Las Catalinas development and resort at Playa Danta is an incredible place to stay for the adventure seeking family.
While the beach right out front of Las Catalinas community is better suited to SUP and kayak, swimming and snorkeling than it is to surfing, a mere 35 minutes away sits Playa Grande, one of the best beaches around for guests of Las Catalinas to take surf lessons.
Why Playa Grande for surf lessons if you are staying at Las Catalinas?
Playa Grande is the closest beach suitable for both experienced AND beginner surfing. This may seem odd at first, however, the name itself explains: ‘big beach’- the beach at Playa Grande is so long, that it stretches almost all the way south to Tamarindo, but without the crowds! One end of the beach boasts one of the most fun waves for intermediate and experienced surfers, while the protected, south end of the beach is perfect for beginner surf lessons.
How does it work? What are my options for surf lessons if I am staying at Las Catalinas?
Private surf lessons are highly recommended, for the simple fact that they are more personalized. You know your family and friends, and how everyone behaves in certain situations. When you invite strangers into the mix, you never know if one will be super scared, needing intensive instruction from the surf coach, leaving the rest of you with less attention than you would like.
Surf Lessons are really affordable in Costa Rica, and worth a little splurge on yourself. Here are some options:
Private 90 minute lesson for up to 4 people: $120 total cost
Private 2 hr lesson for up to 4 people: $160 total cost
Private 90 minute lesson for up to 8 people: $240 total cost
Private 2 hr lesson for up to 8 people: $320 total cost
For highest safety measures, we allocate one instructor per 4 people over 12 years old. Families with little ones under 12 might choose to add an extra surf instructor, or simply take turns so that safety remains paramount.
All our instructors receive regular updates to first aid, CPR training, and can be counted upon in an emergency.
How do I get there?
You have several options to get to Playa Grande from Las Catalinas. As a guest of Las Catalinas, you can book a surf lesson with Frijoles Locos Surf School online and add the option for transportation, and it will all be taken care of for you. Round trip cost is $80USD.
The concierge at Las Catalinas can also book your surf lessons for you. They have a great team, including Mhairi, Fabio, Maria Jose and Estefania, among others!
You may choose to save some money and drive yourselves, if you already have a rental car. Don’t worry, we provide detailed, super clear driving directions so you won’t get lost!
What if we don’t all want to surf?
Easy! Frijoles Locos can provide rental of shade tents, a cooler with ice, beach chairs, boogie boards and even stock you up with some of Playa Grande’s own micro-brew beer! Chill out on the white sandy beach while the rest of your crew surf, and take in the surroundings.
After the surf lesson, we can guide you to one of our favorite restaurants in Playa Grande- there are so many good options on places to eat and drink in Playa Grande, you will be pleasantly surprised!
If you choose to have us arrange transport, you might like to take the water taxi over to Tamarindo, and be picked up by your private transport van from Tamarindo after doing a little exploring there. Many options for a super fun day abound. Email us, or book now!
Ready to book? Click here and you won’t be disappointed!
Surf lessons Playa Grande
Surf Lessons Playa Grande 35 minutes from Las Catalinas
Playa Grande surf school
Playa Grande surf lessons
Las Catalinas Surf Lessons
Flamingo Surf Lessons
Playa Grande surf instructors
Frijoles Locos Surf Shop team
Intermediate surf lessons and coaching Playa Grande
Surf safety and surf etiquette are paramount to an enjoyable surf session for everyone involved.
Surfing is fun, it’s adrenaline-pumping and life-changing.
Surfing can also be dangerous to you, and those around you. Like any sport or activity, there are guidelines for best practices. Keep reading, to discover how you can maximize your own surf etiquette and general surf safety while minimizing the chance of accidents. No one wants to experience conflicts with other surfers, but everyone enjoys good vibes and good karma!
Select the most appropriate location for your skill level. If in doubt, ask your local surf shop.
The surfer closest to where the wave broke has priority, or in some places, it’s the person first on their feet. Use discretion and your observation skills and remember, if in doubt, don’t drop in!
Stay out of the way of other surfers- when paddling out, paddle towards the broken part of the wave so you avoid interfering with surfers on the green face.
Don’t be a wave hog- take turns, encourage others.
Be observant, pay attention at all times.
Assist a fellow surfer in trouble or distress.
Spend a little time speaking to locals before surfing- figure out the local vibe, how best to fit in.
Your board is a missile and has the potential to harm another person. Never ditch your board when a surfer is behind you- hold onto it like a life depends on it. Remember a 9ft board with a 9ft leash has a reach of close to 20 feet…. and your fellow surfer on a similar board has the same… try and keep a good 40ft from other beginners.
Surf etiquette is something all good surf schools should teach. A quality surf lesson, with a mature instructor and good track record will start you off on the right foot!
Remember to relax, have fun, and don’t be a jerk. Smile, share and lift the spirits of those around you. Before heading out to surf, consider a good warm up, a work-out, getting some of the extra energy out. In this way, you aren’t depending on catching 50 waves at the expense of everyone else’s fun!
Surf Lessons with Frijoles Locos, Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Shakas and surf. Playa Grande near Tamarindo.
How Beginner Surfers can Stand Up on a Wave their First Time Surfing
No doubt about it, learning to surf is hard! Here are 4 tips for beginner surfers, to ensure you stand up on a wave the first time you surf.
1/ Determine if you aregoofyor regular foot.
Goofy foot surfers have their right foot forward and regular foot surfers have their left foot forward. If you snowboard or skateboard, you should already know which of these you are. If not, have a friend push you from behind and whichever foot you step forward with first, becomes your front foot.
