Costa Rica Surf Camp - Adult Learn to Surf Vacations

Join WB Surf Camp as we travel to Central America for the surf adventure of a lifetime! This epic Costa Rica Surf Camp vacation takes place several times a year in beautiful Costa Rica. Designed specifically for beginners this special trip provides clients with a worry-free learn to surf vacation facilitated by our team of certified instructors. No experience surfing? No worries. Our staff will coach you every step of the way, ensuring you stay safe while experiencing the thrill of riding waves in Costa Rica. By surfing in a small group setting (3:1 ratio), beginners will notice their ability and confidence level soar as they receive individualized instruction each day.

Participants in our Costa Rica Surf Camp will challenge themselves as they are guided to many of the breaks featured in the classic surf movie Endless Summer 2, including Playa Avellanas, Playa Tamarindo, and Playa Langosta. What makes WB Surf Camp unique is the fresh enthusiasm we bring to our surf camps as we run this specific camp for just a few weeks every year. So far from the mundane, our stoke and passion is truly contagious!

The tropical climate of Costa Rica provides year-round water temps around 80 degrees, so no wetsuit is required. Both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts receive swell from many directions depending on the time of year, so waves can always be found. There are over 50 well-known, named surf breaks and just as many lesser-known ones. The Pacific Coast produces some of the best waves in Central America. We will be surfing the Pacific Coast and exploring several beach breaks in the beautiful Tamarindo area.

During this incredible 7-day Costa Rica Surf Camp adventure, we stay at the four star Tamarindo Diria, a five acre oceanfront resort on Playa Tamarindo just a short walk to our closest break. Costa Rica is a beautiful, diverse country with a lot to see and do. "I encourage you to search the web and compare Costa Rica Surf Camps, after running surf camps for over a decade I can assure you that this is the highest quality and value program available," says Rick Civelli, Founder.

In addition to daily surf sessions, we provide our clients with other activities including a Zip line tour through a Rainforest canopy while seeing monkeys and iguanas, and exploring amazing pristine beaches. Our staff will also lead daily seminars that focus on wave dynamics, wave prediction, and surfing etiquette. There is so much more to surfing than riding a wave, and we want you to have the full experience! Come and enjoy your surfing vacation while we take care of all the details! Adults ages 18 and up are welcome, and each high quality session is limited to 9 participants.

$1895 includes the following: double occupancy lodging, daily all you can eat breakfast, airport pickup and drop off at the Liberia International Airport (LIR), equipment (surf board rental & rashguard usage), 1 hour massage, zip line adventure, professional surfing instruction/guide service, daily transportation to and from activities, activity fees, Costa Rica Surf Camp t-shirt, Surf Camp’s Pre-Surf Stretching Guide, Surfing Etiquette Guide, Sea Turtle/Coastal Conservation Guide, Surf Camp tote, sticker, memorable group photo, and the adventure of a lifetime! A valid travel passport is required for travel on this adventure. Airfare, lunch, dinner, departure tax, and travel insurance are additional. Single room upgrades are an additional $500. For more information call toll free 1.866.421.WAVE (9283).

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Itinerary

DAY 1
The weather of Costa Rica offers a warm welcome as your plane sets down in this lush tropical climate. You’ve finally reached the active traveler’s paradise, where a full week of surfing and exploration awaits! Your WB Surf Camp Instructors will be waiting for you at the Liberia International Airport, ready to escort you south to our beautiful oceanfront resort, the Tamarindo Diria. After getting settled in, our staff will begin orientation, discussing the schedule for the coming week and getting our group acquainted – all while overlooking beautiful Tamarindo Bay. The evening winds down with a delicious dinner at the Diria’s restaurant and then it’s off to bed for a good night’s sleep in preparation for a full day of surf tomorrow!

DAY 2
The smell of premium Costa Rican coffee hovers in the air as daylight emerges over the Pacific. Perfect conditions stretch across Tamarindo Bay while we admire the peeling glassy waves breaking near the river mouth. Smiles, laughs, and plenty of waves are shared as we embrace the warm water during our first morning session. Our instructors work to establish and provide a foundation for your surfing skills. After a full session, it’s time to lounge in a hammock and feel the cool ocean breeze while recalling the great waves you just caught. As the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean our group gathers for fresh seafood and looking around the table you can see the excitement overwhelming each person’s face; we’re officially in paradise!

