Best Surf Schools and Retreats
One of the best surf spots in the world is without a doubt Nosara, rated even by National Geographic as such. Playa Guiones in particular comes first due to the consistency of its waves and that along the 7 kms beach there’s good waves for all, from beginners to the most advanced surfers. Aside from its natural beauty and warm waters. Nearby there are many other surfing beaches for different experience levels. Take a look at the best surf schools if you’re looking for learning or improving your skills.
Agua Tibia
Just steps to the beach, in the quiet south entrance to Guiones, Agua Tibia is an eco conscious surf school. Run by locals who grew up surfing, with instructors that are experienced and trained lifeguards. They are friendly, patient and always focused on your safety and fun. The school offers private and group surf lessons, packages and surf trips with excellent quality surfboards and a small shop. The lessons are 90 minutes long, suited for anyone from kids to seniors of all levels, and all equipment is provided. In case you want to save the moment, there’s a professional surf photographer ready to immortalized your best wave.
Nosara Tico
One of the major surf schools in town, Nosara Tico is owned by passionate local surfers, three friends that decided to open a school and fulfilled their dream. All of them are experienced instructors, some even with professional level that had participated in competitions, and ISA trained. The school has a surf shop with clothing, skateboarding gear and beach accessories. The lessons are 90 minutes long with everything provided and you can keep the board for 90 minutes more to practice your recently learned skills. For all ages and all levels, there are private and group lessons, packages and surf trips. Learn about the tico culture with their friendly instructors.
Coconut Harry’s
Coconut Harry’s has two convenient locations. One is just steps from the main entrance to Guiones beach, where they hold over 150 surfboards for rental along with SUP boards, boogies, snorkeling gear, beach chairs, coolers and umbrellas. The other location is a surf shop on the main road with everything you need for your beach vacation. The school offers surf lessons and packages with ISA Certified local instructors. All equipment is included, and video analysis is available if you want to have a better understanding of your surfing. Lessons are for all ages and levels. Besides all that, they can help you with booking activities and tours to make the best out of your stay in Nosara.
Chorotegas Surf School
A favourite for locals and tourists alike, the instructors of Chorotegas Surf School are not only passionate surfers, but proud of their heritage. Chorotega is the name of the indigenous group that inhabits the Nicoya Peninsula, so you can learn about surfing and about Costa Rican culture as well. They have private, couple and group lessons, beginners of all ages, with video analysis. For intermediate and advanced levels they have surf coaching, surfboard rentals, repairs, and surf trips to nearby surfing hotspots. The school can help with accommodation (at Mamma Rosa), transportation from/to the airport, car rentals, babysitting, and participating in other activities like local soccer games, tours, massages, private meals with a local chef, yoga, etc.
Safari Surf
With more than 20 years of experience, Safari Surf’s instructors are all locals, with ISA certification and trained in water rescue. Focused on immersion into the local Tico culture as well as surfing, the school offers surf lessons for all levels with video surf coach analysis and all end surf equipment included. They also have SUP lessons and surf trips, and all inclusive surf camps with different packages to suit your needs, like a special kids camp, a women’s retreat or a backpackers package. Known for a solid sustainable business philosophy, they offer volunteer opportunities for the students with the local community, the equipment and older boards are changed yearly and donated to the local community, and they’re part of the Pack for a Purpose initiative where you can donate to the community.
Selva Surf School
Selva Surf School it’s right at the main entrance of Guiones beach, which makes its location specially comfortable. Their mission is that people can understand the true philosophy of surfing to understand themselves better and enjoy the power of nature surrounding them. Selva offers private, semi private or group surf lessons with local instructors. They have surfboard rentals, surf coaching, surf camps and specialised surf trips.
Jade Retreat
Although there is a definite surf “lifestyle”, once surfing is coached as a sport it suddenly makes it more accessible to the 99% of us who can’t just “paddle out and do it”. Ten Toes are a technical surf coaching centre striving to teach surfing in a step-by-step method. Through the use of a range of methodologies such as technique coaching, video analysis, and surf theory we personalize our catering for the individual..
The Gilded Iguana
The Gilded Iguana has a Surf Club steps from the beach at North Guiones entrance. You can take private, semi private or group lessons with ISA certified instructors for all levels. Owning a membership to the club gives you full access to over 150 high quality surfboards, SUP's, boogie boards, skimboards, and beaters. It also includes storage, locker room, changing stalls, showers, surf lounge, and a juice bar to refresh yourself after a session at the beach.
Nosara CR Surf School
In Nosara CR their goal is to help you to take your surfing to the next level with surf coaching that is personalized for your surfing ability and goals. They teach their students to view the ocean with a surfer’s eye and as a local school, they are concerned with giving something back to the community, and the protection of the beaches. They have private, semi private and group lessons, packages, surf rentals, and video analysis so you can review what you’re doing and how you can improve. And you can also rent SUP and kayak equipment and hire tours.
