Private Surf lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos gives you a full day by the Pacific, with a surf lesson on a beach break and time to relax under a beach umbrella. The ride from Cabo is part of the outing: the route follows the Transpeninsular Highway, where you can look out toward the ocean and mountains.

I like two things in particular: coaching is arranged for a small private group, with one guide for every three people, and the day includes both beach gear and a Mexican lunch. The beach has also earned praise for its beauty, with one surfer wishing the lesson had lasted longer.

The main consideration is the time commitment. Expect about five to six hours, including a drive of roughly an hour each way, and remember that the surf location changes by season. In summer, lessons move to Costa Azul rather than Cerritos.

• Cerritos is a winter surf location: From November 15 to March 15, lessons are held here; summer lessons take place at Costa Azul.
• The price is $100 per person: Boards, coaching, transport, beach chairs and umbrellas, and lunch are included.
• No surf background is required: Coaches work with beginners and experienced surfers.
• Groups are private and limited: The minimum is three people, the maximum is ten, and the guide ratio is one per three participants.
• The day starts early: The stated start time is 7:30 am, with hotel pickup roughly an hour before the tour.
• Cerritos has drawn specific praise: Its beach setting is a highlight, though you may wish the surf session lasted longer.

The road to Cerritos is part of the day

This outing starts in Cabo San Lucas and heads north along the Transpeninsular Highway. The drive takes about an hour each way, so set aside a good part of your day rather than treating this as a quick lesson near town. You’ll see the Pacific and the mountains along the route, with time for photos if conditions and the schedule allow.

The drive is useful context for the price. You’re paying not only for a surf lesson, but also for transport to a beach beyond Cabo’s main tourist zone, coaching, equipment, shade, and lunch. Complimentary round-trip transport is available from hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Pickup time is usually about an hour before the 7:30 am start, and you should confirm the exact time with the operator the day before.

If you’re coming by cruise ship or driving yourself, the meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot, by the OXXO convenience store. Cruise passengers should walk from the tender pier through the security gate, turn right along the red harbor-side sidewalk, and continue to the Cruise Terminal building marked API. After exiting the terminal into the parking lot, look for the OXXO. Drivers meet at the same store, opposite the Sandos Finisterra hotel.

The listed meeting and return point is in central Cabo, but drop-off can also be at Plaza Gali downtown or your hotel. Transport does not cover hotels outside the tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons. If you’re staying at one of those properties, plan to meet at Plaza Gali instead.

What to expect at the Cerritos beach break

Cerritos is a beach break exposed to northwest swells. Conditions can bring clean surf for several days, but waves and weather are never guaranteed. The lesson is designed for a range of abilities: beginners get instruction aimed at helping them catch a wave, while more experienced surfers can ask for coaching suited to their level.

The coaching setup is a practical advantage for a mixed group. One guide is assigned for every three participants, and the tour is private to your party. The overall limit is ten participants, with a minimum booking of three. If children are coming, note that when you book; the minimum age is six, prices are the same for children and adults, and the operator aims to add an extra guide for supervision when children take part.

Foam boards are used for the lessons, a sensible choice for a learning session. If you prefer a fiberglass board, request one in advance. Rash guards or wetsuits are provided, but you need to give the operator your sizes ahead of time. Confirming those details before the day can save a lot of guesswork once you reach the beach.

The beach stop is scheduled for about three hours. That time includes the core surf activity and leaves room for the beach setting, though it does not mean three hours of continuous instruction in the water. One participant said they wished they could have surfed longer, a useful note if you’re an eager surfer planning around the waves. The experience is private, and you can decide whether to complete the full activity.

Lunch, shade, and a break from the water

Lunch is part of the outing, with Mexican dishes served at a local restaurant by Cerritos beach. Expect options such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken or beef, along with chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water. A vegetarian meal is available, with choices such as salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice. Let the operator know about the vegetarian option when arranging your trip.

The schedule gives lunch its own hour after the beach activity, while the beach stop description also places the restaurant meal within the surf stop. In practical terms, plan on having lunch during the time at Cerritos and allow around five to six hours total for the outing, including the drives. Lunch is included, but it’s optional and skipping it does not reduce the price.

Chairs and umbrellas are included, which matter if some of your group wants a break from surfing or simply prefers to watch from shore. There are no locker facilities on the beach. You can leave personal belongings safely in the transportation, but keep any essentials you need at the beach with you.

