Surfing Costa Rica: A First-Hand Guide to Learning to Surf In Costa Rica
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Learning to surf has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl posing with hibiscus flowers and having Blue Crush-themed birthday parties. At age 32, my surf journey finally began in Costa Rica. In this post, I share not only where I’ve surfed, but how it went and what you need to know about surfing Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is where I finally embarked upon my surf dream in a more serious and determined way. While I’d previously had one-off surf lessons in spots like Puerto Escondido, Mexico and Ayampe, Ecuador, they hadn’t gotten me very far. The big waves of Puerto Escondido washed me ashore halfway through my lesson, while Ayampe left me with an over-extended knee when I made the noob mistake of stepping off my board in the shallows.
Beat up and slightly traumatized, I didn’t pick my surf aspirations back up for another few years. It wasn’t until a breezy November day in Nazaré, Portugal, while watching the big wave surfers tow in to monstrous waves, that every bone in my body was saying it’s time. Not then, of course, but soon. Seated on those windswept sands, and more than a little inspired, I made the firm commitment to myself to start next year with a surf camp. And that is exactly what I did.
This post is both a re-telling of my surf story, as it pertains to Costa Rica, and a practical guide to surfing Costa Rica as I’ve done it and as I’ll continue to. So, yes this is an ever-evolving page, updated in step with my surf journey. I hope you find it helpful as much as entertaining, and maybe even a little bit inspiring, too.
Table of Contents
In this guide: Jacó and Uvita (so far)
Jacó
Jacó’s Part in my Surf Story
Jacó Surf Specs
Surf Camps in Jacó
Surf Lessons and Board Rentals in Jacò
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Jacó
Uvita
Uvita’s Part in my Surf Story
Uvita Surf Specs
Surf Camps in Uvita
Surf Lessons and Board Rentals in Uvita
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Uvita
Other Beginner-Friendly Surf Spots in Costa Rica
Jacó, Costa Rica
Photo Credit: School of the World
Located on the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, just an hour and a half from the capital San José, Jacó is a rough-and-tumble surf and party town with year-round waves and beginner-friendly breaks. While beauty, when not beachfront, is hard to come by in this buzzing town, it does have it all, from supermarkets to souvenir shops, local sodas, and nightlife. It’s not a sleepy spot by any means and the surf infrastructure is there, too, with more than a few surf camps, surf schools, surf shops, and surf-friendly lodging to support you in the waves of Jacó.
About Jacó as a Surf Spot
year-round, beginner-friendly surf spot and one of Costa Rica’s most consistent, but consistently average
cleanest waves come in during the summer months, Costa Rica’s wet season
exposed beach break with a sandy bottom, better at high tide
lefts and rights on offer and multiple peaks
beware of rips, undertow, stingrays, and the occasional crocodile
Surf Camps in Jacó
Photo Credit: School of the World
I kicked off 2023 in Costa Rica at a surf camp called School of the World. It was affordable at $500 for the week, located on a beginner-friendly beach, and complete with a pool, kitchen, and yoga studio on-site. The rooms, though shared, weren’t dorm-style. They were two-bed, meaning just one roommate (if that), en suite, air-conditioned, and each room had a small kitchen with a fridge, sink, and dishware. It felt like a steal.
Because I was on a budget and there for surf and surf only, I didn’t capitalize on their other offerings. School of the World does what’s called learning vacations, meaning they not only offer daily surf lessons (one or two sessions a day), but you can opt to add on yoga classes, Spanish lessons, and photo/video classes. It’s genius and I’ve yet to see the same concept repeated anywhere else.
As this was my first proper go at surfing, I spent my week in Jacó entirely in the whitewater, first finding my balance on the board and being pushed into waves, then experimenting with some turns. While the green waves behind me beckoned, I wanted to do this right and all in due time. Even then, I knew this was a journey that shouldn’t be rushed. And at first paddle, I could tell my mind was the first block to be busted. A trick my instructor offered up then that I still lean on now is to sing a song at the takeoff. My song? Don’t Stop Believing.
About School of the World
Combines the elements of a surf camp, language school, yoga retreat, photography program, and boutique hotel under one roof
Pricing starts at $500 for surf-only programming, includes daily 2-hour lessons, board, rash guard, transport to the beach, and a video review mid-week.
Amenities include private or shared accommodations, an outdoor swimming pool, access to the yoga studio and mats when classes aren’t in session, kitchen (efficiency kitchen in your room and proper kitchen in the main area), and wifi (though it’s not the strongest).
Book directly or, if you want to support the blog, book through this link.
