The 14 Best Surf Lessons in Costa Rica

1.Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

Meet Glen and his surf team at Playa Espadilla Norte for a two-hour lesson suited to beginners and improving surfers. Instructors such as Derek, Isaac, Sebastian, Corey, and Willie teach beach technique, water safety, paddling, and wave timing. Afterward, keep the board to practice for the rest of the day, with water and tropical fruit included.

“Had so much fun! Felt safe in the water and had great tips from our instructor. Only advice : don’t skip the sunscreen!! The sun is harsh on the water”

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2.Surf Lesson + Beach day in Jaco Beach!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

Meet Aloha Josi Surf School in Jaco for a two-hour group surf lesson shaped around the tide. You’ll get beach instruction, safety tips, a rash guard, board, sunscreen, water, and access to chairs and umbrellas. Instructors such as Giovanny, Jason, Jeyson, and Randall work with beginners and returning surfers. Pickup and professional photos are available.

“Great experience with Jason! Very professional and dedicated! Thank you so much for the class and the great time !”

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3.Stellar 3 Day Surf Package

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $360

Spend three days learning to surf at Iguana Surf in Tamarindo. Your instructor begins with a skill check, then teaches 90-minute lessons at a suitable daily time. The $360 package includes boards all week, wax, water, beach photos, and an Iguana Surf T-shirt. Instructors including Edwin, Kenny, Luca, and Oscar work with beginners and returning surfers.

“Great experience with Edwin. Highly recommend. Tasha was great in the shop. Got up on the board my first day and was a gorgeous beach.”

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4.Specialized Group Surf Lesson in Playa Hermosa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Meet Alvaro and Juan at Playa Hermosa for a private 90-minute surf lesson built around safety, board skills, pop-ups, and wave practice. You’ll learn how to enter the water, read basic conditions, and improve with steady coaching. A surfboard is included, but transportation is not.

“Absolutely amazing surf lessons with Álvaro and Juan! I booked together with two friends and had an unforgettable experience. From the very first moment, we felt incredibly welcome, safe, and perfectly taken care of. They explained all the basics and the rules in the water in a clear and motivating way, which gave us a lot of confidence right from the start. Álvaro took a very individual approach, gave constant, constructive feedback, and helped us improve so quickly. The surf sessions in the lineup were an absolute highlight and so much fun. I’m already looking forward to coming back to Playa Hermosa and surfing again with Álvaro and Juan. Thank…”

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5.Private Surfing Lesson in Playa Grande for beginners and intermediates

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Meet YouAreCostaRica in Playa Grande for a two-hour private surf lesson shaped to your level. Marco and Daniel have worked with young beginners, and the lesson includes board, rash guard, safety practice, beach transport, fruit, water, lockers, and showers. Choose 7am, 10am, 1pm, or 4pm.

“Wonderful experience. Marco and Daniel were extremely helpful. My 9 year old was a natural and my 7 year old did a great job. They were patient and caring! Thank you for a great experience for first timers!”

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6.Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Meet Blue Wave Surf & Tours on Tamarindo Beach for a two-hour lesson with instructors such as Andric, Jonathan, Johnny, and Pablo. You’ll practice on land, use provided equipment, and spend most of the session in the water. Private, family, and group formats suit first-timers through more experienced surfers.

“Highly recommend! Two hours of surfing, mostly in the water, with constant feedback for improvement! I stood up 95% of the time and I don’t think I would have been able to without the emphasis on practice on land and the support given in the water!”

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7.Beginner Surf Classes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Costa Rica Explorer’s beginner surf lesson gives you about two hours in the Dominical area, with instructors such as Alex, Josue, Angel, and Jake teaching ocean safety, board control, and wave timing. Beginners usually surf Playa Dominical, while stronger surfers may go to Dominicalito. Time can change daily, and groups are capped at eight.

“Alex and Josue were amazing instructors who had a bunch of baby boomers standing up on boards in about an hour. Their professionalism and learning progression were outstanding.”

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8.Surf Lesson by South Surf Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Meet instructor Josué Venegas for a private two-hour surf lesson near Dominical. He and his team teach beach safety, paddling, standing, and wave riding for all ages and skill levels. Your session includes a board, water, fruit, ten digital photos, and beach chairs with umbrellas. The beach and start time follow the tide.

“Super surf lesson - one of the best I ever had. Really enjoyed the session with Jossue & Mario.”

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9.Private Surf lessons in Santa Teresa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Meet Sammy, Ryan, or another instructor at Santa Teresa Extreme Center for a private 90-minute surf lesson in Santa Teresa or Hermosa Beach. Your session can cover standing up and board control, catching green waves, or advanced turns. A surfboard is included, and the lesson ends where it begins.

“This surfing class was really fun. Sammy was a great instructor! He teached us a lot and was really patient. We had a lot of fun!”

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10.Semi Private Surf Lessons on Stunning Playa Grande

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.)

You get a private instructor for a 2-hour-15-minute semi-private surf lesson at secluded Playa Grande, across from Tamarindo. Mojo Surf Adventures supplies boards, rash guards, transport, ice water, and pineapple. Tim and his wife help coordinate the outing, while local instructors teach beginners from age 4 upward.

“This was a huge highlight of our trip! Tim and his wife are absolutely wonderful! The instructors are all locals and take great pride in teaching people the art of surfing. Tim provided us with information on local sites and other recommendations for activities. This was a bucket list item for us and we were successful. My daughter (24 yrs old) was a natural, I (over 50 yrs old) was able to get up on my 3rd try and even my husband (also over 50 yrs old) was able to enjoy this. They provide rash guard shirts and any size and shape. We have fresh pineapple and got to enjoy…”

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11.2-Hour Private or Group Surf Lesson in Tamarindo!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50Best value

Meet at Tamarindo beach for a two-hour lesson with about 30 minutes of land instruction, then guided practice in the waves. Boards, rash guards, leashes, and sunscreen are provided. Instructors including Gustavo and Jonathan have earned praise for patient coaching, and paddleboard lessons are available for added support.

“The guys were cool, helpful, friendly and attentive and i caught a bunch of waves!! They helped me correct when I was doing stuff wrong and got me on the right track”

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12.Surf lessons at Manuel Antonio Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Meet Tony at Restaurante Marlin beside Playa Espadilla for a private, two-hour surf lesson. You will practice standing and foot placement on the sand, then work in the water as Tony pushes you into waves, fixes your form, and helps you paddle into waves yourself.

“Tony is an excellent teacher! I had a great time learning how to surf. I am very happy that I was able to surf. Thanks again! 100% recommend!”

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13.Surfing Lesson in Tamarindo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Learn surfing basics with a certified Seafari Costa Rica instructor in Tamarindo. You will practice the pop-up and ocean safety on land, then take a board into the water. Instructors such as Alejandro, Tommy, and Stephen have helped first-timers and returning surfers improve. The lesson lasts about 90 minutes and includes a board and rash guard.

“Alejandro was outstanding. A great and knowledgeable teacher who loves surfing and showing others how to surf. I will set up a three day session with him on our next trip to CR.”

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14.Conquer the Ocean with Surf Masters- Surf Lessons for all Levels

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Meet at Sababa Surf School in Jacó for a two-hour lesson led by an ISA-certified instructor, possibly Jay, whose coaching suits beginners and improving surfers. You’ll learn board control, surf rules, wave timing, and how to ride in the Pacific. Equipment and bottled water are included.

“Jay is a very respectful and motivating young man. His surfing skills are master level as are his instruction skills related to surfing. Even if you’re intermediate to advanced skill level, he can pinpoint the things you need to focus on to improve your surfing skills. I give my highest recommendation.”

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