Manuel Antonio Surf Lessons: 2-Hour Beginner Class & Board Rental

Learn to Surf at Manuel Antonio's Best Beach

You get a two-hour lesson with an experienced instructor, a surfboard for the full day, and the confidence that comes from actually standing up and riding a wave. The lesson is paced for beginners, and the free practice time afterward means you can keep building on what you just learned without paying extra or renting another board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Surf lessons at Espadilla Norte Beach

• Meet your surfing instructor
• Learn tactics, poses, and tips
• Practice water safety techniques
• Take a 2-hour surf lesson
• Use surfboard for free practice

The experience

You might think surfing is something you either can do or you can't. But Glen and his instructors in Manuel Antonio have spent years teaching people who've never touched a board before, and the two-hour lesson is built around that exact starting point. You'll spend the first part on technique (the right stance, how to read the water, when to pop up), and then you're in the ocean at Espadilla Norte Beach, actually riding waves instead of just thinking about it.

The lesson itself runs two hours, and water safety is the baseline for everything they do. Glen pairs you with an instructor who watches your form, corrects your balance, and doesn't move on until you're actually standing on the board and moving forward. It's not a group of twenty people. It's tailored to where you are that day. After the two hours are done, you get free use of your surfboard for the rest of the day, so if you want to paddle back out and practice what you just learned, the board is yours.

They'll work with your schedule if the standard start times don't fit. Just ask when you book. Tropical fruit and water are included, which matters more than it sounds when you're in the sun and salt for hours. The beach itself is protected, the water is warm, and the waves at Espadilla Norte are forgiving enough that you can actually focus on learning instead of fighting the ocean.

What’s included

Your lesson includes the two-hour instruction with Glen or one of his instructors, a surfboard for the full day, tropical fruit, and water. You'll learn the fundamentals of surfing (stance, timing, safety) in the water at Espadilla Norte Beach, and then have the rest of the day to practice on your own with the same board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (7 to 55 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Travel Costa Rica Tours

Is this one for you?Right for you if you've always wanted to try surfing but weren't sure where to start. The lesson assumes you're a beginner, and the free practice time afterward means you can build confidence without rushing back to return the board.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Do I need to know how to swim?

The lesson is in the ocean, so basic comfort in water is important. Water safety is the priority, and the instructor stays with you throughout.

What if I'm not fit enough?

Surfing builds fitness as you go, but you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to start. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

Can I choose what time the lesson starts?

Standard start times are offered, and custom times can be arranged on request depending on availability.

What's included in the lesson?

The two-hour lesson, surfboard, tropical fruit, and water are included. You also get free use of the board for the rest of the day to practice on your own.

Is this lesson for beginners only?

All levels are welcome. The lesson is tailored to each person, so whether you're starting from zero or already have some experience, the instructor adjusts the focus.

How do I get to Espadilla Norte Beach?

Public transportation options are available nearby in Quepos. You can ask the instructor for directions when you book.