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.
The best tours in Costa Rica
Agua Tibia Surf Lessons
From $111Learn 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.
Dominical Surf Lessons
From $165Dominical 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.
Damas Island Surf Lessons
From $110Surfing 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 Surf Lessons
From $110Manuel Antonio Beach offers ideal conditions for surf lessons. White sand and shimmering water make will make for a memorable afternoon with experienced surf instructors.
Puerto Viejo Surfing Lessons
From $113Take 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.
Santa Teresa Surf Lessons
From $101Santa 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.
Tamarindo Group Surf Lessons
From $77Take surfing lessons in Tamarindo and live the fun with sun, beach and sand.
Costa Rica itineraries from local insiders
Explore hand-picked Costa Rica itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
Pura Vida Adventure Together
We both love nature and hiking so Costa Rica is ideal for both of those. We went during what’s considered the rainy season so you need to be aware of that going in. It rained at some point almost every day we were there but we still had a very enjoyable time. We visited La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. We enjoyed La Fortuna more. La Fortuna was more jungle whereas Manuel Antonio was more coastal and felt more touristy.
Costa Rica
Adventure Through Costa Rica's Wild Heart
Costa Rica was just magnificent. The people, food, jungles, beaches were all fantastic. Can’t wait until my next trip back.
Costa Rica
Big Multi Family Group Adventure
Embark on a vibrant Costa Rican adventure that juxtaposes bustling urban energy with lush, untouched rainforests, delivering a dynamic escape from everyday routine. From San José’s lively streets you’ll head to Monteverde’s cloud‑forest canopy for sky tram rides and hikes, then dive into Rio Celeste’s turquoise waters and trek El Silencio’s volcanic paths. Friendly locals and knowledgeable guides will immerse you in coffee farms, rainforest sounds, and volcanic vistas, leaving you with lasting memories of Costa Rica’s spirited hospitality and natural wonder.
Costa Rica
60th birthday jungle adventure
If you like the outside at all, Costa Rica is for you! It truly is a rich coast. The diversity of wildlife is mind blowing. It is spectacular.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Two Family Journey
Lovely, relaxing country. Lots of activities, everything from lounging to adventure and more. Friendly people, tasty food, family-friendly.
Costa Rica
Matt and Fran’s Costa Rica holiday
Costa Rica has a diverse landscape and every area is unique and different. We easily rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle and drove from the Caribbean to the Pacific!
Costa Rica
Family Time in Costa Rica
Michelle and her family embarked on a multi‑generational adventure in Costa Rica, where mist‑cloaked cloud forests meet surf‑kissed Pacific beaches, offering a vibrant contrast of cool heights and warm tides. Your journey weaves through Monteverde’s canopy zip lines and canyoning thrills, the turquoise Tenorio River’s Class III/IV rapids, and La Leona waterfall’s lush river tubing. Guided by local experts and supported by a comfortable van, your family will soak up Pura Vida hospitality, returning home with shared stories of soaring forests and surf‑side sunsets.
Costa Rica
Family Adventure Through Costa Rica
Rachel and her family of four spent a week moving across Costa Rica, from Arenal to the Pacific coast, with every transfer and tour arranged door to door. In Arenal they rode the Sky Adventures aerial tram and ziplines, took on the Balsa River's Class II–III rapids, and walked the EcoGarden trails to find sloths in their actual habitat, not a roadside stop, then the falls at La Fortuna. On the coast at Manuel Antonio they hiked the national park with a local guide, snorkeled the reef, and chased the Mulguri waterfall. As Rachel said, these weren't tours with twenty other tourists trailing the buses. They were the real thing, reachable only through local connections, with the family's days handled start to finish.
Costa Rica
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.
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Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
