Lodging at Azucar Surf Retreat is as you'd expect--cozy and seaside.

©2007 Scott Doggett, Special to WhozHereNow.com

Azucar is a boat-based girls surfing school and retreat conveniently located in Bocas Town. “Boat-based” means direct access to the archipelago’s top surf spots, more time surfing and less time hiking to the shore, and not having to battle the shore break.

The business is owned and run by hottie Jessica Lawson, who until recently ran an all-girls surfing school in Maui, and her manly hubby, Mike Lawson, who captained one of that island’s premier charter boats. Azucar caters to all abilities, from first-time beginners to the top female pros.

The school’s base camp is a renovated oceanfront home with lots of outdoor space to sunbathe, nap in a hammock and soak in a hot tub. A refreshing swim is only a plunge off the back porch if you don't hit the retaining wall.

According Jessica and Mike, “We spend most of our travel time on our boat, looking to score the best waves, then return to town in the evening to enjoy some fine dining and nightlife. As an eco-friendly business, we use the boat to discourage walking on the reefs and destroying the corals, even on the days that we surf the nearby local breaks.”

Azucar caters exclusively to small parties (six people maximum) and mostly hot chicks, all the more reason, guys, to put on a long blonde wig, slip into a bikini and talk like a Valley girl.

Azucar offers a variety of packages, including: The Learn to Surf Package for beginners, which costs $355 for one or two people (two would be $177.50 each; plus $95 for each additional person) and features oceanfront accommodations, breakfast and lunch, board rental, morning surfing lesson, afternoon supervised free-ride session or daily activity, sunset cocktails or wine and cheese. (Yes, that means if you have cocktails you won't be having cheese. Think about that).

Their Surfer Girl package consists of the above minus the lesson and board rental and costs $295 per day for one or two persons (that's $147.50 each for a group of two; plus $80 for each additional person). Azucar can also accept families, couples and mixed groups on a case-by-case basis.

Non-surfing activities that Azucar can arrange includes: snorkeling, yoga, massage, beach combing, jungle hikes, cave exploration, and chocolate making at La Loma Jungle Lodge. Azucar also offers limited board rentals, lodging, surfing lessons and boat charters outside their packages. Definitely check out Azucar's Website. It's sooo pink!

Location

Avenida H at Calle 4

Bocas Town

Isla Colón

Panama