DAY 3
Feeling the ache of new muscles being awoken in your body quickly subsides at first sight of the waves. Today, we’ll drive to a local break called Playa Avellanas, a white sand beach located on a mangrove reserve. It’s one of the most tranquil, pristine beaches around and offers waves for all skill levels. There’s even an outside reef break known as “Little Hawaii” that you can see off in the distance past the rivermouth. For lunch, we’ll enjoy fresh seafood or a slice of delicious pizza while taking in the scene. After a day at Avellanas, we will return to Tamarindo and enjoy local fare at a restaurant tucked away in a lush tropical garden. Afterwards, we muster the strength to walk our tired bodies back to bed in order to wake up early for another day of sun and surf!

DAY 4
Today we head north to Playa Grande, home to beautiful coastal vegetation and one of the country’s central leatherback sea turtle nesting sites. You will be surfing mostly beach breaks during this surf vacation as they are usually the most user friendly and less intimidating. We will spend the morning surfing perfect waves and return to Tamarindo in time for a re-energizing monster burrito for lunch, which you’ll need for our next adventure. In addition to the thrill of riding waves, we’ll add the adrenaline rush of zip-lining through the lush lively canopy and across wide open valleys of the surrounding mountains. The evening will wrap up with a gourmet dinner and a video analysis session. Using this vital tool we can learn so much about our positioning, stance, and get a couple good laughs as we put everything into slow motion.

DAY 5
Over the past few days everyone has improved; so, it’s time to experience some of the other breaks Costa Rica has to offer. We’ll scout out Langosta (“lobster” in Spanish) or Las Casitas across the Tamarindo Rivermouth. Our muscle memory from paddling allows us to catch our own waves, while boosting endurance in the water.  After a full morning of surf we’ll return to Tamarindo and visit an authentic Costa Rican farm.  We’ll learn the various cultural methods used to maintain a sustainable way of life.  Worn out from the day’s activities, you’ll enjoy a tropical drink and fresh sushi roll while gazing at the fiery sun setting over the Pacific. The cool breeze from the ocean and bright countless stars top off another great day in paradise. Reviewing surfing footage, we observe that the group’s surfing ability has significantly improved over the course of the week. Soon, we’re off to bed in order to rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.   

DAY 6
There are still plenty of waves at Tamarindo, but we’ll try to make the most of our final full day in Costa Rica by scouring the Pacific Coast, looking for the best waves. As we pass through the small fishing villages you start to realize that you’ll be returning home with not only a solid knowledge of surfing in Costa Rica, but a group with whom you’ve formed lifelong friendships. After several days of consecutive surfing, our arms and back will be asking for relief, so we’ll all get a late afternoon massage. As the sun meets the horizon we realize that we’ve officially become accustomed to “tico time,” we’re focused on the present and embracing the natural beauty of this place. As we trade off stories from the week, we realize this has been the trip of a lifetime that will never be forgotten.

DAY 7
The past 7 days seem like a dream-the kind you don’t want to wake up from. Long days in the tropical weather, catching waves with great people, and eating the freshest seafood available have left you with a smile on your face. You realize that you’re now a surfer for life and have a better understanding of what it truly means to be stoked! As we load up our gear and prepare for the trek to Liberia, we say our goodbye’s Costa Rican style…pura vida…and start thinking about next year’s WB Surf Camp adventure!

Pictures

Accommodations

Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort

The Tamarindo Diria Beach & Golf Resort sets its self apart from all others as the only hotel located on the white sand of the world famous Tamarindo Beach. As Tamarindo's first hotel, they have been the area's premier lodging facility for 30 years.  Spread out over 5 acres, the Diria’s mixture of traditional and contemporary style and architecture is surrounded by exotic and beautifully maintained lush tropical gardens that offer their guests the natural beauty of Costa Rica right outside their doors.

The majority of their rooms offer incredible ocean views, providing picturesque sunsets and access to Tamarindo Beach just a few steps from your door. The rooms have been designed for the comfort and enjoyment of all of guests. Each room offers electronic door locks, safety deposit box, cable television with international news, sports and movie channels, air conditioning, mini bar, national and international telephone service, king size bed or two queen size beds, and Wi-Fi in the hotel’s public areas.

