Surf Lessons at Cerritos

The best part of this day is the chance to learn on Cerritos Beach, a broad Pacific beach reached by a scenic road through Baja hills and ocean views. I like the patient, personal coaching, especially for first-timers, and I like that parents or friends can come along as observers with shade, chairs, water, and snacks. The main drawback is the long day: about six and a half to seven hours with transport, and foam boards may feel basic to experienced surfers.

I also like the family-friendly setup. Children as young as six can join, and the guide-to-group ratio is one coach for every three people. Marco, Allan, Alan, Louis, and Mike are among the instructors praised for clear coaching, good humor, and careful attention to children and nervous adults.

The $70 price covers a lot: hotel or port pickup, equipment, instruction, lunch, and the ride back. You should still have a moderate fitness level, and conditions can change because of wind, high surf, rain, tropical weather, or jellyfish.

Key points to know before you book

• Cerritos is the winter surf beach: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move here because Costa Azul usually lacks suitable waves.
• Small groups mean real coaching: One guide is assigned for every three participants, with a maximum group size of 15.
• Foam boards are standard: They are used for safety and beginner comfort. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one.
• Lunch is part of the day: Expect Mexican food such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water, with vegetarian choices.
• Observers have their own setup: Non-surfers can book transport, shaded chairs, umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks without taking a lesson.
• Pickup takes planning: Hotel pickups may begin about an hour to an hour and a half before the 9:00 a.m. start.

The scenic road from Cabo to Cerritos Beach

This is not a quick beach transfer. You spend much of the morning on the Transpeninsular Highway, the main road linking communities along the Baja peninsula.

That ride is part of the appeal. As you leave Cabo San Lucas, look for views of the Pacific Ocean and the dry Baja mountains. The scenery gives you a useful sense of the region: this is not a resort beach hidden behind buildings, but a wide-open Pacific setting reached by road.

Bring your phone or camera where you can reach it before the lesson. The views are especially good for photos during the drive, though you should keep personal items secure once you reach the beach. There are no lockers at the lesson site, but you can leave belongings in the transportation.

Pickup is offered from hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. The exact pickup time depends on your location. Plan for roughly one hour before the tour, with some information advising that pickups can begin about an hour and a half before the scheduled activity.

If you are staying at Hard Rock, Nobu, or Four Seasons, the complimentary service does not cover those properties. Instead, meet the group at Plaza Gali in Cabo San Lucas.

Meeting at Plaza Gali and starting at 9:00 a.m.

The standard meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the OXXO convenience store. It is at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, near the marina and 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 along the harbor. Keep the water on your right and Gali Plaza on your left. Walk about 20 yards to the cruise terminal building marked API in blue, pass through it, and exit into the parking lot. The OXXO is near the exit, where the guide waits.

That detail matters if you are visiting from a ship. Allow enough time to get off the tender, pass security, and find the store. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, unless you use hotel transport.

The ride is generally made in an air-conditioned van. A clean, comfortable vehicle matters here because the drive to Cerritos and back takes a sizable part of the day.

Your first lesson at Playa Los Cerritos

Cerritos is the main event. Once you arrive, the instructor gets you fitted with a rash guard or wetsuit and provides a surfboard. Send your clothing size when booking so the team can prepare the right gear.

The standard boards are foam boards. That is a sensible choice for a first lesson because they are forgiving and designed with safety in mind. If you already surf and specifically want a fiberglass board, request one ahead of time. Do not assume it will be available on the beach without advance notice.

No previous surfing experience is required. Beginners receive instruction aimed at catching a first wave, while stronger surfers can receive coaching suited to their level. The lesson can begin with basic board position, paddling, timing, and standing technique, then progress as your confidence grows.

The strongest part of the teaching is the personal attention. With one coach for every three people, the instructor can help position you for a wave, correct your stance, and give short reminders as you paddle. One first-time surfer described being guided from direct help toward simple spoken cues as confidence improved. That is the sort of progression you want: enough support to succeed, then enough independence to keep learning.

Marco is especially noted for working one-on-one with a first-time surfer, adjusting the size of the waves as the lesson progressed. Allan and Alan are also praised for making the day fun while helping people catch waves. Louis is a good name to request if you are traveling with children, based on his careful attention to a family group. Mike is described as both a capable instructor and a helpful host during the full day.

Instructor assignments can change, so you should not count on a particular coach unless the company confirms it. Still, the pattern is clear: the teaching style is encouraging and hands-on rather than a quick beachside briefing followed by sending you into the water alone.

What the small-group format means in practice

A maximum of 15 people sounds larger than a private lesson, but the coach ratio keeps the actual instruction groups small. For every three participants, one guide is assigned.

That setup is useful for mixed abilities. A child may need close supervision, a parent may be nervous about swimming, and a stronger surfer may want to work on timing. The instructors can adjust the coaching instead of giving everyone the same directions.

Families are a particularly good fit. Children must be at least six years old, and you should identify children when booking. The company says it aims to add an extra guide when children participate, which gives families another reason to provide accurate ages in advance.

You do need moderate physical fitness. Surfing involves paddling, pushing up from the board, repeated attempts, and time in the water. One participant who was not a strong swimmer still found standing on the board achievable, but you should be honest about your comfort level and follow the instructor’s safety guidance.

A good beach day for non-surfers too

You do not have to surf to make the trip worthwhile. Book the observer, or non-surfer, option if you want to accompany a family member or friend without taking a lesson.

