed: $60
*Rates above are per night and are not inclusive of taxes; an 18% tax is added.
All-Inclusive Surf Camps and Packages
4-night Surf Camp
What’s Included:
- 4 nights accommodations
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 4 Breakfasts (one pick from the house menu)
- 3 Fruit and Veggie Extracts (Cold-pressed ginger shots in the morning)
- 9 hours Surf Coaching for Beginner/Novice surfers and 12 hours Surf Coaching for Foundation/Advanced surfers over 3 days (Surf Coaching entails; surfing, drills, video analysis, and theory)
- 2 afternoon classes of the day (yoga, ginástica natural, ice bath, functional training, surf-skate, lap swimming, etc.)
- 1 Therapeutic Massage
- 3 daily surfboard rentals (soft top or fiberglass, depending on surf level)
- Welcome Kit
BASE RATES: 4 night Surf Camp (starts on Saturdays, until after April 30, 2023, then Sundays)
Single Room (1 person): $2,146
Double Room (per person): $1,669
Dorms (per person): $1,470
Add-on Meal Plan Upgrade Option (can be added to any package): extra $58 per day
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Lunch*
– Dinner*
– Dessert
– Drinks & Beverages**
Note: *Lunch and *dinner include any pick from the menu, except for the dishes (5) marked otherwise in the menu.
**Included Drinks and Beverages: Natural Coconut Water, Local Bottled Water, 1 Fruit Smoothie (water base), Local Bottled Beer (Pilsener – Suprema), 8 oz. Orange Juice.
From the Coffee Station: 8 oz. American Coffee, 8 oz. Latte, 8 oz. Cappuccino, 8 oz. Hot Chocolate, 12 oz. Cold brew, 1 oz. Espresso, 3 oz. Macchiato.
7-night Surf Camp
What’s Included:
- 7 nights accommodations
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 7 Breakfasts (one pick from the house menu)
- 6 Fruit and Veggie Extracts (Cold-pressed ginger shots in the morning)
- 18 hours Surf Coaching for Beginner/Novice surfers and 24 hours Surf Coaching for Foundation/Advanced surfers over 6 days (Surf Coaching entails; surfing, drills, video analysis, and theory)
- 3 afternoon classes of the day (yoga, ginástica natural, ice bath, functional training, surf-skate, lap swimming, etc.)
- 1 Therapeutic Massage
- 6 daily surfboard rentals (soft top or fiberglass, depending on surf level)
- Trip to Tamanique Waterfalls
- 1 breath-work and recovery ice bath (optional)
- Welcome Kit
BASE RATES: 7 night Surf Camp (starts on Saturdays, until after April 30, 2023, then Sundays)
Single Room (1 person): $3,412
Double Room (per person): $2,669
Dorms (per person): $2,345
Add-on Meal Plan Upgrade Option (can be added to any package): extra $58 per day
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Lunch*
– Dinner*
– Dessert
– Drinks & Beverages**
Note: *Lunch and *dinner include any pick from the menu, except for the dishes (5) marked otherwise in the menu.
**Included Drinks and Beverages: Natural Coconut Water, Local Bottled Water, 1 Fruit Smoothie (water base), Local Bottled Beer (Pilsener – Suprema), 8 oz. Orange Juice.
From the Coffee Station: 8 oz. American Coffee, 8 oz. Latte, 8 oz. Cappuccino, 8 oz. Hot Chocolate, 12 oz. Cold brew, 1 oz. Espresso, 3 oz. Macchiato.
14-night Surf Camp
What’s Included:
- 14 nights accommodations
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 14 Breakfasts (one pick from the house menu)
- 12 Fruit and Veggie Extracts (Cold-pressed ginger shots in the morning)
- 36 hours Surf Coaching for Beginner/Novice surfers and 48 hours Surf Coaching for Foundation/Advanced surfers over 12 days (Surf Coaching entails; surfing, drills, video analysis, and theory)
- 6 afternoon classes of the day (yoga, ginástica natural, ice bath, functional training, surf-skate, lap swimming, etc.)
