Costa Rica is one of the best surf destinations in the world, a place you dream about. Tropical waters, year-round sunshine, consistent surf, waves for all abilities, beautiful nature, and excellent food. A place for good times and surfing yourself silly! Unsurprisingly, the nation has been tempting surfers with its spoils for decades.
Costa Rica has heaps of accommodation options for all abilities and all bank balances. But if you’re looking for an all-encompassing, immersive surf experience, staying at one of the best surf camps in Costa Rica is a superb way to do it.
But with countless camps to choose from (there are hundreds), it’s tricky to choose one that’s right for you. To make your decision easier, I’ve narrowed things down to only the best surf camps in Costa Rica. We have a few to get through, so let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What to Look for in a Surf Camp?
Before we check out some of Costa Rica’s top camps, what must you look for when choosing one? Here are some vital criteria.
Costs
Choose a camp that aligns with your budget! Many of the best camps are luxurious and, as you’d expect, cost a bomb. However, there are plenty of surf camps more suited to tighter budgets.
Ability
While most camps cater to all abilities, pick your camp based on the waves and learning experiences the camp offers. For instance, you’ll want to be surrounded by surfers of similar ability to share the experience, so reach out to a camp beforehand and ask ahead. You’ll also enjoy great coaches and beginner-friendly waves.
Location
Choosing the best location is vital to having a great surf trip to Costa Rica, and choosing between Costa Rica’s best surf spots can be tricky. Before selecting your camp, ask yourself; what type of waves do you want to surf, and are there other cool things to do nearby?
The Best Surf Camps in Costa Rica
Selina, Nosara
- Where? - Nosara
- Best For - Solo Travellers
- Price - 7 Nights Surf Camp Package $1040
- Type - Surf Camp & Hostel
Part of the global hostel network, Selina Nosara is an incredible place to stay for surfing in Costa Rica. Better still, if you’re a surfing digital nomad. Selina provides everything you need for a wicked surf trip, from surf coaching and yoga to a wicked social space and coworking area.
Selina Nosara is between Playa Peluda and Playa Guiones, two of the best beginner breaks in the area. The property also boasts many great amenities that’ll make your trip breezy; pool, restaurant, workspace, and a shared lounge area combine to make Selina a great place to meet other surfers and relax between surf sessions.
The Packages
While you can stay at Selina with the accommodation option in a shared or private room, Selina offers several surf packages if you’re looking for a more immersive experience.
If you’re looking to surf in one of the best beginner surf spots in Costa Rica, choose between any of these wicked packages:
7 x Nights + Surf Lessons + Coworking
- 7 nights accommodation
- 5 x surf lessons
- Daily breakfast
- 7 lunches
- 3 x dinners
- 1 week of co-work space (hotdesk)
Price = $1040usd
5 Night Surf Lessons Package
- 5 x nights accommodation
- 4 x surf lessons
- Daily breakfast
- 4 x lunches
- 2 x dinners
Price = $705
You can book Selina Nosara’s surf packages here or learn more about Selina.
La Point, Santa Teresa
- Where? - Santa Teresa
- Best For - Everyone
- Price - $650 Per Week
- Type - Surf Camp
La Point is a collection of awesome surf camps with a global presence amid some of the world’s best surf destinations. La Point Santa Teresa is something straight out of a Costa Rican dream–a beautiful property nestled in the jungle directly behind the clean white sands of Playa Carmen, one of the area’s best surf spots.
La Point comprises 5 bungalows and one large villa boasting a large outdoor space, pool, and all the amenities you could ever ask for in a semi-luxurious surf accommodation. The restaurant offers super healthy food so you can re-fuel properly, and the lounge/pool area is epic for meeting other surfers and relaxing between sessions.
The Packages
La Point offers several surf camp packages for all surf abilities, solo travelers, couples, and groups:
Surf Camp Level 1, 2 or 3
1 = Beginner 2 = Intermediate, 3 = Intermediate to Advanced
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Level 1, 2, or 3 surf course (5 x 2 hours)
- 5 x dinners
- 6 x days of surf equipment use
- Surf theory
- Transport to surf lessons
If you’re not ready to commit to a surf package for surfing in Santa Teresa, you can stay at La Point with all-inclusive accommodation-only packages. Prices start at 642 euros per week.
Surf Synergy, Jaco
- Where? - Jaco
- Best For - Health & Wellness Enthusiasts
- Price - $3950 For 7 Nights All Inclusive Surf Package
- Type - Luxury Surf Camp
Surf Synergy in Jaco is one of the best surf camps in Costa Rica and one of the most luxurious on our list. A beautiful property, putting you mere steps away from one of the best beginner surf spots in the country and the more adrenaline-inducing, Playa Hermosa. Look no further if you want an immersive surf and wellness experience in Costa Rican paradise.
