discover panama on an 8-day surf trip perfect for solo female travelers
Going down February 8th-15th, Globethotter is hitting the waves (and the dance floor) in Panama 💃
Designed for gals newer to surfing, this beginner-friendly surf trip is packed with adventure, culture, and expert-level coaching that’ll have you feeling confident on the board in no time.
wanna learn to surf & make new friends from all over the 🌎?
If you’ve always dreamed of surfing but felt nervous about hitting the waves solo, this all-girls surf trip to Panama is the perfect chance to build confidence and have a blast!
Set in the tucked-away surf haven of Playa Venao, this beginner-friendly surf retreat for women is designed for those new to surfing and ready for a week filled with adventure, culture, and good vibes 🏄♀️✨
With a 1:3 instructor-to-student ratio, you’ll get personalized coaching from top surf instructors, along with epic photos and daily video analysis to help you get up on the board in no time.
This trip is all about community, so expect plenty of beach-bumming, sunset hangs, and new friendships that will last long after the waves. If this sounds your speed, pack your bags, grab a board, and get ready for an unforgettable week in paradise!
this trip is…
Beginner-Friendly! We’ll all be learning together with Panama’s top surf coaches guiding us
Perfect for Solo Female Travelers looking to catch their first wave with the support of a group
The Start of Something Beautiful! Meet other gals down to travel together in the future
panama’s
vibe
Relaxed! We will be learning how to surf in a small, yet modern village home to just one dirt road
Sunshine Central: It’s Panama’s “summer” during our trip, so expect warm, sunny days and minimal rain
Easy Conversion: The U.S. dollar is widely used, and most places accept card making transactions simple
our Accommodation
We’ll have a mix of shared bunkbed-style and private room options throughout the trip
In Panama City, we’re staying one night in the lively Casco Viejo district, before we head to the coast
In Playa Venao, we’ll settle into a cozy, locally-owned surf camp right on the beach for the rest of the trip
Activity Level
This trip is Globethotter’s most active to date, while still providing plenty of moments for relaxation
There will be surf lessons, yoga classes, breathwork, kayaking, surf-skating, and even a self-defense class
Can’t get enough surf? You will have your own board all week, so you can hit the waves whenever!
trip date: february 8th-15th, 2025
This trip is designed for female or non-binary identifying adventurers over 21 years old.
what we’re up to…
day 1 / sat
After touching down in Panama City, guests will be picked up at the airport via private shuttle and dropped off at our hostel, nestled in the historic district of Casco Viejo.
We’ll kick things off with a delicious welcome dinner, followed by a cheeky girls’ night out — complete with plenty of reggaeton and unforgettable memories.
What happens in Panama City, stays in Panama City 💃
day 2 / sun
Before hitting the road to Playa Venao, guests will kick off the day with a complimentary breakfast at our hostel.
Once in Venao, we’ll check into our beachfront surf camp and get familiar with the area —though that won’t take long, since Playa Venao has just one dirt road and a population of 800.
That evening, we’ll come together for a soundbath ceremony, designed to leave you feeling grounded and right at home.
day 3 / mon
Kick off your first full day in Venao with a group meditation, followed by a yoga class to warm you up before we dive into our very first surf lesson of the week.
Breakfast is included every day and served at our surf house’s very own restaurant, complete with beautiful ocean views.
Later that night, we’ll come together for a fun surf video analysis, where we’ll watch clips of ourselves in the water and break down areas to improve.
day 4 / tues
We’ll kick off another day in paradise by hitting the waves with our world-class instructors to build on what we’ve already learned.
Post-surf, chill out by the pool or head back out for more — you’ve got access to your own board all week, so you call the shots!
Later, we’ll take a surf-skate lesson with some local skate legends, followed by a delicious pizza night.
day 5 / wed
Enjoy a gentle start to your day with yoga, followed by breathwork, and a cold plunge in the surf house’s ice bath — where we’ll cheer each other on as we push past our limits.
In the afternoon, we’ll head out for a kayaking excursion through the mangroves, followed by a lunch at a local family-owned restaurant.
Though there’s no surf lesson, guests are welcome to catch some waves at their leisure!
day 6 / thurs
We’ll be ringing in Galentine’s as a squad during our third surf lesson, followed by our usual video analysis session with the coaches.
After a lazy afternoon beach-bumming, we’ll come together for an intro to self-defense class, taught by the awesome team at our surf house.
Later that night, we’ll hit the local beach bar and dance the night away to Bad Bunny — preferably barefoot on the sand.
DAY 7 / fri
Our last full day in paradise begins with yoga and meditation, followed by a final surf lesson with our coaches.
In the afternoon, we’ll come together for a beach cleanup, giving back to the beautiful place we’ve called home this week, before catching one last sunset.
That evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner, sharing memories and laughs before seeing where the night takes us…
DAY 8 / sat
Sadly, all good things must come to an end… 😭
After one final breakfast together, it’s time to hop on the shuttle back to the Panama City airport.