Contained within the Diria are several food and drink options. The Matapalo Restaurant is the only fine dining establishment in Tamarindo located right on the beach. Enjoy lobster, steaks, seafood, a variety of international cuisine, exotic cocktails, and a varied dessert selection under the shade of a huge Matapalo tree where the sunlight and moonlight are filtered between its leaves. El Diria has a famous breakfast buffet and specialty dinners with live music. In between surf sessions, sit up at the Rancho Bar or swim up to the Wet Bar within the resort’s pool. If you need a coffee, just head to the Café Nari.

As far as surfing goes, you can practically roll out of bed at the Tamarindo Diria and into some of the area’s most friendly waves. There’s no need to go check the surf in the morning, because it’s right there in front of you as you sip some of the finest coffee in the world. Within a fifteen minute drive in either direction lie dozens of beach, point and reef breaks.

Reviews

Kerrie, Savannah, GA – “I went to Costa Rica with WB Surf Camp because I wanted to escape being “Mom” for while, play, relax, and most of all, learn how to surf! I knew I’d have fun, but what I actually came away with was so much more. I gained a confidence I had lost somewhere a long time ago, and was overcome by a sense of calm that I’ll never be able to explain.”

Al, Tucson, AZ – “As someone who just passed the big 6-0 and had never surfed before, it was a excellent experience. The instructors were always positive and focused on us 100% of the time. We all gained a great respect for the ocean and what it takes to surf the waves. I consider all of the people I spent the week with my friends and look forward to my next surfing instruction. It is a wonderful program I would recommend to anyone who wants to get started surfing the right way.”

Ashley, Raleigh, NC – “WE ARE HOOKED!!!! Thank You WB Surf Camp for a life changing trip!!! Learned so much and made so many great new friends. Costa Rica Camp was amazing and we are sooo grateful to have been a part of it. Can't wait to catch some waves with you guys this spring.”

Vicki, Atlanta, GA – “My time in Costa Rica with WB Surf Camp was among the most memorable in my life. From reservation to instruction to activities to downtime—in a place with endlessly perfect waves, people, and culture—everything fell serendipitously into place. Surf Camp’s passionate, top-notch instructors offer a thorough, safe, and well-rounded program that ensures not just that you’ll learn to surf, but learn what it means to be a surfer.

Michael, Wilmington, NC – “Needless to say, being in Costa Rica speaks for itself. However, what made this trip so special were the staff and what they put into everything we did. From the pre-trip planning through the return trip home, this program was flawless. I can honestly say I have never experienced anything like it before. To the staff, this is not a job, it is a passion. They truly want to provide their clients with the best experience possible. You felt it from the minute you stepped off the van upon arrival, and it never ceased.”

Kathy, Wilmington, NC – “Two years in a row. It’s the perfect get away for me to recharge in the middle of the winter. Mentally and physically it’s just the right thing to get over the winter blahs. I rekindle my love for surfing after not going out too often in the cold and mentally get back on track with what is important in my life and for my family.”

Molly, Candler, NC – “I had no idea how much fun this would be! While it is definitely something you have to work at to achieve, it was totally worth it and I wish I could do it every week. For most of us it's very rare to actually accomplish anything while we're on vacation but now I'm stoked and I can't wait for more!”

Paula, West Chester, OH – “The surfing experience with WB Surf Camp is the most fun experience you can have. This is the kind of trip that warms your heart and your skin! The instructors are so nice and fun to be with. They push you to try harder and celebrate the good advances while never giving up on you.”

Shawndra, Wilmington, NC – “I had an amazing time. It was a great experience which was even greater than I had imagined it would be when signing up! I loved the instructors and their knowledge and love for surfing especially!”

Moe, West Chester, OH – ““We had a blast! Another first rate trip! Thanks to you for the excellent board selection. It was a wave magnet. What a week. Great waves, people, and weather. Great job and great week.”

Chad, Wilmington, NC – “I had always gone on surf trips with friends, but had never experienced the Surf Camp environment until I went to Costa Rica with them in January 2010.  One word to describe it - STOKED!  I have always been a big proponent in remembering why we participate in the best sport/activity known to man - for the pure fun and enjoyment of the experience. 