Surf Synergy boasts several surf and wellness amenities to get you stoked and healthy on your Costa Rican surf venture. From surf sessions and yoga activities to bodywork and nutrition, you’ll be hard-pushed to find somewhere better to improve your health, mind, and surfing simultaneously.
The Packages
Surf Synergy offers some epic surf camp packages, many of which you can tailor to your needs.
7-Night Surf Immersion Package (2023)
Whether you’re looking to level up or learn surfing for the first time in Costa Rica, the 7-night immersion package includes everything you could ever need; from the moment you step off the plane to the second, you get back on it. This package consists of the following:
- Airport transfers
- 7 x nights accommodation
- 4 x yoga sessions
- 5 x video surf analysis sessions
- 3 x 5 start meals per day
- 2 x 1-hour massages
- 1 x breathing session
- Professional photos
- 1 x Ice bath session
- Coffee, tea, and concierge service
As the amenities suggest, this package is a luxurious all-encompassing option for surfing in Costa Rica. Prices for single occupancy start at $ 3950 USD for 7 nights. Book Surf Synergy surf camp packages here.
Kalon Surf Resort, Dominical
- Where? - Dominical
- Best For - Those Looking For Luxury & Epic Surf Coaching
- Price - Contact Camp
- Type - Luxury Surf Camp
One of Costa Rica’s best all-inclusive surf camps. Locate in the laid-back jungle paradise of Dominical. A mansion with an infinity pool right on the beach is the post-session setting you’ll tap into at Kalon. Healthy meals, pilates sessions, yoga, and excellent surf coaching, combine to give you the ultimate and luxurious surf experiences in Costa Rica.
The Packages
Kalon offers many surf camp packages, and prices vary depending on the room you choose. All packages include:
- Airport transfers San Jose – Kalon – San Jose
- All Level: 5 Days of Surf Coaching (3 to 5 hours a Day)
- Surf Video Analysis & all Videos and Photos are shared
- All Gourmet Meals, Snacks, and Drinks (Beer and Wine)
- 1-hour Relaxing Massage
- Yoga for Surfing
- Coffee tasting & Cooking Class
Choose between the luxury ocean view room, two-bedroom bungalow, junior suite, or two-bedroom villa. Learn more and see prices for Kalon Surf Resort packages here.
Surf Simply, Nosara
- Where? - Nosara
- Best For - Anyone Wanting to Improve Their Surfing
- Price - $8300 All Inclusive
- Type - Surf Camp
Surf Simply has established itself as one of the world’s best surf camps, with properties and coaches positioned globally–in many of the best surf destinations in the world. The Nosara-based camp is a luxurious villa set back in the jungle, just 200 meters from the beach in Nosara. With a sleek, modern, and eloquently designed interior, Surf Simply allows you to relax, unwind and focus on one thing–you and your surfing.
Surf Simply also boasts some of the best coaching of all the camps on our list, using a simple but scientific approach to helping you improve your surfing. Whether it be through in-water sessions, video analysis, or chatting with one of the top coaches, you’re somewhere to focus entirely on surfing!
The Packages
Solo Surfer Package
The solo surf package starts at $8300. An all-inclusive package and immersive surf coaching experience. This price includes everything you need apart from your plane ticket. Surf Simply’s surf camp/coaching packages fill up quickly, so book well in advance if you want a piece of this extraordinary surf resort experience.
Witch's Rock Surf Camp
- Where? - Witch's Rock
- Best For - The Surf-obsessed
- Price - $1825 7 Night All Inclusive
- Type - Surf Camp
Witch’s Rock needs no introduction; it’s one of the best waves in Costa Rica, made famous by the awesome surf film Endless Summer (If you haven’t seen it, I’d highly suggest watching it). Witches Rock has been stoking people out and drawing surfers from around the world since 2001.
Witches Rock Surf Camp puts you right on the beach and the expertise you need for scoring waves in the area, whether you’re looking to learn how to surf, sharpen your skills, or get tubed off your dial, Witches Rock makes it happen.
The Packages
Witch’s Rock Surf Camp offers packages per ability, beginner, and intermediate camps are based in Tamarindo, while advanced camps don’t offer coaching; focusing solely on taking you to the best waves. Surf camp packages start at $1825 and include:
- Airport transfers San Jose – Kalon – San Jose
- 7 Night accommodation
- Daily surf lessons, theoretical seminars, tours by boat/van, and video analysis coaching sessions.
- Daily breakfast
- Surfboard use
- Liberia airport round-trip transfer
Read more about Witch’s Rock’s Surf Camp packages here.
Enjoying this post? You might like my complete guide to surfing in South America or other Latin American surf destinations, such as everything you need to know about surfing in Costa Rica, the ultimate guide to surfing in Florianopolis or the complete guide to surfing in southern Chile.