P.S. With incredible destinations like Costa Rica and Colombia just a short flight away, the adventure doesn’t have to end here — keep exploring if you can! ✈️
trip Cost: $1,850 dorm option
$2,590 PRIVATE ROOM OPTION
early birds get $100 off w/ code: surfergirl
Secure your spot with $250 down & pay in three payments
What’s included
Official airport pick-up and drop-off
7 nights in top-rated accommodation
All breakfasts & 3 other meals
4 Surf lessons
Daily board rental
Surf video analysis after every lesson
3 Yoga classes
Kayaking excursion
Soundbath ceremony
Breathwork + Ice bath session
Self-Defense class
Surf-Skate lesson
Transport to all itinerary activities
Gratuities to vendors and restaurants
WhatsApp Group for us to plan + prep
Pre-Trip support with your host, Cassy
what’s not
included
Flights
Any required visa & vaccination fees
Meals not listed
Travel insurance
Any required Lab-Based COVID Tests
Opt-in activities
Club entrances
Alcoholic beverages
Transportation to non-itinerary activities
Incidental room charges
Meet cassy,
your trip host
Since hosting her first group trip in 2022, Cassy has led over 15 tours to destinations like Croatia, Mexico, and Portugal.
A travel-focused content creator, Cassy discovered her love for surfing in Playa Venao, and is stoked to share this special place with you while hitting the waves together with top instructors!
Check out reviews from past trip attendees about their experiences with Cassy here.
this trip is perfect for…
first-time surfers
solo travelers
main characters
frequently asked questions
Do I need prior surfing experience?
No prior surfing experience is required! This all-women’s surf trip is perfect for all skill levels, including beginners.
Whether you’re new to surfing or looking to improve, our surf coaches will offer expert guidance and support to help you catch your first wave or level up your skills. Join us for a fun, supportive environment where you can learn, grow, and enjoy every moment of your surfing adventure!
how do i get to playa venao?
Attendees will fly into Panama City via Tocumen International Airport (PTY). Upon arrival, attendees must go through customs before catching their private shuttle to our accommodation in the historic Casco Viejo district, where we will stay for one night before taking a private shuttle to Playa Venao — where our surf house is.
When the trip concludes, attendees will return to the Panama City airport via private shuttle from Playa Venao. The shuttle is ~five and a half hours long, so specifics about required flight times will be shared once you are formally added onto this trip. No flights should be booked before attendee’s mandatory pre-trip Zoom with Cassy detailed below.
Is panama safe?
The areas of Panama in which we are visiting are generally considered safe for tourists. However, as with any destination, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take certain precautions to ensure your safety, such as wearing an anti-theft bag or exploring with a buddy at night.
That being said, we will largely be staying within the city center while in Panama City and Playa Venao, and will be partnering with trusted local guides who are knowledgeable about the area when exploring.
how much does the trip cost?
The total trip cost is $1,850 USD for a shared room, and $2,590 for a private room. To begin the process of securing your spot, a $250 deposit is required via WeTravel.
are payment plans available?
Trip cost can either be paid in full or split in up to 3 monthly payments via our booking platform, WeTravel.
does a deposit guarantee my spot?
All attendees will be subject to a mandatory pre-screening with Cassy via Zoom before their booking on WeTravel is considered official. If we are not able to place you on the trip, your deposit will be fully refunded.
I’m on the trip waitlist, what does that mean?
Signing up for the waitlist does not require a deposit. While being put on a waitlist may sound like a bummer at first, don’t fret! As mentioned above, no bookings are final until folks have had their mandatory pre-screening Zoom with Cassy. If a slot opens up during this process, those on the waitlist have first dibs and will be notified first.
Another reason the waitlist ain’t so bad, is that should there be enough demand — those on the waitlist will be invited to join a new, identical trip taking place a couple weeks after.
What are the accommodations like?
Throughout the week, we'll have both private and dorm-style options for guests at our top-rated hostel and surf camp.
On our first night in Panama City, both style accommodations include breakfast, air-conditioning, and access to a rooftop pool and bar.
In Playa Venao, we'll be staying at a surf house right on the sand, with daily breakfast, surf lessons, yoga, and wellness classes. Plus, you'll have access to a pool on the property for ultimate relaxation.
what documents do i need to present before our trip?
All trip attendees must share a copy of their passport (with 6 months of validity remaining by the date of your trip), and emergency contact information.
Cancellation Policy:
If you were to cancel your booking when your spot on the trip is…
Pending: Your $250 deposit is refundable.
Confirmed (More than 60 days before trip): Your $250 deposit is non-refundable, while any additional payments made are refundable — however, there is a $100 cancelation fee.
Confirmed (Less than 60 days before the trip starts): Neither your deposit, nor any additional payments made are refundable.
Given the nature of making plans in our current times, we encourage those offered an official spot on the trip to consider buying refundable flight tickets and personal travel insurance. While we are almost sure that COVID-19 will not interfere with our group trips this winter, we will continue monitoring and following all CDC recommendations.
Please note that this trip’s itinerary is subject to change, to comply with COVID restrictions at time of travel. In the case the trip itinerary listed here needs to be modified due to COVID restrictions, Cassy will swap any excursions that do not comply to those of matching value that do. The group will be notified of any significant changes to the official itinerary before our trip.
If Cassy does cancel this trip, all registered attendees will receive a full refund of any trip payments made up until the point of cancellation. However, the $250 deposit is a non-refundable administrative fee. Any traveler who books one of Globethotter’s group trips will be notified of cancellations no later than 30 days before the trip starts, except in the case of last-minute contingencies.
the reviews are in… Are you? ✈️
calling all globethotties
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