Private Surf lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos is the reward at the end of a beautiful Baja drive: a broad Pacific beach, dependable winter waves, and a surf lesson arranged around your group. Beginners get patient instruction and soft foam boards, while stronger surfers can ask for coaching rather than a basic first lesson.

I like the all-in-one setup. Your price includes transport, board, water gear, shaded chairs, and a proper Mexican lunch, so you are not piecing together a beach day on your own. I also like the private format, which lets the coach adjust the pace for children, first-timers, or surfers who already know their way around a wave.

The main catch is timing. You spend about two hours on the road, and the surf location changes by season. Cerritos is used from November 15 to March 15; from March 15 to November 15, lessons move to Costa Azul because winter conditions there do not provide suitable waves.

Key points to know before booking

• Cerritos is a winter surf destination: The lesson runs there from November 15 to March 15, with Costa Azul used during the warmer season.
• The drive is part of the outing: Expect roughly an hour each way along the Transpeninsular Highway, with ocean and mountain views.
• Your group stays private: The activity accepts three to ten participants, with one coach for every three people.
• The equipment is beginner-friendly: Foam boards are standard, while fiberglass boards are available if requested in advance.
• Lunch is built into the day: Expect fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water, with vegetarian choices available.
• The price covers more than the lesson: At $100 per person, you also get optional round-trip transport, beach chairs, umbrellas, and a rash guard or wetsuit.

Why Cerritos makes a good day trip from Cabo

Cabo San Lucas is famous for its dramatic rock formations and sheltered Sea of Cortez beaches. Cerritos gives you a different side of Baja. It sits on the Pacific coast, where open ocean swells create a proper beach break and the beach feels more focused on surf and sand than resort activity.

The trip begins around 7:30 a.m. That early start matters. You get on the road before the day grows hot, and you have time for the surf lesson, lunch, and the return drive without turning the outing into a rushed dash.

The Transpeninsular Highway is not just a transfer. The route runs past mountains and toward the Pacific, with plenty of scenery for photographs. You should still think of it as a long drive for a half-day activity. If your main goal is maximum time in the water, the road time may feel substantial. If you enjoy seeing more of the peninsula beyond Cabo, it adds useful context.

The tour lasts roughly five to six hours. The published schedule gives about an hour for the outward drive, three hours at Playa Los Cerritos, an hour for lunch, and another hour on the return road. In practice, the exact timing can depend on pickup arrangements, surf conditions, and how long your group wants to continue.

What happens at Playa Los Cerritos

Cerritos is a beach break, meaning waves break across a sandy beach rather than at one fixed reef or point. That gives the coaching team room to work with different ability levels. A first-timer can learn the basic steps in manageable water, while a more experienced surfer can use the open beach and ask for technique advice.

The beach is exposed to northwest swells. When conditions line up, it can produce clean surf for several days. Conditions are never guaranteed, of course. Wind, rain, large swell, or jellyfish can lead to a change of location, a new date, or cancellation.

Your lesson is designed for all experience levels. You do not need to know how to stand on a board before arriving. The stated goal is to teach you enough to catch a wave, with coaching available for people who already surf.

For beginners, the foam board is a sensible choice. It is more forgiving than a hard fiberglass board and makes the first attempts less intimidating. If you prefer a fiberglass board, request one when booking. Do not wait until the morning of the lesson, since the standard equipment is foam.

The class structure is also worth noting. One guide is assigned for every three people, and the total group must be at least three and no more than ten participants. Although the tour is private, your group size still affects how much direct coaching each person receives. A group of three should receive more individual attention than a group of ten, especially if everyone enters the water at once.

Children from age six can take part. The operator aims to add an extra guide when children are included, and you should identify children in the booking details. The physical requirement is moderate, but surfing still asks you to paddle, balance, get up repeatedly, and move in the water. Anyone with limited fitness should be honest about their comfort level before booking.

Lunch and the beach setup

The day includes lunch at a local restaurant in the Cerritos surf area. The meal includes traditional Mexican choices such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, salsa, guacamole, chips, and flavored water. Vegetarian options include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

This is useful after a morning of paddling. It also keeps the outing from feeling like a lesson followed by a scramble to find food. Lunch is optional in practice, but there is no price reduction if you skip it, so most people will find it sensible to stay and eat.

Chairs and umbrellas are provided. That gives non-surfers a place to sit and lets a family member watch the lesson from a shaded camp. An observer cannot simply arrive without notice, though. You need to book a non-surfer or companion place on the transport. That option includes round-trip transportation, shade, bottled water, and snacks.

There are no beach lockers. The supplied guidance is to leave personal belongings safely in the transportation, so bring only what you need. A small amount of cash for personal expenses may be useful, but alcohol is not included.

