FAQs

  • Visas are not required for most tourists to enter Peru, however we recommend that you do your own research and make sure your passport and country of origin does not require special Visas. Please reach out to us at laonza.lobitos@gmail.com if you aren't sure or have questions. We're happy to help but ultimately each individual is responsible for their own travel requirements in and out of the country.

  • Peru is generally considered safe for travelers, especially in the coastal regions where surf and yoga retreats are located like Lobitos. As with any destination, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings and follow any local safety advice. The areas around the retreat are frequented by global travelers, and locals are welcoming and accustomed to visitors.


    We recommend taking basic precautions like securing valuables and letting the organizers or a friend know if you're venturing off on your own. Overall, with some common sense, Peru is a fantastic and safe place to visit.

  • Peru is a beautiful and largely safe country. The CDC doesn't have any requirements for vaccines or preventative medicines prior to entry. The only major health "watch-out" is around drinking water! This is due to old pipes and water transportation methods that sometimes do not filter for certain bacteria. Like most South American countries, we advise you avoid drinking tap water. Water will always be available at the resort center to fill your water bottles from designated drinking jugs. You can also buy bottles at local shops. If you do happen to drink the water, it's not the end of the world, in many cases you won't notice anything, worst case you'll have an upset stomach for a few days.

  • The most important thing to remember is that you should not drink the tap water in Lobitos or anywhere in Peru. We share a bit more below about the local water situation, but in major cities it's best to drink bottled water, even if it means buying single use plastic!


    Lobitos is in the desert and water is scarce. Part of the charm with under developed towns is the more rooted connection to life, and water, in large part, plays a big role. Underground there is mostly oil so wells and regular plumbing infrastructure don't really exist. All the water in Lobitos is trucked in weekly from a neighboring water reservoir, tanks are connected to every home or building to hold the tap water used for showers, sinks and any other in-home use. Water is very expensive and delivery is difficult to coordinate, but more importantly, it is scarce and precious and should be used very sparingly.


    Drinking water is provided in abundance everywhere, from the hotel to local restaurants, and will be clearly labelled. But remember, do not drink the tap water.

  • Bathrooms are largely up to your expectations! Flushing toilets, working sinks, the works! The only nuance is that, as with many South American countries, the pipes and infrastructure connected to toilets are very weak due to lack of maintenance and resources to upgrade. This means instead of flushing toilet paper, you place it in a bin beside the toilet. This is a best practice everywhere in Peru.

  • We will totally understand if you fall in love with Peru and want to stay longer. Our services end on the final day of the retreat, but you are welcome to find a way to make your Peruvian extended holiday dreams come in the North of Peru.


    If you want to extend your stay in Lobitos for some relaxing days, additional surf sessions, or to explore the area, we’re happy to help with a few tips to make planning the rest of your trip easier. Just send us your questions! We are happy to help.


    We are offering an extended group trip to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including Machu Picchu! Details on this add-on package are coming soon to the website! If you're keen to learn more quickly, please send us an email and we'll contact you to get more details asap.

  • Special arrival dates and times can be accommodated! Send us an email at laonza.lobitos@gmail.com and we'll work with you to put together your arrival plan.

  • Yes! Following the retreat, we will be taking folks to the south of Peru to explore the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Details are coming soon, we would love to have you join!

  • We've curated an experience that we think will be the perfect blend of surfing, yoga and extra activities, however everything is optional. If you would like to change up your schedule or explore to the beat of your own drum, you are totally open to do so!

  • We get it, changes happen. While we would hate for you to miss this experience, we'll do whatever we can to help refund you.


    Regardless of the reason, cancellations result in additional costs and processing time for the retreat organizers, as such all cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.


    Please first submit your request in writing to laonza.lobitos@gmail.com by the dates listed below:

    MORE THAN 60 DAYS PRIOR TO START DATE: (Up until Jan 23rd) $50 Cancellation Fee

    59 - 45 DAYS PRIOR TO START DATE: (Jan 23rd-Feb 5th) $50 Cancellation fee, plus 50% deposit forfeited

    LESS THAN 45 DAYS PRIOR TO START DATE (After Feb 6) $50 Cancellation fee, plus full balance forfeited

  • Flights are up to each individual to schedule, booking the right airline and pricepoint is a personal choice but with that said, we are here to help with your travel planning.

    Your flight path is Home Country > Lima, Peru > Talara, Piura, Peru

    Home Country > Lima, Peru

    To book a flight to Lima, Peru, the best approach is to search for flights through major travel booking websites like Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner. These platforms allow you to compare prices, airlines, and schedules to find the best deal. Direct flights to Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) are available from major cities worldwide, especially in North America and Europe. Be sure to book well in advance for the best rates, and consider flexible travel dates to save on airfare.

    Talara, Piura, Peru

    Next, research your flight to Talara, look for flights that leave at least 5 hours or the day after you arrive in Lima. This is to account for any delays you might encounter and gives you flexibility with airlines and departure times.

    To book a flight from Lima to Talara (Piura), you can use local airlines like LATAM, Sky Airline, or Viva Air, which offer direct flights to Talara’s Capitán FAP Víctor Montes Arias Airport (TAL). Use the same platforms or airline websites to compare prices and schedules. The flight duration is typically around 1.5 hours, and several daily flights are available. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons.

    If you are spending at least 1 night in Lima, please see the Where to Stay in Lima FAQ for recommendations.

    Please send us your travel details over email at laonza.lobitos@gmail.com so we can coordinate pick up!

