Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Learning to surf in Cabo is easier than you think. A small-group class at Cerritos focuses on getting you onto waves fast, with foam boards and wetsuits supplied and a real Mexican lunch (including vegetarian). I also like that the day is built for beginners and families, with coaching that adjusts to your level (I’ve seen this firsthand in stories about instructors like Marco and Alan). The main downside to plan around is weather: wind, swell, rain, or jellyfish can trigger a beach switch or a reschedule.

If you’re traveling with people who don’t surf, you’re covered. You can book an observer spot and spend the day at a shaded camp while instructors handle everything in the water. Expect about a 7-hour outing with hotel or port pickup, a beach-centered itinerary, and plenty of time outdoors.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Small group energy with coaching support scaled to the class (up to 15 people, and about a guide for every 3 participants)
• Foam boards for safety are included, with fiberglass available only if you request it in advance
• Instructor coaching in the water, with step-by-step cues that help first-timers stand and ride
• Playa Los Cerritos + photo-friendly highway stops that show the Pacific and the mountains
• Lunch at a Mexican restaurant with fish tacos, shrimp, guacamole, and a solid vegetarian option
• Observer comfort: shaded camp, umbrellas and chairs, plus bottled water and snacks

Why Cerritos Beach Works So Well for a First-Time Ride

Cabo’s surf scene has its schedule, and this lesson plays it smart. In the summer season (March 15 to November 15), lessons are typically run at Costa Azul. In the winter season (November 15 to March 15), the program switches to Cerritos beach because Costa Azul doesn’t offer the same wave conditions then.

For a beginner, that matters more than people realize. You’re not just chasing a dramatic coastline view; you’re trying to get enough consistent, learnable waves to practice timing, paddling, and getting to standing. Cerritos is set up for that kind of day, and the structure of the class supports it.

The other reason I like this beach choice: the lesson day is designed to keep you moving. You’ll have enough in-water time to build skill, and you’re not stuck on the shore wondering if you’ll ever get a wave.

The Day at Cerritos: From Highway Photo Stops to Surf Town

The outing starts around 9:00 am, but your day really begins when the pickup window opens. Pickups are assigned based on your lodging, and they typically start about 1.5 hours before the scheduled activity time. If you’re using the optional hotel transport in the tourist corridor and Cabo San Lucas area, they pick you up about an hour before.

Here’s how the day flows once you’re out the door:

• Stop 1: La Carretera Transpeninsular

This stretch is part travel break, part scenic bonus. You’ll get views of the Pacific and the mountains along the way, and it’s a good spot to grab quick photos before the surf focus takes over.

• Stop 2: Playa Los Cerritos

This is where the session centers. This is your beach base for the lesson, the equipment fitting, and the in-water instruction.

• Stop 3: Back on La Carretera Transpeninsular

This is another regroup-and-transfer moment during the day. It’s typically how the itinerary handles timing and flow as you move between activity areas.

• Stop 4: Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa

This stop signals the day’s hub point. It’s where the program organizes the next part of the experience—then you transition toward lunch and back toward your meeting point.

A small note that helps you feel prepared: the activity lasts about 6:30 hours including round-trip transportation. So yes, it feels like a full day, but it’s not a half-day shuffle.

Getting There: Meeting Point, Cruise Port Tips, and Optional Transport

Logistics are where vacation days are won or lost, and this one is pretty straightforward if you read the meeting instructions carefully.

Main meeting point

You’ll meet at Plaza Gali, parking lot by the Oxxo store area in Centro, Marina:

• Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 853 (Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico)

If you’re driving yourself, the meeting is in front of the Sandos Finisterra hotel area, at the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot where you’ll see Oxxo.

Cruise ship passengers

From the tender pier, you walk through the pier security gate, turn right on the red sidewalk bordering the harbor. The Gali Plaza is on your left, water on your right. Walk about 20 yards to the cruise terminal building. After entering and exiting to the parking lot, you’ll spot Oxxo—and your guide waits in front of it.

Optional complimentary transport

You can also choose complimentary round-trip transport if you’re staying in San Jose del Cabo, the corridor, or the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Pickups start about an hour before the tour, and you confirm your pickup time one day before.

One practical heads-up: the program says they don’t offer pickup from some farther luxury properties outside the tourist area, like Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons. If you’re in one of those, you’ll likely meet at the Plaza Gali standard point.

Gear and Coaching: Foam Boards, Wetsuits, and Real Confidence

Surf lessons live or die by two things: equipment safety and teaching clarity. This experience handles both.

Equipment is included (and it’s the right kind for beginners)

You don’t need to bring surf gear. The lesson provides:

• Foam surf boards (for safety)
• A rash guard or wetsuit (you provide your size in advance)

There’s also a key detail if you’re picky or experienced: if you require a fiberglass board instead, you must request it in advance at booking.

Coaching is hands-on

No prior surfing experience is required. The class is built to work across levels, from first-timers to people who already surf. For beginners, the goal is simple: help you paddle, position yourself, and stand up at the right time.

The strongest praise I see across the guide stories is that instructors don’t just yell from shore. Coaches spend real time in the water, adjust to your energy, and dial in cues. Names that come up often include Marco and Alan, both described as patient, encouraging, and focused on positioning. That coaching style is what turns a try-it-once lesson into a you-can-do-this moment.

Group size and support

This is a maximum of 15 people, and the program scales support with a guide/coach ratio (around 1 guide/coach per 3 people). That’s why your instruction doesn’t feel like a lecture. You get individualized attention.

