Surf Lessons Playa Grande: Learn to Catch Your First Wave

Pick your group size and learn to pop up, paddle and catch waves on Playa Grande's wide beach

Surf lessons at Playa Grande with Frijoles Locos Pros teach beginners to catch their first waves and help intermediate surfers refine their technique. You start with safety and pop-up practice on the beach, then paddle out to find uncrowded water. Boards, rashguards and an experienced instructor are included. Lessons run 90 minutes and are timed to the tides.

The experience

Playa Grande translates to "big beach," which means your instructor can pick a quiet stretch away from crowds. Beginners get a full safety and ocean awareness briefing before practicing the pop-up on sand, then entering the water to catch actual waves. Intermediate surfers skip the basics and work on reading the break, picking the best sets and refining their technique with local knowledge of how Playa Grande's swell behaves.

You choose between a group lesson (minimum four people), a semi-private session (two to three surfers), or one-on-one instruction. Group lessons cost $40 per person; semi-private runs $55 per person; private is a flat $120. All three formats include a board sized to your height and weight, a rashguard for sun and rash protection, and 90 minutes of water time. For private lessons, hotel pickup and drop-off are included within Playa Grande and Palm Beach Estates. The instructor speaks English or Spanish.

Tides dictate the best lesson time each day, so reach out to Frijoles Locos to confirm the window that works for your schedule. Children as young as three can take lessons, though kids under twelve are not permitted in regular group lessons for safety reasons. They can book semi-private or private instruction instead. Lessons are subject to favorable weather. If thunder or lightning forces a cancellation, you get an alternative date or full refund.

What’s included

• Experienced instructor in English or Spanish.
• surfboard and rashguard for the lesson duration.
• hotel pickup and drop-off for private lessons within Playa Grande and Palm Beach Estates.

Options for this experience

4 options

Surfing lesson for a large groupGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeSurfing lessons for groups of 13 people or more

Surf lessons for groups (4 to 12 people)Up to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeLessons are 90 minutes long and held as a group on Playa Grande beach, suited to beginner surfers. Groups have 4 or more people. Suitable for all ages!

Semi-private surf lesson for 2 to 3 peopleUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeSemi-private lessons are for 2 to 3 participants. Suitable for all ages!

Private surf lessons for one surferUp to 1 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeOne-on-one instruction and coaching lasting 90 minutes. Suitable for all ages!

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Frijoles Locos Surf Shop, Lessons and Rentals

Is this one for you?Group lessons work best if you're learning with friends or don't mind a small class, since four to twelve surfers share one or more instructors. Semi-private and private options suit families with young children, couples, or anyone who wants personalized feedback on their technique, and private instruction is built for intermediate surfers ready to level up their skills.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

194 verified traveler reviews

5 ★184

4 ★7

3 ★3

2 ★0

1 ★0

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 (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What do I actually do during a beginner surf lesson at Playa Grande?

You start on the beach with safety instruction and pop-up drills, learning how to position yourself on the board and stand up in one motion. Once you're comfortable on sand, you paddle out into the water and practice catching real waves with your instructor watching and correcting your form.

How does Playa Grande compare to other beaches for learning to surf?

Playa Grande literally means "big beach," so it has plenty of space for instructors to find a quiet, uncrowded area for your lesson. That separation from other surfers and swimmers makes it easier to focus on learning without distractions or safety concerns.

What if the weather turns bad on the day of my lesson?

If thunder or lightning makes conditions unsafe, Frijoles Locos will offer you an alternative date or a full refund. Lessons are also timed to the tides, so the shop confirms the best time window for your preferred day when you book.

Do I need to bring my own surfboard and wetsuit?

No. A board sized to your height and weight and a rashguard for sun and rash protection are included for the full 90 minutes of your lesson. You just need to show up ready to get in the water.