We have two young children that we take on basically every surf trip we go on. We bring some family with us, and take turns surfing. And it is fun for everyone! From here in Mexico to Guatemala and Costa Rica, we take them where we go. Often they take lessons. Our little one took his first class at just three years old! Anyway, there are tons of family-friendly surf camps in Latin America, but we’re here to recommend a few of our favorites in Costa Rica.

As you may know, I lived in Costa Rica for a while (about 15+ years ago), and we’ve taken our kids there several times. We go nearly every year, and it’s simply one of my favorite places in the world. In addition, the surfing in Costa Rica is top-tier. Whether you’re looking for small beginner waves for your kids or barrelling bombs, Costa Rica has it all.

Santa Teresa Surfing Villa

As the name suggests, this surf camp is located in Santa Teresa, Puntarenas. This is rad little surf town that isn’t quite as popular or touristy as Tamarindo up to the north. It’s one of our favorite surf towns in Costa Rica, especially for those that want something relatively chill and laid-back. It draws a ton of surfers, yogis, digital nomads, and wanderers. I would describe it as an upscale backpacker destination.

There are waves year-round here, making it one of the best places to surf in December, and Santa Teresa Surfing Villa is an amazing option for families (or groups). It’s truly gorgeous. A private luxury villa sitting up on the hill just two minutes from the surf, it is nestled quietly in the jungle. It has a lovely outdoor pool overlooking the jungle, three large bedrooms with multiple king and queen size beds, and a bunch of restaurants and bars just a few minutes from the villa.

They have worked extensively with families and kids. Their instructor, Delphine Prou comes with certifications and qualifications, and they include photos and video feedback with their classes. They also have a ton of boards on offer. They offer 8 day camps, 10 day camps, and 14 day camps at their beautiful private jungle villa. Rates run from around $4,000 for 8 days (includes 4 people) up to around $7,000 for 14 days (includes 4 people).

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Iguana

Located up north of Santa Teresa, Iguana Surf Camp can be found in the tourist hub and surfing hub of Tamarindo. Tamarindo is home to some of the best beginner surfing in Costa Rica, and super friendly for families and kids. Tamarindo is definitely a tourist spot, and one of the more expensive places in Costa Rica. It is much closer to airports and international airports than spots farther down the Nicoya Peninsula, making it accessible to more travelers.

Tamarindo is actually one of the places I learned to surf myself as a young grom, or at least progress my surfing. It’s on our list of the 5 Best Places to Learn to Surf for several reasons. It has a lot going on for visitors, with tons of cafes and restaurants as well as tours and nature-based activities. There’s a large immigrant/expat community, and it’s sometimes called “Tamagringo” by the local ticos.

Iguana is truly a top tier surf camp. It’s one of the best surf camps in Costa Rica, period. They also have a full surf shop which is rare for a surf camp. They do a lot of work with families and kids, and have ISA certified instructors to work with the whole family. They provide an airport transfer from the nearby Liberia airport, provide breakfast every morning, and have bilingual instructors. They offer 6 day surf camps, 7 day surf camps, and 8 day surf camps for around $850-950.

Surf Inn Hermosa

The name gives it away, but this surf camp is located in Playa Hermosa, Puntarenas. Playa Hermosa is generally a more advanced wave, but there are definitely beginner waves on the inside. Just to the north is Jacó, a more popular tourist town with a ton of beginner-friendly waves. One reason to consider this area is that it is probably the most accessible surf spot in Costa Rica. It’s just a straight shot down the new highway from San Jose airport.

Playa Hermosa itself is a relatively chill town. It’s smaller, full of hotels, and much more chill than Jacó to the north. In our opinion, it’s also much more family friendly. You won’t find the whole club/bar scene of the slightly rawer Jacó. You also will find relatively uncrowded breaks as Playa Hermosa is long and full of peaks up and down the coast.

Surf Inn Hermosa is beachfront, offering super quick access to one of the best waves in the hemisphere. They have high speed internet, A/C, and solid multi-bedroom rooms for families. The rooms have two bathrooms, full kitchens, and access to the pool. They also offer plenty of fitness and health classes for your time out of the water! They offer 7 day camps for beginners for around $2,000 for the week.

La Botella de Leche

Also located in Tamarindo, La Botella de Leche is a bit like an upscale hostel. They offer private rooms with 1, 2, 3, or 4 beds, as well as housing in 8-bed dorms. They have a restaurant and barbecue, common area, pool, games to play, and more that you might expect in a hostel. They organize diving, snorkeling, turtle releases, atv tours, and more as well.

Their services definitely aren’t low-quality at all, but their prices are hard to beat. This is especially true for the area of Tamarindo. Their surf camps include surf classes, surf photos, yoga lessons, crocodile tours, and of course housing. They offer 4 day surf camps for around $250-300, 6 day surf camps for around $475, and 8 day surf camps for around $700.

Bodhi Surf and Yoga

Located down in the little surf town of Uvita, Bodhi Surf and Yoga is an awesome place for families and kids. Uvita itself is a super small town with barely any paved roads on the beach side (or at least that’s how it was last time we were there, it may change soon). The beach side of the highway is chill, with lots of surfers and yogis wandering around barefoot. The hill side of the freeway is full of high-end yoga and wellness resorts.

There isn’t traditionally a lot of other things to do in Uvita, but we have not found that to be a problem. When we’ve been there, we wander around town, eat at some adorable and delicious local restaurants, and spend a lot of time at the beach. It’s a chill atmosphere. Be ready to relax and take some deep breaths while in Uvita.

Bodhi is a relatively small and intimate place. It feels more like a retreat than a hotel. As their name suggests, they offer plenty of yoga classes and wellness activities, and their gardens are beautiful. Their weeklong family surf camps start at around $1,800/adult and $1,000 per child. Rates can vary based on the accommodations booked.

If you need more recommendations, click the icon on the bottom right to have Fynn help you find some suggestions for more surf vacations for families!