Aerial view of a beachfront surf retreat on El Salvador's Pacific coast at golden hour

1000 Chicagoans × El Salvador

Surf. Yoga.Skip January.

A 4-night surf & yoga retreat on El Salvador's Pacific coast. Jan 15–19, 2027. 15 spots. Flights from Chicago available.

Early-bird pricing from $2,100 per person

Early-bird pricing for the first 5 confirmed reservations · Free to join the priority list

When

Fri Jan 15 – Tue Jan 19, 2027

Where

Beachfront surf & yoga retreat, El Salvador

Group size

15 people max

Flight

Fly into San Salvador (SAL)

The Idea

Chicago in January is gray. This is the opposite.

Four days of warm water, morning yoga, surf lessons, long meals, and a small group of people you'll actually want to hang out with. We'll meet over dinner in Chicago before departure, then everyone heads to El Salvador. No planning, no spreadsheets. Show up and we handle everything else.

Come for the surf. Leave with new friends. Come solo or bring a friend. We'll handle the planning.

Where We're Staying

A beachfront surf and yoga retreat on El Salvador's Pacific coast.

A boutique property built for slowing down. A pool, open-air yoga studio, communal dining under a thatched roof, and the ocean just past the garden. Rooms, surfboards, and everything you need are right here.

Exterior of the beachfront surf and yoga retreat in El Salvador
Swimming pool with coral lounge chairs surrounded by palm trees
Open-air yoga studio with hardwood floors and a rack of surfboards
Communal outdoor dining table under a thatched roof
Tropical courtyard with wooden lounge chairs and string lights
Stone path through a tropical lawn leading to the beach
Why This Trip

Not a trip I just found off the Internet.

I spent three weeks in El Tunco, El Salvador back in 2023 and I absolutely loved it. The warm water, the sunsets, the pupusas, the people. I came back knowing this was a place I wanted to share. This is that trip, built from real time spent there.

A little wellness. A little adventure. A lot of good memories.

This isn't the kind of retreat where every minute is planned. Yes, we'll surf, practice yoga, and spend plenty of time relaxing by the ocean. But we'll also leave room for spontaneous adventures, exploring local spots, grabbing drinks, dancing, and enjoying everything El Salvador has to offer.

The best travel memories are often the ones you never planned.

From The Last Trip

The trip ends. The friendships don't.

Hear from Chicagoans who joined us on our previous group trip to Colombia.

Especially if you're looking for a community in Chicago, then this is probably one of the best ways to go about it.
Mehak · Colombia Trip
When you've got the safety of people who've lived here, people who can speak the language, people who've traveled before, and you've got people from all those different camps, put it all together and you're covered.
Marika · Colombia Trip
Sunset on the beach in El Tunco, friends sitting on the seawall
Group of friends out at night in El Tunco
Cobblestone street in El Tunco at golden hour
Rocky beach at sunset in El Salvador
People watching the sunset over the Pacific in El Tunco
What's Included

Everything that makes the week what it is.

  • ✓4 nights at a boutique beachfront surf & yoga retreat
  • ✓All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • ✓Daily yoga with a professional instructor
  • ✓2 surf lessons (beginners welcome, no experience needed)
  • ✓A boat excursion
  • ✓Round-trip airport transfers
  • ✓Pre-trip welcome dinner in Chicago to meet your fellow travelers before departure
  • ✓Two hosts with you the whole time
  • ✓A group chat that lasts long after the trip

Not included

Flights, travel insurance, alcohol, and optional extras.

Join the Priority List

A Sample Day

One day, more or less.

  1. 01Morning yoga
  2. 02Breakfast together
  3. 03Surf lesson
  4. 04Lunch
  5. 05Free time: beach, pool, or exploring
  6. 06Sunset and downtime
  7. 07Dinner together

Sample itinerary only. Final activities and scheduling will be shared before departure.

Who This Is For

You don't need to surf. You need to want to.

This trip is for the Chicagoan ready to trade another gray January for sunshine, new experiences, and new friendships. Whether you've never surfed before or you're already comfortable in the water, you'll fit right in. Come alone, bring a friend, or bring your partner. The idea is simple: get away, experience something new, and meet great people along the way.

01

The first-timer

Never surfed before? Perfect. Two surf lessons are planned, and beginners are welcome.

02

The solo traveler

Coming alone? You're in good company. We'll organize a pre-trip dinner in Chicago so you can meet everyone before departure.

03

The couple or friend duo

Bring your person. Enjoy a trip together while meeting an entire group of Chicagoans.

04

The burned-out Chicagoan

Trade your usual January routine for sunshine, ocean air, good food, and a few days away from the everyday.

Meet Your Hosts

Your hosts

Nate

Founder, 1000 Chicagoans

Nate

Nate founded 1000 Chicagoans to bring people together through shared experiences, travel, and community. After organizing group trips to Colombia and Patagonia, he's bringing Chicagoans to El Salvador for an experience centered on surfing, wellness, and connection. Having spent 17 months traveling through Latin America and learning Spanish, he's passionate about introducing people to the region while creating lasting friendships back home.

Mia

Founder, Firefly Wellness & Fitness | Yoga & Wellness Retreat Co-Host

Mia

Mia is a Chicago-based yoga instructor and founder of Firefly Wellness & Fitness. After earning her yoga certification in New York City, she spent more than a decade with Exhale Spa in New York and Chicago, teaching yoga and developing wellness programming. She has organized hundreds of wellness events across multiple cities and creates welcoming experiences that combine movement, mindfulness, and connection.

Early Bird Pricing

First 5 confirmed bookings get early-bird pricing.

Shared room

$2,100

Your own bed in a room shared with 1–2 other guests

After early bird: $2,300

Private room

$2,700

A room exclusively for you

Only 3 private rooms available

After early bird: $2,900

A 30% deposit secures your reservation when booking opens. Remaining balance due December 11, 2026.

All prices are per person in USD · Flights not included

Early-bird pricing is available to the first five confirmed paid bookings, regardless of room type. Joining the priority list does not guarantee early-bird pricing.

Join the Priority List

Free to join the priority list · No payment yet

How It Works

From Chicago to El Salvador.

  1. 01

    Join the priority list

    Sign up for free to get first access to reservations. No payment or commitment required.

  2. 02

    Get first access

    We'll email you a private booking link before reservations open to the public.

  3. 03

    Reserve your spot

    Choose your room and secure your reservation with a 30% deposit when booking opens. Then we'll share the details for the pre-trip Chicago dinner and your El Salvador adventure.

FAQ

Good questions.

Not at all! Two surf lessons are included, and beginners are welcome. Whether you've never touched a board or already have some experience, you'll have the opportunity to get out on the water.

Aerial view of the El Salvador coastline and turquoise Pacific ocean

15 spots. One unforgettable January.

Join the priority list for first access to reservations before the public launch. The first five confirmed bookings receive $200 off.

Join the Priority List

Join the priority list.

Get first access to booking before reservations open to the public. Signing up is free and does not reserve a spot or require payment.

Room preference (optional)

Joining the priority list does not guarantee availability or early-bird pricing.

1000 Chicagoans

We bring people together.

El Salvador · January 15–19, 2027

4 nights · 15 guests · From $2,100

© 2026 1000 Chicagoans

A 1,000 Chicagoans experience. Prices in USD. Subject to our trip terms and conditions.

15 spots · From $2,100

Join the Priority List