Pottery & Surf Retreat Panama
Far from everyday life, nestled in tropical nature: Eleven days full of adventure on the Pacific coast of Panama – combined with inspiring pottery lessons under the guidance of ceramicist Stephan Usteri.
Pottery and Surf Retreat in Cambutal
Our pottery and surf retreat in Cambutal on Panama's Pacific coast is all about slowing down. For 11 days, you'll leave everyday life, obligations, and appointments behind and immerse yourself in an environment that creates space for creativity, movement, and renewed energy.
Together with Zurich-born ceramicist Stephan Usteri, you will spend half the day working with clay at Studio Mano – on the potter's wheel and hand-building. Your hands in the clay, your mind in the here and now: focused, mindful, and completely present.
Movement and waves as a counterbalance: The second part of the day belongs to the ocean. Daily surf lessons in the warm Pacific, adapted to your level, accompanied by experienced coaches.
You will be accommodated in a beautiful villa with breathtaking views. in Cambutal or at the boutique hotel "The Hill". You can expect unspoiled landscapes, consistent waves and a breathtaking starry sky at night.
Date: Sunday, January 24, 2027 – Thursday, February 4, 2027
Price: Shared double room from CHF 1900.- // Single rooms from CHF 2300.-
Included services:
11 nights in Cambutal
10 x Tropical Breakfast
2 x Delicious Chef's Table Dinners at The Hill
7 x Surf Session
6 x 3h pottery workshop (wheel & hand-building incl. material)
1 x day trip
Transfer from Panama City – Cambutal and back
Plus one or two surprises 🖤
Not included:
Flight to Panama City
Travel insurance
Lunch & Dinner (except 2x Chef's Table)
Daily routine
This is what your day could look like. The final daily schedule will be provided before departure and also on-site, as it depends on the swell:
07:00-09:00 Surf Lessons
09:30-11:00 Tropical Breakfast
11:00-14:00 Pottery
14:00-18:00 Rest & Relax
7:00 PM Dinner
20:00 Stargazing
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
Your home: a stylish villa with an infinity pool, high above Cambutal, where jungle meets ocean. Just a short walk from the town, it's nestled amidst tropical nature and rolling hills, offering sweeping views of the sea and valley – spectacular sunsets are guaranteed. The villa features five tastefully designed bedrooms (1 king-size, 2 queen-size, 2 twin beds), all equipped with air conditioning and fans. An open-plan living and dining area completes the home. The centerpiece is the spacious veranda with an outdoor lounge, dining area, hammocks, and an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The Boutique Hotel The Hill Nestled between ocean, mountains, and jungle, the villa features four boutique bedrooms with king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. Each bedroom has a private entrance and a private terrace with views of the sea, mountains, or garden. The ground floor houses a spacious living and dining area and an outdoor lounge. The rooms do not have twin beds and can be booked for single or double occupancy.
The rooms
Prices at The Hill & Wavehouse are per person for 11 nights including the aforementioned retreat services.
The Hill Seaside Gallery
1 king-size bed, private bathroom, terrace / View: sea, bay, garden, mountains
PRICE:
Single occupancy: CHF 2700.-
Double occupancy (non-separable bed): CHF 2100.-
The Hill Breeze Kiss
1 queen-size bed & 1 single bed, private bathroom, shared terrace // View: garden
PRICE:
Double occupancy: CHF 1900.-
The Hill Cerulean Spectacle
1 king-size bed, private terrace, private bathroom // View: sea, bay, garden, mountains
PRICE:
Single occupancy: CHF 2900.-
Double occupancy (non-separable bed): CHF 2200.-
The Hill Glistening Waves
1 king-size bed, terrace, private bathroom // View: garden, mountains
PRICE:
Single occupancy: 2600.-
Double occupancy (non-separable bed): 2200.-
POTTERY
The modern pottery studio Studio Mano in Cambutal is owned by Stephan Usteri and Katja Asaro. The studio is just a short walk from the accommodations. It is equipped with six pottery wheels and hand-building tools. The retreat is well-suited for both advanced and beginners. You will work on the wheel for three days and on hand-building for three days.
SURFING
Cambutal is known for its numerous surf spots with consistent waves suitable for all levels – from beginners to experienced surfers. Spots such as Beach Break, 411 or Corto They work with varying degrees of success depending on the tide. Our offer includes 7 surf lessons with a coach and equipment.
Cambutal lies secluded on the Pacific coast of Panama's Azuero Peninsula, right next to the largely untouched Cerro Hoya National Park. The small village is surrounded by rolling hills and mountains, black sand beaches, and a pristine landscape that offers space for vastness, tranquility, and movement. A place far removed from mass tourism. Raw, peaceful, and authentic.
The retreat takes place during the dry season : sunny days, ideal conditions for outdoor activities but pleasantly cool evenings – perfect for outdoor dinners, walks by the sea or quiet nights under the starry sky.
Flights are not included in the price. We recommend traveling via Panama City. From there, a minibus transfer to Cambutal has been arranged for you and is already included in the price. Journey duration: approx. 7 hours – Departure on Sunday, January 24th at 8:00 AM. The return transfer takes place on February 4th at 12:00 PM. Journey duration: approx. 7 hours
Alternatively, you can travel to Cambutal by plane; however, the costs for this must be borne entirely by you until you reach your destination and are not included in the price.
We recommend spending two nights in Panama City on your outward journey and making sure to include a visit to the Miraflores Locks in your itinerary.
You need a valid passport to enter Panama, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
There are no specific vaccination requirements for entry into Panama; however, vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid may be advisable. We recommend bringing a well-stocked travel first-aid kit. Panama is one of the safest countries in Central America, However, as in many tourist areas, one should be careful with personal belongings.
We recommend bringing some cash. In Panama, you pay with US dollars (USD) or the Panamanian Balboa (PAB) – both are official currencies. Most payments are processed directly in US dollars.
From booking date 30% of the travel price
30 – 14 days before departure 50% of the travel price
14 – 7 days before departure 80% of the travel price
7 – 0 days before departure 100% of the travel price
The retreat will take place starting from a Minimum number of participants: 8 people. We will make the final decision on this by the latest. August 31, 2026.
Important information regarding flight booking: Since flights are booked independently, we strongly recommend booking them only after receiving our final confirmation of the trip's execution or taking out appropriate travel cancellation insurance. We accept no liability for costs incurred due to already booked flights in the event of cancellation.
