Tamarindo Surf Camps & Stays: 5 Great Picks for 2027

Quick-click links to our top surf camps in Tamarindo

• Iguana Surf Camp – Arguably Tamarindo’s most famous surf camp – and that was before the $1 renovation!
• Rapture Surf Camp – Famous brand doing their thing in a lovely corner of the coast south of Tamarindo
• Playa Grande Surf Camp – Jungle-style camp in the wilds of Playa Grande
• Zen Garden Tamarindo – For peace and quiet
• La Botella de Leche Hostel – Bargain beds and night time parties

Iguana Surf Camp

Arguably Tamarindo’s most famous surf camp – and that was before the $1 renovation!

Of all the places in Tamarindo, it’s the small and welcoming Iguana Surf Camp that we think hits most of the right notes.

Catering best to beginners and lower intermediates, it’s aimed squarely at that demographic that most needs surf camps and most needs the cruisy waves of Tamarindo itself.

What’s more, the in-house surf teachers been doing this for more than three decades and have ISA-level qualifications (some 1, some 2), so know a thing or two about helping folks progress from whitewash to green waves and making it fun along the way.

There are multiple accommodation tiers. Go private and bag yourself a lovely beachside cottage that’s steps from the waves. Or book the shared dorm to keep costs on the down low.

Whichever you plump for, you can look forward to 4x 120-minute surf lessons and unlimited board rental for your entire stay. There’s also a very enlightening video analysis sesh to help you overcome those bad habits before they set in.

Iguana stays firmly on this list of Tamarindo picks this year, and sits plum on our selection of camps in the whole of Costa Rica.

Check prices and availability at Iguana Surf Camp

Rapture Surf Camp

Famous brand doing their thing in a lovely corner of the coast south of Tamarindo

Rapture is now probably one of the biggest names in the surf camp world, having been running surf trips since 2003, with locations across Bali, Portugal and Costa Rica – so, all the good ones then

Their Costa Rican outpost is actually down in Playa Avellanas, a little south of Tamarindo (about 30 mins driving), where a jungle-backed property provides the setting for a seriously sociable surf getaway.

It’s a pretty cool setup, complete with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, outdoor cinema and dedicated recovery area.

But the real draw is the surfing. Daily lessons and guiding cater to all levels, with ISA-certified coaches making use of the shifting beach peaks at Avellanas and nearby breaks like Little Hawaii and Playa Negra, which are often wayyyy less busy than spots in Tamarindo proper.

That means beginners can build confidence on the inside while experienced surfers have some cracking reef waves to explore.

Packages include accommodation, board rental, video analysis, yoga, breakfasts and dinners. We particularly like that you can book additional coaching or guiding to suit your level.

A solid all-rounder from a brand with more than two decades of experience, which really stands out because it’s NOT in Tamarindo, but in a wilder and stunning little corner of the coastline.

Check prices and availability at Rapture Surf Camp

Playa Grande Surf Camp

Jungle-style camp in the wilds of Playa Grande

Playa Grande Surf Camp is a cracking choice for anyone who likes their surf accommodation a little rustic.

Tucked into tropical greenery just steps from Playa Grande, north of Tamarindo, this small camp has a real jungle-hideaway feel. Think wooden A-frame cabins, open-air treehouse rooms with hammocks and a swimming pool surrounded by palms.

There’s also a shared dorm for budget travelers and an on-site restaurant, Café Mar Azul.

The surfing is equally appealing. Playa Grande is one of Guanacaste’s more consistent beach breaks, with forgiving whitewater for first-timers and punchier outside peaks when the swell picks up, especially around the rivermouth areas.

The camp runs two-hour lessons for different abilities, with small groups and private coaching available. They also do more fully-loaded seven-night surf packages, which include six lessons, unlimited board use, airport transfers and six breakfasts or lunches.

It’s likely to be a lovely alternative to Tamarindo’s busier surf scene, especially if you’re after something small-scale and close to nature.

Check prices and availability at Playa Grande Surf Camp

Zen Garden Tamarindo

For peace and quiet

Not everyone comes to Tamarindo looking for surf camps with packed schedules and nightly parties. If you’d rather have somewhere peaceful to return to after a day in the water, Zen Garden Tamarindo could be just the ticket.

It’s located in the quieter neighborhood of Playa Langosta, around five minutes’ drive from central Tamarindo, with just three private villas tucked around a shared swimming pool.

The accommodation looks lovely, with king-sized beds, fully equipped kitchens and separate living spaces. It’s adults-only, too, so you can expect a more laid-back atmosphere than at the backpacker hostels in town – crucially, WITHOUT any kiddos running around.

The nearby beach at Langosta isn’t brill for surf, but is amazing for sunsets. Still, the accessible and easier beach peaks at Tamarindo are still within walking distance through the backstreets.

There’s no organized surf coaching here, so you’ll need to arrange lessons or rentals independently. But for couples and independent surfers who want peace, privacy and easy access to the waves, it’s an excellent-looking option.

Check prices and availability at Zen Garden Tamarindo

La Botella de Leche Hostel

Bargain beds and night time parties

La Botella de Leche Hostel straddles the boundary between rambunctious backpacker hangout and full-blown surf camp. It occupies a perfect spot between the Tamarindo Night Market and the main party strips close to the beach, and fields what’s likely to be among the most affordable surf and stay options in town.

Over six days, you’ll complete four fully guided surf lessons. They usually take place on Tamarindo Playa itself and are mainly suited to lower intermediates and below. That said, the vibe in the lessons is more casual than it is in out-and-out surf camps in the town, which is why we usually suggest this for complete novices who just want to sample the sport without being overwhelmed with technical input and whatnot.

Guests can also make the most of free surfboard rental for the whole week, so you can pack more practice sessions in between lessons, and a crocodiles tour, for a bit of bonding over CR’s deadly river reptiles when you aren’t doing battle with the waves.

Check prices and availability at La Botella de Leche Hostel

Why take a surf camp in Tamarindo?

Camps are a cracking option if you want to surf but don’t want the hassle of planning anything.

We’d say they’re especially fantastic for beginner surfers on account of the tuition and guided surfing that’s included. Most come with at least a single guided surf session every day of the week. Some will have two sessions daily.

And when we say guided, we mean you basically get constant feedback and tips on what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it. Most camps also back that up with out-of-the-water theory sessions and video analysis. 

Most of all, though, these Tamarindo surf camps really simplify the whole experience. Costa Rica can be a tricky place to come for surfing if it’s your first time because different breaks work on different tides and wind and whatnot. Here, you’ll get the local know-how to pick the right spot at the right moments, plus all the tuition and gear rental you could need for however long you’re in town.

The alternative would be to book your hotel and then book surf lessons or surf guiding when you arrive (or beforehand) with either your hotel or a third-party. That works well if you don’t mind sorting the logistics and tends to be better if you’re an advanced surfer who might not need lessons each day. (For that, be sure to check out our pick of the best uber-lux surf hotels in Costa Rica!)