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Costa Rica Surf Lessons

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Learn to surf OR improve your skills with our excellent professional bilingual local instructors at beaches throughout Costa Rica!

About Costa Rica Surf Lessons 

A Costa Rica Surf Lesson with Costa Rica Surf Trip! guarantees you an amazing experience with top-notch professional instructors who are bilingual, fun, handpicked and supervised by our highly qualified Costa Rica Surf Trip Director of Surf, native Costa Rican and international surf coach Jairo Zuñiga Orias, who is certified by the International Surf Association (while many schools and instructors claim to be certified, there are only 35 instructors in the entire country who maintain certifications - as of December 2023 - click here for verification of Coach Jairo's certification).  We also have certified lifeguards and First Aid/CPR on our trained staff for your safety & enjoyment during your time with us!

You will start out with the principles of surfing on land to learn about/review:

  • Equipment
  • Area
  • Safety
  • Technique

and then you'll head into the water to practice your skills with your instructor who will help you navigate the building blocks of surfing:

  • Pop-Up
  • Stance
  • Reading Waves
  • Riding Waves

Private Surf Lesson - $85 pp

A one-on-one class with an instructor.

  • 1 student / 1 instructor 

These are required at our school for children 12 years of age and under.  Many adults also prefer these one-on-one lessons both as newbies and as advancing beginners in order to have the undivided attention of their instructor for the entire class.

Semi-Private Surf Lesson - $75 pp

Semi-private lessons are for 2-4 people taking a lesson together with 1-2 instructors.  

  • 2-4 students / 1-2 instructors

They are great for couples, or small groups of friends or family members traveling with you. 

Group Surf Lesson - $70 pp

Group surf lessons are great for friends or families traveling all together with you.  

  • 5+ students / instructors based on total # of students

A group surf lesson is a class of 5 or more students. The number of instructors is determined based on the total number of students.  Surfing with fellow travelers helps you save the most money!

*Children 12 years of age and under must be signed up for a private lesson for one on one attention and their personal safety.  

Please do not sign them up as part of a semi or group lesson as we staff according to reservation and it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate if you fail to book correctly.  You may email us with any questions related to this policy.

**These are not public classes

We do not pair you with strangers in your semi-private or group lessons; the only people in your lesson are the people you sign up with!

Who is it for?

Surf Lessons are for:

  • Newbies (never surfed before) & 
  • Beginners (have surfed but don't catch your own waves yet) &
  • Intermediates (catch your own waves but still feel more comfortable with your instructor with you in the water)

Surf lessons are for all ages and skill levels. People of varying abilities are able to get out in the water and enjoy the waves with a professional to accompany them!  If you feel you (or anyone traveling with you) needs one on one attention or assistance, sign up for a private surf lesson instead of semi-private or group so you each get the undivided attention you need!

Surfing is a sport and therefore requires physical activity. We suggest being prepared for actions that may include cardio, balance, and flexibility.

What's Included?

  • Surfboard
  • Leash
  • Protective Rashguard
  • Instruction by our ISA certified, bilingual staff who will give you the basics of surf knowledge and safety on land before heading into the ocean for in-water instruction and fun!
  • First Aid Kit, Lifeguard & CPR/Life Safety Certified staff.

What time is my lesson?

One of the first lessons of surfing is to know that tides and swells can greatly (or minimally) impact the waves for any given surf location anywhere in the world!  Because of this, the best time for lessons at each beach change every single day!  For this reason, we send your lesson time (and options, when available) for your day of choice via email once booked. Our lessons can start as early as 6 am and end as late as 6 pm.

What to wear?

We suggest a bathing suit with coverage and the ability to adjust/tighten it so you aren't worrying about losing your bikini/trunks while you're trying to catch waves!  Remember: bathing suit material tends to expand/loosen in the water!

What to bring?

  • Water Bottle (reduce plastic waste - use a refillable bottle)!
  • Sunscreen (please do not apply until you receive instruction on application for your lesson)
  • Towel
  • Change of clothes

Where to meet?

Varies by location - Once you book, we will send meeting information based on your lesson location along with your lesson time (or time options).  Please check your email and junk mail to make sure you don't miss these important confirmations!

need more than a lesson?

Choose a Full Vacation Package

OR 

Build Your Own Trip!