Tamarindo surf camps are among the most popular surf stays in Costa Rica. They make the most of the beginner-friendly waves of Playa Tamarindo and offer a full surf package in a town that’s now up there with the most famous learn-to-surf destinations on the globe.
Tamarindo certainly isn’t the secret it was back in the 70s. Where there was once a sleepy little Tico fishing village with peeling rivermouth waves left unridden, there’s now one of the most happening surf towns in the whole of Central America. It’s boomed with everything from reggae bars to karaoke joints, sleek coast hotels with infinity pools to surf camps of all shapes and sizes.
You might spend hours lamenting the lost paradise that once was, but there’s also a plus side to the development. We direct your attention to those aforementioned surf camps, which have transformed Tamarindo into what we consider to be one of the best places to learn wavecraft anywhere on Earth. They offer first-time surfers the full introduction, making the most of Playa Tamarindo’s uber-accessible, bite-sized waves to get you on the water without too much stress.
On top of that, there are a select few Tamarindo surf camps that deserve plaudits because of the sheer quality of the accommodation and service they offer. We’re talking uber-cool pads with designer interiors, tailor-made itineraries that really help you squeeze all the experience you can from Costa Rica, and highly qualified surf instructors that guarantee you’ll leave the beach with plenty of waves under your belt. Those are the ones we focus on right here…
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This is just one part of our complete overall guide to surfing in Costa Rica
Iguana Surf Camp
- Location: Tamarindo
- Best for: The best all-round surf camp (mainly for beginners)
- Price: 7 days/6 nights starting at $861 (£727) per person
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 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, 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 four times 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.
La Botella de Leche Hostel
- Location: Tamarindo
- Best for: Partiers, backpackers, and complete novice surfers
- Price: 6 days/5 nights starting at $509 (£430) per person
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 one of the most affordable surf and stay packages in the whole town – you’re looking at a little over $450 for a full six dayer here.
Over those 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.
Dreamsea Costa Rica
- Location: Finca Los Jobos, Tamarindo
- Best for: For reconnecting with nature
- Price: 8 days/7 nights starting at $366 (£309) per person
Get back to basics with a trip to Dreamsea Costa Rica. As eco-conscious as they come, this is a Tamarindo surf camp with a difference. It swaps a glitzy beachfront location for a 15,000-square-meter dash of coastal jungle up in the hills. That’s where you’ll stay, in either a shared bunk in the Dreamsea dorm or in a private glamping tent, falling asleep to the sound of howler monkeys and rustling teak trees.
What we love is that the full eight-day package here should set you back around the $500 mark, which is nowhere near as hefty a price tag as lots of other surf camps in the region. For that, you’ll score daily surf lessons, transport to and from one of the four local beach breaks, and a off-water practical theory session to help you with the basics of pop-up technique.
The Beach Bungalows
- Location: Tamarindo
- Best for: DIY surf holidays filled with chilling
- Price: Deals start at $559 (£472) for five nights per couple
A series of ramshackle bungalows nestled in the green jungles some 750 yards from the main Tamarindo Playa, The Beach Bungalows is a fine place to bed down if you want to surf, chill, and surf some more. It’s a booking only surf camp options, which means you’ll need to sort gear rentals and the rest all on your own. That shouldn’t be too much of a chore though – there are umpteen options on the street leading to the waves.
The pads range from small cottage-style boltholes to bigger casitas that have air con. All have ensuite bathrooms and access to a central pool that’s surrounded by colorful Tico flowers and plants. The breakfasts at the hotel are divine but do cost extra. The whole place is also digital-nomad friendly, just in case you were planning on bringing the laptop in tow.
Selina Tamarindo
- Location: Tamarindo
- Best for: The best for digital nomad surfers
- Price: 8 days/7 nights starting at $944 ($797) per person
Selina is a brand that evokes anger in some surf travelers and sighs of adoration in others. We can see why. Some of their outlets can feel a little bit like they’ve rolled off a factory line; a touch impersonal; visited only by “digital nomads” who talk the talk but don’t really get anything done. This one’s not like that. Nope, the Tamarindo edition of Selina is a vibrant gathering place for remote workers come surf learners. And they’ve put together an affordable bare bones surf package to cater to that exact crowd…
Cue the eight-day wellness and surf trip. Loaded with five surf lessons and three yoga/Pilates sessions, it promises to be a great week of healthy living away from the Rat Race. You’ll be able to fuel up with the included breakfasts each morning. Plus, the price includes lunches and three dinners throughout the week.
What helps Selina stand out from the crowd in our opinion is the comprehensive provision for remote workers. There’s lightning-fast WiFi throughout, plenty of quiet desk spaces, and a choice of bargain shared dorms and private doubles. The downside? Sadly, equipment rental only covers the period of your surf lessons, so you have to pay for boards if you want to surf any extra.
Why take a surf camp in Tamarindo?
Camps are a cracking option all round. 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.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
