Stellar 3 Day Surf Package

Stand up, smile, repeat. Iguana Surf’s three-day package gives you three 90-minute lessons in Tamarindo, plus board rentals for the full week, beach photographs, wax, bottled water, and a T-shirt. I like the small maximum of two people, which allows the instructor to focus on each student. I also like the freedom to choose a lesson time that fits your day.

The main caution is simple: this is an active ocean lesson, and success depends on your fitness, comfort in the water, and the day’s conditions. The package is also non-refundable, so you should be sure of your dates before paying the $360 price.

Key points before you book

• Three separate 90-minute lessons: You get a real chance to practice, not just one quick introduction to surfing.
• A maximum of two students: This is a major plus if you want direct help with balance, paddling, and standing technique.
• Unlimited board rentals for the week: You can keep practicing outside your scheduled lessons without paying another board fee.
• Beach photos included: A photographer records your surfing from shore, giving you a useful memory of those first rides.
• Tamarindo lessons at flexible times: The shop can help match your lesson time to suitable beginner conditions.
• Helpful instructors and staff: Names praised in the supplied feedback include Edwin, Kenny, Oscar, Luca, Moses, Toni, Luis Nunez, and Annie.

Starting at Iguana Surf in Tamarindo

Your experience begins at Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop, at 152, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The shop is in town, close to the ocean, and the activity finishes at this same meeting point.

That central setup makes the package easy to use. You do not need to arrange a special pickup, and hotel transport is not included. You should plan to reach the shop on your own. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Tamarindo.

The first important step is the assessment. Your instructor asks about your experience and looks at your skill level before building the lesson around you. That matters because a complete beginner needs a different start from someone who has surfed before but wants better technique.

Expect an on-land explanation before entering the water. The instruction covers the basic movements and gives you a chance to understand what to do before waves and balance make everything more complicated. That preparation is especially useful on your first day, when even getting onto the board can feel like a small engineering project.

What happens during the three 90-minute lessons

Each lesson lasts about 90 minutes. Across three days, you get time to repeat the basics, learn from mistakes, and become more comfortable handling the board.

The first session normally centers on safety, board position, paddling, and standing. Students have reported getting onto their feet during the first day, helped by the large beginner boards supplied by Iguana Surf. Those boards are described as stable, which can make the first attempts less frustrating.

You should not treat standing on day one as a promise. Ocean conditions and individual fitness vary. Still, the combination of shallow water, beginner-friendly boards, and close instruction gives the first lesson a sensible structure.

The second and third lessons are where the package earns its extra cost over a single class. You can work on timing, body position, and catching waves with more control. Ocean conditions change from day to day, so having three sessions gives you more than one chance to find water that feels manageable.

Your instructor may also adjust the pace. Kenny has been praised for providing a thorough land explanation and getting students into the water quickly. Moses was described as patient and calm, while Oscar was praised for his optimism and ability to get students onto a wave within minutes.

The instruction team is not limited to one person. Other named instructors include Edwin, Luca, Toni, Luis Nunez, and Annie. The strongest pattern in the feedback is the teaching style: patient, encouraging, and able to help beginners gain confidence without making the lesson feel stiff.

Why the two-person limit matters

A maximum of two participants is one of the best features of this package. Surf lessons can become impersonal when one instructor must watch a large line of students. With only two people, you have a better chance of getting corrections when your feet are too close, your weight is misplaced, or you miss the timing.

That small format may also suit families or pairs who want to learn together. One supplied account describes a father and adult son, ages 61 and 28, taking their first surf lesson together. Both managed to stand on the board on the first day, and they credited the stable beginner boards and instructor Kenny.

Another family account describes a daughter moving from beginner toward intermediate ability during a three-day program with Luca. That does not mean every student will progress at the same speed, but it shows how three days can support more than a one-time thrill.

Ask about the lesson arrangement when you book. The package information gives a maximum of two, but one account also describes a small group lesson with four people and only one other student present. Group arrangements may vary, so confirm what applies to your dates.

Choosing the best time for Tamarindo waves

The package lets you schedule each lesson at a time that suits you. That flexibility is useful, but do not assume your favorite hour is automatically the best hour for learning.

The staff can suggest a time with calmer beginner waves. One family specifically appreciated this advice. For a first lesson, calmer water can make it easier to focus on getting up rather than simply trying to remain upright.

Your daily plans also matter. A lesson takes 90 minutes, and you need time to check in, prepare, and return the equipment. Since there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, allow extra time to reach the shop and get back afterward.

If you have only one free day in Tamarindo, the package may not be the right fit. The three lessons are designed to be used across three days, giving you repetition and practice. If you have the time, that repeated contact with the water is the main reason to choose this option.

The beach, the boards, and the weekly rental value

The shop is close to Tamarindo beach, so the move from check-in to the water is straightforward. The exact surf spot can depend on the lesson plan and conditions, but the package is based in Tamarindo and uses the local beach break.

The supplied feedback describes Tamarindo as a good place for beginners, with shallow depths and waves that can be fun for learning. It also notes access to Casitas and Playa Grande with transport, although those places are not listed as guaranteed stops in this package. You should not assume the three-day lesson includes a trip to either location.