Lucero Surf Camp
- Where? - Santa Teresa
- Best For - Families
- Price - Single Occupancy for 7 Nights $1425
- Type - Boutique Surf Camp
If you’re looking for a stunning boutique escape in the Costa Rican jungle, Lucero puts you in the hills overlooking Santa Teresa, minutes from extremely fun waves. Lucero caters to families, solo travelers, couples–anyone who’s looking for a beautiful place to stay just minutes from the waves at Playa Carmen. Lucero is a fantastic family opinion as many surf camps in Costa Rica are adults only.
With spacious modern rooms, comfy bedding, cool A/C, and minimalistic design open onto a communal relaxation space and pool. Weekly packages start Saturday to Sunday and include:
The Packages
Surf & Stay Packages (single and double occupancy available)
- 6 x nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast buffet
- 4 x surf lessons or surf guiding
- Use of surf equipment
Single occupancy is priced at $1425, and double is $980 per person. Learn more about Lucero’s surf packages in Costa Rica here.
Blue Surf Sanctuary, Santa Teresa
- Where? - Santa Teresa
- Best For - Convenience
- Price - Contact Property
- Type - Surf Camp
If jungle sanctuary at one of Costa Rica’s best surf towns is what you’re after, Blue Surf Sanctuary is a stunning locale, mere minutes from the beach. The property is located in a peaceful setting between Manzanillo and Santa Teresa, the perfect spot to relax between sessions, with modern decor wood furnishings, and all the amenities you need for a great surf trip. Surf lessons, fishing, kayaking, and other excursions are available.
The Packages
Blue Surf Sanctuary doesn’t display prices for their surf packages online, so you’ll need to contact them directly. Alternatively, you can book accommodation only here.
Shaka Costa Rica, Santa Teresa
- Where? - Santa Teresa
- Best For - Social Surfers
- Price - 7 Nights Single Occupancy $2475
- Type - Surf Camp
If you want to learn surfing, improve your surfing, make friends, and do it all amid tropical surf paradise, Shaka Costa Rica makes that happen. Located on the beautiful Playa Hermosa (not the thumping beach break near Jaco) in Santa Teresa, the location is a perfect place to escape from the sometimes hectic Santa Teresa.
The Packages
Shaka offers two types of surf packages, based on if you’re surfing or not surfing. The surf package:
5 NIGHTS
- Single Occupancy $2150
- Double Occupancy $1875
7 NIGHTS
- Single Occupancy $2475
- Double Occupancy $2075
Learn more about Shaka Costa Rica’s surf packages here. If you’re surfing in Santa Teresa, you can’t go wrong with these guys.
Dreamsea Surf Camp, Tamarindo
- Where? - Tamarindo
- Best For - Budget Surfers
- Price - Dorms from $360usd per week
- Type - Hostel
Dreamsea Surf Camp in Tamarindo is a wicked Costa Rican surf camp that caters to all abilities and bank balances.
Dreamsea is an eco-lodge that offers glamping in the Costa Rican jungle, so f you love a bit of adventure, immersion into nature, and want to surf all day, every day, this one is for you.
The Packages
What I love about Dreamsea is that they cater to all budgets (almost), which many of the best surf camps in Costa Rica don’t. Prices are per week in USD, and all packages include:
- 7 nights and 8 days accommodation
- Breakfast
- Daily surf lessons
- Daily yoga sessions
- Shared dormitory = $360usd per week
- Private glamping tent = $499
- Dreamsea Dome = $675 (1 person) and $910 (2 people)
- Dreamsea Villa (1-2 people) $925
- The master Eco Tipi is $1499
Safari Surf School, Nosara
- Where? - Nosara
- Best For - Eco-Conscious Surf Travellers
- Price - Contact Property
- Type - Surf Camp
Safari Surf in Nosara is the world’s first fully sustainable certified surf school. Safari Surf School has the knowledge and expertise to introduce you to surfing in tropical Costa Rican paradise while ensuring you don’t impact the beauty/environment around you. These guys also have camps in Panama and Ecuador.
The Packages
I couldn’t find their surf package prices on their website, so you’ll have to contact them directly or learn more here.
More Affordable Options
If you’re looking for some more affordable accommodation while surfing in Costa Rica, check out this breakdown of the best surf hostels in Costa Rica. You can still grab a decent room, meet other travelers, and put yourself within minutes of the nation’s best waves.
Best Costa Rica Surf Camp - Summary
In a country as popular as Costa Rica for surfing, it’s no surprise that there are so many wicked surf camps dotted throughout the nation. I hope this breakdown has helped your decision process a little easier to kickstart your dream Costa Rican surf trip.
*Please note that while none of these surf camps paid me to include them on this list, and I have given a fair and balanced description of each, this article uses affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you book through one of the links. It just helps me create more helpful articles like this. Thanks in advance!
