The 7 Best Surf Camps in Mexico for 2023

Mexico has to be up there with the world’s best surf camp destinations. There’s a whopping 4,500 miles of coastline up the Pacific Ocean here, and that means there are breaks big, small, ganrly, soft, cruisy, barreling – you name it. From the Baja in the north – long the province of cross-border surf adventures for rippers out of SoCal and the USA – to the still-undiscovered towns of Guerrero and Oaxaca in the south, there’s simply shed loads to get through.

A few key surf towns lead the way when it comes to surf camps in Mexico. They are:

• Sayulita – Probably the major learn-to-surf destination in Mexico. This one has very beginner-friendly breaks within walking distance of the center, but also lots in the surrounding region that’s good for intermediates.
• Puerto Escondido – The surf capital of Oaxaca. The place is actually famed for its MASSIVE beach barrels but winters bring small swells and surf camps here tend to venture to nearby waves that are more accessible, though we’d still say this is a better spot for intermediates.
• Cabo – The ultimate surf-holiday combo. Come here to surf fantastic breaks in the day and party at night. There’s something for all levels but we’d recommend the summer months when the waves at the entrance of the Sea of Cortez work best.

Now you have an idea of the lay of the land, let’s get to the specific surf camps. The last 10 years has been kind to the land of tacos and tequila on this front. There’s now everything from super-lux yoga retreats that’ll have you feeling like a Insta fitness influencer when they’re done to more hardcore surf packages that focus on hitting Mexican barrels. We’ll focus in on the lot…

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• Location: Sayulita
• Price: 8 days/7 nights at a private apartment starting at $7,968 (£6,544) per four-person group

We think the guys over at Yantara Retreats have been trailblazing a whole new genre of surf camp in the last few years. It’s like part Indian Ashram out of Rishikesh, part chilled wave escape a la Sri Lanka. Combine those and plonk the whole thing squarely in the jungles of Sayulita and you’re looking at one seriously fantastic stay.

Expect the 8-day package to be PACKED with activities. It’s got all the basics: Five two-hour surf lessons with a pro who’s competed at world level, 11 separate yoga sessions in a variety of disciplines, and all your accommodation in a selection of either shared or private rooms. Then come the extras – think apnea breathing practice in the pool with a trained leader, SUP sessions at the sunset hour, a hike up Monkey Mountain (one of the best things to do in Sayulita when you’re not surfing!), and whole load more.

The Yantara experience is all about nurturing body and soul to really squeeze your potential in all areas. Groups build strong connections with each other, develop calmness and an understanding of the ocean, and really drill down on the technicals in the water. We think it’s a fantastic choice for solo female travelers or groups of beginner surfers looking to set solid foundations for their wavecraft. We’ll also say this: There’s hardly a more gorgeous place to stay for surfing in Mexico. The rooms are spacious and authentic, the pool is amazing, and the food is all locally sourced and veggie-friendly.

• Location: Puerto Escondido
• Price: 8 days/7 nights in a private bungalow starting at $1,899 (£1,560) per person

The camps at Barbarenas aren’t for the frothing ripper who wants to hit wave after wave. They are for the surf-yoga travelers who like to take things slow, align those chakras, and enjoy the chilled vibes that the Pacific coast region has to offer. They take place in a lovely cabana-style hotel on the cliffs of Puerto Escondido. They’re the picture of eco luxury, offering balconies overlooking the coast jungles and walking access to the surf breaks.

Okay, so with a balance of three yoga classes per day and just one surf lessons every two days, this one’s not really about pushing those pop-up skills. What it does promise is plenty of chill time and a good bout of wave action to help you get started or to improve your surfing.

The overarching vibe is healthy living and healthy eating. Vegan breakfasts and lunches are part of the deal, as is all that meditation and pranayama practice. You’ll also get to holiday with a group of likeminded pals who’s main aim is typically to take it easy.

• Location: Playa Acapulco, Baja
• Price: 1-night stays starting at $431 (£354) per couple

Super-highly-rated Cabo Surf Hotel is up there with our top hotel picks for surfers in the whole world, let alone just Mexico. It sits smack dab on the edge of Playa Acapulquito, which has long, shouldering right handers that can barrel and section into rippable lips morning until night throughout the peak summer season. Yep, all that literally steps from the door to your suite.

