Mono Loco Surf School
Mono Loco Surf School
Mono Loco Surf School
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view

About
Welcome to the MONO LOCO SURF SCHOOL. The best surf school in Bocas del Toro, Panama. We offer high quality classes and rental boards. Our instructors are fully certified as surf teachers and lifeguards. Learning how to surf or improve your skills has never been this much FUN. Check out our lessons, team and gallery to see what we are about. Hope to see you soon in the warm tropical waters of Bocas del Toro, Panama. -The MONO LOCO team
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Mono Loco Surf School
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
133 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
9
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
5
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Erwin
18 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
If you go surfing mono loco twice a day for almost 20 days, it must be good :-). The surf guide Omar and the whole team are competent, the boards are good and the choice of spots is top notch (impossible for me). Thanks, it was cool.

Written 5 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melody T
1 contribution
May 2021 • Friends
Hannes is THE BEST. He’s by far the best instructor I’ve had. He breaks down everything for you to build foundational knowledge so that you can apply it afterwards on your own. First day, he went over how waves form, positioning on waves, pop-up technique, unique factors about the location we were surfing, and we were out for a good chunk of time. Loved the session so much I did a 2nd day with him. Ended up catching some unbroken/open face waves for the first time and also high-fiving on a party wave! Left Bocas with a newfound appreciation and love for surfing, thanks to Hannes!
Written 9 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moaz
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Jose is a great teacher! He has been surfing for a long time and knows what he’s talking about. He told me exactly what I was doing wrong with every surf and from not being able to simply lay down balanced on the surf board on day 1, I was able to surf a wave on day 5. He works really hard tip him if you work with him!
4 stars because the entire experience wasn’t as smooth as it could have been but definitely go for it. Mono Loco is the best in the region!
4 stars because the entire experience wasn’t as smooth as it could have been but definitely go for it. Mono Loco is the best in the region!
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mattia S
1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Couples
1. Incompetence: I've never hear to close the knee for surf the wave. So ridicolous. Moreover It doesn' t help to nothing to Stretch before of the theory. It s Better to be heated for the performance. Lastly a teacher (i am a lifeguard and a swimming teacher) must realize with Who Is talkin. You can t approcciare with adults like you do with child and conversely.
2. Lack of respect: Omar, the baddest "teacher" i' Ve never Met, during the "stretching" said to me that i had to follow his instructions, Just because i was feeling other exercise to do for me; we are all different and all the moments are different for everyone.
After this, like a child, he started kidding me in front of everyone, and the way he talked was really disrespectful.
Sometimes Is Better to stop something if we aren't so Happy doing It.
Just an advice.
2. Lack of respect: Omar, the baddest "teacher" i' Ve never Met, during the "stretching" said to me that i had to follow his instructions, Just because i was feeling other exercise to do for me; we are all different and all the moments are different for everyone.
After this, like a child, he started kidding me in front of everyone, and the way he talked was really disrespectful.
Sometimes Is Better to stop something if we aren't so Happy doing It.
Just an advice.
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
momack
New York City, NY6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
If you’re looking to get great surf lessons, book with Mono Loco. I did 5 lessons with José and he is the best. His instruction is spot on and honest to get you to be a good surfer and he is super encouraging. The Mono Loco staff is really nice and the whole booking process is a breeze. They even checked-in prior to my visit. I will definitely be back and would recommend Mono Loco 10/10.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beachlander
27 contributions
Jan 2020
I arrived on the island and only wanted to check if there are any opportunities to surf during the next days and what the options are. I.e. local guide, joining a group etc.
Actually I had the chance to join another girl and dude to go out to black rock 3 hours later. Luckily I had my surf stuff with me and after a decent lunch we picked up our boards, went on a boat and were shuttled to black rock. At all times the guide as well as the staff from Mono Loco Surf school were helpful and a good laugh was always welcome - I am glad that I could join the group and had such a fun afternoon out in the waves.
@ Mono Loco: Stay the way you are
Actually I had the chance to join another girl and dude to go out to black rock 3 hours later. Luckily I had my surf stuff with me and after a decent lunch we picked up our boards, went on a boat and were shuttled to black rock. At all times the guide as well as the staff from Mono Loco Surf school were helpful and a good laugh was always welcome - I am glad that I could join the group and had such a fun afternoon out in the waves.
@ Mono Loco: Stay the way you are
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dirk Hulbert
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Family
I had the opportunity to have a private session with Omar and it was really great. First we had the important theory and also the relevant instructions of the surf spot and then we went out.
We had great waves and Omar did a great job with his explanation and hints to support me. I can really fully recommend the mono loco Surf school and of course Omar as a teacher. Muchas gracias
We had great waves and Omar did a great job with his explanation and hints to support me. I can really fully recommend the mono loco Surf school and of course Omar as a teacher. Muchas gracias
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole H
Zurich, Switzerland20 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
we had 2 lessons with José and it was so much fun. on the first day we were at Wizard Beach and on the second day the black rocks were on the plan, which was more suitable for beginners. Thanks to the Mono loco surf school team, I felt like I would be one of them. we would love to come back !!
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cara
Canberra, Australia2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
These guys are great. First I did a "refresher" with instructor José and then I rented boards from them. The class was exactly what I needed! Their boards are all well taken care of and they helped me pick out one that suited my ability and the waves I was planning to surf. Also good for a chat and some advice 👌🏼
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eli Oh
2 contributions
Dec 2020
I took 5 private lessons with Mono Loco Surf School and I am so glad I did! Hannis, Jose, and Juan were all great instructors. They won't take you out on the water if the conditions are bad. Really awesome guys, good vibes, great teaching. I really enjoyed my time here and I can't recommend these guys enough. They really are the best in the area, there's a reason why their reviews are all amazing across the board!
Written 28 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Analisa A
Los Angeles, California
I'm an advanced beginner and would be arriving in late June. Are there better locations in Panama for me given that info? Thanks.
Written 12 March 2019
hi waves here at that time are good and black rock is magic in the pacific side at those dates is a gamble but el estero in catalina or playa venao
Written 20 April 2019
Hi,
My two daughters (both in 20s) want to do both surfing and yoga. We only like beach breaks if possible. We are advanced beginner to intermediate, but I am old and only like small waves (ideal about 2 feet, but 1-3 okay)
One of my daughters only likes to surf if its easy and mellow, but would do yoga.
We all like yoga
My other daughter and I love to surf, but only with hard boards.
We all really need a vacation setting.
Ideally spa like
I'd love to have daily Spanish lessons, even private (my Spanish is at least intermediate)
My younger daughter only free between Dec 23- Dec 30th
ANy ideas?
Are we better off in Santa Catalina, or near Panama City?
Thanks kindly,
NIna
Written 29 September 2018
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