An Adventure-Packed Weekend Retreat in Puerto Rico: Climbing, Yoga, AcroYoga, Surf, and Slackline

We just wrapped up an incredible climbing retreat in Puerto Rico, hosted in collaboration with Earth Play Retreats! Over the course of a long weekend, we surfed, climbed, slacklined, and played acro in some of the island’s most stunning locations. The experience was filled with rainbows, misty mornings, breathtaking sunsets, and, of course, tons of adventure. If you’re curious about what to expect when you join one of our events—or if you’re thinking about joining us for New Year’s in Puerto Rico—read on! You can also review our packing list here. 

Arrival Day: Jumping Right In!

Our retreat began with a warm welcome at our beautiful house by the ocean, where participants started getting to know each other. We wasted no time diving into the experience with an acroyoga and slackline yoga session, setting the tone for the days ahead. The evening was capped off with a shared group dinner, where we talked about our climbing and surfing experience and shared our hopes and goals for the weekend. 

Day 1: Surf, Acro & Slack

Each morning, we began with a one-hour yoga session designed to prepare our bodies for the adventures ahead. Our first full day greeted us with light rain and strong winds. While we had planned to hold our yoga and acroyoga sessions on the outdoor deck, we collectively decided that some quiet time indoors would be more enjoyable. So, we unrolled our mats inside the house before heading out for our surf session.
Arecibo is home to a variety of surf breaks, each offering different conditions depending on the wind and swell direction. Our initial plan was to surf at Caza y Pesca, but a strong current led us to pivot to Punta Caracoles—just a five-minute drive away. Talk about convenience! It turned out to be the perfect choice, with well-formed waist-to-shoulder-high waves, minimal currents, and a break protected from the wind.
We were warmly welcomed by Atlantic Surf & BB Arecibo, a fully local surf school—something not always guaranteed in Puerto Rico. Their team ensured that everyone, from first-time surfers to those eager to grab a board and paddle straight out, felt supported. After a light warm-up, safety briefing, and technique practice, we hit the water, riding waves, soaking up the sun, and having an absolute blast!

After our surf session, we took a well-deserved break from the sun with an indoor acroyoga session, followed by a sunset slackline yoga lesson. The day wrapped up with a perfect balance of movement, play, and skill-building—capped off with a delicious, home-cooked BBQ.

Day 2: Climbing in Caliche

Day two took us to the limestone cliffs of Caliche, a breathtaking climbing area in Ciales that has been drawing climbers since the 1990s. With over 40 sport routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.13d, the crag offers challenges for all levels.

Here, climbers quickly discover the awesome texture of the Puerto Rican limestone! We set up over 10 different lines, from a welcoming 5.7 to a solid 5.10b. The climbs ranged from short, fun routes—perfect for those learning to lead—to long, stunningly vertical walls like the classic Blanca Nieves. For those craving an extra challenge, pumpy and overhanging sections rounded out a well-balanced day on the rock.

Our group included climbers eager to take on the fundamentals of lead climbing—a major progression from top-rope climbing. Unlike top rope, where the rope is anchored above, lead climbers ascend while clipping the rope into bolts (sport climbing) or placing their own protection. Once at the top, they build an anchor, allowing others to safely climb on top rope without risk of significant downward falls.

Because lead climbers place their own protection as they go, a fall means dropping twice the distance from the last clipped bolt before the rope catches. This adds a mental and technical challenge, requiring sharp focus, confidence, and precise movement under pressure.

After a proper warm-up, Heidi and Petch led a lead climbing clinic, guiding the group through structured exercises to develop technical proficiency and confidence. From refining figure-eight knots to mastering quickdraw placement and efficient clipping, each drill built toward lead climbing readiness.

With ground practice and mock lead climbs under their belts, participants successfully led their first outdoor climbs—a thrilling milestone worth celebrating!

We wrapped up the day with a well-earned feast of delicious local food, the perfect way to refuel and recharge before the next climbing day.

Day 3: Climbing in Monagas, an Urban Jungle

For our final day, we headed to Julio Enrique Monagas Park in Bayamón, home to Puerto Rico’s largest climbing area, boasting over 200 routes. Unlike Caliche, where every move makes you feel like you’re climbing higher into the sky, Monagas offers a completely different experience. To reach the classical wall, La Escalera, you descend a ladder into the limestone walls, creating the surreal feeling of climbing out of a jungle, surrounded by dense, tropical greenery.

Beyond its reputation as a climbing haven, Monagas has a rich history—once a military installation during World War II, it has since been transformed into a multi-use park. Today, it features hiking paths, mountain biking trails, playgrounds, picnic gazebos, and even horse-riding areas. But for us, it was all about the climbing!
The routes here may be shorter than those at Caliche, but they pack plenty of variety—offering diverse grades and unique limestone formations that kept the entire group engaged. We expanded our technical knowledge through a rappelling and focused on climbing techniques to improve efficiency and sustain the effort required for multi-pitch routes. Climbs ranged from 5.8- to 5.10b, providing just the right mix of challenge and flow.

As the day wound down, participants trickled off in different directions—some headed to the airport, others to the beach for more surfing, or to Old San Juan for a well-earned day of relaxation. A reminder that Puerto Rico has so much to offer, and a weekend here is just enough to leave you wanting more.

What's Next?

If reading this has you dreaming of a climbing adventure in Puerto Rico, then you won’t want to miss our New Year’s Retreat!

New Years Climbing Retreat in Puerto Rico

Yoga, Climbing, Slacklining, AcroYoga & Surfing!

Dec 28 - Jan 2, 2026

Save the dates and join us for an unforgettable New Year’s experience in Puerto Rico!

Plus! If you want to learn how to kitesurf, talk to us about joining the week before or staying for the week after.

We can’t wait to climb, surf, play and celebrate with you!

Want to learn to Kite Surf?

Talk to us about coming a week early or staying a week later!

Will it be the same event?

In the same way you can never step into the same river twice, no two events are ever exactly the same. With so many incredible climbing locations in Puerto Rico, endless beaches to explore, and trails to hike, every experience is unique—in the best way possible! Plus we select the climbing spots and routes based on the participants experience. So whether you come once, twice, or as many times as you like, you’ll always find something new to discover.

We are looking forward to welcoming you—whether it’s your first time or a return adventure—in Puerto Rico!

Meet the Instructors

Our retreat was led by an incredible team of experienced instructors, each bringing their unique expertise and passion for adventure:

Upcoming Events

February 2025
March 2025
June 2025
December 2025
February 2026
No event found!