The observer fee includes round-trip transportation, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks. You can stay on the beach and watch the lesson rather than paying for a surf spot you will not use.

This is a strong feature for families with grandparents or friends who prefer dry land. Observers can enjoy the beach while the surfers work with the coaches. The beach setting itself is part of the attraction, with sparkling sand noted by one family who brought parents along.

There are no locker facilities. Keep valuables to a minimum and use the transportation for belongings. You should not expect a full resort beach club with private storage or changing rooms.

Mexican lunch and the stop at Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa

Lunch is included and adds practical value to the price. The meal features Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, tortilla chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

You can skip lunch if you want, but there is no discount for doing so. Since you are spending most of the day away from Cabo and using energy in the water, keeping the meal in the plan makes sense.

The route includes a stop at Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa. The available details do not specify every activity at this stop, so do not treat it as a separate sightseeing tour. Think of it as one of the established points connected with the beach day and lunch arrangements.

Alcohol is not included. Personal expenses are also yours to cover, so bring a small amount of money if you want anything beyond the provided meal and refreshments.

The ride back through Baja

After the beach time and lunch, you return along the Transpeninsular Highway. The repeat highway stop may sound unremarkable on paper, but it is simply the return portion of the day rather than another attraction.

The total activity lasts about six and a half hours including transport, while the general duration is listed as approximately seven hours. That difference is minor, but it tells you to keep the whole day open. This is not a short lesson squeezed between a cruise ship breakfast and an afternoon appointment.

The return ride also gives you another chance to take in the Pacific and mountain views. One instructor even offered to show a participant Costa Azul on the way back, though that was a personal gesture rather than a guaranteed part of the program. Do not book this tour expecting a second surf session at Costa Azul.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the value is good if you plan to use the included pieces. You receive instruction, a board, a rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, and round-trip transportation. Hotel and port pickup are complimentary and optional, so the price does not change if you meet at Plaza Gali instead.

A private lesson in a beach destination can cost more, while a cheap group class may leave you sharing one instructor with too many people. Here, the one-to-three coaching ratio is the key value point. It gives beginners a better chance of getting useful corrections instead of waiting for attention.

The price is the same for children and adults. That may feel high for a young child who spends less time in the water, but the small-group coaching and possible extra supervision help explain the structure. Families should compare the cost with the benefit of having equipment, transport, lunch, and instruction handled in one booking.

One fair criticism concerns the boards. Foam boards are used for safety, but an experienced surfer may find them less responsive. If you want fiberglass, ask in advance. The equipment concern is worth raising before you pay, not after you arrive.

Weather, surf conditions, and cancellation details

Surfing depends on nature, and this company takes weather seriously. High wind, large waves, rain, tropical storms, 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. That policy protects you from being sent into unsafe water, though it can disrupt a tight vacation schedule.

There is conflicting timing in the supplied cancellation details. One section says a full refund requires cancellation at least 48 hours before the start, while the stated cancellation policy says 24 hours. Confirm the current deadline at booking and use the stricter 48-hour window if you want to avoid a dispute.

The seasonal change is important. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul. From November 15 to March 15, they move to Cerritos because Costa Azul generally lacks waves in winter. If Cerritos is your priority, check the date range before booking.

Who should book this Cerritos surf lesson?

I would choose this for a first-time surfer who wants a real chance to stand up, rather than simply rent a board and figure things out alone. The coach ratio, foam equipment, and step-by-step help make the day approachable.

It also fits families. The minimum age is six, child supervision is considered, and the instruction can be adjusted to different skill levels. Parents who do not surf can join as observers instead of sitting out the entire day at the hotel.

You should also consider it if you are staying in Cabo but want a full beach outing beyond the marina and resort zone. The road views, Pacific setting, lunch, and long beach stop make this more than a one-hour lesson.

I would hesitate if you want advanced surf equipment, a short schedule, or guaranteed waves. Foam boards are standard, conditions can force changes, and the total day takes most of your morning and afternoon. Strong swimmers and experienced surfers may want to ask specific questions about board choice and coaching goals before booking.

Should you book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

Book it if you value patient instruction, simple logistics, and a full beach day. The strongest reasons are the small coaching groups, included equipment, Mexican lunch, and observer option. Children and nervous first-timers receive the kind of direct help that can turn a difficult sport into a rewarding first success.

Skip it if your Cabo schedule is packed or you want a high-performance surf session with fiberglass boards guaranteed. For most beginners, families, and curious observers, though, the $70 package offers a practical way to reach Cerritos and spend the day well.

FAQ

How much does Surf Lessons at Cerritos cost?

The price is $70 per person. Children and adults pay the same rate.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts about six and a half hours including round-trip transportation. It is also described as approximately seven hours in total.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickups may begin about one hour to one and a half hours before the activity, depending on your location.

Where is the standard meeting point?

The meeting point is Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the OXXO convenience store, at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36 in Cabo San Lucas.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Complimentary round-trip transport covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Hotels outside the tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons, use the standard Plaza Gali meeting point.

Do I need previous surfing experience?

No. The lesson is designed for beginners as well as stronger surfers. The instructor teaches beginners how to catch a wave and provides coaching for more experienced participants.

What equipment is included?

A surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, and professional instruction are included. Foam boards are standard. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one.

Can someone come along without surfing?

Yes. Book an observer, also called a non-surfer or companion, spot. This includes transport, shaded chairs and umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks at the beach.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity may be moved to another location, rescheduled, or canceled because of rain, wind, high surf, tropical weather, or jellyfish. If the operator cancels, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.