ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

Buddha Retreats is located only a one hour drive north of Lisbon in a beautifully restored country house surrounded by green hills and close to the rugged beaches of the Portuguese west coast. Since 2014 we have been offering all-inclusive retreats for all levels and have hosted retreat organizers from around the world.

Buddha Retreats is located close to the west coast of Portugal in the village of Columbeira and only an hour drive north of Lisbon. The area around Columbeira is known for its cultivation of pears and lies along the western wine route with many beautiful wineries nearby and the medieval village of Obidos only a few kilometres away. The proximity of the Atlantic Ocean with frequent rain falls during the winter months results in lush and green hills all year round.

Our yoga retreats

Relax and recharge during our yoga retreats. Iyengar yoga is a dynamic and physically intensive form of yoga where the focus is on correct alignment of the postures. All of our retreats are suitable for all levels.

Our yoga & surf retreats

Learn to surf with us at the beautiful beaches of the Portuguese Silvercoast. The coast around Peniche and Baleal offers some of the best conditions to learn to surf due its unique geography and waves all year around. 

Buddha Retreats is a yoga and surf retreat centre in central Portugal in the picturesque village of Columbeira. Since offering the first retreats in 2014 we have created a place where guests can recharge and slow down from the often fast-paced daily life and take care of body and mind.

At Buddha Retreats we are as passionate about teaching yoga as we are about teaching surfing and our certified instructors will make sure that you have the best learning experience possible.

Besides yoga and surfing we love healthy and yummy food. All our retreats start with a healthy and energising breakfast in the morning and end with everyone enjoying dinner together in the evening. We try to prepare most of our meals with fresh ingredients from the local farms and our own vegetable garden.

To keep a family-feel we never have more than 18 guests during our retreats. With the spacious gardens surrounding Buddha Retreats there is more than enough space for everyone to enjoy their stay.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

The House

The retreat centre consists of a main house with nine bed rooms and six bathrooms and an annex with three apartments. The large south-facing terrace with beautiful views over the surrounding green hills is the ideal place to enjoy dinner or just to relax with a book.

The spacious living and dining room is the centre of the house where meals can be enjoyed together and the big fireplace makes sure that even during colder days it is warm and cosy.

There is an indoor and outdoor yoga space for daily yoga classes and an outdoor swimming pool to cool down during the warmer days.

The main house is surrounded by a big garden with numerous fruit trees which offers enough space for everyone to relax.

For guests arriving by car there is a car park on the grounds.

Accommodation

As the main house is built against a rock its different levels give it a unique character. Each room has a different size and offers different views of the surrounding area. The guest rooms are divided over four levels with no more than four rooms per floor.

We offer a variety of accommodation options:

Single, double or twin rooms with shared bathrooms

Single, double or twin rooms with private bathrooms

Triple room with private bathroom

Family apartment

Delicious food

We take the food very seriously here at Buddha Retreats. As part of all our retreats we provide you with daily delicious and healthy meals. We serve an abundance of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, often coming from our own garden or the nearby markets. Our menu is based on the philosophy of whole foods, so we avoid processed foods and preservatives as much as possible.

In the morning we will serve you a healthy and energising breakfast which includes fresh fruit, homemade granola, freshly baked bread and banana bread among other things.

After an active day we will serve dinner either on the terrace enjoying the views across the surrounding hills or indoors in front of the crackling fireplace.

As part of our retreats you can enjoy a selection of fresh fruits, coffee, herbal teas and purified water as much as you wish. During dinner time we serve Portuguese red and white wines.

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

Learning to surf in Peniche 

Portugal and in particular the west coast around Peniche and Baleal offer some of the best conditions for surfing. For beginners as well as for more advanced surfers. We believe that students learn best in small groups where instructors can meet individual needs and skill levels. Our surf lessons are suited for different levels of experience from beginners to more advanced surfers. Our instructors will take their time to explain theory and practice of basic skills on the beach. We will provide you with all the equipment needed and a wetsuit that will keep you warm while surfing.

Surfing conditions are good all year round with bigger waves during Autumn and Winter and smaller waves in Spring and Summer.

Daily yoga classes 

During our retreats we teach Iyengar yoga which is a dynamic and physically intensive form of yoga where the focus is on correct alignment of the poses. This practice allows the energy to flow freely through the body. 

All our yoga teachers are fully qualified and have done several years of training. During the retreats we teach different styles of yoga such as Iyengar, Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa. 

Yoga for Surfers 

The yoga practice focuses on core-strength and balance which have great benefits for surfing. Each class is a challenge and you will work your body. Sun salutations are a great way to strengthen the arms and the chest before surfing while forward bending and twisting are a great way to release the body after a day of surfing. Each session ends with at least 5 minutes of relaxation. Surfers and non-surfers of all levels can benefit from the classes. During our yoga & surf retreats guests will have one yoga class and one surf lesson per day.

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

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PACKAGES & PRICES

This package includes:

The 7 day packages are the perfect option if you want to stay for a full week and make the most of the yoga classes and optional surf lessons. The yoga classes are suitable for all levels with morning sessions being more active and evening sessions with a more restorative nature.

If you want to give surfing a try you can choose the 7 day yoga & surf package with one yoga class a day and five days with surf lessons. You don’t need any previous experience and will get an introduction to the theory and practice of riding a wave on a surfboard. The surf lessons take place only a short drive from Buddha Retreats with some of Europe’s best surf spots to learn surfing.

During our retreats there is the option to book different massage treatments.

What is included:

5 surf lessons including transfer to and from the beach (if you book the yoga & surf package)

Healthy and nutritious meals

Free selection of fruit, herbal tea and water

Accommodation

The Quinta has been built and expanded over the years so every room is different and has its own character.

We have three suites with private bathrooms that have access to the garden and seven single and double rooms with shared bathrooms. There are never more than three rooms sharing one bathroom.