Glamping in Portugal: Surfing and stargazing at Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort
Portugal is known for its historic cities of Lisbon and Porto, but also for its dramatic coastlines, lush green hills, and picturesque fishing villages.
While planning a trip to Portugal, I wanted to do a bit of sightseeing in the cities, but wanted to combine it with a few days of relaxation and adventure in nature. I feel that when traveling with kids, it is never a good idea to do too much sightseeing in one go.
That’s when I found a place offering the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation: Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort.
Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort: a unique glamping experience in Portugal
Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort is a place where you can experience an original glamping adventure set within a forest of pine and eucalyptus trees. The resort offers a myriad of activities designed to entertain and relax its guests. From surfing to mountain biking, skateboarding, yoga, and relaxing massages, there is something for everyone.
Bukubaki is a resort for the thrill-seeker who wants to be in touch with nature, but still wishes to enjoy a few of the comforts from home. And this is exactly what I had been looking for.
What makes Bukubaki an Eco Resort?
The main building of Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort was constructed by utilizing natural materials, establishing a distinct ambience that enhances the experience. The presence of surrounding wooden elements further amplifies the immersive experience, creating a harmonious and engaging environment for travellers to enjoy.
The resort was designed with a deep focus on sustainability and the use of renewable energies. Some of the sustainable practices used within the property include:
Recycling throughout the resort, with separate bins for various kinds of waste
LED lights and sensors
Use of recycled materials
Locally sourced and organically grown ingredients used in the property’s restaurant
Use of photovoltaic and thermal energy throughout the property
Use of 100% electric vehicles within the property
Getting there
Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort is located in the town of Ferrel, about 90 km north of Lisbon and near the city of Peniche.
Getting to Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort is not difficult. You can either drive a car, hire a private transfer company, take a bus or hop on a train. The easiest way to get to the resort is by car. Taking a train or bus is cheaper, but it might cost you a little more time.
You can rent a car and drive from Lisbon (around 90 km to the south) or from Porto (260km to the north). If driving, you will be able to park for free at the entrance to the resort. The parking lot is secured by a gate which closes after 22:00. You can sleep in peace knowing your car will be safe.
Riding a bus from Lisbon to Peniche takes about 1.5 hours and leaves from the terminal at Lisboa Sete Rios Bus Station. The ride costs around €10. Once in Peniche, you will have to take a taxi or Uber to the resort, which is not too far.
The train from Lisbon is the cheapest mode of transportation and will cost you between €7 and €10. It takes about 3 hours and leaves from Rossio train station in Lisbon. You will need to take a train to Mira Sintra-Melecas station and from there change trains to Dagorda-Peniche. From Peniche to the resort, again you will have to take a taxi or Uber.
The Property Grounds
Reception Area and Main Building
The hotel reception area has a minimalistic design concept with natural elements. The area is surrounded by wood, giving it a warm, cozy atmosphere. Natural light filters in through the windows, and the space is furnished with simple, modern furniture. The ambiance is inviting and a little shop stands next to the desk, where guests can buy clothing, wine and other articles. Off to the side of the reception desk there is a little table with crayons for children to play with.
Our check-in was quick and painless, and we were given a map of the property. As we were staying in one of the Canadian Tents, there were obviously no keys to be handed over. The main pathway leading to the tents is made of gravel. Even though we were carrying some luggage with wheels, it was not a big problem reaching our tent, as the distance was very short.
Pool Area
Just outside the main building there was a very pleasant pool with a deck for sunbathing. There were plenty of lounge chairs everywhere, and there was also a shallow pool for smaller kids. It was a bit chilly when we visited, so we really didn’t make good use of the pool area. Such a shame, as I am sure I would have spent a lot of my time there.
Skateboard Bowl
Directly behind the swimming pool, hidden behind bushes, you can find the concrete skateboarding bowl.
Our kids LOVED the skateboarding bowl and would go in there any chance they would get!
Many of the skateboarders who come to Bukubaki are not actually staying at the resort. Bukubaki allows visitors to use the bowl without charge, and lots of locals come to practice every day.
The bowl at Bukubaki is well-known for being the best in the area of Peniche, so there is a constant stream of people using it. Some of the skateboarders were gracious enough to let our kids ride on their skateboards for a bit, which made them very happy.
Restaurant
Gastrobar Juncal N.º 6 is Bukubaki's only restaurant, but it serves delicious food at very decent prices. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and serves dishes for every type of dietary requirement such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and kids' items. The menu includes items such as pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and seafood.
