Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos Beach gives you a full day of Pacific coast scenery and hands-on surf coaching, not just a quick lesson beside your hotel. The drive from Cabo passes mountains and ocean views, and once you reach the beach, instructors such as Marco, Alan, Allan, Louis, and Mike work with beginners, children, and stronger surfers at their own pace.

I like the small-group format, which can mean close coaching and quick corrections in the water. I also like that lunch, equipment, and optional hotel transport are included, so you can focus on learning instead of hauling gear. The main drawback is the long day and the changing conditions. Wind, swell, rain, or jellyfish can force a new beach, a new date, or a cancellation.

Key points to know before you book

• Cerritos is the winter surf beach: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move here because Costa Azul usually lacks suitable waves.
• You do not need experience: Foam boards, rash guards, or wetsuits are supplied, and coaching covers first-timers through experienced surfers.
• The beach day lasts about six and a half to seven hours: That includes the drive from Cabo, the lesson, lunch, and the return trip.
• Children from age six can join: Tell the operator in advance if children are participating so extra supervision can be arranged.
• Observers are welcome: Book a non-surfer spot to use the shaded camp, chairs, bottled water, and snacks.
• Lunch is Mexican and filling: Expect fish tacos, shrimp, chips, salsa, guacamole, or vegetarian dishes such as quesadillas, beans, rice, and salad.

A Pacific coast day instead of a Cabo pool day

At $70 per person, this is priced as a full outing rather than a single hour on a surfboard. You are paying for an instructor, board, rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, and round-trip transportation. That package makes the price fair for someone who wants a simple, organized day at the beach.

The experience also gets you away from the center of Cabo San Lucas. Cerritos sits on the Pacific side, and the road there is part of the appeal. You will pass ocean views and mountains along the Transpeninsular Highway, with plenty of chances to take photos from the vehicle.

I would not choose this activity if you want a short lesson close to your resort or a quiet beach afternoon with no fixed schedule. The day begins at 9 a.m., pickup may start up to an hour and a half earlier, and the total outing takes around 6.5 hours. That is a substantial block of vacation time.

The tour takes up to 15 people, but the coaching setup is more personal than that number suggests. There is one guide for every three participants in a class. A small group may also give you extra time with your instructor, and a very quiet day can sometimes feel close to private instruction.

Getting to Cerritos through the Transpeninsular Highway

The first part of the day is the drive west toward Cerritos. The Transpeninsular Highway is not just a transfer point. It gives you a look at the dry Baja terrain, the mountains, and the Pacific Ocean.

You will want your phone or camera ready before you arrive. The operator describes the route as a scenic one, and the views are a useful reminder that this is an outing beyond the resort zone. The downside is simple: the road takes time. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly, though no special transport arrangements are stated.

Hotel pickup is offered across San Jose del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Pickup times depend on your location, and the operator asks you to confirm the exact time one day before. The ride is described as a clean, air-conditioned van, which matters on a long Baja road trip.

If you are staying at Hard Rock, Nobu, or Four Seasons, transport does not reach those properties. You will need to meet the group at the Plaza Gali parking lot in Cabo San Lucas instead.

Finding the Plaza Gali meeting point

The standard meeting point is in front of the OXXO at the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot, at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36. For people driving, the lot is opposite the Sandos Finisterra hotel.

Cruise ship passengers have a few extra steps. From the tender pier, walk through the security gate and turn right onto the red sidewalk along the harbor. Keep the water on your right and Gali Plaza on your left. After about 20 yards, enter the cruise terminal marked API, walk through to the parking lot, and look for the OXXO at the exit.

Your stated start point is also given as Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 853, so check the final meeting instructions after booking. The OXXO in the Plaza Gali parking lot is the clearest practical landmark.

Learning to surf at Playa Los Cerritos

The lesson is built for mixed abilities. Beginners learn enough technique to catch a wave, stand up, and get comfortable on the board. More experienced surfers can receive coaching instead of starting with the basics.

The supplied boards are foam boards. That is a sensible choice for first-timers because they are more forgiving than fiberglass boards, though one participant did wish the boards were upgraded. If you specifically want a fiberglass board, request one when booking. Do not assume one will be waiting on the beach.

You also receive a rash guard or wetsuit, but you need to provide your size in advance. That small step can make the difference between a comfortable lesson and a frustrating one. The beach has no locker facilities, although personal items can be left in the transportation.

The best part of the coaching is the attention to small corrections. Instructor Marco, for example, worked one-on-one with a first-time surfer, helped with board position and wave timing, and gradually reduced the assistance as the student gained confidence. That is the right teaching pattern: enough help to get you moving, then enough space to let you learn.

Instructors named in the available experiences include Marco, Alan, Allan, Louis, and Mike. The praise centers on patience, encouragement, safety, and the ability to adjust instruction to the person in front of them. Louis is also noted for sharing information about the area and surf spots, while Mike combined the surf lesson with a smooth pickup, lunch, and return trip.

Do not expect every session to feel the same. Surfing depends on the day’s waves, wind, and group mix. The operator may change the location if conditions are poor. That flexibility protects safety, but it also means you should treat Cerritos as the planned beach rather than an absolute guarantee.

What children and less athletic adults can expect

The minimum age is six, and the coaching is intended for all levels. The experience works particularly well for families because instructors can adjust the lesson for different ages and abilities.

A nine-year-old and a 44-year-old first-time surfer were both able to get up on boards during one outing. That does not promise the same result for everyone, but it shows what the instruction is designed to achieve. You do need a moderate level of physical fitness, and you should be comfortable with an active beach session.