Bodhi Del Mar
Founded by a local woman, the school started empowering women many years ago, and now is extended to anyone that wants to participate. Kids, women and men from any skill level can take surf lessons with instructors that are certified in CPR, First Aid and Water Rescue. All equipment is included in the 2 hours lessons. They offer surf coaching, advanced surf tours, exclusive surf retreats with professional surfers and all inclusive surf camps. There’s packages for Surf and Yoga, and Surf and Spanish as well. The school helps with reservations for tours, massages and yoga.
And if you want to take your surfing to the next level there are many surf retreats in Nosara:
Surf Simply
A world renowned all inclusive surf retreat, Surf Simply makes your surf trip easy and fun. Through the use of high tech and ISA and ILSF qualified coaches, they teach you how to teach yourself to surf. The school takes care of every detail of your trip, you just need to relax and enjoy. They use a combination of video analysis, stretching classes, theory lessons (like lectures about surfboard mechanics, wave forecasting, etiquette), and in-water coaching with two-a-day surfs. There are options for every level. The resort has 10 bedrooms with wifi, a/c, king size bed, a swimming pool, shared living and dining area, hot tub, stretch room, fire pit, open bar, and 3 meals included, and a private path to the beach just steps away from your room. Besides surfing, you can enjoy massages, yoga, biking, tours and more. Just be sure to make your reservation ahead because it is a highly demanded school!
Safari Surf
With more than 20 years of experience, Safari Surf’s instructors are all locals, with ISA certification and trained in water rescue. Focused on immersion into the local Tico culture as well as surfing, the school offers surf lessons for all levels with video surf coach analysis and all end surf equipment included. They also have SUP lessons and surf trips, and all inclusive surf camps with different packages to suit your needs, like a special kids camp, a women’s retreat or a backpackers package. You can choose from different accommodation options to suit your budget needs. Known for a solid sustainable business philosophy, they offer volunteer opportunities for the students with the local community, the equipment and older boards are changed yearly and donated to the local community, and they’re part of the Pack for a Purpose initiative where you can donate to the community.
Corky Carroll’s
Corky Carroll’s was the first surf camp in the area of Nosara, established during the 90’s. This popular all inclusive experienced is guaranteed to help you learn or improve your surfing skills while you just have to enjoy and relax the Pura Vida. They offer one on one morning surf coaching with video review, sunset group surfing, and over 100 quality surfboards. They make a video of your surf footage during the camp so you can have a souvenir of your experience. They have their own accommodations, six private studio style bungalows within a 4 minute walk to the beach. The camp includes daily housekeeping and weekly laundry service, swimming pool, transportation, 3 meals with delicious family style cuisine, and drinks like juices and beer.
Moana Surf Resort
Moana is a beachfront resort with a passion for surfing. The hotel has a jungle path that will take you to the waves in a couple of minutes. Everything designed for your comfort so you only need to focus on surfing. They have a live surf cam so you can check the waves any time, you can ask for surf lessons for all levels and coaching with all surf equipment included, guided surf trips, video analysis, surf photography, surf specific stretch lessons in the yoga studio and free surf boards. Moana groms is a special class for kids 5 to 12 years old. The resort has spacious suites with a television, a kitchenette, and some even have an ocean view. There’s an open shared lounge, an outdoor pool, a yoga deck, and for a fee you can have massages at the hotel.
Bodhi Tree
Bodhi Tree is the perfect resort for those looking for a complete wellness experience. Bodhi Tree is all about luxury and tranquility, so you only have to think about your surfing. They have their own surf school, Bodhi Del Mar, certified through the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). All of Bodhi Del Mar instructors are certified in CPR, First Aid and Water Rescue. There are private or group surf lessons, for all levels, and they have surf tours to Playa Garza, Ostional, Marbella or Camaronal if are adventurous. The resort has a saltwater swimming pool, a bar and restaurant, a juice bar, a gym, a pilates center, a spa, a boutique and other wellness facilities. They have different options for accomodations, from a villa, room, bungalow or even shared beds in rooms for 3. And a service of free shuttles to the beach and around the town.
Surf Bikini Retreat
Surf Bikini presents women the opportunity of an all women’s surf and yoga retreat, so you can feel free and relaxed in a friendly environment. Everything is personalized so they don’t take more than 8 guests per week. You’ll have in-water coaching, theory lessons and video feedback with an all-female coaching team, adapted to your specific needs, level and goals. There’s also yoga lessons to help you focus, and you can choose to make yoga the main priority of your stay. Surf Bikini offers cabinas and rooms with a swimming pool, a/c, and private baths. The package includes 7 nights with massage, photo shoot, three healthy meals, sunset cocktails, outdoor activities, and unforgettable people.