Stay somewhere that changes your rhythm
Three stunning properties. One quietly magical surf town in Panama
Where you reside shapes how you feel.
At Waluaa, your stay isn’t separate from the experience. It’s part of the experience. Ocean steps away. Shala nearby. Jungle air and salt in the breeze.
No crowds. No resort sprawl. Just barefoot mornings and waves before coffee. Or after. It’s your call.
EXCELLENTVerified Curated, restorative, and run by people who care One of the most restorative weeks I've had in a long time. I went with 2 friends and we lucked into what felt like a private retreat, just the 3 of us. That intimacy meant we got to have lovely conversations with the Waluaa Team during surf lessons, yoga classes and at each of our meals, which felt really special. Javier and Casey are excellent surf instructors. Javier's technical knowledge is deep, and his passion for the sport is contagious. Casey brings a kind of enthusiasm in the water that makes you want to paddle back out even when you're tired. I carry some anxiety in the ocean, and I always felt looked after. Both gave thoughtful wave selection guidance and real feedback after each ride. Elena and Gayle led restorative yoga in an open-air shala facing the ocean after morning surf sessions. They also introduced us to breathwork and meditation. I had limited experience with those practices, and it was a treat to open myself to these new modalities. The rooms at Catalina's Hideaway are beautiful. The enclosed sunroom facing a small waterway with chairs and a hammock became a peaceful resting spot after every surf. Food was fresh, flavorful, and the kitchen got creative. Staff was genuinely kind and accommodating of requests. We casually mentioned that we were excited it was the beginning of mango season; the next day, we were treated to fresh mangos blended into our drinks and added to our daily fruit bowls! Vickie was also incredibly responsive throughout the logistics and planning process, which made everything easy before we even arrived. Do the Coiba snorkel excursion. Dolphins, sea turtles, white-tipped sharks, schools of fish everywhere. Mama is passionate about the marine environment and kept the whole group comfortable and safe the entire time. Pack leggings for jellyfish. Already looking forward to visiting Santa Catalina and the Waluaa Team again!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Amazing experience Solo female traveler and first time surfer here! I absolutely LOVED the experience with Waluaa. First of, the accommodations were loverly and provided the most amazing food. Second, the yoga classes were so much fun and so needed before/after the surf sessions; both Elena and Gayle are amazing teachers and not only we learned but had lots of fun with them. Lastly, the surfing was perfect. As I said it was my first time surfing and went into the experience with some anxiety but Javier and Casey made sure I understood the theory, practice enough on the sand and then accompanied me during every wave. In my first class I managed to stand up on the board and by the end of the week I felt safe enough to go into the deeper part of the ocean. I would give 6 starts if I could :)Posted on TripadvisorVerified A restorative week The week with Waluaa was truly memorable and restorative. The whole team was amazing and we felt very well taken care of. Everything was seamless and enjoyable from the food to the surf and yoga lessons.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Chill week of surfing, yoga, getting away from it all Waluaa was exactly as advertised and exactly what I was looking for--a week of consistent, mid-sized waves, post-surf yoga, and an overall low-key, mellow vibe I could enjoy with my wife. The resort is beautiful and very comfortable, without being over the top or extraneously ostentatious. The food is clean, healthy, and ridiculously delicious, served up by incredibly friendly staff. Santa Catalina is an isolated, sleepy fishing village populated by friendly people and filled with rustic charm. If you're looking for raging nightlife and ultra-luxury lodgings, look elsewhere, but if you just want to surf uncrowded waves and chill, this is the place.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Attention to detail As a solo female traveler, I appreciated the attention to detail, communication and the ease of each transition. The accommodations and food were way beyond my expectations. Loved the yoga instructors and breath work and will integrate into my daily practices. Don’t miss going to Coiba!Posted on TripadvisorVerified 200% perfekte Wahl für ein Retreat am Meer Was für eine grandiose Woche. Herzlichen Dank an das tolle Valuaateam. Becky, Elena, Casey und auch alle anderen Surflehrer haben einen super Job gemacht. Und nicht nur das, sie alle sind mit ganzem Herzen dabei, gehen ständig die Extrameile und sind ständig in herzlichem Kontakt mit allen. Der Ort ist fantastisch, das Personal im Hotel immer freundlich und zuvorkommen und beim Essen wird jeder Extrawunsch mit einem Lächeln erfüllt. Wenn du Panama mit vollem Herzen und einem Lächeln verlassen möchtest - buche Valuaa 😊Posted on TripadvisorVerified Surf & Yoga Retreat - an incredible experience! I have nothing but praise and gratitude for the entire experience and team at Waluaa Surf & Yoga. This retreat was beyond my expectations and a trip I will remember forever! The communication, organization and genuine hospitality from everyone was incredible. Everyone kept us well informed and prepared the entire week and was the perfect balance of activity and downtime. The accommodations were comfortable, the SC Hotel and views were beautiful, the food was delicious and plentiful