Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Quepos, Costa Rica
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
The golden sands and consistent waves of Espadilla Norte Beach make it a popular destination for surfers in the Manuel Antonio National Park. With this tour, hone your surf skills or learn to catch your first wave with a surf lesson to suit your level. Learn beginner basics and pro tips from your surf instructors, then hit the waves to practice for as long as you like.
- Experienced surf instructors with classes tailored to all abilities
- Full-day surfboard rental: stay and surf as long as you want
- Personalized small-group tour with a maximum of 10 travelers
- Located at Espadilla Norte Beach, a prime surfing spot in Manuel Antonio
What's Included
- surfboard
- water
- tropical fruit
- Pick up not included
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Playa Manuel Antonio9VR2+66, Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica
Bus stop in-front of Super Joseth supermarket by the public beach in Manuel Antonio
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Playa Espadilla Norte
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 98 reviews
colin_h, Mar 2026
Amazing experience with Glen and his team. We all had a lot of fun and were up and riding waves within 30 min. Highly recommend
Crystal_A, Feb 2026
Glen & Angie have a wonderful group who took care of every detail! The instructors were very informative and made for a successful lesson. Isaac made is feel safe out in the water and calmes our nerves.
Vanessa_M, Feb 2026
This was a great experience! The ocean was so warm and waves were smaller/ good for beginners. Definitely recommend.
Rich_F, Jan 2026
There isn’t a pickup- Glenn’s Surf School is on the beach right next to the “pickup” spot. Excellent instructor and super friendly staff. Glenn’s wife(La Jefa) was great. Shared fruit, water and were super fun! Surfing was more physical than I expected, but then I’m viejo “
Catriona_D, Jan 2026
This was one of the highlights of my trip to Costa Rica - I was so scared to try but I had so much fun and as a complete beginner in her 50’s actually managed to surf! This was all thanks to Isaac who is the most professional, patient and fun teacher - I laughed as much as I fell into the water. The waves are sometimes high but the water is so warm and I always felt safe. If you are considering this activity - do it!!
Brandon_L, Dec 2025
Had an amazing experience! Derek is a professional surfer and taught us very well. Tough challenge but finally caught a few waves at the end
Katie_R, Oct 2025
Derek is a patient, kind and knowledgeable instructor. The whole family had a wonderful time. Pura vida!
Bernhard_K, Aug 2025
Very friendly y competent - great surfing
Warm welcome , good instructors enabling us to catch waves - great experience
Kevin_G, Jul 2025
The best. My first surf lesson, and I was nervous. But the owner and his brother (who's a professional surfer and was the instructor) were wonderful. I picked it up much more quickly than I expected. You won't regret going with them!
Anne_B, Jul 2025
Our family of four had a great time surfing with Derek & Sebastian! None of us had surfed before & we were all able to get up and ride waves thanks to the great instruction we were given. Glenn & his wife took such excellent care of us both before and after our lessons that we went back to rent chairs from them the next day. We would highly recommend this experience from a kind group of people!
Alex_K, Jul 2025
Sebastian was so helpful and my boyfriend and I had a great time surfing! It was both of our first times surfing but we were able to stand up and surf on a lot of different waves :) and the pineapple after surfing was INCREDIBLE. Would highly recommend!
Kimberly_G, May 2025
The surf teachers were great! Husband and daughter (21 yrs) thoroughly enjoyed their lessons.
The instructions from Viator, however, are terrible. Just plain wrong. Waited for 20 minutes at the location (in front of Supermercado) and no one showed up. Called the tour number from app. Viator representative was rude and unhelpful saying “they are there” when they were not, because we were given the wrong location.
The meeting location is ACTUALLY the surf tent on the beach. Go there and save yourself some grief and time.
I hope Viator will correct their instructions for future travelers.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re very happy to hear your family enjoyed the surf lessons!
We truly appreciate your feedback regarding the incorrect meeting instructions on Viator. We’re already working with them to update the details so future travelers can avoid this issue.
Thank you again for choosing Travel Costa Rica Tours, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures!
GraceAnn_R, Apr 2025
We had a great time surfing in Manuel Antonio! The surf instructors were awesome! We each had our own instructor helping us to paddle out to waves and pick waves that we could ride. We went from never having surfed before to catching multiple waves in a little over an hour! This was a great experience for beginner surfers!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you had a great time surfing with us and that our instructors helped make your first experience a fun and successful one!
