Jacó · Costa Rica · Warm water year-round
Catch your first wave before lunch.
Beginner-friendly surf lessons on Jacó’s sandy-bottom beach break, with ISA-certified local instructors and groups of 4 max. If you don’t stand up on day one, your next lesson is free.
Meet your instructor
Local born. In the water since he could walk.
Andrés Jiménez Rojas
Head instructor · ISA-certified
Andrés grew up on the sand of Playa Jacó and has been coaching first-time surfers here for over a decade. He reads the tide, picks your wave, and pushes you into it — so you get your win, not a lecture.
Lessons & prices
Pick your session. We handle the rest.
Every lesson includes your surfboard, wax and rash guard — plus transport depending on where you’re staying, and an instructor in the water with you the whole time.
Groups · All levels welcome
Group Lesson
$70 / person · 90 minutes
- Surfboard, wax & rash guard included
- Transport included, depending on where you’re staying
- Small groups — instructor in the water with you
- Land technique + full session in the water
1-on-1 · Fastest progress
Private Lesson
$100 / person · 90 minutes
- Everything in the group lesson, just for you
- Surfboard, wax & rash guard included
- Transport included, depending on where you’re staying
- Undivided attention from your instructor, every wave
Why Surf Lessons Jaco
Local instructors. Warm water. Zero intimidation.
We grew up surfing this exact beach break. We know where the sandbars are today — not where they were last season — and we teach at the tide window where beginners actually succeed.
How it works
From your phone to your first wave in 3 steps.
Book in 60 seconds
Message us on WhatsApp, pick a time slot, done. No prepayment needed — you pay at the beach, cash or card.
Meet us on the sand
Look for the yellow flags in front of Hotel Lia. Board, rash guard and sunscreen are waiting with your name on them.
Ride your first wave
15 minutes of technique on land, then straight into the water with your instructor pushing you into every wave.
Reviews
150 five-star stories and counting.
I was terrified of the ocean. Ninety minutes later I was riding waves and laughing. Andrés is the most patient human alive.
Booked over WhatsApp from the hotel pool, surfing by sunset the same day. The photos they sent us were incredible.
Did the 3-day camp. By day three I was catching green waves on my own. Best money I spent in Costa Rica, period.
Questions
Before you paddle out
Do I need to know how to swim?
Basic swimming is enough. Lessons happen in waist-to-chest-deep water over a sandy bottom, and your instructor never leaves your side.
What should I bring?
Just a swimsuit and a towel. Board, rash guard, leash and reef-safe sunscreen are included in every lesson.
What if the conditions are bad?
We watch the forecast daily. If the ocean isn’t safe or fun for beginners, we’ll message you to reschedule at no cost — or refund you fully.
Can kids take lessons?
Yes — ages 6 and up. Kids under 10 are automatically placed in private or semi-private format with our senior instructors.
How do I pay?
Cash (USD or colones) or card at the beach. No deposit required for standard bookings; groups of 6+ confirm with 30%.
Find us
Playa Jacó — in front of Hotel Lia
The ocean is warm right now
Your first wave is one message away.
Session times change with the swell — send us a WhatsApp and we’ll match you with the best tide window this week.
Book my lesson now