Your package includes surf boards, board wax, and unlimited board rentals for the entire week. This is more valuable than it first sounds. A three-day lesson gives you instruction, but extra practice can help you remember what you learned. You can use the rental benefit to work on balance or simply enjoy being in the water without adding another rental charge.

The rental is also useful if your lesson day ends before you feel ready to stop. Still, you should ask the shop about practical rental rules, available board types, and daily operating details, since those specifics are not provided here.

Photos, water, and the small extras

The photo package gives you pictures of your surfing from the beach. For a beginner, that can be more than a souvenir. A photo may show your stance, posture, or the moment you catch a wave, even if you cannot see those details while riding.

The package also includes bottled water. You should arrange your own food and any additional drinks, since those are not included. Alcoholic drinks are specifically excluded as well.

You receive an Iguana Surf T-shirt. It is a modest extra, but it adds a bit of fun to the package, especially if you want something that marks your first successful ride. Free lockers and showers were also praised in one detailed account, though they are not listed among the formal inclusions. Ask the shop about current availability rather than relying on those facilities.

The staff can also help with other excursions. That may be convenient if you are building a larger Tamarindo itinerary, but those additional activities are separate from the surf package and are not part of the $360 price.

Is $360 a good value?

The price is $360 per person. In return, you get three 90-minute lessons, board use for the week, beach photos, a T-shirt, wax, bottled water, and included taxes and handling charges.

The value depends on how much use you make of the board rental. If you attend all three lessons and practice during the rest of the week, the package offers a fuller experience than paying for one introduction. The small student limit adds value because direct attention is important when you are learning a physical skill.

If you only have one day in Tamarindo, the price may feel high. The package is built for someone who can spend three days learning and possibly use the board beyond lesson hours. A single lesson could be more practical for a short visit, though the supplied feedback also points out that each ocean day differs, so three sessions offer more chances to improve.

The price does not include hotel transportation, food, or drinks. Those costs are easy to overlook, so include them in your daily budget.

Who will enjoy this package most?

I would choose this program for a beginner who wants real instruction rather than a quick beach activity. It also suits a parent and adult child, friends, or a couple who want to learn together while keeping the group small.

You need moderate physical fitness. Surfing requires repeated movement, balance, paddling, and getting back onto the board. The package is not presented as a passive sightseeing activity, and you should be comfortable taking part in an active ocean lesson.

The program may also work for someone who has tried surfing before and wants guided practice. The instructors can assess your level and adjust the course, so you do not necessarily have to begin with the very basics.

I would be more cautious if you have limited time, dislike physical exertion, or cannot commit to three days. The non-refundable policy makes that decision important. Once you pay, you cannot receive a refund or change the booking for any reason.

The instructors and the human side of the school

The strongest praise centers on the instructors. Edwin is repeatedly described as helpful and encouraging. Luca receives special praise for helping a student move from beginner toward intermediate ability. Kenny is noted for his clear land instruction, while Moses is praised for patience and calm.

Oscar is described as optimistic and quick to get students onto a wave. Toni is praised for making lessons fun while teaching a great deal. Luis Nunez and Annie also receive strong marks for teaching across three days.

The shop team matters, too. Tasha, Sam, Christian, Yoss, Paris, Marcela, Naty, and others are described as friendly, organized, and responsive in different parts of the operation. You are not just handed a board and pointed toward the water. The staff can help with lesson arrangements, gear, and general planning.

That said, the number of names suggests a larger operation behind the lessons, so your exact instructor is not guaranteed in advance from the information provided. If working with a particular instructor matters to you, ask before booking.

Booking details you should not miss

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The meeting point is Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop, and the activity ends there.

The package is non-refundable and cannot be amended. That is the biggest booking restriction. Check your dates, transport plans, and ability to attend three lessons before making payment.

The experience is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Food, drinks, and alcohol are also excluded. Boards, wax, bottled water, taxes, fees, and handling charges are included.

The advertised duration of about 1 hour 30 minutes refers to an individual lesson. The full package consists of three daily lessons, not one 90-minute session covering all three days.

Should you book Iguana Surf’s three-day package?

Book it if you have three days in Tamarindo, want a small lesson format, and plan to practice between classes. The combination of patient instructors, stable beginner boards, beach photos, and week-long rentals gives you a useful path from first attempt to greater confidence.

Choose a shorter option if you are only passing through or are unsure that surfing suits you. At $360, this package rewards commitment. For a willing beginner with the time to use all three lessons and the extra board rental, it is a strong, practical choice in Tamarindo.

FAQ

How many surf lessons are included?

The package includes three surf lessons, with each lesson lasting about 90 minutes.

Where do the lessons begin and end?

You meet at Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop at 152, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can take part?

The stated maximum is two participants.

Are surf boards included?

Yes. Surf boards are included for the lessons, and the package also includes unlimited board rentals for the entire week.

Is board wax provided?

Yes. Wax for the surf boards is included.

Are photographs included?

Yes. The package includes photographs of your surfing taken from the beach.

Can I choose my lesson time?

Yes. You can take your daily lessons at a time that suits you. The staff may also suggest a time with calmer beginner waves.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Can I cancel and receive a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.