Surfing in Cabo is fun. Learning it at Playa Los Cerritos makes it easier, thanks to the small-group setup and foam boards being provided. I also love the bonus Mexican restaurant lunch and the option for non-surfers to observe from a shaded camp. A key thing to consider is this experience depends on wave and weather conditions, so the day can shift locations or timing if conditions are rough.

The best part is how the coaches work with your level, from total first-timers to people who already know how to read a break. Guides like Marco, Alan, Louis, and Mike show up with that calm, encouraging vibe, and they focus on getting you standing up, not just paddling around. One more practical note: there are no locker facilities on the beach, so you will want to travel light and keep valuables secure with the group setup.

Key points that make this surf day worth planning

• Small group coaching (about 1 guide/coach per 3 people) helps you get more time in the action.
• Foam boards and safety-focused gear are included, and you can request fiberglass in advance if needed.
• Winter sessions are at Cerritos, while summer lessons shift to Costa Azul based on surf conditions.
• Lunch at a local Mexican spot is included, with a vegetarian option (and it is not just chips and salsa).
• Observers can join and spend the day at a shaded camp with chairs, bottled water, and snacks.
• You get photo-worthy scenery on the drive, with Pacific Ocean and mountain views along the route.

Cerritos surf lessons: what you’re really buying for $70

At $70 per person, this is one of the cleaner deals in Cabo for a full half-day of instruction plus the stuff that usually costs extra. You are not just paying for a board and a beach. You are paying for a professional instructor, a safer foam-board setup for learning, hotel or port pickup, and a proper lunch after you work up an appetite.

The value shows up in two ways. First, the class size is capped at 15 travelers, and coaching density is built in (for every 3 people in the class, there is 1 guide/coach). That matters because beginners progress faster when someone is watching your positioning and timing. Second, you skip the planning headache. Boards and wetsuits or rash guards are included, and you get a planned route from the center of town.

The experience is aimed at all levels, but it truly shines if you have never surfed before. You are taught enough to catch a wave, and if you already surf, the coaching can be more direct. Minimum age is 6, and they aim to add supervision for children by having an extra guide if kids are participating.

Meeting point, pickup timing, and how not to waste your morning

The day starts at 9:00 am, but pickup starts earlier. You can expect to be collected about 1.5 hours before the scheduled activity time, with exact timing based on where you’re staying.

There are two main ways to meet up:

1) Cruise ship passengers: you walk from the tender pier through pier security, turn right on the red sidewalk by the harbor, find Gali Plaza on your left, then walk about 20 yards to the cruise terminal area with the API sign in blue letters. From the terminal, you exit to a parking lot where you will find an Oxxo store. Your guide waits in front of the store.

2) If you drive yourself: meet at Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of Sandos Finisterra, and look for the Oxxo convenience store at the exit of the parking lot.

If you choose the complimentary transport service, it covers hotels in San Jose del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Pickup is about one hour before the tour. One-day-before confirmation is recommended so the pickup time matches your exact hotel.

Practical tip: when you are half-asleep and looking for a tour van, the Oxxo landmark is your best friend. I like tours that anchor you to something obvious.

The scenic Transpeninsular Highway photo stop (and why it matters)

You will start along the Transpeninsular Highway, which is more than a transfer. It is a built-in reset. Along the drive, you get views of the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, and there are moments where you can pull your eyes away from your phone and just take it in.

Stop 1 is the Transpeninsular Highway, and Stop 2 is at Playa Los Cerritos. Then you loop back along the highway again before ending up around Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa as Stop 4.

Why this matters for you: good surf days are calm days. If the logistics are smooth and the trip is scenic, your energy is better when you hit the beach. Also, the views are real and photogenic, so if you are traveling with family, grandparents, or anyone who wants something pretty even if they do not surf, this drive helps balance the day.

Playa Los Cerritos: where the learning actually happens

Once you reach Playa Los Cerritos, your day becomes hands-on. This is where your surf lesson turns from a plan into sore legs and big smiles.

Here is what you can count on immediately:

• Professional instruction from the start of the session.
• Equipment included: boards are foam boards by default.
• You will be working on basics like positioning, paddling, and standing technique.

One of the most repeated themes from the day is that instructors focus on the step-by-step moments that make surfing click. In real life, that is what gets people up on a wave. Beginners do not need a long lecture. They need quick, clear cues and someone watching where they fall short.

Cerritos also has a beach vibe that families tend to enjoy. One observer described the sand as sparkling with mica, which sounds like hyperbole until you see it for yourself. Either way, it is a friendly place to spend the afternoon, even if you are not in the lineup.

Foam boards, rash guards, and the coaching style that gets you standing

Let’s talk about the equipment first. For safety and learning, the class uses foam boards. If you require fiberglass, you need to request that in advance when you book. They also provide a rash guard or wetsuit, and they ask you to share your size in advance so you get the right fit.

That might seem minor, but it changes comfort. A wetsuit that fits well helps you focus on technique instead of adjusting every five minutes.

Now, the coaching. The best lessons are not loud. They are specific. In the water, coaches look for your timing and your body position, then adjust what you do next. One rider had Marco as an instructor and got almost one-on-one help because the group was small that day. The results were exactly what you want for a first timer: starting with correct positioning, then getting deeper into bigger waves only as confidence builds.

For children, they also tailor instruction. There was a family day where multiple instructors helped a 9-year-old and an adult progress from small waves to larger ones. The tone was patient, encouraging, and adjusted to each person’s level, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

A balanced note from one experience: one person felt the surfboards needed an upgrade. That does not mean your lesson will be like that, but it is a good reminder to check your board when you arrive and mention it if something feels off.

Lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, plus the observer option for family time

After you ride (and wipe out, which is part of the deal), lunch is included. The menu is Mexican and typically includes items like fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, and guacamole, plus refreshing flavored water. There is also a vegetarian option, with dishes like salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

Two ways this helps your trip:

• It keeps your energy up so the final part of the day feels good, not dragged out.
• It keeps costs predictable. Food in Cabo adds up fast once you are hungry and sunburned.

If you would rather not surf, you can book an observer (non-surfer) spot. Observers still get transportation plus a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks. You can watch the lesson from the beach while your group is in the water. This is great for parents taking kids, friends on a mixed plan, or anyone who wants the beach day without committing to a board.

Important practical detail: lunch is included, but it is optional. If you skip lunch, there is no discount. I would plan to eat unless you have a strong reason not to.

Timing, total duration, and what the day feels like

This is listed as about 7 hours total, and the activity itself lasts about 6:30 hours including round-trip transportation. The start is 9:00 am, and you end back at the same meeting point where you began.

That structure is ideal if you still want dinner plans later in the day. You get a full experience, but you are not losing your whole vacation.

Since surf conditions can shift, the day is designed to stay flexible. Weather factors like rain, high swell, wind, and even jellyfish can lead to changes in location, rescheduling, or cancellation. If conditions are not favorable for safety, the operator will offer a different date or a refund depending on the situation.

If you are the type who likes rigid schedules, build in a little wiggle room. Surf is weather’s playground.

Seasons: Cerritos in winter, Costa Azul in summer

One detail that matters for expectations: lesson locations change with the season.

• In summer (March 15 to November 15), lessons are available on Costa Azul.
• In winter (November 15 to March 15), lessons are at Cerritos Beach.

The reason is simple: during winter, there are no waves on the Costa Azul beach, so they switch to Cerritos. If you are visiting in the off-months, this is comforting. You still get real surf time, not a sad lesson on dry sand.

What to pack and what to watch for on beach time

Because there are no locker facilities at the beach, keep your belongings minimal. You can leave personal items in the transportation safely, and you will likely want to keep only what you need for the water.

What to bring is pretty straightforward:

• Your swimwear, since you are going in the ocean
• Your rash guard or wetsuit size info if you are sent for gear adjustment
• A towel and a quick-dry change of clothes for after
• Sunscreen and water, especially if you burn easily

Also, plan your pace. Travelers should have moderate physical fitness. If you can handle swimming a bit and getting up from sand, you’re probably fine. Minimum age is 6, so the activity is not restricted to hardcore athletes.

If you are a non-swimmer or nervous about the ocean, it is worth discussing that during pickup. Instructors can coach you on what to do if you wipe out and how to position yourself so you spend less time panicking and more time learning.

Is this the right surf lesson for your group?

This is best for:

• First-timers who want real coaching and a realistic chance of standing up
• Families where everyone may not surf, since observers can join and enjoy the beach from a shaded camp
• People who prefer a small group with lots of attention per person (the coach-to-student ratio helps)

It might not be ideal if:

• You hate uncertainty. Weather and swell can change plans.
• You need a specific board type like fiberglass, since you must request that in advance.
• You want full on-site storage, because there are no lockers.

For many people, it becomes the Cabo memory you brag about later, the one where you actually learned something instead of just taking photos.

Should you book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

If you want a surf lesson that feels organized, safety-minded, and focused on getting you results, book it. The package is strong for the price: instructor-led coaching, foam boards and wetsuits/rash guards, hotel or port pickup, and lunch. Add a small group size and the option for observers, and it works for mixed groups without turning your vacation into logistics hell.

Before you go, do two things. First, confirm whether your season sends you to Cerritos or Costa Azul so your expectations match the waves. Second, bring your best “learning mindset,” meaning you’re ready to paddle, fall, and listen. Surf teaches fast when the coach is watching your body position and you keep showing up for the next attempt.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you are booking for beginners or mixed skill. I can help you plan what to expect from the surf season and how to set your group up for the smoothest day.

FAQ

What’s included in the surf lesson?

The lesson includes a professional instructor, a surf board (foam boards for safety unless you request fiberglass in advance), and a rash guard or wetsuit based on your size. Lunch is included at a local Mexican restaurant, and hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included.

Do I need to bring my own surf equipment?

No. Surf boards and wetsuits or rash guards are provided. If you require fiberglass surfboards instead of foam, you need to request this in advance when booking.

Is lunch included, and can I skip it?

Lunch is included, and there is a vegetarian option. Lunch is optional, but there is no discount if you choose not to go for lunch.

Can non-surfers join the trip?

Yes. You can book an observer (non-surfer) spot. Observers include round-trip transportation, shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks, and they can watch the lesson from the beach.

What’s the meeting point and start time?

The meeting point is Plaza Gali parking lot (Oxxo), Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas. Start time is 9:00 am, with pickup beginning about 1.5 hours before the scheduled activity time.

Where are the lessons held?

In winter (November 15 to March 15), lessons are at Cerritos beach. In summer (March 15 to November 15), lessons are on Costa Azul. The operator may change location due to weather and wave conditions.

What happens if weather is bad?

If conditions are not favorable due to wind, high waves, tropical storms, or other factors, the operator may change the day of your reservation or offer a refund. You will be informed of the options and you make the decision. If the activity is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.