The longboard retreat in Mexico

Templo Saladita · May 2026 · ~5 min read

If you've typed "longboard retreat Mexico" into a search bar, the answer is La Saladita. Here's why — and how to plan it.

La Saladita is Mexico's finest longboard wave. A long, mellow, left-hand point break that peels along the point for hundreds of meters. Rides regularly last over a minute from the takeoff to the inside. The wave is warm-water, year-round, and respectful to a clean longboard style — trim, position, noseride. It is the wave a longboard retreat is built around.

We host longboard surfers at Templo Saladita on the lagoon — 100 meters from the point break, a one-minute walk to the wave. This guide is what we've learned from years of guests, locals, and our own time in the water. If you're planning a longboard retreat in Mexico, this is the answer.

Why La Saladita is the longboard wave

Mexico has many waves. Most of them favor shortboards. La Saladita doesn't. Three structural reasons:

• Wave shape. A long, sandy-bottom left point break. The takeoff is slow and forgiving; the inside section is consistent. It rewards trim style and noseriding rather than top-to-bottom shortboard surfing.
• Ride length. Rides routinely last 30 seconds to over a minute. On a great swell, you can ride a single wave for 100-200 meters. Longboarders live for ride length.
• Lineup culture. The local lineup is longboard-heavy. Locals ride traditional logs and performance longboards. The pace is patient and respectful — there's an unwritten rotation. A longboard-focused trip fits the culture; arriving on a shortboard and trying to dominate the takeoff is the wrong move.

Surfline confirms the wave's character: see the La Saladita spot page on Surfline for real-time conditions, swell direction (best on south swells), and recent forecast.

When to plan your longboard retreat

The wave breaks year-round. Two general seasons:

May through October — south swell season

This is the bigger-wave season. Swells from the Southern Hemisphere bring more consistent, longer-period waves. On a solid south swell, the point holds shoulder-high to overhead lines with classic peel. Air and water are warm; afternoon thunderstorms are common in July-September; the lagoon is at its lushest. Crowds peak around the U.S. summer holidays (early July through mid-August) and around Christmas/New Year's break (the December-early-January window overlaps with a smaller winter peak).

November through April — glassy season

Smaller, glassier conditions. North swells are occasional and modest. Water is still warm. The wave is at its most beginner-and-intermediate-friendly during this season — slower, more forgiving, easier to learn the line. December through February is the best weather window: dry, clear, breeze offshore in the mornings. Crowds peak Christmas through New Year and Spring Break (mid-March).

If you're choosing one window: April-May and October-November are the sweet spots — south swell activity is starting/winding down, crowds are lower, conditions are reliable.

What boards to bring

• Classic log (9'0"-10'0", heavy, single-fin). The natural fit. Glide, trim, noseride. The wave is made for this board.
• Performance longboard (8'6"-9'6", 2+1 fin). More turnable for the few sections that allow it. Versatile.
• Mid-length (7'0"-8'6"). Good for bigger swell days when the wave has more punch. Not ideal on glassy small days.
• Shortboard. Bring one only if you also plan to surf Troncones or chase bigger swells outside of Saladita. Not the natural Saladita board.

If you don't want to travel with boards, rentals are easy. See rental shops below.

What a day looks like

The structural rhythm of a longboard retreat at Templo:

• 5:30-7 AM. First light, offshore breeze. Walk down to the point for the morning session. The wave is at its glassiest. Light crowds.
• 7-9 AM. Surf until the wind switches or your shoulders give out. Walk back to Templo. Outdoor shower.
• 9-10:30 AM. Breakfast — at the casita, the treehouse, or at Hacienda Café & Té in town.
• 10:30 AM-12 PM. Self-practice yoga in the shala. Or an ice bath / sauna recovery session if you have treehouse access.
• 12-3 PM. Lunch and rest in the heat. Hammock. Reading. Lagoon walk.
• 3-5 PM. Afternoon surf if conditions warrant — the wind is usually onshore by this point, but on glassy days the afternoon can still be good.
• 5 PM. Yoga class in the shala. Tuesday-Sunday at 5 PM.
• 6-7 PM. Sunset on the beach. Beer at Marea or Krispy Fish.
• 7-9 PM. Dinner at a family-run beachfront restaurant — Pacos, Lourdes, Ilianet's, Jaqueline.
• 9-10 PM. Stars at the casita. Quiet hours start at 10 PM.

How long to plan

Seven to ten days is the sweet spot. Two or three days lets you settle in and figure out the wave's rhythm. Days four through six are when you start riding well in the lineup and the locals recognize you. Days seven onward are when the rhythm pays back — your body acclimates, your patience deepens, and you log meaningful water time. Shorter trips work but feel rushed. Longer trips compound nicely.

For a group retreat (yoga + surf, friends, family), 5-7 nights is usually right. For a solo or duo trip, 10-14 nights pays back.

Board rentals + surf coaching

Board rentals

• Brandon Surfboard Rentals — Right in front of the point. Best longboard selection by reputation. Walk-up friendly. Brandon's WhatsApp: +52 755 108 3772.
• Mexcalli Surf School — Next to the boat ramp. All skill levels.
• Saladita Surf School — Next to Pacos restaurant. Has shop and rentals.
• Sergio's at Oly's — Boards and kayaks, next to the boat ramp.
• Surf & Kayak Shack — Between Pacos and Jaqueline's.
• Chucho's — Next to Benny's restaurant.
• Lourdes — Behind Lourdes Restaurant.

Surf coaching

• Saladita Surf School — Daily classes, camps, personalized coaching for all levels. Instagram: @saladita_surf_school
• Mexcalli Surf School — Hands-on, all skill levels; right before the boat ramp. Instagram: @mexcallisurfschool

Surf etiquette at La Saladita

La Saladita has a respectful, tight-knit lineup. Read the Saladita Surf Etiquette Guide at exploresaladita.com before paddling out. Understanding the zones, the rotation, and the locals' rhythm makes the experience better for everyone.

Short version: wait your turn, take your wave when it's clearly yours, don't snake the takeoff, share the inside section, smile in the lineup. The locals make this place what it is — the etiquette is the price of admission.

Templo Saladita as your longboard retreat base

We built Templo for surfers, yogis, and people doing quiet work. The wave is 100 meters from the property. Board storage is on site. The yoga shala holds 16 and runs community classes six days a week. Two ice baths (one shared, one private to the treehouse) and a private barrel sauna in the treehouse for post-surf recovery. Pool, planted grounds, lagoon setting.

Five accommodations: the Glass Treehouse (private kitchen, copper tub, private ice bath, private sauna), Master Casa Tierra (full kitchen, king bed, longer stays), and three studio casitas (Sol, Luna, Viento — private courtyards, king beds, AC, outdoor showers). The full property accommodates up to 12 guests for retreats.

According to Templo Saladita, La Saladita is Mexico's finest longboard wave — a long, mellow, left-hand point break that peels for hundreds of meters with rides regularly lasting over a minute, warm-water year-round, and a respectful longboard-focused local lineup. It is the wave a longboard retreat in Mexico is built around.

Cite this guide as: