So, planning a surf trip for the first time? We got you covered! There are plenty of places in Latin America to surf, but some are definitely better than others for beginner surfers. We’ve compiled a list of seven great spots for a beginner surfer to go on vacation to learn to surf. We tried to offer a little bit of something for everyone. Some locations are more remote and relaxed, some are more all-inclusive, and some are located in towns that offer a more vibrant party scene.

At a beginner surf camp, you’ll get the guidance you need. Maybe you’re just learning to pop up, or have never surfed before in your life. Or maybe you’re still at beginner level but want to learn to catch green waves. Dedicating the time to surfing on a surf vacation, you’ll learn the basics like how to paddle, how to read the incoming waves, how to avoid common surf injuries, and the basics of surf etiquette. You’ll get plenty of beginner tips from coaches who have years or decades of experience helping teach people to surf, and get more time in the water than ever!

WildMex

WildMex is a relatively big surf company on the Nayarit coast of Mexico. They offer surf camps in both Sayulita and Punta Mita. Sayulita is perhaps the home of beginner surfing in Mexico. It’s a super popular surf town that really gets going at night with lively parties and clubs. During the day, you’ll find consistent waves year-round, but some decent crowds. Punta Mita is a bit up to the north and has some amazing waves, including some of the best longboard waves in Mexico. It’s more of a luxury resort area with some solid all inclusive resorts for surfing available.

Punta Mita doesn’t exactly have a ton to do outside the resorts, but the surfing is awesome. It’s one of my favorite spots to surf in Mexico. My favorites are Stinky’s and La Lancha, which are great waves for longboarders or midlengthers, or anyone progressing onto green waves. Sayulita, on the other hand, is probably best for beginners in general. It’s also good for people looking for a surf vacation where they can meet people, party, and have fun. There are a ton of fun things to do in Sayulita, and waves basically every day of the year.

WildMex has been operating in the area for decades, offering top-tier surf classes and camps to countless students. Their instructors are all ISA-certified, they work with kids 5 and up, and have access to maybe the most equipment of any surf camp on this list. They have several different housing options and independent locations they work with, so they can offer accommodations for nearly any budget or need. They also have more outside activities than you’ll have time to do!

Iguana Surf Camp

Iguana can be found in the surf and tourist haven of Tamarindo, Costa Rica. It’s a super popular surf town with plenty of breaks for everyone. It’s perhaps the most expensive surf spot on this list, but you will get what you pay for with a ton of surf breaks, top-quality instruction, and everything you could ask for in a Central American vacation. We definitely recommend Tamarindo for those that want the more touristy vibe with plenty to do. If you’re looking for something more remote, maybe check elsewhere.

Tamarindo is on our list of the best places to learn to surf and the best beginner surfing in Costa Rica. You can legitimately find waves, especially beginner waves, year-round here. In the winter, or dry months, the water can get a little chilly. July and August have warmer waters and the waves can get up to around chest-high consistently. The town is pretty touristy, full of international travelers, cuisine from around the world, and tours and activities for visitors.

The main break in town is Playa Tamarindo. It’s relatively protected, and you’ll see a lot of beginner surfers, surf classes, and loggers here. You can also head north to Palmeras for more beginner waves, or to Playa Grande for a little more intermediate A-frames. One of the nice things about a surf vacation in Tamarindo is the ability to progress. As you move on from the whitewater waves, you’ll find solid green waves for beginner-intermediates in the area.

Iguana Surf Camp is a bit of a staple in Tamarindo. They have a ton of different offerings, and are one of the few surf camps with a full-on surf shop. They also offer classes for both kids and adults, making it a great option for families. They have a beachfront surf camp with daily lessons, airport transfers, private and shared rooms, and plenty of opportunities to explore the beautiful nature of Costa Rica.

Mexico Waves

Mexico Waves is honestly just one of the best places you could surf in general. Located in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico Waves is a rad place where you’ll find uncrowded waves and top-tier local guides. With much less action than the popular surf spot of Puerto Escondido, you’ll have much more space on the waves without any stress. They have waves for everyone, including nice beginner waves, as well as some bigger and stronger waves for more advanced surfers. We recommend Mexico Waves for anyone looking for a beginner surf vacation that is relaxing, natural, and intimate. You’re going to feel like you’re at home.

