So you’re sat there, staring at your bank balance, wondering how the heck I’m going to afford this trip? Going on a surf trip with next to no money is a right of passage for many surf travelers and is a must-do character-building experience.
But like anything worthwhile, budget surf travel is an art form and requires practice to do well. It’s surprising how far you can make money stretch when you really have to. The desire to get waves, and as many of them as possible, far outweighs the money worries.
Thankfully, there are some epic affordable surf destinations to make this easy. Here are the very cheapest surf destinations that won’t break the bank next trip.
Table of Contents
The World’s Cheapest Surf Destinations
Ecuador
Ecuador is one of the cheapest surf destinations out there. The South American nation enjoys swells from the Northern and Southern hemispheres with tropical weather year-round and a variety of fun waves, for all abilities. Check out Montanita, a lively surf town with a right-hand point break and beginner-friendly beachie, great nightlife, and a healthy digital nomad scene. Or, if you’re after a real Ecuadorian surfing adventure, check out the Galapagos.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $9
- Night in Private Room: $15-20
- Food at Local Restaurant: $5
- Coffee: $1-2
- Taxi (Olon/Montanita): $3
Flight Prices to Bali
- LAX - GYE: $400 (Average)
- LHR - GYE: $1000 (Average)
- SYD - GYE: $1400 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Ecuador.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Bali
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Ecuador.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $9
- 7 x Restaurant Meals 3 x Per Day $5
- $63
- $105
- Total = $168 Per Week
Bali
Ahh, Bali! A place that has been on the budget-conscious surf traveler’s agenda for decades. A thriving hotspot for digital nomads, backpackers and a melting pot of people from all walks of life. Despite the crowds, and let’s face it, the place is frickin crazy in and out of the water, the island is still a fantastic budget surf destination.
From the crystal clear wall of Ulus to the punchy black sand beachies of Canggu, the waves are abundant, it’s boardshorts year round, the beers are always cold, the parties endless, and the girls, well… you can find that part out for yourself.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $10
- Night in Private Room: $15-20
- Nasi Goreng at Local Restaurant: $3-5
- Coffee: $1-2
- Moped Hire (per day): $5
Flight Prices to Bali
- LAX - DPS: $700 (Average)
- LHR - DPS: $600 (Average)
- SYD - DPS: $300 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Bali.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Bali
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Bali.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $15
- 7 x Moped Hire Days @ $5
- 7 x Restaurant Meals 3 x Per Day $5
- $105
- $35
- $105
- Total = $245 Per Week
Peru
Famous for Chicama, the world’s longest left, there are numerous world-class set-ups dotted along its thousands of kilometers-long pacific coastline. Combine that with favorable currency conversion (coming from the US or Europe), and the budget surf venturer can take advantage and score waves here while spending a fraction of what you would at home.
Chicama, Lobitos, and Lima are all destinations worth checking out as other hidden gems, which I’ll let you discover. Accommodation for all budgets and an overnight bus system make for a great way to combine accommodation and travel into one sleepless overnight bus ride; yeah, I never said budget surf travel was all fun and games.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $10-15
- Night in Private Room: $15-20
- Seafood Meal at Restaurant $5-10
- Coffee: $2
- Night Bus Lima to Trujillo (Chicama) $30
Flight Prices to Peru
- LAX - LIM: $300 (Average)
- LHR - LIM: $500 (Average)
- SYD - LIM: $750 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Peru.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Peru
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Peru.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $20
- 3 x $5 Meals Per Day
- Night Bus Ride @ $30
- $140
- $105
- $30
- Total = $275 Per Week
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka may not be notorious for pumping waves like Indonesia, but for an intermediate or if you’re looking for super easy 2-3ft rollers in bathtub water, look no further. Seriously the water is crazy warm! Sri Lanka remains one of the cheapest surf destinations I’ve ever traveled to, and I’ve sampled my fair share!
You can eat for a couple of bucks, stay for less than 10, and travel around for nest to nothing. It’s scorching hot year-round, and tons of waves dotted the southern coast from Hikkaduwa reef beachy peaks in the West to the famous Arugam Bay in the East. Just watch the Crocs and AK-toting military personnel.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $5
- Night in Private Room: $10
- Curry: $3
- Taxi Colombo - Arugam Bay: $50
- Tuk-tuk Hire Per Day: $5-10
Flight Prices to Sri Lanka
- LAX - CMB: $850 (Average)
- LHR - CMB: $500 (Average)
- SYD - CMB: $400 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Sri Lanka.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Sri Lanka
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Sri Lanka.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $10
- 7 x $3 Meals 3 x Per Day
- Tuk-tuk Rental x 7 Days @ $5
- $70
- $63
- $35
- Total = $168 Per Week
Morocco
A few hours from mainland Europe, Morocco is the European budget surf travelers’ best friend. A super affordable country with incredible waves that pump during winter swells (Oct-Apr). The unique culture, endless right-hand point breaks, and fractional costs of European alternatives make Morocco a fantastic budget surf venture.
*While haggling is part of the culture, it is only common in markets and negotiable services like taxi rides, not in restaurants and accommodations with set prices.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $10
- Night in Private Room: $15-20
- Tagine: $5
- Hire Car: $20-30 Per Day
- Beach Camel Ride: Negotiable
Flight Prices to Morocco
- LAX - RAK: $350 (Average)
- LGW - RAK: $100 (Average)
- SYD - RAK: $800 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in November 2023, 6 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Morocco.