HubVacations Team
Stephanie_M, Apr 2025
If you have never been to Costa Rican beaches near Manuel Antonio before, I highly recommend starting your trip with Glen and Derek and their crew. They were very helpful to us, and very gracious during our stay. Our surfing experience was fun and very tiring, perfect after a very long day of travelling. Alexandra took great action shots of our surfing adventure, and I’m happy that we will have these memories to take home with us.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your surfing experience with Glen, Derek, and the team. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again soon in Manuel Antonio!
HubVacations Team
Natasha_D, Apr 2025
Amazing and friendly! Glen and his crew were very accommodating. Beach was clean and safe. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your kind words! At MANUELANTONIO.CO - Travel Costa Rica Tours, we’re proud to offer amazing, friendly guides like Glen and a clean, safe beach experience. Your recommendation means a lot—come back soon to explore more of Costa Rica’s beautiful Manuel Antonio!
iLana_H, Feb 2025
Fantastic lesson from a professional surfer. He was patient with us, a great teacher and a lot of fun to be with. You will not be disappointed!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your kind words! 🌊 We're thrilled you had an amazing surf lesson with our professional instructor. Patience, fun, and great teaching are what we strive for! 🤙 Hope to see you catching more waves with us again soon! 🌞🏄♂️ ~ Travel Costa Rica Tours
Emily_G, Dec 2024
Great experience! The instruction was top tier and the instructors were very good at meeting you at your level. I went with my partner who had never surfed before and he was able to get up! For me, they were wonderful at challenging me with bigger waves since I had more experience. All in all, a super fun time.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you and your partner had such a great experience. It's fantastic that we could tailor the instruction to suit both of your skill levels and make it a fun and rewarding time for you both. We hope to see you riding the waves with us again soon! 🌊🏄♀️🏄♂️
Makenzie_W, Aug 2024
amazing lesson! they waste no time, and i got to surf so many waves. when i went it was 1:1 instruction (less tourism in august, not sure if it’s always like that!) and i really enjoyed it! they’re great at giving you detailed ways to get better each time you get on the board. 100% my favorite thing in costa rica!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you so much for your amazing feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great time and that the 1:1 instruction made your surfing experience even better. August does tend to be a quieter month, and we're glad it worked out for you! We always strive to provide personalized guidance to help you improve on every wave. We're honored to be your favorite thing in Costa Rica—hope to see you back on the board soon! 🌊
Travel Costa Rica Tours team
Courtnie_S, Jul 2024
My friends and I wanted to have one last excursion while in Costa Rica and we are so happy we chose surfing! This was an awesome experience with knowledgable guides who helped us three beginners get up multiple times. Would definitely recommend Glen and his crew!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you and your friends had such an amazing time surfing with us. Glen and the team loved helping you catch those waves. We hope to see you back in Costa Rica soon for more adventures! 🌊🦈🏄♂️
Travel Costa Rica Tours team
Jill_D, Jun 2024
Great instruction and patience. It was a blast. Glen is the best and we will keep coming back to him every year.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for the kind words! We're thrilled you had a blast. Glen is indeed amazing, and we're delighted to hear you'll be returning to him every year. See you next time!
Travel Costa Rica Tours team
Marianne_L, Apr 2024
Had so much fun! Felt safe in the water and had great tips from our instructor. Only advice : don’t skip the sunscreen!! The sun is harsh on the water
Response from Host, Apr 2024
We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing time with us! Safety is always our top priority, and we're delighted to know you felt secure in the water under the guidance of our expert instructors. Thanks for the shoutout to sunscreen—it's a crucial detail many people overlook when having fun in the sun. We always remind our guests to lather up and stay protected from those intense rays, especially when out on the water. Looking forward to welcoming you back for more adventures soon!
Angel_B, Apr 2024
Amazing experience and very safe. They have a tent where Glen and his employees will watch your things (so feel free to bring your phones & cameras for when you are ready) and they also provided a water and a snack. It was very first time surfing and I got up every single time thanks to Glen! I wanted to go back every day after I learned, but unfortunately got sick. Glen also rents surf boards and they take Visa. For reference, I am a female solo traveller and appreciated Glen and his team so much for picking me up from my hostel, being kind and patient, and most of all giving me the experience of a lifetime!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing time surfing with Glen and his team. Safety is our top priority, and it's fantastic to know you felt comfortable and well looked after. From providing a secure tent for belongings to offering snacks and water, Glen and his employees truly go above and beyond. It's wonderful to hear that even as a solo female traveler, you felt welcomed and supported throughout your surfing adventure. We're sorry to hear you got sick and couldn't continue, but we're glad you were able to make the most of your time with us. Don't hesitate to reach out if you ever want to surf again or explore other adventures!