During the low season the restaurant operates at limited times during the week, so make sure to check the hours of operation before heading out to the restaurant.
I had planned for us to try some of the cafes in the nearby village of Ferrel, but instead we had lunch at Juncal N.º 6 every single day. When traveling with kids, it is sometimes better to keep things simple so that you can have a relaxing experience. I did not regret this decision at all. The food was great and it was served fast, which is a plus in my book.
Breakfast at Juncal N.º 6 Restaurant
Breakfast was included with our stay and was served every morning at Bukubaki’s restaurant. I thoroughly enjoyed the selection of cold cuts, breads, cheeses, fruits, juices and local pastries, such as pastéis de nata. Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort also served omelettes, sausages, and bacon. The bottomless cups of coffee (essential for those traveling with kids), were always delicious and fresh. Portugal has, in my opinion, some of the best coffee in all of Europe.
In short, the breakfast was tasty and plentiful, and kept us energized throughout the day.
Types of Accommodation
When planning for a glamping experience at Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort you will find a selection of accommodation types to suit different budgets. The resort offers three different types of accommodation:
Canadian rooms - glamorous tents which are perfect for those who want to experience a more rustic environment.
Tree Houses - houses on stilts, perfect for those who want to enjoy a more secluded experience in nature.
A sharing villa is also present on the resort grounds, which I will not be going into details about.
Canadian Rooms (Tents) - a true glamping experience
I could have easily chosen for us to stay in one of the Tree Houses, but I wanted this to be a unique glamping experience in Portugal. I decided instead to go with the Canadian Rooms, which are luxurious tents with comfortable beds.
Our Canadian Tent was at the edge of the property, so we had no neighbours to our right, but there was a tent to the left of us and one directly in front of us. We stayed at the resort during what felt like low season, as there were no guests occupying the tents next to us. In fact, there were not too many guests in the resort at all. The tents, however, are set up at a fair distance apart, so I can imagine noise would not be a problem.
Our Canadian Tent was very spacious and set up with one queen bed and two twin beds. It had an open cupboard to store clothing items, racks for hanging towels, a few night tables, free water (in glass bottles, in line with the eco-theme of the resort), and rugs on the floor. Certainly a true glamping experience in Portugal, with some of the comforts from home.
During our stay, the average temperature hovered around 17°C during the day, with the nights being a bit cooler. When booking the tent, I worried that we would all feel very cold during the night, but once arriving at Bukubaki I was very pleased to find out there was a heater inside the Canadian Tent to keep us warm.
The mattresses were super comfortable and the beds had thick duvets and extra blankets. There were also plenty of fluffy pillows on the beds, cushions and reading lights for a late-night book session. We slept extremely well and I must say the mattresses were probably the main reason for this.
Wifi in the Tent
Our Canadian Tent had plenty of outlets to charge phones and electronic equipment. There was free wifi throughout the property. On Bukubaki's website it states that all Canadian Tents also include wifi. The reality was quite different, though. I could sometimes connect the wifi when inside our tent, but soon after it would drop out, so I just gave up. It wasn't a big deal for me, but some guests would find this a bit annoying, in my opinion. The wifi worked perfectly fine at the main building, though.
Bad Weather? No Problem.
Our glamping experience in Portugal would not have been complete without a little bit of rain. This was not an issue, however. Our Canadian Tent had a canopy set right on top of it, which kept the inside dry. No water came in at all. The entrance to the tent had flaps that could be tied together to keep the wind and rain out during the night. This worked out perfectly fine for us.
Overall, it was very quiet and peaceful inside the tent. I felt we were all able to get some restful sleep while listening to the sound of the wind whistling through the pine trees. It was a magical experience!
Bathroom and Showers
The bathroom and showers were located in a separate structure not too far from the tents. It was close enough that I didn't feel inconvenienced carrying all of our belongings to the bathroom when going for a shower.
The building where the bathrooms were located are made from wood, keeping with the theme of using natural materials throughout the property. The inside was kept at a comfortable temperature due to the heating. Each bathroom had three showers and three toilets, with a large sink area.
The showers had plenty of space for hanging clothes and a little stool to set your items on. They were very clean, with good water pressure and warm water. I easily showered our two kids together without feeling cramped.
The sink area was spacious and had a hair dryer for common use. I could easily picture many people using the sink area at the same time and still having enough space to put all of their belongings on it without feeling cramped.
