If you are looking to learn how to surf while visiting Manuel Antonio, you are in the right place.
Whether you are joining us for our Starter Costa Rica trip or visiting Manuel Antonio on your own, we have the insider information and know the best local spot.
Surfing in Costa Rica
People from around the world come to surf in Costa Rica.
Not only does it have some of the best surf, but the views are top notch as well. In fact, Costa Rica is one of the top surfing tourist destinations in the world.
And, unlike many other places, it can be enjoyed year round. For all 365 days of the year in Manuel Antonio, the weather remains warm enough to want to cool yourself in the water, while the water temperature remains comfortably steady in the low 80s.
In other words, you don’t have to worry about squeezing into a wetsuit or finding the courage to jump in cold ocean water. It will feel like just the right temperature.
To top it all off, surfing here is affordable. Surfers come out and stay for a week in a hostel right on the beach for about $15 bucks per night.
Fortunately for you, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica doesn’t disappoint.
Known as the best beach in Costa Rica (by many sources) and one of the top 15 beaches in the world, Playa Manuel Antonio is not only gorgeous, but boasts a healthy & friendly surf as well.
Surf Lessons
After spending the last several years here surfing and helping others receive surf lessons, we have discovered the number one local business to help you catch a wave.
The company is called, Blue Horizon Surf And Trips, and is comprised of local Costa Rican surfers whom have literally spent most of their days on the beach or on a board. They’ve been around for a while and are showing no signs of slowing down.
In fact, they’ve been steadily increasing their business since day 1.
How? Reputation.
These guys have a success rate of over 90%. This means that for every 100 people who purchase lessons, 90 of them will stand up and ride a wave by the end of the day.
Not bad, huh?
After working with them several times, we were able to see this for ourselves. People who never thought they’d be able to stand up and surf were consistently finding themselves surfing a wave with a HUGE smile on their face.
But that isn’t even the best part. Sure, lessons are great, but surfing can be exhausting if you’ve never done it before. Especially when you’re lugging around a board that is bigger than you.
Well, rest assured, they has you covered. In addition to great instruction, the team actually gets in the water with you and handles the board as you dive under waves so you don’t have to.
Then, once they guide you to the right surf spot where the waves are breaking at just the right time, the crew gives you a strong push with the wave so you don’t have to paddle nearly as hard and can focus on the thing that matters: standing up and riding that wave.
Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, there’s a few more perks.
Details
After trying out several companies, we’ve found that a lot of them just provide instructions, give you a board and then cut you loose to navigate the ocean yourself.
Not these guys. We’ll walk you through a lesson so you get an idea of everything that is covered.
First, you arrive and meet the friendly crew who speaks great English, or they pick you up from your local hotel and bring you to the beach. To be honest, the staff is one of the best parts. The instructors are funny, entertaining, and very accommodating.
Then, they’ll invite you to set down your personal belongings in their gazebo tent which provides plenty of shade for when you need to take a break, as well as chairs so you don’t have to sit in the sand. To be sure your valuables are protected, they always have somebody on shore keeping an eye on the tent so you can focus on surfing.
Next, they provide you with a wet suit top (rash guard) at no extra cost. It is optional, but we recommend it since it allows you to stick to the board a little better and protects your chest from being rubbed raw from the board.
Then, you’ll gather around for a group dynamic instruction (in English) before heading out to the water. Basic techniques are explained and demonstrated. Participants are encouraged to try out the techniques as well so when you hit the water, you’re ready to surf.
After teaching you the basics, you’ll get a chance to grab some ice cold water or Gatorade that they provide for you. This is clutch. Costa Rica can be hot and your water supply will likely be warm and low. Having a chance to grab some cold water before hitting those waves is huge.
Now that you are fueled up and understand the technique, it’s time to put it into practice and surf in Costa Rica.
The crew leads you out into the ocean carrying your board for you and helps you get to the place you need to be for optimal waves.
Don’t worry, they talk you through everything and make you feel very comfortable. So comfortable in fact, you will be excited.
Surf And Trips has been doing this for a while and they know the right wave for you. Trust their experience. When it comes along, they’ll give you the perfect push that will allow you to focus on standing up and riding your wave.
After your ride is over, they’ll even be swimming towards you to help you with your board so you can do it all over again. A crucial service that encourages you to focus on your surfing and not hauling your lengthy board around.
When you’ve had enough surfing for the day, you get to retreat back to the shaded gazebo tent where cold water, Gatorade, and even fresh fruit is waiting for you. Feel free to plop down on one of the provided chairs and take it all in. You will have deserved it.
Cost & Location
At Surf And Trips, the cost for a 3 hour lesson is $70 and includes the following:
- Transportation to and from your local hotel/villa
- Surfboard
- Bilingual Instructors
- Cold beverages
- Fresh, local fruit
- Beach chairs & shaded cabana
- Rash Guards
But the best part isn’t the service, crew, or price. It’s the location.
Located right in the middle of the best beach in Costa Rica, Surf Trips has an office with one of the best views in the world. When you arrive at Playa Manuel Antonio at the bottom of the hill and near the National Park, you will see a lot of activity.
Walk North past the beach umbrellas and chairs and head towards the large rock in the distance that is half on shore, and half in the ocean. About halfway between those umbrellas and that rock, you will find a big blue gazebo tent, a lot of surfboards, and a group of Costa Ricans that you will know are surfers the moment you see them.
This, is Surf And Trips. Of course, you can contact them before and they'll pick you up, but we encourage you to go say hi and see if it's the right fit for you.
Introduce yourself, tell them Under30Experiences sent you, and they will make you feel right at home in paradise.