The value of the $100 price

At $100 per person, this is not just a board rental. The price includes a private guide, surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, hotel or port pickup and drop-off, chairs, umbrellas, and lunch. Those extras make the package easier to compare with a lesson booked independently.

The strongest value comes from the private arrangement and transport. You do not need to rent a car, find Cerritos, arrange equipment, or work out lunch after the lesson. If you are staying in Cabo and want a guided Pacific beach day without handling the details, that convenience has real worth.

The value is less clear if you already have a car, your own board, and local knowledge. In that case, the included transfer and equipment matter less. You are also paying for a five-to-six-hour outing when only part of the time is spent surfing.

Prices are the same for children and adults. That can be fair for a child who uses the full lesson and equipment, but families should factor in the full cost before booking. The minimum of three participants also matters. A couple traveling alone should confirm how the reservation handles the minimum, since the stated activity requires at least three participants.

Pickup from Cabo, the corridor, and San José del Cabo

Complimentary transport is optional, and the price does not change if you drive yourself or meet the group. Pickup covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Hotel pickup is usually about an hour before the 7:30 a.m. start, with the exact time confirmed before the outing.

For cruise ship passengers, the meeting point is in front of the OXXO convenience store at the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot. From the tender pier, follow the red sidewalk beside the harbor, pass the cruise terminal building, and exit toward the parking lot. The OXXO is at the lot exit, near the Sandos Finisterra hotel.

If you are driving, meet at the same OXXO in Plaza Gali. The listed address is Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas. The stated end point is also in the Cabo marina area, though drop-off can be arranged at Plaza Gali or your hotel.

The service does not provide hotel pickup from properties outside the tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons. Those properties are about 50 minutes away from the tourist zone, so you will need to reach the Plaza Gali meeting point yourself.

Seasonal surf conditions and weather changes

Do not book this solely by the name Cerritos without checking your dates. From November 15 to March 15, the lesson is offered at Cerritos Beach. From March 15 to November 15, it moves to Costa Azul because winter brings little surf there.

This seasonal switch is practical rather than cosmetic. The best beach for a lesson depends on waves, wind, and safety, not simply on which beach looks nicest in a brochure. The operator may also change the location because of rain, high swell, wind, or jellyfish.

If poor weather affects the activity, you can be offered another date or a full refund. Since surf depends on natural conditions, keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible. A private tour gives your group more control over whether to complete the full activity, but it cannot guarantee ideal waves.

The cancellation terms supplied for the experience allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged in full, and changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted. Because the information also refers to a 48-hour cutoff elsewhere, check the current terms at checkout if your plans are uncertain.

Who will get the most from this surf lesson

This is a strong fit for a family or small group that wants instruction without a crowded class. It works especially well when some people are complete beginners and others already surf, since coaching can be adjusted by level.

It also suits cruise passengers who want an active shore day away from the usual Cabo shopping and boat trips. The port pickup instructions are specific, and the beach lunch means you do not have to arrange a second activity around the lesson.

I would also consider it for a mixed group with non-surfers. An observer can ride along, use the chairs and umbrella, have snacks and water, and watch the lesson. Just reserve that companion place in advance.

You may want a different plan if you dislike early starts, long road transfers, or changing plans based on the weather. The lesson is also not the best match for someone seeking a full day of uninterrupted surfing. The schedule includes driving, lunch, and beach time, so it is a guided outing rather than a pure surf session.

Should you book the Cerritos surf experience?

Book it if you want a simple, private introduction to Pacific surfing with the major details handled for you. The combination of coaching, equipment, transport, lunch, and beach shade makes the $100 price reasonable, especially for first-time surfers and families.

Before paying, check the season, confirm your pickup point, provide clothing sizes, and mention any children or fiberglass-board requests. If your date falls between November 15 and March 15, Cerritos is the planned beach. Outside that period, expect Costa Azul instead.

I would choose this experience for the scenery, the relaxed beach setting, and the chance to learn without arranging separate rentals and meals. I would skip it only if you need guaranteed surf conditions, want a longer water session, or are unwilling to spend about two hours on the road.

FAQ

Is prior surfing experience required?

No. The lesson is designed for all levels, including beginners who need help catching a first wave and experienced surfers seeking coaching.

What ages can participate?

The minimum age is six. The operator asks you to identify children when booking and aims to provide an extra guide when children are participating.

Where is the surf lesson held?

From November 15 to March 15, lessons are held at Cerritos Beach. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul.

What equipment is included?

A foam surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, chairs, and umbrellas are included. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one.

Is transportation included?

Optional round-trip transportation is included from hotels in the Cabo San Lucas tourist area, the corridor, and San José del Cabo. You can also meet at the Plaza Gali OXXO or drive yourself.

What is included for lunch?

Lunch includes Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, chips, salsa, guacamole, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice. Alcohol is not included.