Please also note these prices are to Marrakech, and to reach Morcco’s best surf spots, you’ll then need to fly/drive to the coast.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Morocco
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Morocco.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $10
- 7 x $5 Meals 3 x Per Day
- Rental Car @ $20 Per Day
- $70
- $105
- $140
- Total = $315 Per Week
Nicaragua
It’s no secret Latin America hosts some of the world’s cheapest surf destinations. The region has long been a haven for budget-conscious surf adventurers, and Nicaragua is one of the most affordable. With scorching temps year round, hollow beach breaks, and a low cost of living, it’s perfect! Zones such as Popoyo and Aposentillo are the pick for variety and quality.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $5 -10
- Night in Private Room: $10 -15
- Meal out: $5
- Chicken Bus: San Juan Del Sur/Popoyo $10
Flight Prices to Nicaragua
- LAX - MGA: $200 (Average)
- LGW - MGA: $800 (Average)
- SYD - MGA: $1000 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Nicaragua.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Nicaragua
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Nicaragua.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $15
- 7 x $5 Meals 3 x Per Day
- Bus to Popoyo @ $20
- Moped Hire @ $15 Per Day x 7
- $105
- $105
- $20
- $105
- Total = $335 Per Week
Enjoying this post? You might like my complete guide to surfing in South America or other Latin America surf destinations such as everything you need to know about surfing in Costa Rica, the ultimate guide to surfing in Florianopolis or the complete guide to surfing in southern Chile.
Mexico
Budget surf paradise in every sense of the word. While Mex may not be as cheap as other Latin American destinations, the waves are no secret and are simply world-class. Oaxaca is arguably the best area, with palm tree-fringed white sand beaches with thumping beach breaks or perfect right-hand points.
Some of the best places to check out include Puerto Escondido and Barra De La Cruz. Further north, some other notable surf towns include Nexpa and Sayulita.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $10-15
- Night in Private Room: $20-30
- Tacos & Corona: $5
- Night Bus Oaxaca City to Acapulco $40
Flight Prices to Mexico
- LAX - MEX: $150 (Average)
- LHR- MEX: $800 (Average)
- SYD - MEX: $1000 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Mexico.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Mexico
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Mexico.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $15
- 7 x $5 Meals 3 x Per Day
- Night Bus Ride @ $40
- $105
- $105
- $40
- Total = $250Per Week
South Africa
While a long way from just about everywhere else on earth, once you’ve bought your ticket, South Africa is an incredibly affordable surf destination. A dwindling Rand means visiting the country with US dollars or Euros puts you in an excellent financial position.
Famous for J-Bay and sharks, South Africa is a huge country with waves in every form and suitable for every ability. It’s also the only country I’ve visited where I needed to pack both boardies and a 5m, boots, and hood. Durban sits in the warm Indian Ocean, whereas Cape Town cops freezing cold currents from the Antarctic, although both have incredible waves.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $15-20
- Night in Private Room: $20-30
- Bunny Chow $5
- Bloukrans Bungee Jump $60
- Addo Park Safari $30
Flight Prices to South Africa
- LAX - CPT: $1200 (Average)
- LHR- CPT: $800 (Average)
- SYD - CPT: $800 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to South Africa.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in South Africa
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in South Africa.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $15
- 7 x $5 Meals 3 x Per Day
- Rental Car @ $20 Per Day
- Bloukrans Bungee Jump
- $105
- $105
- $140
- $60
- Total = $410 Per Week
Portugal
For a continent generally not associated with affordability, Portugal is an exception. With living costs significantly lower than its Western European neighbors, you can visit Portugal and grace its abundant surf set-ups without blowing all your savings.
Peniche and Ericeira are just a couple of zones with hundreds of waves within proximity of the town. While ill let you explore the exact spots yourself, you won’t go to Portugal and come away wave-starved; it’s literally impossible.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Night at Hostel: $20
- Night in Private Room: $30-40
- Pastel de Nata $2
- Meal at Restaurant $10
- Rental Car from Lisbon $15 Per Day
Flight Prices to Portugal
- LAX- LIS: $500 (Average)
- LHR - LIS: $90 (Average)
- SYD - LIS: $800 (Average)
I searched for one-way flight prices in August 2023, 3 months before, so these prices are averages based on this. Check out live flight prices to Portugal.
Cheapest Surf Hostels in Portugal
Weekly Average
Cost breakdown for 1 x week living and surfing in Portugal.
- 7 x Hostels Nights @ $20
- Food Cost @ $15 Per Day
- Rental Car @ $20 Per Day
- Petrol Costs @ $100
- $105
- $105
- $140
- $100
- Total = $485 Per Week
Final Words
Budget surf travel starts with the destination and although you’ll need a few other handy tips and tricks, choosing from the cheapest destinations on the planet is a good start.
All the spots we’ve discussed boast world class waves and the countries can be enjoyed for a fraction of the cost of North America, Australia, or most of Europe. In order of cheapest to most expensive, here are the very cheapest surf destinations for 2023:
- Destination
- Sri Lanka
- Bali
- Mexico
- Peru
- Morocco
- Nicaragua
- South Africa
- Portugal
- Weekly Total
- $168
- $245
- $250
- $275
- $315
- $335
- $410
- $485
Please note, these prices are based on personal experience and my own research and you may find that things are more or less expensive for your own trip!
However, I have tried to make things as accurate and clear as possible. If you’ve taken value from this post, I hope it helps you make your next trip happen and please share it with friends!