The stay itself is corker. Rooms open onto breezy balconies that have 180-degree views of the Sea of Cortez and the point breaks working in the bay. There’s a gorgeous splash pool, multiple terraces for sunning yourself on in between sessions, and even a calendar of nightly entertainments.

The one thing to remember is that this stay is booking only, which means you don’t get surf lessons and guiding included. You just get the room. But that room will be a two-minute walk from one of the top all-level spots in the Baja. So there is that.

• Location: Sayulita
• Price: 7 nights starting at $218 (£179) per person

The popular Selina chain don’t seem to offer bookable packages at their outlet in Sayulita, but you can easily bag yourself a room and then add on extra surf lessons as you go. We mention it because the spot is among the best all-round surf-lifestyle solutions in what’s now unquestionably the most popular surf town on the Nayarit coast.

Guests can enlist on daily yoga programs, guided surf tours to La Lancha and beyond, group and private surf lessons, and a whole load more. It’s really up to you how much you do, depending on how much is in the budget or how many margaritas you had the night before. Ahem!

What we will say is that the accommodation at Selina is fantastic for digital nomads and solo travelers looking to meet and mingle with other likeminded folks, particularly in the under-35 category. The space has multiple communal hangout areas, a splash pool, garden cabanas, and an on-site eatery that does both Mexican and international breakfasts and brunches.

• Location: Troncones
• Price: 7 days/ 6 nights starting at $3,308 (£2,718) per 2 people

Troncones is one of the most upcoming surf towns in the country. It’s still relatively undiscovered, which means you shouldn’t find the breaks here packed to bursting like they can be in Sayulita and Puerto Escondido. On the downside, that means there aren’t all that many surf stays doing the business, apart from the Troncones Point Hostel, which is now established as the go-to in the region for surf vacays. At least in our opinion.

Join this 7-day package with them to get 11 surf sessions across seven different waves on the Guerrero coast. The guides know exactly what they’re doing, so you’ll surf the places that are working best in the prevailing swells and winds. Plus, all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included. The stay itself is charming and authentic, if basic. But there’s an onsite bar, great people, and you’re within walking distance of the main playa. There’s not much more to ask.

• Location: Puerto Escondido
• Price: 15 day/14 nights starting at $988 (£812) per person

There aren’t many surf schools in Mexico that put such an emphasis on technical development as the Oasis Surf House. They run two-week packages that all but guarantee you’ll graduate from whitewash to green waves and do it the right way, too – that means nipping the bad habits and building solid foundations for your surfing going forwards. We can see how they manage that…in-house instructor and course leader Roger Ramirez is one of the OG Mexican pros and has over 30 years of surf experience to his back.

Over a full fortnight, guests will go through 10 separate surf lessons of two hours each. Every single one has a limit of two learners to one instructor, and they’re all backed up by regular surf theory tutorials and out-of-water training lessons. There’s also a fitness program that runs alongside the surfing to develop strength and flexibility in core areas. See how they can guarantee that improvement?

You’ll be staying in a very nice lodge just past the beginner-friendly breaks of Playa Manzanillo, though still within easy reach of the monstrous beach barrels of Zicatela. It’s got a pool, plenty of  chillout areas, and it’s own on-site surf shop for stocking up on anything you might have forgotten to pack.

• Location: San José del Cabo, Baja
• Price: 7 days/6 nights starting at $577 (£475) per person

The aim of this week-long surf holiday in northwestern Mexico is to help participants “live the Baja dream.” They aim to do that by offering five fully tutored surf sessions on the best breaks of the peninsula, along with transport to various spots, pro instructors, and neat extras like a guided walk through the San Jose arts district.

What really stands out here is just how flexible the schedule is. If you’re not one for organized fun then they could offer just what you want. Keen to double up on surfing time? No worries. Want extra chill sessions back at the hostel? That’s fine. No one’s judging, everyone’s happy. It’s sorta’ the Cabo dream they promised.

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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!