and accommodated individual dietary requirements. The patience, guidance and enthusiasm from Javier & Jose, our surf instructors, was beyond and had our group up on the boards on Day 1. I feel incredibly lucky to have learned from them as a first time surfer and appreciated how comfortable and encouraging they made us feel. Elena & Becky, our retreat manager, co-host & yoga teachers were excellent and the pace and energy of class was exactly what we needed on those days. Elena was personable and connected the group (that all just met) together by asking about our stories and sharing her experiences that made our time together feel welcomed, warm & friendly. I have no regrets and look forward to coming back in the near future! Much gratitude and thanks to Elena, Becky, Javier, Jose, Alex & Vickie and everyone at the SC Hotel!Posted on TripadvisorVerified 5 stars for a reason It's a 10/10 experience. Read all the reviews to know why to book ASAP. Everything was taken care of with authentic kindness and thoughtfulness. I traveled with my college grad daughter who also says it was a 10/10 experience. The owners, staff, and excursions were beyond our expectation. Our group of 4 was seredipitously perfect. Thank you to our host Elena who genuinely is one of the most interestingly fantastic person you can meet. Yoga was amazing with Becky and Elena. We both had a deep tissue massage with Becky that was exceptional. Next time I am trying the Thai massage with Elena! Accommodations on the ocean front property were magnificent. Food was accommodated to dietary restrictions and also delicious. Surf lessons by the best instructors Javier and Jose! I originally signed up for just yoga decided to give it a try and it was the best decision. They have you up and surfing having fun smiling and wanting to surf more. Highly recommend you say YES and GO!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Just book it! I can't wait to go back. What an amazing week! I did the surf and yoga retreat at the oceanfront location and it exceeded every expectation. Surfing – 10/10 I’ve been around surfers my whole life but never found the right moment to learn—until now. At 33, I’ve officially caught the surfing bug. Javier and Jose were phenomenal instructors; I improved every single day, and nothing beat the feeling of catching a wave to cheers from new friends. Yoga & Mindfulness – 10/10 Elena and Gayle were incredible. They continuously checked in, adjusted the practice to the group’s needs, and created such a supportive atmosphere. I arrived with hip pain and left feeling amazing. Elena’s Thai/Swedish-style massage was one of the best I’ve ever had, and Gayle’s hypnotherapy session for motion sickness felt like a deeply calming guided meditation. Hotel & Location – 10/10 The hotel staff—and even the owner—were wonderful. Service was quick and thoughtful, the food was fantastic, and the town itself is truly special. We loved walking to Panachocolat and picking up bracelets from a local shop. I’d been eyeing this retreat for a long time and kept putting it off—let this be your sign to just book it. I barely touched my phone and never once felt bored. I left Santa Catalina thinking, What a magical week. I can absolutely see myself coming back.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Amazing time at Waluaa What an incredible trip. The energy and warmth of everyone will stay with me for a long time. Elena, Gayle and Javier from the Waluaa team + the incredible retreat group made this week feel truly special. Santa Catalina Hotel was a beautiful place to stay overlooking LaPunta. The yoga and surf classes were next level. Thank you
EXCELLENTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An incredible week in Santa Catalina. Waluaa offers a very well-run retreat with a genuinely great team. Javier is a wealth surf knowledge and Casey's positive energy in the water is contagious. Elena and Gayle led restorative yoga sessions and were wonderfully warm, caring hosts during our stay. Vickie handled all the logistics and was responsive and easy to work with. The rooms at Catalina's Hideaway are lovely. Food was fresh and flavorful. And the staff was so kind and accommodating. Highly recommend the Coiba snorkel excursion. And build in time to explore Panama City if you have extra days to spend. I'll definitely be back!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thanks Waluaa for making our sister trip special! We bonded with the group of travelers we joined under the care of Elena. Who was a fabulous host. I can’t say enough about the positive and professional surf coaching from Javier. And as much as I was unsure about meditation and breath work, Gayle turned me into a believer. Great mix of yoga slow flow and more powerful classes based on how the group was vibing. Special call out for my sisters 40th birthday dinner, when Elena brought a birthday cake with 50 cent pumping Shorty it’s your birthday, she nailed it! 5 starsPosted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Casey is the best! Highly recommend taking lessons with him. It was my first time ever and he explained it all so good so I could enjoy it to the max.Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Solo female traveler and first time surfer here! I absolutely LOVED the experience with Waluaa. First of, the accommodations were loverly and provided the most amazing food. Second, the yoga classes were so much fun and so needed before/after the surf sessions; both Elena and Gayle are amazing teachers and not only we learned but had lots of fun with them. Lastly, the surfing was perfect. As I said it was my first time surfing and went into the experience with some anxiety but Javier and Casey made sure I understood the theory, practice enough on the sand and then accompanied me during every wave. In my first class I managed to stand up on the board and by the end of the week I felt safe enough to go into the deeper part of the ocean. I would give 6 starts if I could :)Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Casey war ein toller, geduldiger Lehrer, der unbedingt wollte, dass wir es alleine schaffen. Lieblingswort: Paddle! Danke!! :)Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Waluaa was everything I was looking for in a surf camp--warm water, consistent, mellow, uncrowded waves, and a chill atmosphere. I knew I'd be travelling with non-surfers and wanted a spot that would work for them as well, and the resort absolutely delivered. Nothing fancy, just super comfortable, with absolutely some of the best seafood I've ever had. The incredibly friendly staff create a welcoming, low pressure experience that's tailored to you and your group. The remote setting really helps you unplug and just focus on your vacation--surfing, yoga, just chilling.Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was my very first retreat and Waluaa was beyond my expectations. From all the questions I had before booking, to the actual trip prep, through the actual week in Santa Catalina, the experience was fabulous. Vickie, Elena and all others are very kind, fun, but also super focused on ensuring the guests have the best experience. The yoga and surf instructors were the best - I feel lucky I got to meet them. And I managed to stand up on the board many times which I felt super happy about. Santa Catalina itself is a beautiful place, very preserved and peaceful. The food was another highlight of my week - I enjoyed very much the very fresh local nutritious vegan meals. The additional experiences (island trip, massage, snorkeling to Coiba) were also carefully curated and nice additions to the surf and yoga. I could not recommend more. Thank you Vickie, Elena, Beckie, Javier, Jose, Alex, and all the amazing staff at hotel SC!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It's a 10/10 experience. Read all the reviews to know why to book ASAP. Everything was taken care of with authentic kindness and thoughtfulness. I traveled with my college grad daughter who also says it was a 10/10 experience. The owners, staff, and excursions were beyond our expectation. Our group of 4 was seredipitously perfect. Thank you to our host Elena who genuinely is one of the most interestingly fantastic person you can meet. Yoga was amazing with Becky and Elena. We both had a deep tissue massage with Becky that was exceptional. Next time I am trying the Thai massage with Elena! Accommodations on the ocean front property were magnificent. Food was accommodated to dietary restrictions and also delicious. Surf lessons by the best instructors Javier and Jose! I originally signed up for just yoga decided to give it a try and it was the best decision. They have you up and surfing having fun smiling and wanting to surf more. Highly recommend you say YES and GO!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing time at Waluaa Surf & Yoga Retreat! Everything was well organized, and the pre-trip communication was timely and helpful. The surf instructor was exceptional—a true expert. It was my first time surfing, and he gave me clear techniques that helped me succeed right from the start. The yoga sessions were the perfect complement to the surf days. The instructors were supportive and kept the classes accessible for any level, which really helped keep me going. I also booked the extra Thai massages, which were absolutely worth it and kept me loose throughout the trip. The food was fantastic. They easily adjusted to my high-protein diet and were careful with my allergies. Don’t hesitate to speak up—they’re very accommodating and want you to get the nutrition you need. The accommodations were comfortable, and although we briefly lost power, it came back quickly thanks to their generator. Overall, I had a truly great experience and would definitely come back. Highly recommend!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was fortunate enough to spend the week of Labor day with the amazing staff at Waluaa, near the quaint town of Santa Catalina. It turned out to be such a wholesome, peaceful, active and rejuvenating experience. The entire staff was tremendously kind, patient, helpful and coordinated with a special attention to providing excellent customer service. Truly an amazing and nurturing experience. Thank you!
Classic Oceanfront
Wake up to the Pacific at your doorstep
Our most iconic property. Simple, comfortable rooms. Bar, restaurant and yoga studio directly facing the ocean. You’re steps from the ocean with nothing between you and the horizon but wide, blue ocean.
The vibe:
- Open and airy locale
- Classic Spanish colonial architecture
- Amazing mid-to-high tide swimming beach
- Ocean-view yoga shala and infinity pool
- The best sunsets in town
Tropical Villas
A lush and lavish oasis
Set slightly back from the shoreline, these villas offer privacy and lush greenery while still just moments from the beach and village.
The vibe:
- Quiet and tucked away
- Surrounded by tropical gardens
- Private and peaceful
- Stylish villa feel with natural finishes
- Tropical garden yoga shala
Beachfront Hideaway
Spacious, relaxed and boho chic
Thoughtfully designed with comfort and nature in mind, this stay offers a little more space while keeping the barefoot spirit intact.
The vibe:
- Elevated yet relaxed
- A nature immersion
- Sunrise views and step-to-sand living
- Miles of secluded bayfront to explore
- Ocean-view yoga studio