There was also a baby-changing table available inside of the female bathroom.
2. Tree Houses - All the comforts from home
These are wooden stilt houses with all the comforts from home. There are three different types:
Tree House Wide (for 6 persons)
Tree House Tiny (for 4 persons)
Bungalow (for 4 persons)
All of the tree houses include one bedroom with a double bed, and another bedroom with either two single beds or bunk beds. The tree house wide is also equipped with a double sofa bed.
All houses are equipped with air-conditioning and heating, closets, bathroom with shower, dining room with kitchenette (stove, fridge, microwave, kitchen utensils) and a comfortable sun terrace with a sitting area.
Activities in and around Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort
The area around Peniche is known as the surf capital of Portugal. It is considered an ideal area for surfing due to its variety of surf spots, the consistency of the waves, and the annual WSL World Tour Championship which takes place in October. The area is suitable for surfing year-round and for all experience levels.
Surf Lessons
Surf lessons are offered at Bukubaki Surf Resort, ranging from beginner to advanced, in both group and private settings. The lessons can be pre-booked at the reception area and are taught by knowledgeable local instructors. When booking surf lessons at Bukubaki, all the gear (surfboards, wetsuits) and transport to/from the beach are included in the price. If you do not wish to book a lesson but would still like to surf, you may also rent the equipment at the reception.
Alternatively, there are many other options around the area if you decide to book a surf lesson elsewhere. This is the surf capital of Portugal, after all. Check the options here.
We all partook in the surf lessons except our daughter, who was two years old at the time. Our son, who did not even know how to properly swim yet, had a blast. Our instructor was knowledgeable and patient, especially with our son.
The drive to Baleal beach took no more than 15 minutes. It is a gorgeous area with a long stretch of sandy beach, divided into North and South by a village located on a tiny peninsula. There were plenty of beach bars and restaurants around the area, but it still felt very calm and relaxing.
The water here is cold, as is the case with most Portuguese beaches year-round. Wearing a good wetsuit is essential to stay warm, as the water temperature in most Portuguese beaches does not rise above 20°C. On the day of our surfing lessons, the outside temperature was around 16°C, with the water temperature probably a few degrees colder.
The waves in Baleal beach more than made up for the cold water. They were perfect for beginners like us, not too big and coming in at long intervals. The bottom of the ocean sloped downwards gently, so that you could walk far in and still be able put your feet down on the sand. I had to stop paddling a few times and appreciate the moment while sitting on my surfboard, as the water was so clear and the ocean so inviting.
We had a lovely time at Baleal beach. The initial warm-up session and the lessons lasted about 30 minutes. In total, we were at the beach for around two hours. As a beginner, I felt that this was just enough time to get used to the board and actually stand up on it a few times. Any more than that, I would have been too tired from all the swimming and paddling.
Skateboarding
Bukubaki Resort offers skateboarding lessons for a fee and these are open to resort guests, as well as the outside public. They also rent out all necessary equipment such as skateboards, helmets and protection, for adults and children. As previously mentioned, the skate bowl is free to use, so if you plan on bringing your own, you won't have to pay anything.
Mountain Biking
Bukubaki Resort rents out mountain bikes for adults as well as for children. As with the other activities, bicycle rentals are also open to the general public.
Other Activities
Bukubaki Resort also had many options for relaxation activities, such as yoga, massage, and sauna. Unfortunately, due to strict Covid-19 regulations still in place at the time, none of these activities were available. I would have wanted to try a massage or two but I will have to wait until next time.
In the surrounding area, travellers can take a boat tour contouring the coast of Peniche. During this time, travellers will learn about the city’s history, once an important fishing and trading centre, later becoming a fortress and prison location for political dissenters during different periods of Portuguese history.
In Conclusion…
Our experience while glamping at Bukubaki Eco Resort in Portugal was an unforgettable one. We found the location to be beautiful and there were plenty of activities to keep the entire family entertained. We were also able to relax and enjoy a bit of the surrounding nature. The staff at Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort was always on hand to make sure we had everything we needed, and we enjoyed the cozy nights in our tents.
Bukubaki Eco Surf Resort is a place that I certainly recommend to anyone visiting Portugal who wants to try glamping for the first time. If you have more than a few days to spare, getting out of the big cities of Portugal will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. There is so much more to see and do outside of Lisbon and Porto. Go out there and discover what this beautiful country has to offer!
