Visit this page for Borders, Measures & Requirements.
↠EL ZONTE, EL SALVADOR
It is true that there is existing conflicts between the street gangs and the government. However, this instability is happening in some precise districts of the city of San Salvador, which you won’t visit during the retreat. The airport, even if named like the capital, isn’t actually located in the city, so you won’t find yourself in a dangerous situation there either. Moreover, the tourists are not targeted by the conflict. The Salty Villa is located in a quiet beach town, and is fully gated with a guardian. You’ll see, Salvadorians are so welcoming!
↠MONTAÑITA, ECUADOR
You might have read about street gangs and drug-related violence. However, this is happening in some precise districts of the city of Guayaquil, which you won’t visit during the retreat. The airport is located in a safe district and moreover, the tourists are not targeted by the conflict. The Salty Villa is located in a super chill beach town and is fully gated. Ecuadorians are also very welcoming 🙂
↠SIARGAO, PHILIPPINES
In your research on the Philippines, you may come across travel advisory warnings due to civil unrest or kidnappings. These warnings are specific to the Sulu Archipelago, a very remote region in the southern most part of the Philippines. The reality that you will encounter is that the country is the exact opposite. It is extremely safe, locals are generous, honest and kind. Punta Punta Surf Retreat is located in a tiny and friendly village and we have 24/7 security onsite.
* We advise, as with traveling anywhere, to use basic common sense in the cities, as they are more prone to pickpocketing and be mindful of your belongings.
We’ve been spending the past years traveling through those countries and we personally have never felt unsafe. We make sure to offer safe conditions and give security advices for each trip. You should not be worrying 🙂 !
If you have the opportunity, we highly recommend to arrive earlier and/or stay longer after your trip with us as those countries has so many things to visit and enjoy!
↠EL SALVADOR
For your extra nights, there are a lot of options in El Zonte. We suggest checking Esencia Nativa, Palo Verde, Michanti.
↠ECUADOR
For your extra nights, there are a lot of options in Montañita. We suggest checking Kundalini, Balsa Surf House, or you can always book extra nights at The Salty casa: Villa Barona.
If you prefer to stay in Guayaquil for your nights before/after to take advantage of the free airport transfert included in the Experience , we recommend the Holiday Inn and Oro verde. They are located super close to the airport and offer the possibility to have a airport shuttle.
↠PHILIPPINES
For your extra nights in Siargao, we recommend Surfing Temple, Bravo Resort, or you can always book extra nights at the Salty Casa: Punta Punta.
If you are flying from an International flight, you might need to spend a night in Manila or Cebu.
For Manila, we’d recommend Element Boutique Hotel, Z Hostel, Picasso Hotel.
For Cebu, we’d recommend Amani, BAI Hotel, Chambre Hotel Mactan.
↠EL SALVADOR
The U.S dollar is the official currency of El Salvador.
This trip is an all-inclusive adventure, but you’ll need money for your visa on arrival ($12), 3 to 4 meals at the restaurant (~$20/meal), and to buy souvenirs and/or Salty Souls apparel if you want to.
There’s also the possibility to treat yourself with a massage ($45-60), book a private photoshoot with Pauline Mathiot ($280) and a private sound healing session with Ligia Jimenez ($75) .
We recommend bringing ~$200USD of cash money.
↠ECUADOR
The U.S dollar is the official currency of Ecuador.
This trip is an all-inclusive adventure, but you will need some cash money for 3 to 4 meals at the restaurant (~$20/meal), and to buy souvenirs and/or Salty Souls apparel if you want to.
There’s also the possibility to treat yourself with a massage ($45-60) and to book a private photoshoot with the photographer of the retreat Dana Bjarner ($250).
We recommend arriving with ~$200USD of cash money.
↠PHILIPPINES
The Philippine peso (PHP), or ‘piso’ in Filipino, is the official currency of the Philippines (see exchange rates).
During your time with us, there are a few lunches & dinners (500 – 1000PHP ≈ $10-20 per meal) that are not included.
There’s also the possibility to book a private photoshoot with the photographer of the retreat Camille RDP (15 000PHP≈$280) .
We suggest that you withdraw about 5000 to 10 000PHP ($90 to $180) when you land in Manila or at the airport in Siargao to get started. There are ATMs everywhere so it’s easy to get money.
It’s super easy to buy your flight ticket online.
We would recommend booking through sites like skyscanner.com, kayak.com/flights or google.com/flights which allow you to compare the different airline deals.
If you are flexible, look up for the “± 3 days” option, which allows you to see the most advantageous airfares in a little range of days.
Here’s some advices to find the best flight fares!
* Make sure that your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months following the departure date and that you have all the required documents concerning COVID-19.
↠ECUADOR
Your destination airport is Guayaquil (GYE).
↠EL SALVADOR
Your destination airport is San Salvador (SAL).