WB Surf Camp provided that environment and attitude throughout the trip, and now I understand why people continue to return year after year. Whether you are an expert or beginner, grom or old kook, Surf Camp satisfies all levels of need when taking a trip abroad with them. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Costa Rica - Every day there were planned trips to surf spots, dinner reservations at night, as well as other activities like zipline tours through the mountains.  This was truly a full Costa Rican experience, and I left with a large smile on my face!  PURA VIDA!!”

FAQ - Costa Rica Surf Camp

If I have never surfed before, is this camp for me?
About 90% of our students have never surfed before, let alone held a surfboard. Our program’s dynamic curriculum is tailored to both beginners and intermediates. The only prerequisites are to be ready to have the time of your life and be able to swim.

Where will I be surfing?
We will be surfing at several amazing beaches including the beautiful crystal green waters of Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo, and Langosta. Multiple bottom contours, compositions, and options for all tides make the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica a great place to learn to surf. We will have access to several other world class breaks within 30 min as well.

If I don’t feel like surfing one day, is that okay?
While we will never force you to participate, we do highly recommend that you take advantage of our professional instructors’ knowledge and the opportunity to surf these amazing breaks. Surfers come from across the globe to surf the warm, azure waters of Costa Rica. We feel certain that while you may wake up a little sore in the morning, the instant you step on the beach and see the amazing surf, you will be stoked to get back on your board!

What kind of non-surfing activities will we be participating in?

Costa Rica is a beautiful, diverse country with a lot to see and do. In addition to daily surf sessions, we provide our clients with other activities including:

• Zip line tour through a Rainforest canopy while seeing monkeys and iguanas
• Exploring amazing pristine beaches
• Our staff will lead daily seminars that focus on wave dynamics, wave prediction, and surfing etiquette.
• An amazing mid week massage to relax your whole body
• Bring your mask and snorkel because the water can be crystal clear for amazing free diving

Will there be pictures of me surfing that I can purchase?
We will have a photographer taking high quality, high resolution photos throughout the week. You have the option of purchasing a photo DVD with all photos from your week. Please refer to your registration materials for details about this option.

With whom will I be sharing my room?
Unless you are already attending this adventure with a partner or have paid for a single room upgrade, then we will assign you to a roommate. Roommates are grouped together by gender, and we do our best to group by age and/or interests in order to enhance the overall level of comfort for our single participants.

What if I want to room by myself?
We offer single room upgrades for $500.

Can I come early and/or stay after camp ends?
You sure can. If you plan on extending your stay, please note that you will be responsible for your own travel arrangements to and/or from the airport. Due to the fact that we have limited spots and equipment, please call our office as soon as possible if you would like to extend your stay. Call us for details.

Are the power outlets different then what we have in the states?
They are the same as the US.

Is there any nightlife in the area where we are staying?
There are definitely a lot of restaurants and bars in the area, but most of our clients are usually ready to relax after dinner, maybe enjoy a cold beverage at the hotel bar on the beach, and then get a good night’s sleep so they are ready for another day of surfing. You are welcome to explore the area as there is a lot to see and do at night.

Is the water safe to drink?
Tamarindo has completely safe drinking water. Costa Rica’s Health Minister and the executive president of the Costa Rican Water & Sewer Institute presented the “White Flag” distinction to the Tamarindo aquaduct which is the ultimate seal of approval on sanitation within the country. The Tamarindo Diria also has its own water treatment plant which constantly monitors and maintains the quality of reusable water throughout the resort.

What is the nearest airport and do you have a shuttle service?
Participants fly into the Liberia International Airport (LIR) and WB Surf Camp provides shuttle service to and from the hotel. It is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes away. Our office stays attuned to any flight delays or cancellations to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

What if I can’t get in by the set check in time?
Please contact our Program Coordinator to discuss arrivals and departures outside of our preferred times. In order to avoid missing any planned activities, participants should try to arrive between 2-3 pm on the first day and around 12 pm on the last day of camp.

What are the recommendations for cell phones?
Enjoy a week without one:)

How much money should I bring?
This is at your discretion.  Breakfast is provided, but lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages are not included in the tuition.

Should we tip our instructors?
Our staff works together as an efficient and friendly team. We will be your guides, instructors, entertainers and chauffeurs, providing services for which you would normally tip at home. If at the end of the week you are pleased with the performance of our team, a gratuity would be greatly appreciated.

Does Costa Rica accept US Currency?
Many places accept US currency, and for those that do not, you will be able to exchange US dollars for colones.