Private Surf lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos gives you a full Baja day, not just a quick lesson. You ride a beach break with a professional coach, then eat fish tacos or another Mexican lunch beside the Pacific. The road west from Cabo is part of the treat, with mountain and ocean views along the Transpeninsular Highway.

I like the private format, since the coach can adjust the lesson to your level and your group can stop when it has had enough. I also like that boards, wetsuits or rash guards, shade, chairs, and lunch are included. The main drawback is the long day: you spend about two hours on the road, and conditions can force a change of beach or date.

Key points before you book

• Cerritos is the winter surf location: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move here because Costa Azul generally lacks waves during that season.
• The lesson suits first-timers and experienced surfers: Coaches teach beginners to catch a wave and provide technique help for stronger riders.
• Your $100 covers more than instruction: Transport, equipment, lunch, shade, and beach seating are included.
• The trip begins early: The standard start is 7:30 am, with hotel pickup roughly one hour earlier when you use the complimentary transfer.
• The group has clear limits: A private booking allows 3 to 10 participants, with one coach for every three people.
• Weather matters: Rain, wind, large swell, or jellyfish can lead to a location change, rescheduling, or cancellation with a full refund if the operator cancels.

The long road to Playa Los Cerritos

The day starts in Cabo San Lucas at 7:30 am, or earlier at your hotel if you use the included transfer. From the Cabo tourist area, the drive follows the Transpeninsular Highway toward Cerritos, taking about an hour each way.

This is not dead time. You get broad views of the Pacific and Baja mountains, with plenty of scenery for photos. Still, set your expectations correctly: the tour lasts about five to six hours, and roughly two hours of that time is transportation. If you want a lesson directly beside your Cabo hotel, this is not the right setup.

The road trip also explains why the experience feels like a day out rather than a standard poolside resort activity. You leave the main Cabo resort zone and spend time at a Pacific beach known for surf. The drive is part of the value, but it also makes an early start and a moderate fitness level important.

Pickup is available from hotels in San Jose del Cabo, along the corridor, and in the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. You should provide your exact hotel when booking and confirm the pickup time one day before. Hotels outside the tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons, are not covered by hotel pickup. For those properties, you meet at Plaza Gali.

Finding the Plaza Gali meeting point

If you are driving yourself, or your hotel is outside the pickup zone, go to the Plaza Gali parking lot in central Cabo. The meeting point is in front of the OXXO convenience store, across from the Sandos Finisterra hotel.

Cruise ship passengers have a slightly more involved walk. From the tender pier, pass through the security gate and turn right onto the red sidewalk beside the harbor. Walk about 20 yards to the Cruise Terminal building marked API, go through the building to the parking lot, and look for the OXXO at the exit. Your guide waits there.

The official starting and ending address is listed as Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 853, but the detailed pickup instructions identify Plaza Gali parking lot, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, as the practical meeting spot. I would rely on the Plaza Gali and OXXO instructions, then confirm the exact point with the operator before setting out.

The return is to the same general area, with drop-off also available at Plaza Gali or your hotel. The transfer is complimentary and optional, so the price does not change if you make your own way there.

Learning the basics at a forgiving beach break

At Playa Los Cerritos, the surf lesson takes place on a beach break exposed to northwest swells. Conditions can become clean and suitable for stronger surfers, but the beach is also used for beginner instruction.

The coaching plan depends on your ability. If you are new to surfing, the aim is to help you feel safe, understand the basics, and catch a wave. If you already surf, the coach can focus more on technique and wave selection. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private outing instead of a large group class.

The experience has a minimum of three and a maximum of ten participants. For every three people, one guide or coach is assigned. That ratio matters because surfing lessons can feel chaotic when too many people share one instructor. If children are joining, say so when booking. The operator aims to provide an extra guide for supervision when children take part.

The minimum age is six. Prices are the same for children and adults, so a family should compare the total cost before booking. The lesson requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and you need to be comfortable spending time in the water and on the beach.

Foam boards, wetsuits, and beach comfort

The standard boards are foam boards. That is a sensible choice for beginners because they are designed for instruction and are generally more forgiving than hard fiberglass boards. If you prefer a fiberglass board, request one in advance rather than assuming it will be available on the beach.

A rash guard or wetsuit is included, but you need to provide your size ahead of time. This small step is worth doing early. Proper fit makes the water time more comfortable and avoids a last-minute scramble over equipment.

The beach has no locker facilities. You can leave personal items in the transport, but you should still pack lightly and avoid bringing valuables. The included chairs and umbrellas create a shaded base at the beach, which is especially useful for family members or companions who do not surf.

