Costa Rica is home to some of the best surf spots in Latin America. Coupled with the super friendly culture, security, incredible nature, and beautiful weather, it’s an awesome spot for a surf trip. But with all of the different surf spots in Costa Rica, it can be overwhelming to find the right beginner surf camps in the country.

What Makes a Surf Camp Good for Beginners?

Before jumping into the beginner surf camps in Costa Rica, I want to talk about what makes these places good options. First, there’s the waves on offer. All of these surf camps have access to perfect beginner wave conditions that are incredibly consistent year-round. Most of them even have some intermediate waves for when you progress!

Next, you want a surf camp that is going to actually teach you how to surf, not just take you out on the water and push you into a wave. These camps will help you learn how to read waves, how to warm up and cool down, proper technique, and the basics of surf etiquette.

Finally, all of these surf camps have instructors and camps specifically for beginners. You don’t want to take lessons with someone who usually coaches pros. The art of teaching someone new to surfing is something honed over the years, and these camps all have experience working with beginner surfers.

Surf Camp Zeneidas

First up is Surf Camp Zeneida’s. Located at Zeneida’s Surf Garden in Santa Teresa, this is one of the best surf camps in Costa Rica in general. Santa Teresa is a rad little town on the Nicoya Peninsula. We recently wrote about it in our post comparing Nosara, Santa Teresa, and Tamarindo.

It’s a relatively chill town, but it has definitely grown in the last decade. There isn’t a ton of development, so you’ll find a lot of backpackers and relaxed international travelers. At night, there are some live bands and DJ sets, but it isn’t too much of a party town. Think laid-back chillin vibes.

As for the waves, you’ll find several solid breaks in and around town. Most of the beginner surfing and camps can be found right in town at Playa Santa Teresa, while the nearby breaks of Mal Pais, Playa Hermosa, and Montezuma offer less crowds and more complex conditions as you progress in your surfing.

Zeneida’s is the place for beginners here in Santa Teresa in our opinion. It’s definitely a bit of a hippie vibe, like the rest of the town. They have private rooms and shared dorms, as well as surf camps for couples. With a wellness vibe, you’ll find healthy food, regular yoga classes, and incredible grounds right on the beach.

They’re on our list of the best surf and yoga retreats in Costa Rica, so definitely check them out if you enjoy some yoga. They also offer skateboarding, meditation, and cultural programs. It’s a somewhat young crowd, but not a party scene. This is the place to learn to surf in Costa Rica if you want laid-back, healthy vibes.

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School of the World

Next up we have the School of the World in Jacó. I’ll admit, Jacó isn’t my favorite town in Costa Rica. But I know plenty of people who absolutely love it there, so I’m putting my personal opinion aside here!

The town of Jacó is a popular destination for surfers, due in part to its relative proximity to the SJO airport. It’s a bit of a small city, with a little bit of grit to it. You’ll find surf shops and surf apparel up and down the walkable city center, and plenty of bars and clubs to party at through the night.

The surfing in Jacó is definitely beginner-oriented in our opinion. You’ll find an endless supply of beginner waves here, and incredible world-class waves nearby at Playa Hermosa. There can be some strong currents, but the inside is usually safe for newbies. Because the beach is so large, you won’t have to deal with crowds, which is an added plus.

School of the World has twenty years working in the area, and their experience shows. Their costs are generally cheaper than the options out in the Nicoya Peninsula as well. They have their own boutique hotel with shared rooms and private options to help fit anyone’s needs or budgets.

There are yoga classes in their studio, a photo/video editing studio, offices, and a pool. They offer photography packages and even surf photography camps, as well as double camps. This means you can get two surf lessons a day instead of the normal one a day! If you’re a beginner surfer looking to get the most time in the water possible in Costa Rica, here’s the place to be!

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Nosara Surf Camp

Back up in the Nicoya Peninsula, we have Nosara Surf Camp. As the name gives away, this surf camp is located in the town of Nosara. Nosara is a fun small town that is home to some awesome waves for surfers of all levels.

Nosara is a bit more developed than Santa Teresa, but not as much as Tamarindo. It’s definitely a wellness and health focus. There are a bunch of farm to table restaurants, yoga classes, and boutique hotels. At night, the scene is mostly mellow bar lounging. It’s one of our favorite surf towns in Costa Rica due to its health-focused vibe and solid waves.

There are several breaks right here, including one in town. Just south of town is Playa Garza, where many of the surf schools operate as it provides an endless stream of beginner waves. Playa Ostional to the north can fire for more advanced surfers as well. And finally there is Playa Guiones. It’s my favorite wave in the area, one of the best longboard waves in Central America, and a fantastic wave for those progressing to green waves.

Nosara Surf Camp is in the center of town just a block from the beaches. Their private rooms, suites, and shared dorms all have A/C. They include activities like massages, horseback riding, ziplining, waterfall tours, and more. Along with daily surf sessions, they include yoga, a photo session, and breakfast daily.

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Iguana Surf Camp

Any list of the best surf camps for beginners on our site would be incomplete without Iguana. A staple of the Tamarindo surf scene, Iguana offers the perfect opportunity for beginner surfers in Costa Rica to catch some waves, have some fun, and meet new friends.

Tamarindo is the tourist center of the Nicoya Peninsula, and perhaps Costa Rica in general. Think resorts, tons of vacationers and families, and all the amenities you could hope for. It’s a fun place, with tons of activities to do out of the water. You can find plenty of nature tours, social connections, and parties at night.

Tamarindo offers some of the best beginner surfing in Costa Rica. There are a ton of breaks in and around town, from the accessible Playa Tamarindo to the punchy Pico Grande. I also love Playa Grande just north, one of my favorite longboard waves in Costa Rica. The waves, like in most of the Nicoya Peninsula, are incredibly consistent.

Iguana has a full surf shop and they provide many options for accommodations for people on different budgets. I recommend their private beachfront suites, especially for couples! They also have family suites for families! They include daily lessons, transport to the appropriate wave, video analysis, and discounted rates on local tours.

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Surf Inn Hermosa

If you are familiar with surfing, you might know that Playa Hermosa is definitely not a beginner-level wave. But Surf Inn Hermosa here offers beginner-oriented surf camps for those just learning. They may take people to Playa Hermosa during the dry season, or just up to Jacó if Playa Hermosa is firing too much.

Playa Hermosa is just south of Jacó and a world away. It’s much mellower and smaller, while still close enough to Jacó to get anything you need. The beach is a few miles long and the crowd here is definitely surf-focused and chill. You won’t find the parties and clubs of Jacó, but you can substitute a bit of tranquility instead.

The wave is a World Surfing Reserve Heritage Site, and can absolutely pump in the rainy season. In the dry season there are lovely smaller waves on the inside. During their surf camps, Surf Inn Hermosa can take you to the appropriate wave for your skill level as Jacó is just a few kilometers up the road.

Surf Inn Hermosa offers surf camps specifically for beginners, including things like mobility and exercises for surfers. They have beachfront rooms in their boutique hotel, and some multi-bedroom suites for families. It’s actually on our list of the best family surf camps in Costa Rica as they excel in providing accommodations and instruction for the whole family.