Surfing Costa Rica: A First-Hand Guide to Learning to Surf in Costa Rica
At age 32, my surf journey began in Costa Rica. In this post, I share not only where I’ve surfed in Costa Rica, but how it went and what you need to know about surfing in the land of pura vida.
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Learning to surf has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl posing with hibiscus flowers and having Blue Crush-themed birthday parties. At age 32, my surf journey finally began in Costa Rica. In this post, I share not only where I’ve surfed, but how it went and what you need to know about surfing Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is where I finally embarked upon my surf dream in a more serious and determined way. While I’d previously had one-off surf lessons in spots like Puerto Escondido, Mexico and Ayampe, Ecuador, they hadn’t gotten me very far. The big waves of Puerto Escondido washed me ashore halfway through my lesson, while Ayampe left me with an over-extended knee when I made the noob mistake of stepping off my board in the shallows.
Beat up and slightly traumatized, I didn’t pick my surf aspirations back up for another few years. It wasn’t until a breezy November day in Nazaré, Portugal, while watching the big wave surfers tow in to monstrous waves, that every bone in my body was saying it’s time. Not then, of course, but soon. Seated on those windswept sands, and more than a little inspired, I made the firm commitment to myself to start next year with a surf camp. And that is exactly what I did.
This post is both a re-telling of my surf story, as it pertains to Costa Rica, and a practical guide to surfing Costa Rica as I’ve done it and as I’ll continue to. So, yes this is an ever-evolving page, updated in step with my surf journey. I hope you find it helpful as much as entertaining, and maybe even a little bit inspiring, too.
Table of Contents
In this guide: Jacó and Uvita (so far)
Jacó
Jacó’s Part in my Surf Story
Jacó Surf Specs
Surf Camps in Jacó
Surf Lessons and Board Rentals in Jacò
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Jacó
Uvita
Uvita’s Part in my Surf Story
Uvita Surf Specs
Surf Camps in Uvita
Surf Lessons and Board Rentals in Uvita
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Uvita
Other Beginner-Friendly Surf Spots in Costa Rica
Jacó, Costa Rica
Photo Credit: School of the World
Located on the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, just an hour and a half from the capital San José, Jacó is a rough-and-tumble surf and party town with year-round waves and beginner-friendly breaks. While beauty, when not beachfront, is hard to come by in this buzzing town, it does have it all, from supermarkets to souvenir shops, local sodas, and nightlife. It’s not a sleepy spot by any means and the surf infrastructure is there, too, with more than a few surf camps, surf schools, surf shops, and surf-friendly lodging to support you in the waves of Jacó.
About Jacó as a Surf Spot
year-round, beginner-friendly surf spot and one of Costa Rica’s most consistent, but consistently average
cleanest waves come in during the summer months, Costa Rica’s wet season
exposed beach break with a sandy bottom, better at high tide
lefts and rights on offer and multiple peaks
beware of rips, undertow, stingrays, and the occasional crocodile
Surf Camps in Jacó
Photo Credit: School of the World
I kicked off 2023 in Costa Rica at a surf camp called School of the World. It was affordable at $500 for the week, located on a beginner-friendly beach, and complete with a pool, kitchen, and yoga studio on-site. The rooms, though shared, weren’t dorm-style. They were two-bed, meaning just one roommate (if that), en suite, air-conditioned, and each room had a small kitchen with a fridge, sink, and dishware. It felt like a steal.
Because I was on a budget and there for surf and surf only, I didn’t capitalize on their other offerings. School of the World does what’s called learning vacations, meaning they not only offer daily surf lessons (one or two sessions a day), but you can opt to add on yoga classes, Spanish lessons, and photo/video classes. It’s genius and I’ve yet to see the same concept repeated anywhere else.
As this was my first proper go at surfing, I spent my week in Jacó entirely in the whitewater, first finding my balance on the board and being pushed into waves, then experimenting with some turns. While the green waves behind me beckoned, I wanted to do this right and all in due time. Even then, I knew this was a journey that shouldn’t be rushed. And at first paddle, I could tell my mind was the first block to be busted. A trick my instructor offered up then that I still lean on now is to sing a song at the takeoff. My song? Don’t Stop Believing.
About School of the World
Combines the elements of a surf camp, language school, yoga retreat, photography program, and boutique hotel under one roof
Pricing starts at $500 for surf-only programming, includes daily 2-hour lessons, board, rash guard, transport to the beach, and a video review mid-week.