2/Practice pop-ups on the beach.
Draw a cross in the sand and lay down on it so your chest rests on the center of the cross. With hands in a wide push-up position, at chest level, draw your tummy in, to create space for your front leg to come through and plant your front foot at the center of the cross. Your back foot remains behind. Both your feet should be perpendicular to the vertical center line, not parallel as if you were skiing. Repeat, as many times as needed, until you nail the pop-up.
3/ Keep your hands flat.
Think stable table. Hands flat on the surfboard will keep the surfboard steady. A common beginner surfer mistake is to grab the edges of the surfboard like reading a book- it will rock and roll and you will fall off.
4/ White-water first.
Stay in the area of the beach where the waves have already broken. This area is referred to as the white-water. Allow the white-water waves to push you toward the beach, and stand up as soon as you feel the power and speed of the wave.
Safety tips:
Jump off the surfboard before the shallows, to avoid breaking the surfboard fins (and to avoid knee injury!)
Always cover your head with your arms before coming up for air after you fall off the board. This will help you avoid hitting your head on your board or fins.
Never surf alone.
Surf only where you would be also confident swimming.
Final words of advice: Invest in a surf lesson from a professional surf instructor. A good surf instructor will help you choose the right location, learn safety tips, improve faster, identify your mistakes, and make the whole experience more fun and rewarding. We look forward to taking you surfing.
Although our 6 year old charges these waves, doesn’t mean they are just for beginners! Something for everyone in Playa Grande.
PLAYA GRANDE:
Surfing Costa Rica- Playa Grande’s best spots and nearby surf breaks…To surf Playa Grande, Costa Rica you will need to access the beach at one of a few options. The main public beach access is at the end of the road straight down from Frijoles Locos Surf Shop, where Hotel Las Tortugas is, and 200 meters north of here known as ‘the palm trees’. Palm trees are great for families, offering good shade. Both places have guarded parking for $2 per vehicle. Don’t leave anything in the car anywhere, ever!
Palm Trees surf spot is closest to Casa Costa Palmera, Casa Sylmar, Casa Blanca, Villa Siempre, Villa Olivia and Casa Mirage.
Nearby the rock there is a wedgy beach break but not good for beginners. Beginner surfers should stick to Palm Trees or between Casa Mirage and around 100m north of Hotel Las Tortugas.
There is parking in front of RipJack Inn also, but not guarded. No matter what, never leave anything in your car. Ever.
Head high to a 6 ft surfer. Double overhead to a 6 year old.
It takes a good 25-30 minutes to walk to or from the Tamarindo estuary to the main peak in front of Hotel Las Tortugas. Main peak has plenty of crowd, plenty of vibe, and should only be surfed by competent strong intermediates and up.
Palm Beach Estates to the south end of Playa Grande has a long stretch of beach with breaks all along. Sandy bottom… tends to have more walled up waves but can be fun on the right day.
Casitas is at the very south of the beach before the river-mouth.
Other nearby breaks include Playa Avellanas (all levels of surfer), Playa Frijolar (Marbella), Junquillal and Playa Negra (truly advanced surfers only).
Check out our Driving Directions blog to access information on how to get to some of those other surf breaks mentioned.
Rent your surfboards from Frijoles Locos and ensure that you have something great to ride, that the airlines haven’t damaged en-route or charged you a fortune to carry!
Max of 4 students per instructor for group surf lessons (less if kids involved)
Frijoles Locos Surf School, provides quality surf classes, with safety the highest priority. Undoubtedly, the fun, excitement, laughs, and all round great physical work out will boost endorphins and leave you feeling like you achieved something while on your Costa Rican vacation.
Playa Grande, located in the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is a long sandy beach, with no rocks or reef and consistent waves, suitable for all levels of surfer. The beach has many surf spots to utilize, to escape the crowds and find your very own area on which to practice.
Surf lessons with Frijoles Locos Surf School include 90 minutes of professional instruction, the use of the surfboard for the duration of the lesson, quality long-sleeved rashguards to protect your skin against abrasions/ rash from the surf board, and transportation within Playa Grande.
Frijoles Locos Surf Shop offers surf classes for all levels. Our most commonly requested lesson is the beginner surf lesson. Intermediates or those wanting to get comfortable at a new break can request a surf coach to accompany them for a surf session. Advanced coaching is available upon request.
Budding young surfers can enjoy a lesson, from age 3 and up. These menehunes as they are called in Hawaii, or Groms as the Aussies call tiny-tot surfers, will require one-on-one instruction and advance notification will be necessary. There is nothing like seeing your little one enjoying the beauty and natural rush of catching a wave.
Parents of younger children have expressed interest in having an introductory surf lesson for kids as young as 3 years old. We take each child on a case-by-case basis and with the parent’s involvement, can create a fun start to surfing for these little ones too. The tide will be very low, the water very shallow, and safety paramount.
We have taught hundreds of visitors to surf, with instructors who are CPR qualified, mature minded, and with years of ocean experience. Safety is #1 priority, and we use the best equipment (Gnaraloo soft surfboards), the best surf instructors, and select the best part of the beach to learn to surf on any given day.
Many of our customers come from the Papagayo region, as Playa Grande is one of the closest and best surfing beaches in relation to the Papagayo area. Playas del Coco, Ocotal, Riu Guanacaste, Westin, Playa Danta, and the Flamingo area are all within easy driving distance to Playa Grande for surf lessons. Call us if you would like transportation arranged or require driving directions. Driving directions can also be found in our Blog.
Check out these photos of surfers of all ages having the time of their lives and we look forward to seeing you here doing the same.
Contact us to pre-book your surf lessons for your next visit.
