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 is the experience. Ocean steps away. Shala nearby. Jungle air and salt in the breeze.
No long transfers. No resort sprawl. Just barefoot mornings and waves before coffee. Or after. It’s your call.
EXCELLENTVerified 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 onVerified 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 onVerified 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 onVerified 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 onVerified 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 onVerified 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 onVerified 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 youPosted onVerified The perfect balance of surf and yoga 💕 I had the most magical week on a surf and yoga retreat with the wonderful Waluaa team, from our kind hosts Elena and Gayle to our excellent surf coaches Javier and Jose. When I arrived in Santa Catalina I was still recovering from an injury and didn’t know if I was going to be able to surf but thanks to Javier, Jose and the much needed wellness support from Low (highly recommend getting one or as many massages as you can!) I was able to get back on the board which I was truly over the moon about. I also managed despite my recovery to improve my pop-up which I am most grateful for. Some additional highlights include the nature walk with Javier where we saw some beautiful birds and a transcendent reiki experience with Tara. The food was also excellent and I miss having fresh seafood everyday! To top it all off, I left with some wonderful new friends and a promise to return someday soon.Posted onVerified Paradise in Panama I honestly don’t have enough words to describe how special this experience was. From the moment I arrived at Catalina’s Hideaway, I felt completely welcomed and at peace. The setting was absolutely breathtaking — surrounded by lush jungle, ocean views, and the kindest people everywhere you turned. Our residence and the entire resort was so special - a beachfront view with an inviting pathway to the beach, where sunrise walks were a highlight each morning. The Waluaa Yoga team created such a beautiful, intentional space for connection and growth. Each yoga class felt like a gift — grounding, emotional, and inspiring in ways I didn’t expect. I found myself reconnecting not only with my practice but with myself. Thank you to Elena, Gayle and Anthea for the yoga classes, massage, great conversations and individualization. As for the staff at Catalina’s Hideaway… truly exceptional. Every single person made us feel cared for — from the delicious, nourishing meals to their constant kindness and attention to detail. You could feel the love in everything they did. All the days were perfect - full days, with restful moments integrated within. I came here hoping for rest and renewal, and I left with a full heart, and deep gratitude. This retreat was everything I needed and so much more. Thank you, Waluaa Yoga and Catalina’s Hideaway, for creating such a magical, soul-filling experience. 🌺✨Posted onVerified Peaceful in Paradise This yoga retreat went above and beyond all my expectations. From the beginning, it was well organized and well communicated. Everything went off without a hitch. We felt cared for from the minute we stepped foot at Catalina's Hideaway. We were greeted by our hosts and from there, everything was completely organized and overseen by someone. We had the perfect balance of activities and relaxation. The instructors/hostess' were knowledgeable, kind, generous and fun. The yoga and other spiritual offerings were beautiful, enlightening and uplifting in so many ways. The accommodations, food, customer service and amenities were top notch. It's such a special environment to be in. Thank you to Vicki, Elena, Gayle, Anthea, Nick, Antonia, Joel and all the others who made this a very memorable time for my sister and I. It is highly recommended if you are looking for an authentic, peaceful, idyllic place to just be.
EXCELLENTTrustindex 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 onTrustindex 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 onTrustindex 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 onTrustindex 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!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Exceeds expectations! Everyone at Waluaa worked diligently to provide an experience of a life time. We went on this retreat to improve our surfing skills. We left with, yes, improved surfing skills plus so much more. Magical destination, far away from the intensity of "normal" life and so close to nature you feel like you are in nature's living room itself. Thank you to Sergio, and his team for the excellent skills and theory sessions and for sharing the surfing life and passion with us. Thank you to Elina and her team for the attention to every detail PLUS the private and almost sacred yoga sessions in magic locations. We are already planning our return!! Waluaaaaaaaa!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful experience! Sergio (and Javier and Casey) are all fantastic surf instructors. I felt so safe and cared for during all the lessons. I loved the video analysis—it really helped connect mind and body. Vickie and the yoga team (Elena and Becky) were incredible, top notch yoga instructors. I’ve been doing yoga for 20 years now and they are as good as any teachers I’ve ever practiced with. Everyone was so warm, welcoming and exuded hospitality. Thank you so much Waluaa!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Waluaa team is truly amazing! The Surf & Yoga retreat was so well organized with a great balance of wellness and restoration. The food and drinks were local, fresh and delicious. Vickie, Sergio, Elena and Becky took care of everything so we could disconnect and enjoy a fabulous week of surf, yoga, meditation and more. We are so happy that Waluaa was recommended to us by a friend. We are already planning our next trip back! Thank you team Waluaa for your hospitality and kindness. You exceeded expectations and provided a truly special trip that we will always remember. Until next time! 🌊🏄♀️🐬🇵🇦🧘♀️🙏Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This place is amazing.. I was able to find peace and serenity with my people and my sissy.. The food was excellent.. They were very accommodating.. And the scenery was very breathtaking... I loved every minute of it.. And let's talk about vicky and sergio... The best hosts You can ever ask for... Vicky Was amazing.. All your needs with a smile.. And all the staff were great.. I plan to return..Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just heading back to the UK after an amazing month in Panama, which finished with a week surf and yoga retreat at Waluaa! Sergio is the best teacher, he’s so passionate, patient and clearly so knowledge, I felt in completely safe hands all week. I loved the time at Villa Coca; the food, the service and the team were all fantastic. I’m glad I opted for this accommodation as the beach isn’t that close to either accommodation so having that little bit more comfort was lovely. A good blend of yoga and surf and relaxation! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Wahuaa if you’re looking to learn/improve your surf skills, if you want to be somewhere off the beaten path but you still want to have amazing food and excellent service!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best Surf and Yoga Retreat i ever met. The teachers are very professionell and they do everything with so much love that you feel Like in a Little Family. If you want to have a Great time at a magical Place, Go to this Retreat, its amazing 👌🏻🏄♂️🍀
Classic Oceanfront
Wake up to the Pacific at your doorstep
Our most iconic property. Simple, beautiful rooms directly facing the ocean. You’re steps from the sand with nothing between you and the horizon but wide, blue ocean.
The vibe:
- Open and airy beachfront locale
- Oceanfront infinity pool
- Short walk to town
Explore our Classic Oceanfront
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.
The vibe:
- Quiet and tucked away
- Surrounded by tropical gardens
- Private and peaceful
Explore our tropical Villas
Beachfront Hideaway
Spacious, refined and boho chic
Thoughtfully designed with comfort and socializing in mind, this stay offers a little more space while keeping the barefoot spirit intact.
The vibe:
- Elevated yet relaxed
- Social and stylish
- Bayfront location
Explore our Beachfront Hideaway
