Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos is a good place to spend a day learning to surf, with a coach in the water and a long Pacific beach as your classroom. I like the small-group format, with one instructor for every three people, and the fact that boards and wetsuits or rash guards are provided. Beginners need no prior experience, and children age six and up can join.

I also like the mix of surf time, a scenic drive and a Mexican lunch, plus the option for a companion to come along without surfing. One practical consideration: the outing takes about six and a half hours including transport, and conditions can change the beach, date or plans. This is a full-day commitment, not a quick lesson.

At a glance

• Coaching stays personal: One coach is assigned for every three participants, with a maximum group size of 15.
• Cerritos is the winter surf location: From November 15 to March 15, lessons take place here; in summer, they move to Costa Azul.
• The scenic drive is part of the day: The route follows the Transpeninsular Highway, with views of the Pacific and mountains.
• Your basic surf gear is included: Foam boards and a rash guard or wetsuit are provided. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one.
• Non-surfers can come too: An observer spot includes transport, shade, chairs, bottled water and snacks.
• Lunch is part of the outing: Expect Mexican food, with vegetarian choices available.

The drive from Cabo is part of the outing

The day starts in Cabo San Lucas, then heads toward the Pacific coast along the Transpeninsular Highway. The road offers views of the ocean and mountains, so keep your camera handy. It is a pleasant change from staying around the resort and marina zone, and it gives the outing the feel of a small road trip as well as a surf lesson.

The beach destination changes with the season. From November 15 through March 15, the surf lesson is held at Cerritos because there are no waves at Costa Azul during that period. From March 15 through November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul instead. If you are booking near either changeover date, confirm the planned location with the operator.

The route information includes the Transpeninsular Highway, Playa Los Cerritos and Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa. Treat the highway as the journey, and Cerritos as the main beach stop. The named hotel appears as a route point, but the key reason to come is the surf session and time on the beach, not a promised hotel visit.

Learning to surf at Playa Los Cerritos

You do not need surfing experience to join. Instructors work with different levels, from showing a first-timer how to catch and stand on a wave to offering coaching for someone who already knows the basics. The aim for beginners is straightforward: learn enough to catch a wave, with guidance adjusted to your confidence and ability.

That coaching style matters. Surfing involves timing, balance and listening to instructions while the water is moving. A coach who can stay close, help you position the board and give clear cues can make the first session less intimidating. The group ratio is one instructor for every three participants, and the overall group is capped at 15. If the class is small, you may get more individual attention, but do not count on having a private lesson.

Past instructors named during the experience include Marco, Alan or Allan, Louis and Mike. You cannot assume you will be assigned a particular one, but the instructors have been praised for patience, encouragement and adapting their coaching to children and adults. One first-time surfer described building from hands-on help to catching waves with verbal prompts. That progression is a useful expectation: you may start with close guidance and become more independent as the lesson goes on.

The equipment is intended to help you get started. Foam boards are used for safety, and a fiberglass board can be requested in advance if that is your preference. A rash guard or wetsuit is included, but you need to share your size beforehand. The information provided does not specify the exact lesson length or how many waves you will catch, so think of this as a coached surf session within a longer beach day rather than a fixed number of minutes on the board.

A beach day for surfers and observers

Cerritos is the draw even if you are not keen to get in the water. The beach is described as beautiful, and one visitor noted that the sand seemed to sparkle. That is a detail worth looking for, but the main appeal for an observer is simpler: you can enjoy the shore while your companions take a lesson.

An observer must book a non-surfer or companion spot on the transport. That fee includes round-trip transportation, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water and snacks. It does not include a surf lesson, and the price for an observer is not specified here, so check the booking options before you commit.

The beach has no locker facilities. You can leave personal belongings in the transportation, which makes it sensible to bring only what you need for the day and keep valuables to a minimum. The shade and chairs are a welcome extra for parents, partners or friends who would rather watch than paddle out.

Children age six and older can participate, and the price is the same for children and adults. If children are joining, state that when you book. The operator says it aims to add an extra guide for supervision when children are in the group, but this is not a reason to assume each child will have a dedicated instructor. Parents should be ready for an active beach day and should check that the child is comfortable following instructions in the water.

Mexican lunch and a change of pace

Lunch is included and served at a local restaurant. The meal features Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken or beef, tortilla chips, sauces, guacamole and flavored water. Vegetarian options are available, including salads, quesadillas, beans and rice.