A non-surfer can join as an observer by booking a companion spot on the transport. That fee includes round-trip transportation, the shaded camp, bottled water, and snacks. An observer can watch the lesson and enjoy the beach, but the surf activity itself is reserved for booked surfers.

Lunch at Cerritos Surf Town

After the lesson, lunch is served through Cerritos Surf Town Restaurant. The meal focuses on straightforward Mexican food: fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and refreshing flavored water. Chicken and beef are also available, along with vegetarian choices such as salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

I see real value in having lunch included. After several hours around the water, you do not need to search for a restaurant or worry about carrying enough food from Cabo. The meal also keeps the day tied to Cerritos rather than sending you straight back to the resort area.

Lunch is optional, but there is no price reduction if you skip it. Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses are not included. If you want a drink with the meal, budget for it separately.

The schedule gives lunch about an hour. The provided timing also lists about three hours at Playa Los Cerritos, with lunch included in that beach stop. That does not necessarily mean three full hours of continuous surfing. Part of the time covers instruction, changing, sitting under the umbrellas, and eating.

What the $100 price really includes

At $100 per person, this is not just a surfboard rental. The price includes transport from much of the Cabo area, a private guide, surf equipment, a rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, chairs, and umbrellas.

That package makes the price reasonable for someone who wants a managed day with no separate equipment rental or restaurant planning. It is particularly useful if you are staying in San Jose del Cabo or along the corridor, since the transfer removes the need to arrange a vehicle for the drive to Cerritos.

The value is less clear if you only want a short surf session or already have your own board and transport. You are paying for the road trip, coaching, lunch, and beach setup. The private format also means you are not being placed into a general class with strangers, although the minimum booking is three participants.

The operator does not identify individual coaches in the supplied information, so you cannot select a named instructor in advance. You can, however, explain the group’s abilities and note any children when booking. That information should help the team set the lesson at the right level.

Seasonal timing and changing conditions

The location changes by season. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul. From November 15 to March 15, the activity moves to Cerritos because Costa Azul generally has no waves during winter.

That makes the title and location details worth checking before you book. If you specifically want Cerritos, aim for the November to March season. If you book during the warmer part of the year, you may be taken to Costa Azul instead.

Surfing depends on weather and ocean conditions. Rain, strong wind, high swell, or jellyfish can lead to a location change, a new date, or cancellation. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The policy details supplied for advance cancellations are inconsistent: one section says 48 hours, while the cancellation terms say 24 hours. Since the final terms are important, confirm the required notice when you book. A late cancellation or no-show is charged in full under the stated conditions.

Who will get the most from this day

This experience fits a family, couple, or small group that wants a private lesson and a beach outing in one package. Beginners benefit from the coaching and foam boards, while experienced surfers can request more tailored instruction.

It is also a good match for cruise passengers, provided you allow enough time for the pickup procedure and the return to port. The exact duration is about five to six hours, so you should not book it against a tight ship departure without allowing extra time.

Families should note the six-year minimum age and the equal child and adult pricing. Parents should also identify children at the time of booking so the operator can plan supervision.

This is less suitable if you dislike early mornings, road time, or changing weather plans. It may also disappoint someone expecting a nonstop surf session. The beach stop includes instruction, lunch, changing, and rest, not simply hours of riding waves.

Should you book the Cerritos surf lesson?

Book it if you want a well-organized Pacific beach day with private instruction, included equipment, lunch, and transportation. Cerritos is especially appealing in winter, when the lesson moves there for better surf conditions, and the drive gives you a look beyond Cabo’s resort zone.

Think twice if you want the shortest possible lesson, a guaranteed surf location, or complete control over the schedule. Conditions can change, and the day includes a long drive. For most small groups seeking a first surf experience or a relaxed return to the sport, the $100 package offers solid value. Just confirm your pickup time, equipment sizes, season, and cancellation deadline before paying.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson take place?

From November 15 to March 15, the lesson takes place at Playa Los Cerritos. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul.

Is prior surfing experience required?

No. The lesson is designed for all experience levels, including beginners who need help catching a wave and experienced surfers seeking coaching.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off, a private guide, a foam surfboard, a rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, chairs, and umbrellas.

What time does the experience start?

The standard start time is 7:30 am. Hotel pickup is usually about one hour before the activity begins, and you should confirm your exact pickup time one day before.

Can children join the surf lesson?

Yes. The minimum age is six, and children should be identified when booking. The operator aims to provide an extra guide for supervision when children participate.

How many people can join?

The private activity accepts a minimum of three and a maximum of ten participants. One guide or coach is assigned for every three people.

Can someone come along without surfing?

Yes. A non-surfer can book an observer or companion spot, which includes round-trip transportation, shaded chairs and umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Rain, wind, high swell, or jellyfish can cause a location change, rescheduling, or cancellation. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.