  • Another option is traveling from Lima to Talara by night bus. Please be aware that this is a 19-hour journey. Buses typically depart from Lima around 4 PM and arrive in Talara at approximately 11 AM the next morning. The buses are well-organized and clean, though they make very few stops along the way.

    Depending on the bus and price, you can choose your level of comfort. The best way to explore bus options is on Redbus, where you can also book your ticket directly. Book bus tickets of the best bus companies in Peru | redBus

  • Yes! The retreat center has high-speed wifi that is highly reliable but as with any travel, it isn't perfect. If you have specific dates / times you know you will need a guaranteed connection, let us know and we'll make sure you're covered!

  • Peru has the same outlets as the US! Most electrical appliances will not need an adapter.


    Peru uses Type A and Type B outlets, which are the same as those in the United States, so devices with a Type A plugs fit directly without the need for an adapter. However, you should still check the voltage (Peru uses 220V at 60Hz, which is different from the 120V used in the U.S.), your device requires a voltage converter if it doesn't support 220V. Many modern electronics (laptops, phone chargers, etc.) are dual voltage, meaning they can handle both 120V and 220V, but always double-check the label on your device to be sure.

  • We are a stone's throw from the beach! A short walk down the street and you'll arrive at white sandy beaches and world class waves!

  • Lobitos is truly off the beaten path, making it a haven for authentic, rich cultural experiences. This often comes across as a small, sleepy town but in fact, there is a ton to explore including:

    • dinners at local restaurants

    • massage

    • acupuncture

    • jiu jitsu

    • hand poke tattoo

    • boat tours

  • The end of March is typically warm and dry. Lobitos is where the desert meets the ocean, so think LA weather, with way easier beach access! We've also planned the week so that all of your equipment needs are taken care of, but we also totally get it if you have a favorite surfboard or yoga mat to you like to travel with.


    That said, here is what we will provide and what you should bring:


    Provided by La Onza:

    - Brand new wetsuits

    - Surfboard rentals

    - Leashes

    - Wax

    - Yoga Mat

    - Yoga Strap

    - Yoga Blocks


    Things to Bring:

    - Swimsuit(s)/Board Shorts: duh, bring at least 1 or maybe a few to swap out of between surfing and lounging around.

    - Rashguard: while you should be comfortable in our wetsuits, if there are extra warm days where you can go out in a swimsuit, we recommend bringing a rashguard to protect you from the board and sun

    - Comfortable Yoga Clothes (breathable leggings, tops, and bras)

    - Water Bottle

    - Light jacket for cooler mornings or evenings

    - Flip-flops or sandals

    - Hiking shoes/trainers

    - Mosquito repellant


    If you are planning to extend with a trip to Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, you'll want to also plan for different climates, ranging from high-altitude Andean mountain landscapes to subtropical valleys. See FAQs about the trip extension for more information!

  • We're glad you asked! We have thought of everything to make this experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Here is what that includes:


    • All accommodations (starting on March 23rd and ending on March 29th)

    • Ground transportation to and from Talara Airport to the retreat grounds

    • All regularly scheduled breakfast and lunches

    • 3 group dinners at the retreat center

    • Surfing everyday (8 lessons in total)

    • Daily customized yoga classes

    • Surf Theory Coaching

      • 1 flat-water training session

      • 3 video analysis debriefs

      • 3 surf theory classes

    • Surfboard and Wetsuits

    • Transportation to surf breaks

    • Goodie Bag, surf log journal, café discount


    We might have a couple surprises up our sleeve, but this is the bulk of what you'll enjoy!

  • We can cater to most dietary restrictions so make sure to let us know your specifications in the registration form. We will serve a hearty, nutritious and delicious food throughout the week. Here's what is on the standard menu:


    Breakfast:

    - eggs how you like them

    - oat and granola

    - fresh fruit salad

    - fresh bread

    - butter / jam

    - freshly made juice

    - coffee/tea


    Lunch:

    Traditional Peruvian dishes will be served for lunch. Peru is one of the top gastronomical destinations in the world right now, and we aim to help show you why! Think lots of fresh fish, rice, vegetables, (did you know there are over 4,000 types of potatoes in Peru?) with South East Asian, Spanish and even Italian influences. Lunch will be served every day at the hotel but hey, if there are days that you'd like to venture out to local restaurants, that's no problem too!


    Snacks:

    Is it even a surf retreat if there aren't snacks? Homemade baked goods like banana bread, carrot and chocolate cake will always be on rotation at the hotel. Baskets of fresh fruit and healthy snacks will also be on location for grab go before and after hitting the beach.


    Dinner:

    We'll host 3 group meals for the first 3 days of the retreat. After that, we want you to explore (and support!) the local restaurants, of which there are many! We'll point you in the right direction for mouthwatering meals made with local, fresh, organic ingredients.

  • Our Surf Coaches, Harold, Bruno and Mateo, are native Spanish speakers from Peru, but they are also fluent in English. Yoga is led by Danielle from New York City, so our yoga classes will be in English.

    Administrators are German, Dutch, English and French speakers, between the team and Google Translate, we should have you covered!

  • We want to make sure you are improving your surfing, and deepening your yoga practice, while also having a great time exploring Lobitos. With that in mind, we are intentionally keeping this retreat to a maximum of 10 attendees. This will ensure surf lessons are smaller, you get more direct attention from coaches and, hopefully, you can make more lasting connections with your fellow attendees.

  • If you know your level, great, let us know! But if you're not sure, don't worry, when you arrive and during our first group surf session, our coaches will hear from you about your experience in the water and create a lesson plan for the week that will cater to beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers. No matter your level, we'll make sure you're improving on your skills and grouped with similar-level surfers so that you're maximizing your time in the water.