Playa Grande Surf Lessons & Coastal Tour with Top Instructors

Coastline villages, a land lesson, then almost two hours catching waves at a private beach

A combined tour and surf class in Playa Grande, Costa Rica, where you ride the coastline through Potrero, Playa Flamingo, Brasiltio, Playa Conchal and Matapalo before reaching a secluded surf spot for instruction and waves. The 5-hour outing includes hotel pickup, all surfing equipment, a 10-minute land lesson, roughly 2 hours in the water with a break for fresh pineapple and ice water, and 150 to 250 professional photos and video of your session. A minimum of 2 people is required to book. Children from age 4 are welcome.

The experience

You start at your hotel or home, where the guide picks you up and begins the coastal drive south. The route follows the Monkey Trail then hugs the Pacific, passing through the villages of Potrero, Playa Flamingo, Brasiltio, Playa Conchal and Matapalo on the way to Playa Grande. The guide explains the areas and the people, stops for pictures, and answers questions. This is not a rushed transfer but a proper look at the towns and landscape you're moving through.

Once at Playa Grande, you spend 10 minutes on land learning the basics before heading into the water. The actual surfing runs for almost 2 hours with the top surf school in Costa Rica at a secluded spot where your group is the only one there. Midway through, you get a break with fresh pineapple and ice water. A photographer captures between 150 and 250 images and video clips during the lesson, so you leave with a full record of what you caught.

After the session, the guide drives you back to your hotel or house. The whole day (tour, instruction, waves and return) fits inside 5 hours. An add-on option to spend 2 to 3 hours in Tamarindo is available for an extra cost if you want to extend the outing.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel or home.
• all surfing equipment.
• a 10-minute land lesson before entering the water.
• professional photos and video (150 to 250 images) during your surf session.
• fresh pineapple and ice water during the break.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• return transport to your hotel or home.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (20 to 59 years) · Senior (61 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 19 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 36 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Surf and SUP Coco

Is this one for you?This is a private group experience, so you book for your own party and share the beach only with them: ideal if you want instruction without a crowd of strangers. The fixed 5-hour window means the coastal villages, the land lesson and the waves all fit into one outing, so you don't need to choose between exploring the area and learning to surf.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 19 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the drive like before we get to the beach to surf?

The route follows the Monkey Trail then the Pacific coast south through Potrero, Playa Flamingo, Brasiltio, Playa Conchal and Matapalo before reaching Playa Grande. The guide explains the areas and people along the way and stops for pictures, so it's a proper coastal tour, not just a transfer.

How long do we actually spend in the water surfing?

You surf for almost 2 hours at Playa Grande, with a midway break for fresh pineapple and ice water. Before that, you get a 10-minute land lesson on the beach to learn the basics.

Do you provide the surfboards and wetsuits?

Yes, all surfing equipment is supplied. You don't need to bring or rent gear separately.

Will we get photos or video from the lesson?

A photographer captures between 150 and 250 professional images and video during your time in the water, so you have a full record of the session to take home.