Amenities include private or shared accommodations, an outdoor swimming pool, access to the yoga studio and mats when classes aren’t in session, kitchen (efficiency kitchen in your room and proper kitchen in the main area), and wifi (though it’s not the strongest).
Book directly or, if you want to support the blog, book through this link.
Other Surf Camps in Jacó
Room2Board Hostel & Surf School offers 3-, 5-, and 7-day surf camp options that incorporate non-surf activities like sunset hikes, meditation, yoga, and breathwork.
Associated with Selina hostels, Tortuga Surf Camp offers 7-, 14, and 22-day surf camp packages that include roundtrip airport transfers, accommodations, professional video and photography review, a survival apnea workshop, unlimited board rentals during your stay, and a skateboarding workshop.
Run by former pro surfer Diego Naranjo, this surf camp has 7-day packages that include 7 surf lessons, your accommodations, a daily breakfast, a USB of your surf photos, a massage or crocodile tour, and one yoga lesson.
Offering 3-, 5-, and 7-day surf camp packages, this surf camp includes daily lessons, accommodations, one meal per day, a daily activity, and unlimited board rentals during camp.
Surf Lessons + Board Rentals in Jacó
In Jacó, surf lessons range from $50 to $80 for a 1.5 to 2-hour lesson and rentals range from $12 for 2 hours, $20 for the day, and $100 for the week.
I recommend Ride In Surf for lessons. The lead instructor Anthony also teaches at School of the World and is a local pro surfer who speaks fluent English. Two-hour lessons start at $60USD. Book here.
For more surf lesson options in Jacó, check Viator and TripAdvisor.
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Jacó
A coliving hostel with surf camp packages should you wish to book them, Jaco Inn offers a free daily breakfast, access to their coworking space, a kitchen and grilling area, wellness offerings, common areas, and pop-up activities. You’re also welcome to sign up for individual surf lessons or board rentals.
Check Availability: HostelWorld | Trivago
Partnered with Tortuga Surf Camp, this beachfront hostel has a swimming pool, beachfront bar and restaurant, coworking space, wellness area, movie room, and access to surf lessons, board rentals, and surf camp packages
Check Availability: Booking.com | HostelWorld
This boutique hostel doubles as a surf camp, but you can choose to stay and surf on your own too. You’ll have access to a shared kitchen, plenty of common areas to hang out, a swimming pool, board rentals and storage, surf lessons, daily yoga classes, and a coworking space.
Check Availability: Booking.com | HostelWorld | Agoda
Read my full Jacó guide for tips on things to do, where to eat and drink, and how to get to and from town by public transportation.
Uvita, Costa Rica
Photo Credit: Bodhi Surf + Yoga
After my surf camp in Jacó, I continued south down the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to reach Uvita. This splayed-out town is a gem that still clings to its authenticity, even as more and more surf camps and hotels crop up within its lush folds. The waves aren’t as consistent as on other coastlines, but they are consistently empty and against epic jungle-meets-sea backdrops. When you’re not surfing, there are waterfalls and hot springs to explore, howler monkeys and exotic birdlife to peer up at in the treetops, whales to watch, and a range of restaurants, craft beer bars, and cafes to frequent that paint the picture quite quickly that community comes first in Uvita. How refreshing.
I got in the water twice while in Uvita, finally giving the green waves a go with two different instructors - Adrian at Bodhi Surf + Yoga and Leandro at Uvita Surf + Tour. Let’s just say I got to finesse my turtle roll, face my fears in bigger waves, and reinforce some surf theory. Actually surf? Not so much. The green waves weren’t ready for me yet. They kept sending me into a nose-dive for some reason…
About Uvita as a Surf Spot
great for beginners and intermediates alike
year-round surf and little to no crowds
southern end, known as Playa Chaman, is the most consistent, while north end by the rivermouth sometimes produces a sand bar
sandy-bottomed beach break with a rivermouth, best at high to mid-tide
waves are cleanest between December and March and biggest between May and September
there’s a $6USD entry fee for tourists as the beach sits within the Marino Ballena National Park
beware of stingrays, jellyfish, and rip currents
Check out my Uvita travel guide for tips on things to do, places to eat and drink, and how to get to and from Uvita by public transportation.
