Surf Lessons in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· Charlotte_H ·

Jan 2026

Amazing experience. I have never surfed before and am not even a very strong seimmer. We took tje 8am time slot avoiding crowds & heat & ended up with a private lesson. Greivip ensured we were safe and taught us what we needed to get started. It was so much fun and it was a successful lesson.

· Corey_B ·

Mar 2026

Amazing instructors! Myself and my 2 daughters were all able to get up multiple times. We are all beginners, and found the way they teach to be extremely helpful. Highly recommend!

Explore our promoted experiences

Beginner Surf Lessons In Tamarindo - Shared or Private

Tamarindo, Guanacaste and Northwest

4.9

(130)

Beginner Surf Lessons In Tamarindo - Shared or Private

from $55

Special Offer

Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

Tamarindo, Guanacaste and Northwest

5.0

(73)

Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

from

$60

$70

Surf Lessons in Tamarindo With Local Coaches

Tamarindo, Guanacaste and Northwest

5.0

(35)

Surf Lessons in Tamarindo With Local Coaches

from $50

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Learn how to navigate Tamarindo’s waves during this roughly 1.5 hour surf lesson. Choose the group size that works for your budget, with private, small-group, and larger group options. Practice paddling, popping up, and riding with guidance from your instructor. More experienced surfers can also practice their technique by surfing alongside an instructor.

Learn the basics or master your technique during this surf lesson in Tamarindo
Keep your stuff safe in a locker and enjoy an included equipment rental
Choose from multiple start times to suit your schedule
Your instructor tailors the lesson according to your ability

What's Included

90 minutes lesson
Rash guard (Surf Shirt)
Soft-Top surf board
Locker
Professional bilingual instructor
Shower
Use of changing rooms

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop
152, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Iguana Surf

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Most travelers can participate
Children under 12 are Required to Book a Private Lesson for safety reasons and to ensure a more one-on-one attention
Note: Please contact the phone number on your voucher to advise your chosen lesson time
Semi private lessons are for two or three people travelling together
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 2,689 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Amazing instructors! ...

Corey_B, Mar 2026

Amazing instructors! Myself and my 2 daughters were all able to get up multiple times. We are all beginners, and found the way they teach to be extremely helpful. Highly recommend!

Instruction was...

Corey_B, Mar 2026

Instruction was excellent. Pretty much everyone from the group I was in got up multiple times. Highly recommend!

Amazing fun

Charlotte_H, Jan 2026

Amazing!

Jonathan_B, Jan 2026

Really great experience, I highly recommend. Went with my girlfriend and we both had no experience. We both ended up able to catch some good waves

Great experience!

Kate_E, Jan 2026

Our daughters, 11 & 13, had a blast in their lessons! They lucked out and each got an instructor since no other people registered for their group time slot. Chaco and Luca were kind, enthusiastic and great teachers! Totally recommend lessons here

jordi was a great...

Pooja_N, Dec 2025

jordi was a great instructor he was very good at teaching inexperienced students how to surf i would recommend

A must try!

Genesis_C, Dec 2025

One of the best experiences I’ve ever had. This was sooooo much fun. Our instructor FIFO was a great teacher. It’s hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, you feel like a pro. Can’t wait to come back to Costa Rica to surf again. I understand the excitement around it now

Fun Experience!

Aislinn_G, Aug 2025

Great time! Kenny was a good instructor, he made sure each of us got to surf several waves during our time. Would recommend!

Excellent instructor and lesson!!

Amy_A, Aug 2025

What an incredible experience!! Our instructor was kind, patient, and knowledgeable! We plan to do another lesson tomorrow!!

Had a fantastic time...

Mike_H, Jul 2025

Had a fantastic time surfing with the Iguana crew. My family of 5 had a group lesson for 4 of us and a private for our youngest. Great instruction, patient and got everyone up surfing! Highly recommended.

Great Surfing Experience

Sara_R, Jul 2025

This was so much fun! The instructors were great and we absolutely loved it. We had a private lesson since we had two kids with us and everyone got up. FYI - they take pictures of you so bring cash if you want to buy them. It was 40 colones and the cash saves you the government tax.

Fun time! I surfed!

Christine_S, Jun 2025

This was awesome. Easy to check in, great friendly staff and all of us were standing. They take pictures of you and you get all pictures if you want at the end for like 10/15 bucks. I wanted to cry because I was so happy they did that!

Wonderful experience

Natalia_g, Apr 2025

We had a wonderful time! The beach is an amazing beginner surfing spot with mellow waves and soft sand. The instructors were knowledgable, helpful and got my 10 and 15 year old boys standing on the board and surfing in no time !

Lots of fun!

Allison_H, Mar 2025

Lots of fun! The instructor was super nice and the beach was beautiful. Would definitely recommend!!

This was a great...

Nicole_F, Jan 2025

This was a great experience! I got up on the board a few times which was really cool. My instructor, Luis, made an effort to get to know me and make conversation which made the entire lesson more enjoyable.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review! We always love to hear that our surf instructors do such a great job and hope you come back to catch some more waves with us again soon! Pura Vida.

Fund day learning how to surf

Lisa_H, Jan 2025

What a fun activity! The instructor was great and everyone got up on the first try! Can't wait to do it again. The water was a little crowded and non-surfers just stand in your way so that was difficult to manage. Would have been great if there was a roped off section for beginners.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your review! We always love to hear that our surf instructors do such a great job and your satisfaction makes every effort worth it. Pura Vida.