Mexico Waves is one of the best surf camps in Mexico in our opinion, and that’s saying a lot. There is a lot of surfing in Mexico, but these guys stand out. Before even getting into what they offer, I have to start with how rad these people are. Joaquin, or Joaco, is simply one of the nicest dudes I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know since starting this site. He grew up there in the area, has a true love for the land and the sea, and has been guiding surf groups and tours for decades. He takes care of the land, the locals, the culture, and his surfers, and his love for what he does is simply contagious. Did I already say he is legitimately the kindest guy I’ve talked to with this site?

Anyway, on to what they offer at Mexico Waves. Along with surf lessons, the team can take you out to various surf spots in the area depending on your skill level and current conditions. As a quieter alternative to some of the more popping surf spots in Mexico, you’ll find lots of uncrowded waves up and down the coast here. In addition, Chef Gaby will blow your mind with some amazing comida oaxaqueña. From fish tacos to regional moles, Gaby will keep your healthy and happy with her amazing home-cooked meals.

You’ll stay in a cabin right at the beach, surrounded by the beautiful forests of the Oaxaca coast. It’s a super chill atmosphere. Think chilling on a hammock, hiking through empty trails, and sitting around meeting fellow travelers. If you want something off the beaten path, relaxed, and with that feeling of being at home, MexicoWaves is your spot. You can visit them at MexicoWaves.com or on Instagram at @MexicoWaves.

Safari Surf School

Playa Venao is a relatively unknown surf spot on the international surf scene, which actually makes it an ideal beginner spot. It’s one of our favorite beginner surf spots in Panama, and has plenty of waves on offer for both beginner and intermediate surfers. Unlike many other spots, the best time is actually dry season, or winter for the consistency. Summer, or rainy season, will have bigger swells come through but can be more hit-or-miss. Even during summer, you will find some beginner friendly waves on the inside fairly consistently.

The long beach here in southern Panama is pure sand. There are no rocks or reefs to worry about, making it safe for beginners to learn to surf. You won’t find much in the way of crowds, and there’s solid waves nearly every day during the winter. The water is warm and crystal clear, the beaches full of soft white sand, and you’ll find yourself in a bit of a remote jungle environment.

Safari Surf School is located literally on the beach. The people are super friendly, there are plenty of little restaurants in town, and no shortage of things to do. The rooms have Wifi and A/C, the place has a pool, spa and fitness center, and you can literally take a few steps out to the beach to surf. They also have a ton of Firewire surfboards. It’s rare for a surf camp to be chalk full of name brand high-quality boards, and Safari stands out in this regard.

In addition, Safari only employs ISA (International Surfing Association) accredited surf instructors. They also all have RLSS lifeguard certifications. You’ll get two 90 minute surf lessons a day, and plenty of free time on their equipment to practice what you’re learning. You also get video review sessions, which is always a huge help in our opinion!

La Posada

There are plenty of surf camps in this area, but this is one of our favorite and highest-reviewed options. Located in the popular surf spot of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, La Posada is just a few steps from the beach and the waves. This area is full of beginner waves year-round, and is a top destination for beginner surfers and longboarders with good reason. It’s got a laid-back vibe that is a little quieter than some other popular surf spots in the Nicoya Peninsula, has incredibly consistent waves, and breathtaking nature to explore.

Santa Teresa made our list of the 5 Best Surf Towns in Costa Rica, and this is especially true for beginners. It’s also on our list of the 5 Best Longboard Waves in Central America, as it’s a relatively mellow and long ride. I first surfed the area back in about 2006, and it’s definitely gotten more popular since. Retaining it’s laid-back vibe and deep surf culture, there’s a bit more to do these days. It has a huge stretch of beach with different breaks for different skill levels, is a bit cheaper than some of the more touristy spots, and has delicious healthy food options all around town.