Surf Camps in Uvita
Photo Credit: Bodhi Surf + Yoga
While I didn’t attend the surf camp here firsthand, I did take lessons with one of their ISA-certified instructors, which meant I got a peek behind the gates of their beautiful wood cabin-like base and the inside scoop on what it might be like as a surf camp attendee at a B Corp-certified surf camp. Their 7-day, semi-inclusive surf and yoga camp includes 5 surf lessons, 5 yoga classes, daily breakfast, 3 dinners, and your national park entrance fees at Marino Ballena National Park where your lessons take place. It also includes roundtrip transport to and from the airport in San Jose, plus one night’s lodging in San Jose on your way in. Accommodation is in luxurious bungalow-style rooms with porches, some of which also include kitchenettes. Other amenities include a swimming pool, common areas with day beds and hammocks, therapeutic mattresses, and healthy, locally sourced meals.
Bodhi Surf + Yoga’s Camps
Surf Lessons & Board Rentals in Uvita
In Uvita, surf lessons range from $60 to $90 for a 2- to 3-hour lesson and board rentals range from $15 for the day to $90 for five days.
For Board Rentals: I recommend Casa Tiburón Surf Rentals and Colo Tico Boards.
For Surf Lessons: I recommend Uvita Surf + Tour. Leandro leads classes that push you just enough outside your comfort zone to take you to the next level while still keeping you safe. Two-hour lessons start at $60USD. Book here.
For more surf lesson options in Uvita, check Viator and TripAdvisor.
Surf-Friendly Lodging in Uvita
Located steps from the sands of Marino Ballena National Park, this is as close as it gets to surf on your doorstep in Uvita. Each of Arboura Eco Cabins’ five A-frame cabins have air conditioning, a private bathroom, a private patio, and a well-equipped kitchen. There’s also a pool on the grounds and a common area with a ping pong table and chess set.
Check Availability: Booking.com | Agoda
Another cabin-style accommodation steps from Marino Ballena National Park is Bungalows Ballena. Slightly pricier than Arboura Eco Cabins, each 1- or 2-bedroom wood cabin bungalow comes with a terrace, private bathroom, air conditioning, wifi, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Their whale tail-shaped pool and kiddie pool are there for you between surfs and there’s a gas grill and mini fridge available in the common area for barbecuing outdoors.
Check Availability: Booking.com | Agoda
Located half a kilometer from the main surf point, Tropical Beach Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with private balconies and access to a guest kitchen. There’s also a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool with a poolside bar and restaurant on-site.
Check Availability: Booking.com | Agoda
Additional Beginner-Friendly Surf Spots in Costa Rica
Based on my own surf experience in Costa Rica and the surf community connections I made along the way, I was commissioned to write a beginner-friendly surf guide to Costa Rica for a publication called Surfers. In it, you’ll spot Uvita and Jacó, but also a few other spots that haven’t yet made it into this first-hand guide. Check it out for more beginner-friendly surf inspiration for your next trip to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s protected bays, sandy bottom beaches, warm water waves, and year-round consistency make it one of the best places in the world to learn how to surf. Here’s where to go and when.
If you found this post helpful, one of the best ways to say thanks is by booking your hotels, transport, tours, and trip insurance through the links on my Travel Resources page or by clicking any of the trip-relevant links below. This sends a bit back my way at no additional cost to you and helps to keep this blog up and running. Thank you for your support!
Accommodations: Booking.com, HostelWorld, Trivago
Tours & Experiences: Viator, GetYourGuide, EatWith, TripAdvisor
Trains, Buses, & Transfers: Bookaway, 12Go, BusBud
Car Rentals: DiscoverCars.com
Trip Insurance: Squaremouth, WorldTrips
Learn Spanish: Rosetta Stone, Babbel, Pimsleur
What to Read Next
A Travel Guide to Jacó, The Taboo Surf Town That's Got Far More Going for It
Jacó is a surf town with a darker reputation, but after my week surfing its waves, taking its tours, and dining in its restaurants, I say go and follow in a few of my foot tracks.
This entry may contain affiliate links. This means if you click a link in this post and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Jacó was the scene of my much-anticipated surf camp at School of the World. In the day’s preceding my visit, I was being warned from every direction to be careful in this Costa Rican beach town. It’s a destination with a reputation for being as known for its beginner-friendly waves as for its after-dark transition into a land of drugs and prostitutes. While I can say the reputation checks out on both accounts, I not once felt unsafe in my full week there. I’d even go as far as to say there’s no better spot to base your Costa Rica adventures from. Besides the fact that many of Costa Rica’s top destinations (think Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and Montezuma) are within easy reach by boat, by bus, or by car, Jacó itself has quite the menu of adrenaline-pumping tours and activities of its own. By week’s end, I guarantee you, like me, will wonder where the time went. Below are a few tried and true Jacó recommendations to get your own adventure in this undeservedly taboo town started.
