Private Surf lessons at Cerritos

The best part of this outing is the setting: you leave Cabo’s marina behind and follow the Transpeninsular Highway toward Playa Los Cerritos, a Pacific beach with a dependable beach break and room for both first-timers and practiced surfers. The drive takes about an hour each way, but the mountain and ocean views make it part of the day rather than dead time.

I like the small, private format, which lets your group set the pace instead of being folded into a large lesson. I also like the practical package: board, surf clothing, lunch, chairs, umbrellas, and hotel transport are included. The main consideration is the long transfer, plus weather and wave conditions can force a location change, rescheduling, or cancellation.

Key points to know before booking

• Cerritos is a winter surf base: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move here because Costa Azul has no waves during that season.
• The $100 price covers a lot: Transport, a private guide, foam board, rash guard or wetsuit, Mexican lunch, chairs, umbrellas, water, and beach setup are included.
• Beginners need no prior experience: Coaches teach you how to catch a wave, while experienced surfers can request more focused coaching.
• The ride takes about an hour each way: You get Pacific Ocean and mountain views, but this is a full half-day outing rather than a quick lesson.
• Foam boards are standard: Request a fiberglass board in advance if that is important to you.
• The group must have 3 to 10 participants: Children from age 6 are welcome, and families should identify young surfers when booking.

Why Cerritos makes a good surf lesson setting

Playa Los Cerritos is a beach break exposed to northwest swells. When conditions line up, the waves can run cleanly for days, giving experienced surfers something to work with while still offering an approachable place for beginners.

That mix matters. A first lesson is more enjoyable when you can learn in the same water as stronger surfers without needing to be one yourself. The coaches aim to get beginners standing and catching a wave, while more experienced participants receive instruction suited to their level.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is not a private pro training camp with a guaranteed number of waves. Surfing depends on swell, wind, and weather. The company may change the beach, reschedule, or cancel if rain, high swell, strong wind, or jellyfish make the conditions unsuitable.

The beach itself is a major reward. The supplied trip feedback highlights Cerritos as a beautiful, underrated area, and that is useful context when comparing this with a lesson closer to Cabo. You are paying for instruction, but you are also getting a day beside the Pacific, away from the marina zone.

The drive from Cabo on the Transpeninsular Highway

The meeting time is 7:30 a.m. at Plaza Gali in downtown Cabo San Lucas. From there, the drive to Cerritos takes about an hour. During the ride, you can look out toward the Pacific Ocean and the mountains and stop mentally planning your beach photos.

Hotel pickup is available for hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and Cabo San Lucas tourist areas. Pickup usually happens about an hour before the 7:30 start, and you should confirm your exact pickup time the day before.

The transfer is included, but it is also the day’s main time commitment. With about an hour going out and another hour returning, the five to six hour total duration is realistic. If you want a short activity between other Cabo plans, this may feel too long. If you want a full morning and early afternoon by the sea, the drive is reasonable.

Cruise passengers need to pay close attention to the meeting instructions. After walking from the tender pier through the security gate, turn right onto the red sidewalk along the harbor. Walk toward the API cruise terminal, exit into the parking area, and find the Oxxo convenience store at the lot exit. The guide waits in front of it.

If you drive yourself, use the Plaza Gali parking lot in front of the Sandos Finisterra hotel and meet by the Oxxo. The listed downtown meeting point is also the fallback for hotels such as Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons, which are outside the covered tourist area.

Three hours at Playa Los Cerritos

Once you reach Cerritos, the surf portion lasts about three hours. That gives you time for instruction, practice, breaks, and the ordinary trial and error that comes with learning to stand on a moving board.

The included equipment is designed with safety in mind. Foam boards are used for the standard lesson, and you should provide your clothing size in advance so the team can prepare a rash guard or wetsuit. If you want a fiberglass board instead, request it when booking rather than waiting until you arrive.

No prior surf experience is required. The lesson is built for complete beginners, with the basic goal of helping you catch a wave. That makes this a sensible choice for families, couples, and mixed groups where one person is confident and another has never surfed.

More experienced surfers can ask for coaching rather than a basic introduction. The activity does not promise a particular technical program, so if you have a specific goal, such as improving your takeoff or positioning, explain that ahead of time.

There is one detail worth clarifying. The activity is private, but the operating information says there is one guide for every three participants, with a maximum of 10 people. A group of three may receive very close attention; a group closer to the maximum will not feel as one-on-one. Ask how your party will be staffed if personal instruction is your main reason for booking private.

Children must be at least 6 years old. The price is the same for children and adults, and the company tries to add another guide when children participate. Tell the operator the ages of your surfers when you reserve.

Lunch, shade, and the part beyond the waves

Lunch is served at the Cerritos Surf Town Restaurant or nearby surf town setting. The meal includes Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

This is a useful inclusion because you do not need to pack a full beach meal or search for food after a tiring lesson. It also gives the outing a local food stop rather than making the day only about equipment and instruction.

Lunch is optional, but there is no price reduction if you skip it. Alcoholic drinks and personal purchases are not included. If you want beer or cocktails, budget separately, and remember that the included drink is refreshing flavored water rather than alcohol.

The beach setup includes chairs and umbrellas. You can relax in the shade, watch the lesson, or take a break between sessions. There are no beach lockers, but you can leave personal belongings safely in the transportation. Bring only what you need, and keep valuables to a minimum.