↠PHILIPPINES
STEP 1: Book your international flight to Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB) or Clark (CRK).
STEP 2: Book a regional flight from your international airport to Sayak (IAO) airport via Philippine Airline or Cebu Pacific.
*NOTE: The regional flights to/from Siargao run between 5AM-5PM. Depending on the arrival of your International flight, you might need to spend one night in the city of your international airport. To avoid an overnight, aim for a 5+ hour window between your international and your regional flights. If you want to avoid an overnight in Manila / Cebu / Clark, we advise you to check the regional flight schedules prior to booking your international flight.
Your final destination airport is Sayak (IAO).
↠EL SALVADOR
No visa is required to enter the country. Upon your arrival at airport, you’ll simply be asked to pay 12$US for a touristic card. You’ll then be allowed to stay for 90 days in the CA-4 (union between El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica).
↠ECUADOR
No visa necessary. A maximum stay of 90 days in the country is authorized to regular tourists.
↠PHILIPPINES
Travelers from 158 countries are allowed to travel to the Philippines and stay up to 30 days without a visa.
*If in doubt, we recommend to check with your embassy to confirm your requirements before traveling.
↠EL SALVADOR, ECUADOR & PHILIPPINES
For all destinations, we highly suggest that you get your COVID-19 vaccination, including both doses if appropriate for that vaccine make at least 14 days prior to departure.
The other recommended vaccines are: tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The government of El Salvador, Ecuador, Philippines requires a proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever (see list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission). On that list, it says that Ecuador has risks of yellow fever transmission, but this is only for the Amazonia, which you won’t be visiting during your trip with us.
*If you’re planning on visiting an other area than the one we propose, you should consult a health travel clinic.
A travel insurance that covers Emergency Medical Coverage, including COVID-19 medical coverage is required to participate to the Experience.
Lots of credit cards offer coverage for short holidays. We advise you to check with your bank. Otherwise, here’s a list of travel insurances covering COVID-19.
*When purchasing your travel insurance, also make sure that surfing is an activity covered by your insurer.
*We highly suggest adding the trip cancellation coverage in the case that you’d unfortunately be unable to attend your trip.
Of course! We actually think it would be a more profitable Experience done in solo! No matter if you come with a friend or are flying solo, we promise you’ll never feel alone 🙂
Yes, there is some WiFi at the house -sometimes a bit slow, but we promise to keep you entertain so you don’t need it that much ;)- and in pretty much every cafes & restaurants around.
The weather in Ecuador, El Salvador & Philippines is warm and tropical (between 22°C and 33°C), therefore you should dress lightly and comfortable.
Packing list:
- Yoga/sports clothes
- Bathing suits
- Beachwear
- A rash-guard or surf suit
- A hat/cap
- A reusable water bottle
- Flip flops or comfortable sandals
- A beach towel and/or a sarong
- Sunscreen with a high SPF + a zinc oxide sunscreen (the best for the face while surfing). We usually have some available for sale at the villa.
- Insect repellent
- Hygiene products
- Sneakers (for our El Salvador destination)
- Skating protective gear : only necessary for our Surf n’ Skate program in El Salvador (recommendation here)
Optional:
- Windbreaker or long sleeve
- Ear plugs (in case your roomie snores :P)
- Snorkeling gear (for our Ecuador destination)
- Dry bag for wet boat rides (for our Philippines destination)
We understand that life is unpredictable, that’s why we will try to accommodate each of you the best we can. However, the cancellation of a trip will generate fees for us, and that’s why we only offer travel credits.
This is our cancellation policy :
– The deposit is not refundable
– 45 to 59 days prior to arrival: we will offer 75% of the value of your trip as a travel credit, valid for 24 months.
– 30 to 44 days prior to arrival: we will offer 50% of the value of your trip as a travel credit, valid for 24 months.
– 15 to 29 days prior to arrival: we will offer 25% of the value of your trip as a travel credit, valid for 24 months.
*For cancellations made less than 15 days before departure date, we unfortunately can’t offer any credit.
*We highly suggest purchasing a travel insurance with a trip cancellation coverage in order to get a refund in the case that you’d unfortunately be unable to attend your trip.
1. Fill up the application form.
2. We will send you an email confirming your admission and the availability of the requested dates.
3. Pay your 700$US deposit to secure your spot.
4. 45 days prior to departure, the payment of the balance will be required.
Of course ! Once we’ve received your application form, we will get in touch with you and invite you to tell us about your allergies or food restriction. This way, we will be able to plan the meals consequently and offer you an option if there is a meal that doesn’t suit your needs.
Depending where you’re from and to which of our destinations you are traveling (Indonesia, Ecuador or El Salvador), you might OR might not need a power plug adapter 😛
You can refer to this website to know if you need one and if yes, which one is recommended.