You can skip lunch, but there is no reduction in the tour price if you do. The meal is therefore part of the package value whether or not you eat it. If you have dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the restaurant can accommodate them.

The lunch stop also breaks up a physically active day. Surfing can be tiring, especially when you are learning to paddle and stand repeatedly, so having food included means you do not need to plan a separate meal stop yourself. Alcohol is not included, and personal expenses are extra.

What $70 buys you

At $70 per person, the price covers a professional instructor, surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, lunch and round-trip hotel or port transport. The basic kit and transport are useful inclusions: you do not need to arrange a board rental or find your own way to the beach, and the lunch makes the outing more than a single activity.

The value depends on whether you want a full beach day. If you only want a brief lesson or are already staying near the surf, the transport and lunch may matter less to you. But for a first-timer staying in Cabo San Lucas, the package brings together equipment, instruction, the coast drive and a meal in one booking. Transport is optional and complimentary, and the price does not change if you make your own way to the meeting point.

The listed duration is about seven hours, while the activity details describe roughly six and a half hours including round-trip transport. In practical terms, set aside most of the day. Pickup timing varies by accommodation, with pickup starting about one to one and a half hours before the 9:00 a.m. activity time. Confirm the exact time with the operator the day before.

Meeting up and planning your day

The standard meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot in Cabo San Lucas, in front of the OXXO convenience store. It is opposite the Sandos Finisterra hotel. Cruise ship passengers are directed to the same area: after leaving the tender pier through the security gate, follow the red sidewalk beside the harbor to the Cruise Terminal, pass through the building and exit into the parking lot. The OXXO is near the lot exit, where the guide will wait.

If you use the complimentary transport, hotel pickup is offered across San José del Cabo, the corridor and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. The operator says pickup times depend on your accommodation and may begin about one to one and a half hours before the scheduled start. Confirm your exact time the day before. Hotels outside the tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu and Four Seasons, are not covered by pickup; you will need to meet at Plaza Gali.

The experience requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You do not need prior surfing experience, but expect to be active on the beach and in the water. Weather and sea conditions can affect the plan. High swell, wind, rain, tropical storms or jellyfish may lead to a change of location, rescheduling or cancellation. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this surf lesson

This outing suits first-time surfers who want an instructor rather than trying to figure out a board on their own. It can also work well for families, since children from age six are allowed and coaches can adjust instruction to different skill levels. If your family includes non-surfers, the observer option lets them share the day at the beach without taking a lesson.

It is also a sensible choice if you want to get out of Cabo for a few hours and do not want to arrange gear, transport and food separately. The trade-off is the time commitment and the uncertainty that comes with outdoor conditions. If a change of beach or date would disrupt your plans, build some flexibility into your schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a supported first surf session, a beach day beyond Cabo’s marina area and the convenience of included equipment, lunch and optional transport. The best reasons to go are the small-group coaching, the chance to learn at a beginner-friendly pace, and the observer setup for companions.

Skip it if you want only a short activity, dislike spending much of a day in transit and at the beach, or cannot be flexible about weather. If you do book, share wetsuit or rash guard sizes, note any children in your group, request a fiberglass board in advance if needed, and confirm the pickup time the day before. That simple preparation should make the day easier from the first meeting point to the last ride back.

FAQ

Do I need surfing experience?

No. The lesson is designed for all experience levels, including beginners, and the instructor helps first-timers learn enough to catch a wave.

What is included in the $70 price?

The price includes a professional instructor, foam surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, Mexican lunch and hotel or port pickup and drop-off. Personal expenses and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can I request a fiberglass surfboard?

Yes. Foam boards are normally used, but you can request a fiberglass board in advance.

Are children allowed?

Yes. The minimum age is six, and children and adults pay the same price. Specify when booking if children are participating.

Can someone come along without surfing?

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

Is lunch included, and are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Lunch is included, with Mexican dishes such as tacos, chips, sauces and guacamole. Vegetarian options include salads, quesadillas, beans and rice. Skipping lunch does not reduce the price.

Where is the meeting point in Cabo San Lucas?

The standard meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the OXXO near the lot exit and opposite Sandos Finisterra.

Is hotel pickup available?

Complimentary round-trip pickup is offered in San José del Cabo, the corridor and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Pickup time depends on your accommodation, and you should confirm it the day before. Hotels outside the tourist area are not covered.

What happens if weather or surf conditions are poor?

Conditions such as wind, high waves, rain, tropical storms or jellyfish may lead to a location change, rescheduling or cancellation. If the operator cancels due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.