Other Surf Camps in Jacó
Room2Board Hostel & Surf School offers 3-, 5-, and 7-day surf camp options that incorporate non-surf activities like sunset hikes, meditation, yoga, and breathwork.
Associated with Selina hostels, Tortuga Surf Camp offers 7-, 14, and 22-day surf camp packages that include roundtrip airport transfers, accommodations, professional video and photography review, a survival apnea workshop, unlimited board rentals during your stay, and a skateboarding workshop.
Run by former pro surfer Diego Naranjo, this surf camp has 7-day packages that include 7 surf lessons, your accommodations, a daily breakfast, a USB of your surf photos, a massage or crocodile tour, and one yoga lesson.
Offering 3-, 5-, and 7-day surf camp packages, this surf camp includes daily lessons, accommodations, one meal per day, a daily activity, and unlimited board rentals during camp.
Surf Lessons + Board Rentals in Jacó
In Jacó, surf lessons range from $50 to $80 for a 1.5 to 2-hour lesson and rentals range from $12 for 2 hours, $20 for the day, and $100 for the week.
I recommend Ride In Surf for lessons. The lead instructor Anthony also teaches at School of the World and is a local pro surfer who speaks fluent English. Two-hour lessons start at $60USD. Book here.
For more surf lesson options in Jacó, check Viator and TripAdvisor.
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Jacó
A coliving hostel with surf camp packages should you wish to book them, Jaco Inn offers a free daily breakfast, access to their coworking space, a kitchen and grilling area, wellness offerings, common areas, and pop-up activities. You’re also welcome to sign up for individual surf lessons or board rentals.
Check Availability: HostelWorld | Trivago
Partnered with Tortuga Surf Camp, this beachfront hostel has a swimming pool, beachfront bar and restaurant, coworking space, wellness area, movie room, and access to surf lessons, board rentals, and surf camp packages
Check Availability: Booking.com | HostelWorld
This boutique hostel doubles as a surf camp, but you can choose to stay and surf on your own too. You’ll have access to a shared kitchen, plenty of common areas to hang out, a swimming pool, board rentals and storage, surf lessons, daily yoga classes, and a coworking space.
Check Availability: Booking.com | HostelWorld | Agoda
Read my full Jacó guide for tips on things to do, where to eat and drink, and how to get to and from town by public transportation.
Uvita, Costa Rica
Photo Credit: Bodhi Surf + Yoga
After my surf camp in Jacó, I continued south down the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to reach Uvita. This splayed-out town is a gem that still clings to its authenticity, even as more and more surf camps and hotels crop up within its lush folds. The waves aren’t as consistent as on other coastlines, but they are consistently empty and against epic jungle-meets-sea backdrops. When you’re not surfing, there are waterfalls and hot springs to explore, howler monkeys and exotic birdlife to peer up at in the treetops, whales to watch, and a range of restaurants, craft beer bars, and cafes to frequent that paint the picture quite quickly that community comes first in Uvita. How refreshing.
I got in the water twice while in Uvita, finally giving the green waves a go with two different instructors - Adrian at Bodhi Surf + Yoga and Leandro at Uvita Surf + Tour. Let’s just say I got to finesse my turtle roll, face my fears in bigger waves, and reinforce some surf theory. Actually surf? Not so much. The green waves weren’t ready for me yet. They kept sending me into a nose-dive for some reason…
About Uvita as a Surf Spot
great for beginners and intermediates alike
year-round surf and little to no crowds
southern end, known as Playa Chaman, is the most consistent, while north end by the rivermouth sometimes produces a sand bar
sandy-bottomed beach break with a rivermouth, best at high to mid-tide
waves are cleanest between December and March and biggest between May and September
there’s a $6USD entry fee for tourists as the beach sits within the Marino Ballena National Park
beware of stingrays, jellyfish, and rip currents
Check out my Uvita travel guide for tips on things to do, places to eat and drink, and how to get to and from Uvita by public transportation.
Surf Camps in Uvita
Photo Credit: Bodhi Surf + Yoga
While I didn’t attend the surf camp here firsthand, I did take lessons with one of their ISA-certified instructors, which meant I got a peek behind the gates of their beautiful wood cabin-like base and the inside scoop on what it might be like as a surf camp attendee at a B Corp-certified surf camp. Their 7-day, semi-inclusive surf and yoga camp includes 5 surf lessons, 5 yoga classes, daily breakfast, 3 dinners, and your national park entrance fees at Marino Ballena National Park where your lessons take place. It also includes roundtrip transport to and from the airport in San Jose, plus one night’s lodging in San Jose on your way in. Accommodation is in luxurious bungalow-style rooms with porches, some of which also include kitchenettes. Other amenities include a swimming pool, common areas with day beds and hammocks, therapeutic mattresses, and healthy, locally sourced meals.