You do not need to be an athlete, but surfing still asks you to paddle, balance, push up, and handle repeated attempts. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the operator and instructor before entering the water. The activity is described as suitable for a moderate fitness level, not as a passive beach excursion.

Families should identify children when booking. The operator aims to add an extra guide when children are present, and the normal ratio is one guide for every three people. That arrangement can make a major difference when parents and children have very different comfort levels.

A useful option for non-surfers

You do not have to surf to join the day. Book an observer, also called a non-surfer or companion, spot rather than simply arriving with someone who has a surf booking.

The observer fee includes round-trip transport, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks. You can watch the lesson from the beach and enjoy Cerritos without paying for equipment or instruction. This is a good setup for parents, grandparents, or a partner who wants a beach day but does not want to paddle into the waves.

The beach itself is part of the attraction. The sand has a bright, sparkling quality, and the Pacific setting feels different from the more sheltered resort beaches around Cabo. Still, the observer option is not a free add-on. You need to reserve a companion place on the transport.

Lunch with tacos, guacamole, and vegetarian choices

Lunch is included and takes place at a local Mexican restaurant. The meal may include fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, chips, salsa, guacamole, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

I like this part of the plan because it keeps you from having to arrange food during a long day away from Cabo. It also gives the outing a local meal rather than limiting you to packaged snacks.

Lunch is optional once you are there, but skipping it does not reduce the price. Alcohol is not included. If you have dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option, ask before booking rather than counting on substitutions.

Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel and Spa

The itinerary includes Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa as a stop or beach-area point. The available details do not promise access to hotel facilities, spa treatments, or a hotel stay, so I would treat it as part of the local beach setting rather than an included resort visit.

The important stop is Playa Los Cerritos itself. You come for the water, the beach camp, and the lesson. The hotel name helps identify the area, but it should not shape your expectations about included amenities.

How weather can change your day

Surf conditions are central to this experience. High swell, strong wind, rain, tropical storms, or jellyfish can cause the operator to change beaches, reschedule, or cancel.

That policy is a good safety measure, but it can be inconvenient if you have only one free day in Cabo. If the operator cancels, you are offered another date or a full refund. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if surfing is important to you.

The season also matters. From November 15 to March 15, the lesson is offered at Cerritos because Costa Azul generally has no suitable waves in winter. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are available at Costa Azul instead. The experience name may say Cerritos, but the actual beach can change with the calendar and conditions.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English. The stated price is the same for children and adults. Transportation is complimentary and optional, so the price does not drop if you meet at Plaza Gali.

The published cancellation information gives a free cancellation deadline of 24 hours before the start time, with no refund for a later cancellation or no-show. Another activity note refers to 48 hours, so I would confirm the exact cutoff when you book. That is especially important if you are arranging this around a cruise departure.

For a cruise passenger, allow extra time to find the OXXO meeting point. For hotel pickup, confirm your exact time the day before. Bring only what you need because the beach has no lockers. Your belongings can remain in the transport, but keeping valuables to a minimum is still sensible.

Who should book the Cerritos surf lesson

I would recommend this for a first-time surfer who wants a friendly introduction without buying or renting separate equipment. It is also a strong choice for families with children age six and up, especially when different people need different levels of instruction.

It suits you if you enjoy a full beach day, do not mind a road transfer, and want lunch included. The observer option makes it practical for mixed groups where only some people want to surf.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed location, a short activity, a fiberglass board, or highly specialized coaching. Ask for the board type and instructor needs in advance. Also remember that a five-star experience depends partly on the ocean cooperating.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want more than a quick surf rental. The combination of Pacific scenery, patient coaching, foam boards, wetsuits or rash guards, lunch, and transport gives you a well-organized introduction to surfing near Cabo.

The strongest reason to choose it is the instructor-to-student ratio. Names such as Marco, Alan, Allan, Louis, and Mike are associated with patient, upbeat teaching, and the lesson is designed to help you catch a wave rather than simply stand on the beach with a board.

Skip it if you have only a few hours, dislike structured outings, or need certainty about surf conditions. For everyone else, especially families and complete beginners, $70 is a sensible price for a full day that combines instruction with a real Pacific beach experience.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson take place?

From November 15 to March 15, the lesson takes place at Cerritos Beach. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul because winter conditions there usually do not provide suitable waves.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about 6.5 hours including round-trip transportation. The tour summary gives an approximate duration of seven hours.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 9 a.m. Hotel pickup may begin about one to one and a half hours before the activity, depending on your location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Complimentary round-trip transport covers hotels in San Jose del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Transportation is optional, and the price does not change if you do not use it.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet the guide?

Cruise ship passengers should walk to the Plaza Gali parking lot and meet in front of the OXXO convenience store at the exit. Follow the red harbor sidewalk, enter the API cruise terminal, and walk through to the parking lot.

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. No prior surfing experience is required. Instruction is available for beginners through experienced surfers.

What equipment is provided?

A surfboard and a rash guard or wetsuit are provided. Foam boards are used for safety. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one.

Can children participate?

Yes. The minimum age is six. State when booking if children are joining so the operator can plan supervision. Prices are the same for children and adults.

Can someone join without surfing?

Yes. Book an observer or non-surfer companion spot. It includes transport, shaded chairs and umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The operator may change the location, reschedule the activity, or cancel it because of rain, wind, high swell, tropical storms, or jellyfish. If the operator cancels, you are offered another date or a full refund.