Playa Grande: Surf Lessons on Quiet Beach with Photos

Summary

Playa Grande surf lessons small groups quiet waves photos

You’ll start right on Playa Grande’s quiet sand with friendly instructors showing you how to pop up before heading into gentle waves perfect for beginners. Expect plenty of laughs (and maybe a few falls), a break with sweet local pineapple and ice water, plus loads of photos capturing your best moments — even if they’re not graceful ones.

What’s the experience like?

We met our instructor right where the sand started to get hot underfoot — he waved us over and handed out rash guards, grinning like he already knew we’d wipe out a few times. The beach at Playa Grande was just… empty in a good way. No crowds, no music blasting from bars, just the steady hush of the Pacific and a couple of pelicans doing their thing. Our guide (I think his name was Diego?) did this quick demo on land — how to pop up, where to keep your feet so you don’t faceplant. I thought it would be more complicated but he made it feel almost casual.

The first time I tried to stand up, I went straight over sideways and swallowed half the ocean. Diego laughed and gave me a thumbs up anyway — apparently that’s normal for beginners here. The water felt warm and kind of heavy with salt, and every so often you’d hear someone else in our group whooping when they managed to ride a wave for more than two seconds. There was this moment where I just floated on my board looking back at the shore — sun on my face, everything quiet except for the sound of my own breathing and the waves behind me. You know those little flashes that stick with you? That was one.

After about an hour we took a break under some shade while someone cut up fresh pineapple (which tasted way better than any store stuff back home). Ice water never felt so good either. The instructors were joking around in Spanish — one tried to teach me how to say “pineapple” properly but honestly I still can’t roll my R’s right. Then we went back out for another round; by then, falling off felt less embarrassing because everyone else was doing it too. They snapped tons of photos — probably caught every awkward splashdown but also that one ride where I actually stayed up all the way in.

I didn’t expect to enjoy failing at something this much. Even now I can picture that empty stretch of Playa Grande, just boards and footprints and laughter echoing across the sand as we packed up at the end. If you’re thinking about surf lessons in Costa Rica but don’t want a crowd watching you wipe out, this is honestly where I’d go again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Playa Grande Surf Lesson Experience

• Attend 10-minute land lesson
• Practice safety talk
• Surf with instructor for 45-60 minutes
• Take 10-minute break with pineapple and water
• Surf again for 1 hour
• Receive professional photos and videos

Top questions

How long are the Playa Grande surf lessons?

Each lesson lasts about 2 hours, longer than most other schools nearby.

Are these surf lessons suitable for beginners?

Yes, Playa Grande’s waves are great for beginners and even children as young as 4 can join.

Is equipment provided during the surf lesson?

Yes, all surfboards and rash guards are included in your lesson fee.

Do you get professional photos during the lesson?

Yes, 150-250 professional pictures are taken during each lesson (extra cost).

Is there food or drink included?

You’ll get fresh pineapple slices and ice water during your break.

What is group size like for these lessons?

No more than 4 students per instructor; semi-private or private options available too.

Where is Playa Grande compared to Tamarindo?

Playa Grande is right across from Tamarindo but much quieter and less crowded.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a surfboard and rash guard, professional instruction with no more than four students per teacher, fresh pineapple slices and ice water during your break, plus optional access to hundreds of professional action photos from your session (for an extra fee).