Best Surf Lessons in Costa Rica — Our Top 15

1.Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

Learn to surf at Manuel Antonio’s Espadilla Norte Beach with patient instructors, warm water, board rental, fruit, and flexible practice time.

“If you have never been to Costa Rican beaches near Manuel Antonio before, I highly recommend starting your trip with Glen and Derek and their crew. They were very helpful to us, and very gracious during our stay. Our surfing experience was fun and very tiring, perfect after a very long day of travelling. Alexandra took great action shots of our surfing adventure, and I’m happy that we will have these memories to take home with us.”

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2.Surf Lesson + Beach day in Jaco Beach!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

Learn to surf in Jaco with patient instructors, boards, rash guards, beach chairs, sunscreen, and post-lesson beach time for $52.

“I cannot recommend this enough! Jeyson was a fantastic instructor and super helpful. I have only surfed once before and it was over a decade ago and I was really nervous to try and surf again, but Jeyson made it easy and enjoyable (and I was actually able to stand up and surf!) My husband surfed a lot as a kid and said he learned great tips too!”

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3.Stellar 3 Day Surf Package

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $360

Learn to surf in Tamarindo with three 90-minute lessons, photos, weekly board rentals, and patient instructors at Iguana Surf.

“I had an awesome experience with Iguana! Edwin was my instructor and he was awesome and so helpful. Iguana also helped us book other excursions, which was a great help!”

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4.Specialized Group Surf Lesson in Playa Hermosa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Review of Salt Water Surfing Co.’s private Playa Hermosa lesson, with practical details on price, coaching, meeting point, safety, and value.

“I can't thank Alvaro / Salty Water Surfing Co. enough... I am so, so grateful for the amazing surfing lessons they gave me during my week in Playa Hermosa.”

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5.Private Surfing Lesson in Playa Grande for beginners and intermediates

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Learn to surf in Playa Grande with a private instructor, gentle waves, family-friendly coaching, equipment, fruit, showers, and hotel pickup.

“Wonderful experience. Marco and Daniel were extremely helpful. My 9 year old was a natural and my 7 year old did a great job. They were patient and caring! Thank you for a great experience for first timers!”

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6.Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Learn to surf Tamarindo with patient instructors, warm water, quality equipment, and private attention for beginners, families, and teens.

“The instructor was awesome and was able to adjust to my needs as a beginner but not a complete beginner.”

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7.Surfing Lessons in Tamarindo by Tidal Wave Surf Academy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85

Learn what to expect from Tidal Wave Surf Academy in Tamarindo, including instruction, value, family fit, timing, and practical booking tips.

“Surfing lessons from Alvaro were a definite highlight of our whole Costa Rica trip! Right from the start, he made sure we felt comfortable and fitted us with appropriate sized boards. He took time to help us stretch and teach us some solid techniques. Then we headed to the waves! Alvaro was great - he was very patient, sincere, kind and encouraging. He was right in the water with us, coaching us, guiding us and making sure we were having FUN! We all managed to surf some waves - myself (age 40) and my two boys (age 9 and 12). Afterwards, he bought us bottled water and a delicious fruit…”

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8.Beginner Surf Classes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Learn what to expect from Costa Rica Explorer’s beginner surf lesson near Dominical, with skilled instruction, safety tips, pricing, timing, and practical advice.

“I had an epic surfing lesson with Jake about a week ago. After years of trying to learn how to surf (I'm in my 60s), and taking lessons from at least four surf instructors, I was beginning to think that surfing was a dream of mine that was just not going to come true. I decided to give it one last chance, as Jake was highly recommended as an excellent nature/surf/rapids guide (I live in Costa Rica and got the inside scoop on instructors). In short, it was the best surf day I ever had in my life. I repeatedly caught waves one after the other. More importantly, Jake explained…”

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9.Surf Lesson by South Surf Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Review of South Surf Costa Rica’s private two-hour surf lesson near Quepos, including beaches, safety, price, gear, photos, and booking tips.

“Super surf lesson - one of the best I ever had. Really enjoyed the session with Jossue & Mario.”

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10.Private Surf lessons in Santa Teresa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Review of private 90-minute surf lessons in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, with pricing, instructors, skill levels, meeting details, and booking advice.

“We took our first lesson ever with Sammy & Ryan and we will never forget this experience. It was amazing we had zero experience and walked away with having caught some wicked waves. If you have never taken a lesson before this is the place to go. Our instructors were patient and explained everything in great detail and helped us unlock our inner surfer. Can’t wait to return for more lessons on our next trip back out to Costa Rica.”

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11.Semi Private Surf Lessons on Stunning Playa Grande

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.)

Review of semi-private surf lessons near Playa Flamingo, with private coaching, beginner-friendly waves, photos, transport, and practical booking tips.

“This was a huge highlight of our trip! Tim and his wife are absolutely wonderful! The instructors are all locals and take great pride in teaching people the art of surfing. Tim provided us with information on local sites and other recommendations for activities. This was a bucket list item for us and we were successful. My daughter (24 yrs old) was a natural, I (over 50 yrs old) was able to get up on my 3rd try and even my husband (also over 50 yrs old) was able to enjoy this. They provide rash guard shirts and any size and shape. We have fresh pineapple and got to enjoy…”

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12.2-Hour Private or Group Surf Lesson in Tamarindo!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50Best value

Learn what to expect from Tamarindo’s $50 surf lesson, including instruction, equipment, safety, value, meeting details, and who should book.

“I had an absolutely great time. Having no experience prior to this, and being nearly 40, I was really surprised when I actually “got it” and stood up on my third attempt. My instructor was truly fantastic. He was encouraging, patient, kind. He made conversation while waiting for waves. I went surfing in the pouring rain - this experience actually saved me from a completely indoors day on my vacation. Highly recommend! Don’t be shy. No one is watching you wipe out!”

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13.Surf lessons at Manuel Antonio Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Learn to surf at Manuel Antonio Beach with a private two-hour lesson, close coaching, wave practice, flexible cancellation, and a $55 price.

“Tony is an excellent teacher! I had a great time learning how to surf. I am very happy that I was able to surf. Thanks again! 100% recommend!”

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14.Surfing Lesson in Tamarindo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Learn what to expect from a Tamarindo surf lesson, including instruction, equipment, timing, value, safety, and booking tips.

“Very Professional group; would highly recommend booking with them. When we arrived my boys were concerned about the size of the waves, because of the tide they weren’t that big. They encouraged waiting for about 1/2 hour till the tide was in and waves were bigger , which was a great call. Tommy was the instructor and couldn’t have more perfect for them; they had both surfed a few times before but he was able to give them some really helpful tips to add to their foundation of surfing techniques. Great group, wonderful location in Playa Langosta where it wasnt quite as crowded as Tamarindo. Great Experience!!”

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15.Conquer the Ocean with Surf Masters- Surf Lessons for all Levels

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Learn what to expect from Surf Masters in Jacó, Costa Rica, including instruction, value, equipment, timing, and tips for every skill level.

“Jay is a very respectful and motivating young man. His surfing skills are master level as are his instruction skills related to surfing. Even if you’re intermediate to advanced skill level, he can pinpoint the things you need to focus on to improve your surfing skills. I give my highest recommendation.”

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