A non-surfer can join as an observer by booking an observer or companion place. That fee includes round-trip transport, the shaded camp, bottled water, and snacks. The observer can watch the lesson from the beach, but does not receive surf equipment or instruction.

What the $100 price really buys

At $100 per person, this is not simply a surfboard rental. The price includes a private guide, round-trip transport, board, rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, chairs, umbrellas, and the beach setup. For someone staying in the covered Cabo hotel zone, those bundled services make the rate look fair.

The strongest value comes if you use most of the package. A beginner who needs instruction, equipment, clothing, a ride, food, and shade would otherwise need to arrange several separate pieces. The included lunch also matters because Cerritos is far enough from central Cabo that returning for food is not practical during the activity.

The value is less clear if you already have a car, your own surfboard, and your own wetsuit. In that case, you are mainly paying for coaching and the organized beach experience. You might still prefer the convenience, but the savings from a self-arranged outing would be smaller.

The same price applies to children and adults. Families should compare that flat rate with the child’s likely time in the water. Since young participants may tire sooner, the private format and beach shade help, but you should not assume a six-year-old will surf for the full three hours.

The experience has earned a five-star average from 23 ratings, with every rating recommending it. The most useful practical takeaway is not simply the score. The strongest praise focuses on the guides, the beauty of Cerritos, and the wish for a longer surf session. That suggests the lesson succeeds as a fun introduction and scenic beach day, though serious surfers may want more water time.

Seasonal timing and wave conditions

The location changes by season. From March 15 through November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul. From November 15 through March 15, they move to Cerritos because Costa Azul does not have waves during winter.

This makes the date of your booking important. If you specifically want Cerritos, book during the winter season. If your trip falls between March 15 and November 15, expect the surf lesson to take place at Costa Azul instead.

The weather policy is sensible but important. Rain, high swell, wind, and jellyfish can affect the plan. The operator may change the location, offer another date, or cancel. If the operator cancels for weather, you can choose a new date or receive a full refund.

Surfing itself is not fully predictable. A clean northwest swell can make Cerritos excellent, but no operator can guarantee perfect waves or a specific number of rides. You should book this for the combination of coaching, beach time, and scenery, not as a promise of a full day of ideal surf.

Who will enjoy this private Cerritos lesson

I would recommend this for:

• First-time surfers who want instruction rather than simply renting a board
• Families with children age 6 or older
• Couples or friends who want a private activity
• Mixed groups with different levels of surf experience
• Cruise passengers looking for a full-day shore activity with port pickup
• Visitors who value a scenic Pacific beach and included Mexican lunch

I would think twice if you dislike long vehicle transfers or want to spend only an hour in the water. The ride is part of the outing, and the full experience lasts about five to six hours.

I would also ask questions before booking if you are an advanced surfer seeking highly specific coaching. The activity welcomes experienced surfers, but its main promise is an adaptable lesson for all levels, not a specialized performance clinic.

Practical details that can make the day easier

Wear swim clothing under your travel clothes and bring sunscreen, a towel, dry clothes, and a small amount of cash for personal expenses. The supplied information does not list lockers, so leave valuables behind or keep them in the transport.

Tell the operator about children, clothing sizes, vegetarian lunch needs, and a fiberglass board request in advance. These details affect how smoothly the day runs.

The activity requires a moderate fitness level. You will need to handle a surfboard, enter the water, paddle, stand, and get back on the board repeatedly. You can decide not to complete the full activity because the tour is private, but the operator does not describe a separate reduced rate for leaving early.

The listed cancellation terms contain two timing references: one says 48 hours for a full refund, while the detailed cancellation section says 24 hours. Since those statements conflict, confirm the current deadline when booking. The detailed terms say cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that window are not accepted.

Should you book Private Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

Book it if you want a well-organized introduction to surfing with the main hassles removed. The included ride, gear, clothing, food, shade, and guide make the $100 price easy to understand, especially for first-timers and families.

The best reason to choose it is the combination of Cerritos beach and private coaching. You get a scenic Pacific setting, a real surf break, and instruction that can be adjusted to your group.

Skip it if you want a quick lesson near downtown Cabo, dislike early starts, or need guaranteed surf conditions. For everyone else, this is a strong half-day choice, with enough practical support to let you focus on catching that first wave.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson take place?

From November 15 through March 15, the lesson takes place at Playa Los Cerritos. From March 15 through November 15, it is offered at Costa Azul.

Is prior surfing experience required?

No. The lesson is designed for all levels, including beginners learning to catch a wave and experienced surfers seeking coaching.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 7:30 a.m. Hotel pickup generally takes place about one hour before the start.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included for covered areas in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist zone. Transport is optional, and the price does not change if you do not use it.

Where do cruise passengers meet the guide?

Cruise passengers meet at the Oxxo convenience store by the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot, after walking through the API cruise terminal area.

What equipment is provided?

A foam surfboard is provided, along with a rash guard or wetsuit. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Mexican food such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices are available. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Can a non-surfer come along?

Yes. A non-surfer can book an observer or companion place, which includes transport, shaded chairs and umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The operator may change the location, reschedule, or cancel because of rain, high swell, wind, or jellyfish. If the operator cancels, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.