Travel Costa Rica Tours Team
Cathal_M, Feb 2024
Great friendly experience. Glen picked me up from my hotel and I joined three others on the this lesson. Cory gave us some instructions on the beach and him and Leandro stayed with us in the water. Everyone in our group were catching waves in no time at all.
We finished up with a bottle of water and some fresh pineapple 🍍
They allow you to come back and borrow a board for free after the lesson too which is a nice touch.
Tip : apply suncream generously to the top of your feet and back of legs.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear you had a great time with us. Our team takes pride in providing a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere for all our guests. From Glen's hotel pickup to Cory's expert instructions on the beach and Leandro's guidance in the water, we strive to ensure everyone has a fantastic surfing experience. It's wonderful to hear that everyone in your group was catching waves in no time! We're glad you enjoyed the refreshing bottle of water and fresh pineapple after your session. And yes, don't forget about our complimentary board borrowing service for your next surf adventure. Thank you for the sunscreen tip - safety first! We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for more surfing fun. 🏄♂️🍍☀️
Travel Costa Rica Tours team
Ashley_T, Jan 2024
Glen and his team were so nice, and also found them communicative around timing. I had a good time with them! 😌
Response from Host, Feb 2024
At Travel Costa Rica Tours, we strive to create memorable moments for our customers, and your feedback is truly appreciated. Glen and the entire team work hard to ensure seamless communication and a great overall experience, so it's rewarding to hear that their efforts made your time with us enjoyable.
Monica_R, Nov 2023
This was a great first surf experience! The surf instructor was knowledgeable and did a good job fitting into my comfort level.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you ery much Monica for such a nice words, thank you for choosing travel Costa Rica Tours.
Elaine_G, Aug 2023
Although it was a rainy, drizzle type of day, surfing was super fun. My husband and I did a lesson with Sebastian who has been surfing for over 20 years. I had been surfing once before in Hawaii and remember it being fun but super hard. This experience was totally different with me and my husband being able to ride the wave in almost every time! Sebastian was a great coach, not overbearing but gave pointers here and there. He also had the waves timed perfectly. The water was warm which was a plus, and they gave us each a bottle of water following the lesson and offered to let us to continue to use the boards to practice the rest of the day and following morning since our lesson was the last of the day. 10/10 recommend if you want to surf! They picked us up at the lesson start time which was nice and pointed us in the direction to which bus would take us back to our hotel.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you Elaine for experiencing the waves of Manuel Antonio at Playa Espadilla Norte with Travel Costa Rica Tours Tours.
Sophia_D, Aug 2023
A friend and I decided to sign up last minute for surfing lessons, and it was the best decision of our entire trip. Glenn was so friendly and met us at our hotel to walk us to his spot on the beach. Our teachers, Louis and Corey, were very upbeat and encouraging throughout the entire process on and off the water. I went into the lesson having never surfed a day before, and now I can't wait to try it again someday. At the end, we even had the chance to do some trick moves, which was so much fun. Thank you for such a great day!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hello Sophia, at Travel Costa Rica Tours, we are very happy to hear that Glen and all our surffing staff met your expectations, and thank you for sharing your experience for more traveler to know about us.
Ebba_d, Mar 2023
Very fun, good instructors!!! A lot time was spent on the water, which was great. Would recommend!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for visiting, hope you come back soon
hkg76d2njg, Mar 2023
Incredible experience. Lesson goes very smooth, instructors are very nice and helpful. You can definitely expect to ride your first wave with this tour 😉
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank yuo for your visit an your comment, it's been a placer hosting you
Haris_G, Feb 2023
Amazing experience! There was lots of teachers in the waters with us, giving us tips and pushes for the waves! By the end, me and my friends felt very confident. I would definitely go back, but maybe this time I feel brave enough to just do a rental
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Hi there, we are very happy to hear about the excellency of our surf school team. As well , we are happy to here that you learn a lot during this lesson, most people will eed at least 3 lessons to feel confident on try just on their own. thank you for your visit.
From $65.94
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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