Surf Lesson + Beach Day in Jaco Beach: 2-Hour Group Class

Learn to surf in two hours, then spend the rest of the day on the sand

A two-hour group surfing lesson at Jaco Beach teaches the basics of reading waves, technique on land, and practice in chest-deep water, with an instructor guiding you through every step. The lesson includes a surfboard you keep after class, rashguard, sunscreen, fresh water, and access to beach chairs and umbrellas before and after. Pickup is included if you need it. Children from age 6 are welcome; kids under 10 and adults over 50 should book a private class instead.

The Experience

The lesson runs two hours and follows the tide schedule, so contact the operator to confirm the time that works for your day. You don't need to know how to swim—the deepest water is chest height—and the instructors are trained to guide you through every part of the experience. The class covers surfing basics, how to read the water and currents, technique drills on the beach, and then time in the water to practice what you've learned. It's worth doing this early in your trip, before other activities drain your energy.

Everything you need is included: a surfboard (yours to keep after the lesson), a rashguard, sunscreen, and fresh water. The instructors speak English and Spanish. If you need a ride to the beach, pickup is arranged for you. Group lessons typically have one to three students per instructor, which means real attention to your progress without the cost of a private session.

After the lesson ends, you stay on the beach. Relax in the provided beach chairs and umbrellas facing the ocean, swim if you want, or just sit with the waves in front of you. The day is yours to spend however you like once the instruction is done.

What’s included

• Two-hour group surfing lesson with a trained instructor.
• surfboard you keep after the class.
• rashguard and sunscreen.
• fresh water.
• beach chairs and umbrellas before and after the lesson.
• hotel pickup if needed.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Aloha Josi Surf School

Is this one for you?The two-hour lesson leaves the rest of your day free, so you can fit it into a morning or afternoon without blocking out the whole day. Book early in your trip when you have energy for it, and plan to stay on the beach afterward—the chairs and umbrellas are there for you to use as long as you want.

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Top questions

What's the water like when I'm learning to surf at Jaco Beach?

The deepest water during the lesson is chest height, so you stay in control and the instructors can guide you easily. The lesson schedule shifts with the tides, so the conditions are right for learning when you arrive.

Do I need to be able to swim to take the surfing lesson?

No, you don't need to know how to swim. The water stays chest deep and trained instructors stay with you the whole time, so you're supported from start to finish.

What happens after the two-hour lesson ends?

The lesson is done, but you stay at the beach. You have access to beach chairs and umbrellas to relax in front of the ocean for as long as you want, so the day doesn't end when the instruction does.

Can my kids take this lesson?

Children from age 6 are welcome in group lessons. Kids under 10 and adults over 50 should book a private class instead, which gives the instructor time to focus on safety and technique tailored to each person.

What's included in the lesson price?

The lesson includes the instructor, a surfboard you keep after class, a rashguard, sunscreen, fresh water, and beach chairs with an umbrella before and after. Pickup from your hotel is included if you need it.

When should I book this lesson during my trip?

The operator recommends doing it early in your stay, before other activities tire you out. Surfing takes energy and enthusiasm, so a rested body gets the most out of the two hours in the water.