Costa Rica Surf Lessons
Costa Rica is blessed with two coastlines that receive consistently good swells, waves and breaks – oceanic conditions that are ideal for surfing. Surf schools throughout the country aim to help beginning and intermediate surfers hone their skills through hands-on, interactive instruction. Days begin with stretching along the shore and a pre-surf warm up. Beginners will learn practical surfing skills before entering the water, including safety, etiquette, entering and exiting the surf zone, catching waves, standing up, and finally, surfing itself. Intermediate instruction is focused on rapid improvement via catching and surfing as many waves as possible. Instructors, all of whom are certified lifeguards, are in the water ensuring that students are both having fun and remaining safe.
Matapalo Costa Rica Surfing
A tough four wheel drive vehicle is necessary to access Matapalo. To get there, you must cross muddy trenches and steep embankments. The lack of passable roads and development lends to the large diversity of wildlife that exists on the Osa Peninsula.
Video: Costa Rica Driving and Renting a Car
Dominical Costa Rica Surfing
Take a breath and relax at Dominical where crowds are not a factor in the water or in the streets. Referred to as a "hippie town" by more than one person, we were invited to a full moon waterfall funfest somewhere in the mountains. Completely unsure of directions, we found the party club, Roca Verde. Mostly packed with Costa Ricans, the Latin lovers sweated up the chili hot dance floor with hip swiveling fast action moves.
Jaco Costa Rica Surfing
Jaco is the closest beach and surfing destination to San Jose. It offers a full buffet of tourist activities, from shopping to surfing to an abundance of night life.
Malpais Costa Rica Surfing
The drive from Nosara to Mal Pais never lacked excitement. We decided to help some Ticos push their broken down truck up a long hill. As we did our best world's strongest man impersonation, the heavens dropped a waterfall on our heads.
Nosara Costa Rica Surfing
Don't confuse the town of Nosara with the general beach community of Nosara. The town itself is not on the ocean and the surf center is actually next to Playa Guiones.
Pavones Costa Rica Surfing
Pavones is a surf Mecca. One of the most sought after waves in the world, you can catch rides that will make your legs ache when conditions permit. The left point break runs the entire length of the small town. The little pueblo exists almost entirely for surf tourists.
Playa Esterillos Costa Rica Surfing Guide
Laid back and super friendly, staying at the small town of Esterillos is all about surf and great folks. The people welcomed us with open arms.
Puerto Viejo Costa Rica Surfing
Discover an entirely different side of Costa Rica on its eastern shore. A warm and vibrant surf community thrives in Puerto Viejo. There, you can taste the sweet flavors of the Caribbean. The flags of Bob Marley and the red, gold, black, and green are flown high throughout the open air markets. Dreadlocked Rasta men welcome travelers with smiles and reggae music.
Tamarindo Costa Rica Surfing
As the final 20 km stretch of dirt roads leads you into Tamarindo, you will notice massive construction projects taking place. Tamarindo is a picturesque beach and surfing destination and travelers from around the world have taken notice.
Learn from local Costa Ricans how to surf at Playa Guiones, one of the best beaches in Guanacaste for beginner surfers. Surfing is probably easier than you think, especially when you have a seasoned professional to help you get the timing just right.
Santa Teresa and Mal Pais waves are consistent year round and has become a mecca for surfers of all experience levels. The surf school "Del Soul" has been operating since 2006 and was founded by two brothers and lifetime surfers that love to share their knowledge and skills with aspiring surfers from around the globe. Whether you are a first time surfer or an intermediate surfer looking to brush up on some skills a lesson at Del Soul will be fun and educational.
This half-day tour is ideal for intermediate surfers. Dominical beach is known for its long wave that you can surf all the way the beach, and if you time your visit correctly you’ll have extremely consistent waves.
Surfing at Witch’s Rock is for fairly advanced surfers who are ready to experience some of the best waves in Costa Rica. The hollow waves crashing on either side of this rocky formation have a reputation for being consistent and powerful. They break over a sandy bottom.
Surfing is one of Costa Rica’s most popular activities, no matter what time of year. On a half-day surfing tour of Damas Island you’ll get a small piece of the action all to yourself.
Manuel Antonio Beach offers ideal conditions for surf lessons. White sand and shimmering water make will make for a memorable afternoon with experienced surf instructors.
Learn how to surf with an experienced surfer on the Papagayo Gulf. This is for beginner surfers who want to quickly grasp the basics of catching a wave.
Take a 2-hour surfing lesson on the white sand beach of Puerto Viejo. With an experienced instructor you’ll have an excellent shot of standing up on a wave by the end of the lesson.
Take surfing lessons in Tamarindo and live the fun with sun, beach and sand.
This is full-day trip into the jungle outside of Dominical to see the tumbling cascade of Nauyaca Waterfall, combined with a surf lesson at Dominical Beach.
Sleep in before being transported to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens for an all-day tour at one of the best eco parks in Costa Rica. The excursion is designed to start later than most tours so you are rested when you experience what the Waterfall Gardens boasts as the essence of Costa Rica on a guided hike through the reserve.
The Marlin del Rey Catamaran Tour is a great activity for family and friends to enjoy ocean breezes and coastline scenery while sipping delicious tropical drinks. Feel the wind in your hair and bask in the sun while sailing breezily past bays and sandy beaches.
Snorkel amongst the Pacific Ocean's crystal blue waters and spot a colorful array of marine life in the Marino Ballena National Park on this 2 hour tour.
This coffee plantation doesn’t just produce an incredible cup of coffee, it’s also a vitally important part of the community. Learn how family, sustainability, and attention to detail all combine to nurture coffee from cherry, to bean, to brew on this educational tour that’s part local history and part culture. Yes, you will enjoy samples!
Take a hike to see some of the natural wonders hidden in the Montezuma forest. You’ll cross aerial bridges and swim in waterfall pools.
See the beauty of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast on this horseback tour that explores both the jungle and the beach. You’ll see an abundance of wildlife, with a guide who can help you spot animals peeping out from among the jungle leaves. Best of all, the horses that you’ll meet on this trip are easygoing rescues who get to graze freely whenever they aren’t giving tours.
Combining two of the country’s most adrenalin-packed activities, this tour will have you rappelling down waterfalls and surging over white-water rapids! Set in Costa Rica’s Northern Lowlands near the base of the Arenal Volcano, the scenery for this tour couldn’t be any more beautiful.
This expedition at the Buena Vista Lodge allows tour members to enjoy canopy tours and horseback rides, and hot springs all in one day. Oh right and then there is that 400-meter waterslide through the forest.
The Savegre River, one of the most pristine rivers in the country and surrounded by lush vegetation and meandering waters, features class II and III rapids that are perfect for beginner rafters.
Hike through the lush rainforests of Corcovado National Park and spot an incredible amount of biodiversity on this exciting all day tour.