Lunch After Surf: Mexican Food That Actually Makes Sense

You’ll work up an appetite, and the day accounts for it. Lunch is included, served at a local Mexican restaurant.

Menu highlights listed for the meal include:

• fish tacos and shrimp
• chips and sauces
• guacamole
• refreshing flavored water

There’s a vegetarian option too, with meals like salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

One practical angle: lunch is included, but it’s described as optional. If you skip it, there’s no discount on the lesson price. So plan on eating unless you’re confident you won’t want it.

Observer Time: Beach Comfort Without Feeling Like You’re Waiting

Not everyone in your group needs to ride waves. If you’d rather watch, you can book an observer (non-surfer) spot.

The observer fee includes:

• round-trip transportation
• a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs
• bottled water and snacks

And you’ll be able to enjoy the beach while the lesson happens. This is a great setup for families, especially if you have kids who want to learn but grandparents or non-swimmers want a comfy day.

Also note a practical reality: the lessons happen on the beach where there are no locker facilities. The program notes that you can safely leave personal belongings in the transportation. Bring only what you need for the beach day.

Weather and Ocean Reality: When the Plan Changes

This is outdoors, and Cabo can be moody. The program is explicit that safety comes first when conditions aren’t favorable—things like wind, high waves, tropical storms, rain, and jellyfish.

If conditions force a change, they may:

• modify the day, including switching locations
• reschedule
• or offer a refund if cancellation comes from the operator’s side

That means you should keep your expectations flexible. If you’re booking this on a tight itinerary, it helps to have at least one other day available for recovery or a swap.

Price and Value: What $70 Gets You (and Why It Adds Up)

At $70 per person, this lesson isn’t trying to be the cheapest way to touch a surfboard. It’s priced like a full, coached experience—with the kind of details that make learning easier.

Here’s what you’re getting that affects value:

• professional instruction
• surf boards (foam) and water-suitable clothing (rash guard or wetsuit)
• hotel/port pickup and drop-off within the service area
• lunch (Mexican food with vegetarian option)
• small-group size with a support ratio that keeps instruction practical

Equipment rental alone can eat a surf day budget in many places. Add pickup, a coached session designed for first-timers, and lunch, and the price starts to look fair—especially if you’re traveling with kids and want a guide-led day instead of DIY guesswork.

My rule: if you want your time on the beach to become a skill (not just a photo shoot), this is the kind of value you can feel right away.

Who Should Book This Cabo Surf Lesson?

This fits best if you:

• want a beginner-friendly surf day with real instruction in the water
• are traveling as a family (there’s a minimum age of 6)
• want an observer option for non-surfers who still want a comfortable beach outing
• value pickup and a structured day rather than figuring everything out yourself

It also asks for moderate physical fitness. That doesn’t mean athletes only. It means you should be comfortable with getting to the water, paddling, and handling the basics of time in the sun and surf.

If you’re someone who needs guaranteed conditions at a specific beach every day, be aware that the location can shift with the season and weather safety checks.

Should You Book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

If your goal is to learn to surf in Cabo with less stress and more coaching, this is a strong choice. The setup is practical: foam boards and wetsuits are included, lunch keeps you fueled, and the small-group structure helps you get instruction that matches your level.

I’d book it if:

• you’re a first-timer and want to stand up without guessing
• you want your group experience to work for both surfers and observers
• you prefer a guided, pickup-included day rather than renting gear and hoping for the best

I’d pause or double-check your timing if:

• you have an inflexible schedule and can’t handle a weather-related reschedule
• you’re bringing fiberglass-specific expectations and haven’t requested it in advance

If you want a learning-first surf day at Cerritos, with real support, this one earns its high rating.

FAQ

What’s included in the surf lesson?

You get a professional instructor, surf board (foam boards for safety), rash guard or wetsuit (sized from your booking info), lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and hotel/port pickup and drop-off.

Do I need surf experience to join?

No prior experience is required. The class is designed for all experience levels, from beginners learning how to catch waves to more advanced surfers who want coaching.

What surf boards do you use?

For safety, the lessons use foam boards. If you specifically require a fiberglass surfboard, you need to request this in advance when booking.

Do you provide wetsuits or rash guards?

Yes. You’ll receive a rash guard or wetsuit, and you should provide your size in advance so they can outfit you properly.

Is lunch included, and is there a vegetarian option?

Yes, lunch is included. The menu includes items like fish tacos and shrimp, plus guacamole, chips, and sauces. Vegetarian options are available as well.

Can non-surfers watch from the beach?

Yes. You can book an observer (non-surfer) spot. The observer fee includes shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water and snacks, plus round-trip transportation.

Where do we meet if we’re driving ourselves?

You meet at the Plaza Gali parking lot near Oxxo, located right in front of the Sandos Finisterra hotel area. The guide meets you in front of the Oxxo convenience store at the exit of the parking lot.

Where do we meet if we’re coming from a cruise ship?

After walking from the tender pier through pier security, turn right on the red sidewalk. Walk about 20 yards to the cruise terminal area, then exit onto the parking lot. Your guide is waiting in front of the Oxxo convenience store.

How old does a child need to be to participate?

The minimum age is 6 years. The price is the same for children and adults.

What beach will I surf at, Cerritos or Costa Azul?

It depends on the season. From March 15 to November 15, surf lessons are available on Costa Azul. From November 15 to March 15, lessons are at Cerritos beach because Costa Azul doesn’t have the same wave conditions then.