- 2 Therapeutic Massage
- 12 daily surfboard rentals (soft top or fiberglass, depending on surf level)
- Trip to Tamanique Waterfalls
- 2 breath-work and recovery ice bath (optional)
- Welcome Kit
BASE RATES: 14 night Surf Camp (starts on Saturdays, until after April 30, 2023, then Sundays)
Single Room (1 person): $6,167
Double Room (per person): $4,763
Dorms (per person): $4,128
Add-on Meal Plan Upgrade Option (can be added to any package): extra $58 per day
Includes:
– Breakfast
– Lunch*
– Dinner*
– Dessert
– Drinks & Beverages**
Note: *Lunch and *dinner include any pick from the menu, except for the dishes (5) marked otherwise in the menu.
**Included Drinks and Beverages: Natural Coconut Water, Local Bottled Water, 1 Fruit Smoothie (water base), Local Bottled Beer (Pilsener – Suprema), 8 oz. Orange Juice.
From the Coffee Station: 8 oz. American Coffee, 8 oz. Latte, 8 oz. Cappuccino, 8 oz. Hot Chocolate, 12 oz. Cold brew, 1 oz. Espresso, 3 oz. Macchiato.
Just Chill Package
What’s Included:
- 7 nights accommodations
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 7 Breakfasts (one pick from the house menu)
- 7 Lunch*
- 7 Dessert
- 7 Dinner*
- 24 Non-alcoholic Beverages**
- 7 Fruit and veggie extracts**
- 4 private yoga classes
- 3 Therapeutic Massage
- Trip to Tamanique Waterfalls
- Welcome Kit
RATES: 7 night Just Chill Package (check in any day)
Private Room (1 person): $2,445
Double Room (per person): $1,620
Triple Room (per person): $1,455
Dorms (per person): $1,115
Available on request as a 5-night Package, inquire for details.
Note: *Lunch and *dinner include any pick from the menu, except for the dishes (5) marked otherwise in the menu.
**Included Drinks and Beverages: Natural Coconut Water, Local Bottled Water, 1 Fruit Smoothie (water base), 8 oz. Orange Juice.
From the Coffee Station: 8 oz. American Coffee, 8 oz. Latte, 8 oz. Cappuccino, 8 oz. Hot Chocolate, 12 oz. Cold brew, 1 oz. Espresso, 3 oz. Macchiato.
Yoga Package
What’s Included:
- 7 nights accommodations
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 7 Breakfasts (one pick from the house menu)
- 7 Lunch*
- 7 Dessert
- 7 Dinner*
- 24 Non-alcoholic Beverages**
- 7 Fruit and veggie extracts**
- 4 private yoga classes
- 2 surf classes (any level)
- 2 Therapeutic Massage
- Trip to Tamanique Waterfalls
- Welcome Kit
RATES: 7 night Yoga Package (check in any day)
Private Room (1 person): $2,495
Double Room (per person): $1,670
Triple Room (per person): $1,505
Dorms (per person): $1,165
Available on request as a 5-night Package, inquire for details.
Note: *Lunch and *dinner include any pick from the menu, except for the dishes (5) marked otherwise in the menu.
**Included Drinks and Beverages: Natural Coconut Water, Local Bottled Water, 1 Fruit Smoothie (water base), 8 oz. Orange Juice.
From the Coffee Station: 8 oz. American Coffee, 8 oz. Latte, 8 oz. Cappuccino, 8 oz. Hot Chocolate, 12 oz. Cold brew, 1 oz. Espresso, 3 oz. Macchiato.
Surf Trip Package
What’s Included:
- 7 nights accommodations
- Airport pick up and drop off
- 7 Breakfasts (one pick from the house menu)
- 7 Lunch*
- 7 Dessert
- 7 Dinner*
- 24 Non-alcoholic Beverages**
- 7 Fruit and veggie extracts**
- 1 video session
- 5 half day surf guiding trips. Please note, this entails surf guiding transportation only, the guide does not surf with you.
