Surf Lessons Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Learn to Surf with Frijoles Locos
Costa Rica & surfing go together like peanut butter & jelly!
Your trip to Costa Rica wouldn’t be complete without the thrill of catching your first wave! Having a surf lesson in Costa Rica is like jelly to peanut butter!
From beginner surf lessons to surf coaching for accomplished surfers, Frijoles Locos Surf Shop in Playa Grande offers a complete range of surf lesson options. People of all ages, from kids to grandparents, enjoy our professional, fun, and safe surf instruction.
We employ responsible, mature, patient and enthusiastic surfers who love the sport and love to teach. All our instructors are ISA/ILS certified and up to date on aquatic rescue and life saving.
We aim to make your first and following surfing experiences fun while safe, and will take you to the places with the best conditions to learn on.
Key Details of Our Playa Grande Surf Lessons
Playa Grande is very tide dependent and our surf lesson schedule is dictated by the tides. It certainly is best to arrange any activities ahead of time. Our surf lessons fill up so we encourage you to have a think about how many lessons you might like while you are here and we can give you a suggested schedule (the tides change daily and the best times for learning are different each day). *A note on “intermediate” lessons* We receive a lot of requests for intermediate lessons. An “Intermediate” or “Beginner Intermediate” needs to be able to paddle out into the lineup under his/her own power and consistently catch waves unassisted and at least go straight. Please don’t request an intermediate or beginner intermediate lesson if you don’t meet these minimums! Don’t worry – We’ll help you get there!!
- Minimum 4 people to form a group.
- Cost $40 per person.*
- 90 minutes instruction time.
- Board and rash-guard included for lesson duration.
- Minimum age 12 years.
- Best for first-time surfers learning in a group environment.
Semi-Private lesson
- Minimum 2 people.
- Maximum 3 people.
- Cost $60 per person.*
- 90 minutes instruction time.
- Board and rash-guard included for lesson duration.
- Best for families with children under 12 years old, who are not permitted to participate in a regular group lesson for safety reasons, couples and small groups who want personalized attention.
- One-on-one instruction.
- Cost $120.*
- 90 minutes instruction time.
- Board and rash-guard included for lesson duration.
- Best for intermediate surfers that would like to bring their surfing to the next level, individual children or beginners who want personalized attention.
Reserve online to make your reservation asap! Our years of experience as an established surf school business combined with how we only schedule lessons at the best possible time dictated by the tides, means space is limited!
*NOTE: According to Costa Rican tax law, in effect as of July 1st, 2019, our surf lesson rates include the 13% sales tax.
Why Playa Grande for Surf Lessons?
Uncrowded beach. Room to move. Focus on learning, not obstacles!
Obviously, you have the entire country of Costa Rica to choose from as your surf lesson destination, so why Playa Grande? There are a few reasons. Lack of crowds is one big reason. When learning to surf, the last thing you want is to be among 50 other beginners taking their first surf lesson.
Playa Grande literally translates to “big beach,” with plenty of space for our surf instructors to select a quiet, uncrowded location for your surf lesson. Playa Grande is a long stretch of beach, which, at the most southerly point intersects with Tamarindo. Typically, the south end of Playa Grande beach has the smallest waves most suitable for beginner surf lessons.
There may be some days where it just is not the right conditions for lessons, and we will advise you of this, suggesting another, more suitable day.
For us, it is much more important that you enjoy your surfing experiences here in Playa Grande, and that you are taken surfing when the conditions facilitate this.
Guided Surf Trips to Playa Grande
Guided surf trips are available to Playa Grande, Avellanas, Marbella, Little Hawaii, and other secret spots!
It will depend on what the waves are doing (swell and wind etc) as to where you are taken. The furthest point away is Marbella, and takes a little over an hour to get there. With this time frame, you are looking at almost 3 hours of water time.
Includes: Door to door transportation, surf guide to help you maximize YOUR wave count (not his), cooler with ice, water, juice, fresh pineapple, and a beer each. Spare wax, spare leashes, spare fins in case you break your own.
Guided Surf Trips
Based on Availability
Email us for quotes tailored to your group and book ahead!
Lifeguard Service
2 Hours
$60
Transportation to Playa Grande
Best Surf Lessons I have ever had!
I am a beginner-intermediate surfer who has only surfed 4 times (all with lessons) before coming to Costa Rica. I took a 2 hour lesson, two days in a row. The head instructor JJ is fantastic. We spent the time working on fundamentals, technique, and remaining calm in the water. I felt myself improve in all 3 areas. On the second day I was able to surf a 5′ wave for over 100 yards, first time ever! All credit goes to JJ, he really helped me improve in a short period of time.
They are extremely safety conscious and very attentive to their clients.
Highly recommend!! I will definitely be back for more next time I’m in Costa Rica!
cb1512 / TripAdvisor