Whole family of 5 got up during the lesson

kcmelcher5, Jan 2025

The lesson was amazing and all of us got up but I wish they had told us a little more about how to time it when we are on our own. Later we couldn't replicate how well we were doing during the lesson because we couldn't get the timing down. Great lesson though and we love it!

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you for your review! We appreciate all of the feedback to ensure that every experience with us is amazing. Pura Vida.

Surf Lessons with Kenny

richard_f, Dec 2024

Kenny was an excellent instructor. Easy location to find and a quick walk across the street to the beach.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation! Your satisfaction makes every effort with it :) Pura Vida.

Surfing in Costa Rica

Dagmara_G, Oct 2024

We had an amazing experience taking lessons. Moses was such a great instructor! Highly recommend it!

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you so much for your amazing review and recommendation! Your satisfaction makes every effort worth it. Pura Vida.

Such a fun lesson.

Betsy_C, Oct 2024

Curt was such an amazing instructor. He was kind and fun and encouraging. My husband and I had a blast and learned a lot. We would 10000% go back again!

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you so much for your amazing review! We love to hear that our surf instructors do such an amazing job and that you were able to catch some great waves! Pura Vida.

We recommend this surfing company for lessons.

Judi_B, Aug 2024

Three of us took a lesson from Curt and Moses. Everyone had fun and the instructors were great! Our ages were 71, 32 and 5. We would recommend for all ages.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you so much for your amazing review and recommendation! We love to hear that our surf instructors do such an amazing job and your satisfaction makes every effort worth it! We look forward to your family catching some more waves with us again in the future!!

Pura Vida!!!

Christine_M, Aug 2024

If I could give it a 10 out of 5 I would. The instructors were amazing, even the ones that were not directly working with us. Mocha was very helpful and patient. The conditions were great. So much fun!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you so much for your amazing review and recommendation! We love a 10/5 !! We are so happy to hear that our surf instructors do such an amazing job and your satisfaction makes every effort worth it! We look forward to you coming and catching some more waves with us again soon! Pura Vida :)

Kurt with Iguana Surf did...

Bruce, Jun 2024

Kurt with Iguana Surf did an awesome job teaching me for my first surf adventure! Rode several waves all the way in! Thank you so much Kurt

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you for your wonderful review! We always love to hear that our surf instructors do such a fabulous job, and your satisfaction makes every effort worth it! We hope you come back to surf with us again soon! Pura Vida :)

Successful first time :)

Morgan_G, May 2024

It was my first time surfing ever and they were so warm and welcoming! Gave me the desire to keep practicing when I get home. Thank you all again so much.

Response from Host, May 2024

Thank you for your amazing review! We always love to hear that our surf staff do such a great job! We hope you come back and surf with us again soon :) Pura Vida!

Great!

Marisa_M, May 2024

Kurt is great! Very informative, safe, and fun. It took a few tries to stand up, but felt like a great accomplishment and a check off the bucket list.

Response from Host, May 2024

Thank you for your amazing review! We always love to hear that our surf instructors do such a great job! We hope you come back and surf with us again soon :) Pura Vida!

Great Experience!

Diane_H, May 2024

Definitely worth booking! The surf lesson was super fun and our instructor Kurt was awesome. He was great at teaching people who have little to no experience. Highly recommend booking and was a highlight of my visit to Tamarindo

Response from Host, May 2024

Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation! We always love to hear that our surf instructors do such a fabulous job, and your satisfaction makes every effort worth it! We hope you come back to surf with us again soon! Pura Vida :)

I did it!! I surfed!! Great teachers and so much fun!!

Justin_M, Apr 2024

I did it!!! I surfed!! I am pretty good at sports and have decent balance, but so many people had told me how difficult surfing was. Within 10 minutes I was up and surfing. My instructor (Bryan I think?) was awesome. He was patient and explained things very well. Then he took me out there and pushed me into the wave, and then next think I know I was surfing!! I now realize why surfers are so skinny though. It is a lot of work getting out to the break. The ride in is fun though and worth it. I would highly recommend it, but be aware that it is strenuous.

Response from Host, May 2024

Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation! We always love to hear that our surf instructors do such a fabulous job, and your satisfaction makes every effort worth it! We home you come back to surf with us again soon! Pura Vida :)

Terrific experience

Sephy_P, Apr 2024

Our guide, Luis, was an excellent instructor. This was our first surf lesson and it was a lot of fun.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for your fabulous review! Your feedback means to a lot to us and we always love to hear that our surf instructors do such an amazing job. Your satisfaction makes every effort worth it! Pura Vida :)

Kurt was awesome!!!

Gillian_B, Apr 2024

Kurt was a fantastic instructor. Our group was one adult and three kids it is 12 to 16. Kurt was great at explaining the mechanics and practicing on the beach, so all four of us were on our feet for our very first wave! Super fun. We are headed back tomorrow to rent surfboards from them and practice our skills!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for your fabulous review and recommendation! We always love to hear that our surf instructors do such an amazing job and that everyone in your group had such a fabulous experience! We look forward to having you all come and catch some more waves with us again soon!! Pura Vida :)

Great first time surfing!

Shawn_H, Apr 2024

My daughter had a great time with this surf lesson. Everyone was very friendly and they had plenty of time in the water to try and get up on the board. The instructors were helpful and patient.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for such a wonderful review!! Your satisfaction makes every effort worth it :) We hope you come and catch some more waves with us again soon!! Pura Vida.