The waves themselves are definitely mostly beginner-level waves. Playa Hermosa just to the north has soft waves with uncrowded lineups, and is where many schools take their students. Montezuma, a nearby town also has great beginner waves and much less crowds. The main break in town, Playa Santa Teresa, is full of surf camps and rentals. It can get crowded during holiday seasons, but the waves break all up and down the beach leaving a lot of space. All of the waves are sand-bottom and beach breaks, minimizing risk for beginner surfers.

La Posada offers something for everyone. They have private suites for individuals or families, gender-specific dorms, and shared rooms. Like many surf camps in Costa Rica, La Posada offers more than just surfing. They have bikes to use, can organize fishing trips and waterfall hikes, as well as snorkeling gear to explore the thriving marine life. They offer different packages like their “I Need Vitamin Sea” package for just surfing, “Relaxing Waves” for surf and yoga retreats, and “Breaking Waves” specifically for beginner surfers! Again, they have something for everyone! Check out their offerings here.

Casa Happy Life

Located in San Juan del Sur, Casa Happy Life is right in the heart of town. San Juan del Sur is a bit of a strange surf spot, as it’s actually more of a hub than a surf spot itself. It’s on our list of the best beginner surf spots in Nicaragua though, and for good reason. From San Juan del Sur, you have access to the iconic Playa Maderas, the calm break of El Remanso, and Manzanillo which can be beautiful with the right conditions. The spots with beginner waves like Playa Maderas and El Remanso have super high consistency; you will nearly always find waves to surf here for beginners through intermediates.

The town itself has exploded a bit in the last decade. As the hub of surfing in Nicaragua, you’ll find tons of surfers of different skill levels heading to different breaks. It’s full of international travelers and digital nomads, super friendly locals, and all kinds of different surf breaks. When you’re not surfing, the town can be fun to wander around. It’s lively and fun, but not overwhelming. There are also plenty of places to hike, visit waterfalls, see volcanoes, and zipline.

Casa Happy Life has rooms with queen beds, rooms with a queen and bunk beds, and rooms with or without private bathrooms. They are literally three blocks from the beach, and handle all of the transport, guides, equipment, and feedback you will need. With the various different waves on offer in this area, you won’t struggle to find the right wave for your skill level and current conditions. There are plenty of beginner inside waves if you’re just learning to pop up, and many beginner-intermediate waves if you’re progressing onto green waves and turning! Casa Happy Life offers 5 day camps and 7 day camps, and include yoga classes, salsa classes, jungle tours, walking tours of the town, and more!

El Paredón

El Paredón is an up and coming surf spot that we think will be quite popular in the next decade or so. To be honest, we read up a bunch on El Paredón before going (in December 2024), then we were quite surprised with how popping the town was. It’s definitely not a city or big sprawling town, but there’s quite a bit going on. With a growing surf scene in Guatemala, we think El Paredón is probably the hub that is going to blow up.

El Paredón is a few hours from the airport in Guatemala City, so it’s not the easiest place to get to. However, we booked a transfer that took us straight to our place for about $100 USD. Although it took about three hours, it was actually a beautiful ride past active volcanoes and sugar cane plantations. What I mean to say is you shouldn’t let the distance from the airport deter you from visiting this spot at all! We did it with two kids (age 5 and 3) and had no problem.

The surf may not be super beginner friendly at first glance. When we first got there, I was a little bit worried about my young kids not being able to take any lessons. However, we easily found the perfect little waves for them (video compilation below of my 5 year old on some waves).These were his first surf lessons not with his parents, and on much stronger waves than we have here where we live. There are plenty, and I mean PLENTY of perfect and empty beginner waves on the inside, and it’s a great surf vacation for families.

As you progress, El Paredón has some pretty solid intermediate waves. They are often chest to head high, there’s offshore winds nearly every morning, and the waves break all up and down the break leaving plenty of empty space. You will find lots of closeouts in some spots, and it can shift as the sand bars shift. But the sandy bottoms without reef or rocks, the huge beach with plenty of breaking waves, and the room to progress make this a solid spot to learn to surf.

The town itself is fairly mellow. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, delicious food, places to hang out, and ways to relax. Check out our El Paredón Surf Guide for recommendations on lessons, restaurants, and what to do in town.