- 2 Therapeutic Massage
- Trip to Tamanique Waterfalls
- Welcome Kit
RATES: 7 night Surf Trip Package (check in any day, this package is for Advanced Surfers.)
Private Room (1 person): $2,570
Double Room (per person): $1,745
Triple Room (per person): $1,580
Dorms (per person): $1,240
Available on request as a 5-night Package, inquire for details.
Note: *Lunch and *dinner include any pick from the menu, except for the dishes (5) marked otherwise in the menu.
**Included Drinks and Beverages: Natural Coconut Water, Local Bottled Water, 1 Fruit Smoothie (water base), 8 oz. Orange Juice.
From the Coffee Station: 8 oz. American Coffee, 8 oz. Latte, 8 oz. Cappuccino, 8 oz. Hot Chocolate, 12 oz. Cold brew, 1 oz. Espresso, 3 oz. Macchiato.
Good to Know
- Puro Surf has two types of All-Inclusive offerings. 1) “Surf Camps,” which always start on Saturdays, although starting April 30, 2023 they will shift to always starting on Sundays so plan accordingly. And, 2) Packages which have flexible check-in dates: the Just Chill Package, Yoga Package, and Surf Trip Package. If you’re interested in the signature Surf Camp offer, please select a Saturday as your check-in date, unless after April 30, 2023, then select Sunday.
- You can either book accommodations à la carte, or book an all-inclusive package (outlined above) that includes meals, airport transport, and various inclusions such as surf coaching, surf photos, and yoga classes.
- The hotel offers several tours and off-site activities including lake and waterfall hikes and tours of historic buildings and archeological sites which can be booked locally.
- Puro Surf is involved with multiple local nonprofits that give back to the surrounding community. They participate in community service such a beach clean-ups and also run day surf camps for the local kids. Guests are welcome to volunteer and help out with community programs during their stay, or you can also donate to various local organizations.
Location
El Zonte, La Libertad, El Salvador
Getting There
The easiest option is to fly into the El Salvador International Airport Oscar Arnulfo Romero (SAL). Puro Surf is about an hour and a half drive west of the airport and the hotel can arrange transport for you for $60 with a maximum of 4 people per car. Airport transportation is included in all Surf Camps and Packages.
The Small Print
Terms and Conditions
RESERVATION POLICY
For Surf Camps and Packages:
- Puro Surf charges 50% of the total amount 7 days prior the check-in date, and the other 50% upon guest arrival.
- Puro Surf requests a Visa or Mastercard in order to confirm reservations. The credit card will be charged according to the above schedule.
- Puro Surf collects this info, as guests prefer by phone, email or Whatsapp. Puro Surf requires a credit card in order to confirm the reservation.
- If your reservation is in 8 days or more, no deposit is required.
- For International Guests: Puro Surf will require proof of travel (plane ticket or airlines itinerary) in order to proceed with your reservation.
For Room Bookings Only:
- If your reservation is in 7 days or less, Puro Surf will automatically proceed to charge 100% of your stay.
- If your reservation is in 8 days or more, no deposit is required.
- For International Guests: Puro Surf will require proof of travel (plane ticket or airlines itinerary) in order to proceed with your reservation.
CANCELLATION POLICY
In case of cancellation, the notice should reach us as soon as possible. Any cancellation made within: 7 to 1 days prior arrival will not be eligible for a refund.
RESTRICTIONS
The next policies apply for Holidays:
If your stay is within 30 days or less, we will proceed to charge 50% of the stay automatically at the moment the reservation is made.
If your reservation is within 15 days or less, we will require 100% of the payment of your stay. This payment is nonrefundable.
In case of cancelation: If the notice reaches us 15 days prior to your check in date, the total amount previously paid is non refundable.
If the notice reach us 15 or more days before your arrival date, the amount paid will be kept as a credit available to use within 6 months after your check in date.