El Encuentro Surf Lodge
Kick back and ride waves with the family in the CaribbeanÂ
At the boutique El Encuentro Surf Lodge on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, family surf adventures come with a side order of pool time, yoga and tropical garden living.
With a choice of hotel rooms, self-catering studios and beachfront bungalows, there’s space for all sizes of families to settle in with waves on the doorstep. Add an on-site surf school, a restaurant serving garden-grown produce, and plenty of ways to unwind between sessions, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a relaxing Caribbean-style family surf trip.
El Encuentro Surf Lodge
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Overview
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Rooms
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Onsite
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Surf and beaches
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Food
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Things to do
Whether you’re introducing the kids to their first waves, sharpening your own surf skills, El Encuentro Surf Lodge puts surfing at the heart of your stay without making it the only thing on the agenda. The famous Playa Encuentro surf break is right outside, while the lodge offers a choice of accommodation, a swimming pool, tropical gardens and a welcoming, nature-focused atmosphere.
A sunny escape where everyone can do their own thing, this is a place to find your rhythm, with surf coaching, surfskating, yoga, ice baths, and a permaculture garden to explore when it’s time to slow down.
Location: Playa Encuentro, between Sosúa and Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
Transfer: Puerto Plata (POP) is the closest airport, around 25 minutes away by car. Many international flights arrive into Santiago (STI) – around 80 minutes away, Santo Domingo (SDQ) – around four hours away, or Punta Cana (PUJ) – around six hours away. El Encuentro Lodge can arrange private transfers from all airports. Hiring a car gives you more freedom to explore the surrounding coastline and surf breaks.
Family friendly: All ages, with accommodation options to suit all families.
Surf level: Beginner to advanced – with coaching available through the onsite Parallel Surf School.
Other activities: Surkskate, yoga, ice bath, fitness, horse riding, snorkelling, kitesurfing.
Climate: It's a tropical 27-32C year-round, with inviting sea temperatures of 25-29C. The best surf season is November to April, with cleaner offshore mornings before the trade winds kick in. May to November is humid with tropical downpours and better for kitesurfing.Â
Time zone: GMT-4
Currency: Dominican peso (DOP/RD$). US dollars are accepted in tourism businesses, but pesos are best for everyday spending, local transport and smaller shops. ATMs are widely available.
There’s a choice of accommodation to suit different families – from stylish hotel rooms to spacious beachfront villas.
- Double Rooms: Sleep two, with a private terrace overlooking the garden.
- Superior Studios: Sleep up to four, with a fully equipped kitchen, living area and private terrace.
- Beach Bungalows: Sleep up to four, with a beachfront setting, kitchen and terrace.
- Superior Beach Bungalows: Spacious accommodation for families or groups, with three bedrooms and ocean views.
- Oceanfront Villa: A private, group-friendly beachfront option with multiple bedrooms, a private pool and plenty of space to gather.
- Casa Lela: A tropical private house with four bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a 20-metre swimming pool with jacuzzi, a short walk from the main lodge.
All stays include a welcome drink, breakfast, coffee & tea station throughout the day, drinking water, discount on Parallel Surf coaching, mobility classes offered by Parallel Surf, WI-FI, secure parking.
* Kids 6 years and below stay for free in an existing bed or cot
* Kids 7 years and above count as adults
When you’re not chasing waves, there’s plenty to keep the whole family happy without leaving the grounds.
- Swimming pool and tropical gardens.
- On-site restaurant serving handcrafted food, including fruit and vegetables grown in the permaculture garden.
- Fully equipped kitchens in selected accommodation for easy family meals.
- Yoga and surf fitness classes.
- A palm-roofed wooden surfskate bowl for practising turns on dry land.
- Ice baths, deep-tissue massage and treatments for post-surf recovery.
- A permaculture garden with space to explore and play.
- A trampoline, children's play corner, complimentary drinking water, coffee and tea.
- High-speed Wi-Fi and secure onsite parking.
- The School House next door offers daycare for children aged 12 months and older.
Playa Encuentro is one of the Dominican Republic’s most consistent surf spots, with several peaks for all abilities and board types.
The onsite Parallel Surf School, offers surf coaching for different abilities, alongside surfskate and movement sessions to help you develop your technique, balance and confidence. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced surfer looking to fine-tune your turns, the team can help you make the most of the conditions.
And when the waves aren’t playing ball? Head to the surfskate bowl to practise on land.
Check out our Family Surfing Guide to the Dominican Republic for more information on the surf beaches.
The lodge’s restaurant serves handcrafted dishes from 7am to 10pm, with produce from its own permaculture garden featuring on the menu. It’s an easy option for breakfast before a surf, lunch between sessions or dinner after a day on the beach.
Studios, bungalows and villas have a fully equipped kitchen, giving families the flexibility to prepare their own meals and snacks.
Complimentary coffee, tea and drinking water are also available throughout your stay.
There’s more to this corner of the Dominican Republic than surfing:
- Take a tour of the magical Callejón caves
- Horse riding on the beach
- Kitesurfing at Cabarete
- Diving and snorkelling in Sosúa Bay
- Canyoning
- Boat trips
El Encuentro Surf Lodge is a great base for families who want a surf-focused holiday with room for relaxation, adventure and a little bit of everything in between.
For more information and ideas check out our Family Surfing Guide to the Dominican Republic