Restaurants & Cafes
Roasted Edge
A coffee shop run by Ocean’s Edge Ministries, this spot knows how to get creative with their caffeine. While I was in, they were sampling their Raspberry Mocha and S’mores Latte.
Sabress Kosher
This Israeli-run restaurant dishes up all the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern classics. Think falafel, hummus, shawarma, and shakshuka, all of which is best washed down with their satisfying mint lemonade.
Green Room Cafe Bar
Though I didn’t ever get to actually visit this restaurant while in Jacó, it came highly recommended for its good food, impressive Costa Rican craft beer selection, and frequent live music and events.
Soda Garabito
This is your classic Costa Rican soda that comes fully alive at lunch hour. Join the lines and get your plate filled cafeteria-style with various meats, rice, beans, and salads at a great price.
Things to Do
Spot Wildlife at Carara National Park
This beautiful national park, just 45 minutes from Jacó and minutes from the famous crocodile bridge, is best explored with a guide. Spot everything from monkeys and scarlet macaws to snakes and iguanas while following jungle trails singing with cicadas and learning about the forest, plants, and ecosystem. Entrance without a guide is $10 USD, but learn from my mistake and go with a guide for their sharp eye, binoculars, and expertise. This guided tour on Viator has great reviews and includes the entrance fee.
Visit the Tarcoles Crocodile Bridge
While you could just do a quick drive-by to this notorious Jacó spot to view the massive crocodiles that sunbathe beneath the bridge, I’d recommend going for a river cruise with local experts to get even closer. This guided crocodile watching tour comes highly recommended and is locally-operated by passionate guides like Jason Vargas, who’s appeared on Discovery Channel, NatGeo , Animal Planet, and the BBC.
Go for a Canyoning Tour
Jacó is an adrenaline junkie’s playground and canyoning is a great way to not only get the blood pumping, but to immerse yourself in its jungle scenes and wildlife too. Due to a snafu in communication, I did not do the canyoning tour I thought I had signed up for (it was more waterfall hike with occasional rope rappelling), so I want to make sure you do get on the right tour. Here’s a link to a proper Jacó canyoning tour with glowing reviews at a great price.
Sign up for a Surf Lesson
Jacó is by definition a surf town. Further still, it’s one of the best spots in Costa Rica for beginner-friendly waves. Take it from me, I spent a week learning to surf in its swells… though I did my lessons through School of the World Surf Camp, a week-long experience that included lodging. If you’re looking for one-off lessons, here’s a highly rated surf school that offers 2-hour lessons at an incredible rate that includes your board rental and rash guard.
Hotels
School of the World Surf Camp
If you are looking for the surf camp experience in Jacó, let me point you to School of the World. They not only package your surf lessons with your stay, but you can also sign up for Spanish photo/video, and yoga classes to really round out your schedule. You can stay as short as one week or as long as multiple months, and some do! The grounds are gorgeous with a swimming pool, hammocks, and a full kitchen for guest use.
Onward Travel (and how to do it)
If you plan to travel from Jacó to points further south down the coast, places like Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Uvita, or Dominical, read my how-to on navigating the public transport. The step-by-step is included at the end of my Jacó travelogue. There’s also information in there on how to get to/from Montezuma (Nicoya Peninsula) from Jacó. In short, it’s easy enough to travel by public bus between Jacó and Uvita, either directly or with one bus transfer in Quepos.
If you found this post helpful, one of the best ways to say thanks is by booking your hotels, transport, tours, and trip insurance through the links on my Travel Resources page or by clicking any of the trip-relevant links below. This sends a bit back my way at no additional cost to you and helps to keep this blog up and running. Thank you for your support!
Accommodations: Booking.com, HostelWorld, Trivago
Tours & Experiences: Viator, GetYourGuide, EatWith, TripAdvisor
Trains, Buses, & Transfers: Bookaway, 12Go, BusBud
Car Rentals: DiscoverCars.com
Trip Insurance: Squaremouth, WorldTrips
Learn Spanish: Rosetta Stone, Babbel, Pimsleur
What to Read Next
Costa Rica Foot Tracks
Uvita is the stuff of legends, or so it was for me. This beach town was the one spot consistently recommended by what felt like every traveler I met. Here’s where I ate, drank, slept, and explored in this infamous spot.