Bodhi Surf + Yoga’s Camps
Surf Lessons & Board Rentals in Uvita
In Uvita, surf lessons range from $60 to $90 for a 2- to 3-hour lesson and board rentals range from $15 for the day to $90 for five days.
For Board Rentals: I recommend Casa Tiburón Surf Rentals and Colo Tico Boards.
For Surf Lessons: I recommend Uvita Surf + Tour. Leandro leads classes that push you just enough outside your comfort zone to take you to the next level while still keeping you safe. Two-hour lessons start at $60USD. Book here.
For more surf lesson options in Uvita, check Viator and TripAdvisor.
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Uvita
Located steps from the sands of Marino Ballena National Park, this is as close as it gets to surf on your doorstep in Uvita. Each of Arboura Eco Cabins’ five A-frame cabins have air conditioning, a private bathroom, a private patio, and a well-equipped kitchen. There’s also a pool on the grounds and a common area with a ping pong table and chess set.
Check Availability: Booking.com | Agoda
Another cabin-style accommodation steps from Marino Ballena National Park is Bungalows Ballena. Slightly pricier than Arboura Eco Cabins, each 1- or 2-bedroom wood cabin bungalow comes with a terrace, private bathroom, air conditioning, wifi, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Their whale tail-shaped pool and kiddie pool are there for you between surfs and there’s a gas grill and mini fridge available in the common area for barbecuing outdoors.
Check Availability: Booking.com | Agoda
Located half a kilometer from the main surf point, Tropical Beach Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with private balconies and access to a guest kitchen. There’s also a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool with a poolside bar and restaurant on-site.
Check Availability: Booking.com | Agoda
Additional Beginner-Friendly Surf Spots in Costa Rica
Based on my own surf experience in Costa Rica and the surf community connections I made along the way, I was commissioned to write a beginner-friendly surf guide to Costa Rica for a publication called Surfers. In it, you’ll spot Uvita and Jacó, but also a few other spots that haven’t yet made it into this first-hand guide. Check it out for more beginner-friendly surf inspiration for your next trip to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s protected bays, sandy bottom beaches, warm water waves, and year-round consistency make it one of the best places in the world to learn how to surf. Here’s where to go and when.
This is an ever-evolving page. As I dip back into surfing Costa Rica, I’ll update this page with new destinations and helpful information should you choose to follow in my foot tracks, or better said, surf in my wake. In the meantime, check out my Costa Rica travel guide for insights into popular spots like Santa Teresa, Samara, San José, Montezuma, and more.
Travel Resources
Accommodations: When I’m not booking directly with the accommodation (which is sometimes cheaper), I often use Booking.com, Trivago, and Hostelworld.com. Agoda is also a great tool when searching for longer stay options at discounted rates that include hotels and private homes.
Tours: While I personally prefer do-it-yourself travel most of the time, sometimes it’s just better with a guide. In those cases, I typically use Viator, GetYourGuide, EatWith, and Airbnb Experiences. For self-guided audio tours, I recommend WeGoTrip.
Flights: My favorite flight aggregator tool is WayAway and my favorite tool for finding out about the best flight deals is FareDrop, while Hopper’s great for keeping track of when to book at the best price.
Shuttle Services: My go-to’s are Bookaway and 12Go. Both sites aggregate vetted local transport options in destinations all over the world with the added benefit of 24-hour live support should anything come up during the journey.
Rental Cars: While I more often take public transport when I travel, there have been destinations that are better explored by renting a car (like Costa Rica and Europe/UK for example). In these instances, I recommend starting your car rental search on Discover Cars. They compare car rental deals across more than 500 suppliers, including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and more.
Travel Insurance: If you’re a full-time nomad like me, I recommend SafetyWing. Look into their Nomad Travel Medical Insurance and Nomad Health Insurance (a full-fledged health insurance that covers your emergency and non-emergency medical needs worldwide, including in your country of residence). If you’re not a full-time traveler, I’d recommend Squaremouth. It aggregates your insurance options across more than 22 providers and offers what I’ve found to be the best rates.
Travel Debit & Credit Cards: If you travel often and like perks like airport lounge access and annual travel credit, I recommend the Capital One Venture X credit card that includes Priority Pass, a $300 annual travel credit, and covers your Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee. For a fee-free ATM card that reimburses you at the end of every month for any incurred ATM fees, I recommend opening a Schwab Bank Investor Checking Account.
VPN: I recommend Surfshark. It’s one of the best and most budget-friendly VPN services out there.