If you want to come along without surfing, select the non-surfer or companion option when booking. That fee covers round-trip transport, a shaded camp with chairs and umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks. It gives a non-surfing companion a place to wait and watch, rather than requiring them to book a lesson they won’t use.

Is $100 per person good value?

At $100 per person, the value rests on how much you’ll use the package. The fee includes a private guide, surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, transport, beach chairs and umbrellas, and a Mexican lunch. If you’re starting in Cabo and want a surf lesson at a Pacific beach, combining those parts can be more convenient than arranging each one yourself.

The private format is especially useful for a family or a small group with mixed experience. You won’t be placed in a public class with unrelated participants, and the coach ratio is one per three people. Still, private does not mean one dedicated coach for every person: a group of six, for example, would have two guides under the stated ratio.

The minimum group size is three, and all participants pay the same rate, including children. That makes the price less appealing for a solo surfer or a pair unless you’re comfortable paying for the minimum number of places. It may suit a family or a group of friends better, particularly if several people want to try surfing.

Lunch is included whether or not you choose to eat it, with no price reduction if you skip it. Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses are not included. If you already have your own transport or would rather arrange your own meal, those inclusions may be less valuable to you, but the price does not change when you decline the complimentary transport.

The season determines which beach you visit

The name of this outing points to Cerritos, but the surf location changes with the season. From November 15 to March 15, lessons take place at Cerritos. From March 15 to November 15, they move to Costa Azul because the operator says Costa Azul does not have waves in winter.

That calendar matters if Cerritos itself is your main reason for booking. Confirm the beach for your date before paying, especially around the seasonal changeover. The advertised Cabo-to-Cerritos route and the summer location do not describe the same day, so make sure the destination matches what you want.

Weather and sea conditions can also change the plan. Rain, high swell, wind, or jellyfish may lead the operator to change the location, reschedule, or cancel. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. The experience requires good weather, so keep some flexibility if surf conditions are a priority.

The outing is recommended by all 23 people whose ratings are reflected in its current five-star score. That is a small sample, so don’t treat it as a promise of perfect waves. The specific praise is more useful: the guides did a good job, and Cerritos was described as beautiful and underrated. The one clear wish was for more surf time, a fair caution for anyone hoping to spend most of the day in the water.

Who should book this surf day

I’d consider this a good fit if you want a guided introduction to surfing, value the convenience of transport and gear, and like the idea of pairing the lesson with a beach lunch. It also works for experienced surfers who want coaching, as long as they understand that conditions and the lesson format may differ from an independent surf session.

Families can consider it for children age six and up, with the operator aiming to provide an extra guide when children join. The three-person minimum is worth checking before you book, and a child’s place costs the same as an adult’s. Non-surfing companions can come along through the separate observer option, which includes shade, transport, water, and snacks.

This is less suited to anyone wanting a short activity, a guaranteed long surf session, or a fixed Cerritos location in every season. It is also a poor match if your hotel is outside the covered pickup area and you cannot reach the Plaza Gali meeting point. The tour is booked on average 87 days ahead, so if your dates are fixed, planning early is sensible.

Book it if you want coaching, a beach outing, and transport handled in one package, and you’re comfortable with the season-based location and a five-to-six-hour schedule. If your only goal is maximum time in the water, ask the operator how the day is structured before you commit.

FAQ

How long does the surf outing take?

Plan on about five to six hours in total. The schedule includes roughly an hour of driving each way, about three hours at the beach, and time for lunch.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 7:30 am. Hotel pickup is usually about an hour earlier, and you should contact the operator the day before to confirm your specific pickup time.

Where do the surf lessons take place?

Lessons are at Cerritos from November 15 to March 15. From March 15 to November 15, they take place at Costa Azul.

Do I need prior surfing experience?

No. The lesson is designed for beginners as well as experienced surfers, with coaching suited to the participant’s level.

What equipment is included?

A foam surfboard and a rash guard or wetsuit are included. Give the operator your clothing size in advance, and request a fiberglass board ahead of time if you prefer one.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Mexican food is included, with options such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, chips, sauces, and guacamole. Vegetarian dishes are available. Lunch is optional, but skipping it does not lower the price.

Can children join the lesson?

Yes. The minimum age is six, and children pay the same price as adults. Tell the operator when booking if children will take part; the operator aims to add an extra guide for supervision.

Can someone come along without surfing?

Yes. Book the non-surfer or companion option. It includes round-trip transport, a shaded camp with chairs and umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Weather or sea conditions can lead to a location change, rescheduling, or cancellation. If the operator cancels due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.