BOHO SURF HOSTEL
By Ma. Carmela S. Glorioso
It is said that turning a hobby into a source of income is easier than ever. But what really makes a hobby profitable is not just enjoying the leisure-time activity, but also finding a group of people who share the same passion or interest. This is especially true for Jimi Lee Herrera, whose love of riding the waves in La Union has led him to start Boho Surf Hostel, an accommodation for surfers and beach lovers alike.
Located on Kalapaw Road, Brgy. Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union, Boho Surf Hostel sits on a 200-sq. m. property a few meters from the beach. According to Jimi, he acquired the property in the Surfing Capital of the North in the last quarter of 2021 and wasted no time on renovations. It formally began operation in January 2022.
A four-and-a-half-hour drive from Manila, Boho Surf Hostel caters to groups of friends, families, couples, or solo travelers who love the beach and surfing. It offers shared dormitory-style rooms, as well as semi-private and private rooms with shared facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom, and lounges.
“Before the establishment of Boho Surf Hostel, I had been frequenting La Union after I was introduced to surfing and fell in love with it,” began Jimi, who is a registered nurse and owner of such other businesses as The Drip Manila and Domescape, a glamping resort in Nasugbu, Batangas.
“It so happened that one of my clients in my IV drip business owned one of the hostels there, and since their contract was about to end, this client of mine offered it to me. So, thinking it was nice to have a place I could call home in La Union, because it has already become my happy place, I agreed to have it renovated when I got the property. I also did some color changes to it,” he added.
Initially, Jimi saw the property as the realization of his dream of owning a beach house. But La Union was also flourishing as the Surfing Capital of the North, especially right after the pandemic. That’s when he felt the drive to convert the place into a sustainable venture.
“When it was offered to me five years ago, I truly felt that it was given to me and really meant for me, so I grabbed it (without hesitation).”
Balinese-inspired aesthetics and design
From the very beginning, Jimi wanted a place with a laid-back charm—something that could make everyone feel relaxed and away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The property was built with a Balinese-inspired space utilizing sustainable local materials, including bamboo poles for walls and parts of the flooring, and dried Nipa palm leaves (also called pawid) for the roof. He kept the structure intact, although some said that it was hard to maintain because bamboo won’t last long. Luckily, the structure proved to be sturdy and has remained disaster-resilient even after it was hit by Typhoon Uwan last November. Jimi said they only had repairs in areas that are often wet and with heavy foot traffic.
A hidden gem in Urbiztondo
Boho Surf Hostel is far from the beach, yet Jimi believes it is a hidden gem in Urbiztondo.
“Before, I was saying it’s quite far from the beach because we need to walk along the small street but now, I realized it’s a gem in a chaotic, busy Urbiztondo. It’s a hidden gem. It’s the best place for relaxation. With its interiors painted in colors of the sea, it’s truly calming to the senses.”
The hostel has three bunk rooms with eight beds each, and lockers under the beds. Each room can accommodate eight to 10 people at ₱900 per head.
Guests also have the option of staying in a private room with a queen-size bed and their own toilet and bath (₱3,000 per night) or in a semi-private room with two single beds and shared bathrooms—one for male guests and one for female guests (₱2,000 per night).
More often than not, guests staying in a hostel are “in the same boat,” which makes it easy to build connections and win new friends, knowing you have the same interests and passions. At Boho Surf Hostel, it’s not just a place to sleep and relax, but also where guests connect easily.
“We bind people, we make them friends, even families. We are happy for our guests who end up as friends,” said Jimi.
The four-member staff at Boho Surf Hostel can also connect guests to surfing schools if they want to improve their surfing skills or arrange a city tour for families looking for other activities with their kids.
“Many people are frequenting the beach of La Union not only in the summer anymore. The place is full year-round, even in the rainy season. I think our place gives that serene vibe most people are looking for nowadays. Parking is not a problem because we secured the spot beside Boho, it’s a private lot, but you can avail a parking spot with a fee.”
Boho Surf Hostel also serves free breakfast. Jimi shared that they plan to offer an all-day breakfast beginning this summer.
Bookings & Inquiries
Facebook & Instagram: Boho Surf Hostel
Phone: 0917-8854640
Email: bohosurf.hostel@gmail.com
