Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos Beach is the real prize here. You leave Cabo’s marina behind, ride west along the Transpeninsular Highway, and reach a broad Pacific beach where first-timers can learn on forgiving foam boards. The road itself is scenic, with ocean views and mountains that make the transfer feel like part of the outing, not just a ride between two points.

I like the small-group coaching, which lets an instructor adjust the lesson to your age, confidence, and ability. I also like the generous setup: boards, wetsuits or rash guards, shaded chairs for observers, transport, and a Mexican lunch are all handled for you. The tradeoff is the long day, and equipment may not satisfy serious surfers who expect top-end boards.

What makes this Cerritos surf day worth considering

• Cerritos is the winter surf location: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move here because Costa Azul usually lacks suitable waves.
• You do not need prior experience: Coaches work with complete beginners as well as stronger surfers who want pointers.
• The board choice favors beginners: Foam boards are used for safety, while fiberglass boards can be requested in advance.
• Families get close coaching: The operator uses one guide for every three people and aims to add supervision when children join.
• Lunch is part of the day: Expect fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water, with vegetarian choices available.
• Non-surfers can come along: An observer spot includes transport, shade, chairs, bottled water, and snacks.

From Cabo’s marina to the Pacific at Cerritos

The day begins at 9 a.m., with pickup arrangements built around your lodging. Complimentary transport covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Hotel pickups can begin about an hour to an hour and a half before the lesson, so do not treat 9 a.m. as your likely pickup time.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, the meeting point takes a little care. Walk from the tender pier through the security gate, turn right onto the red sidewalk, and follow the harbor to the Cruise Terminal building marked API. Exit into the parking lot and meet the guide near the OXXO store.

Drivers also meet at the Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the OXXO and across from the Sandos Finisterra hotel. If you stay at a property outside the main tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, or Four Seasons, you will need to use this standard meeting point instead of hotel pickup.

The vehicle transfer is more than a simple shuttle. The route follows the Transpeninsular Highway toward Cerritos, with views of the Pacific and the mountains. Keep your phone ready. This is the stretch where you can take some of the day’s best photos, though the exact amount of sightseeing time is not presented as a separate stop.

The full activity lasts about 6.5 hours including round-trip transportation, while the tour is also described as approximately seven hours. In practice, plan most of your day around it. That is a good fit if you want a proper beach outing, but less so if you are trying to squeeze in several other Cabo activities.

What happens at Playa Los Cerritos

The main stop is Playa Los Cerritos, a sandy Pacific beach with surf conditions suited to the seasonal schedule. In winter, this is the regular lesson site from November 15 through March 15. From March 15 through November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul instead because Cerritos becomes the less suitable choice for this program.

The beach is attractive even if you never stand on a board. The sand has a sparkle that can look like mica in the sun, and the broad setting gives the outing a more open, natural feel than a lesson at a busy resort beach. You can expect the Pacific setting to feel wilder and more spacious than Cabo’s marina area.

Your coach begins with instruction on the beach before taking you into the water. No previous surfing is required. The basic goal for a new surfer is simple: learn how to position yourself, paddle at the right time, and get upright on a wave. A strong coach will also adjust the session as you improve, rather than repeating the same speech to everyone.

The supplied boards are foam boards. That is a practical safety choice for a first lesson, since foam is more forgiving when you are learning to balance and handle a board. If you specifically want a fiberglass board, request one when booking. One lower-scored experience raised concerns about board quality, so experienced surfers should set realistic expectations and confirm their preferred equipment early.

The coaching is the strongest part of the outing. Marco, Allan, Alan, Louis, and Mike are among the instructors associated with the experience. Marco received particular praise for giving a first-time surfer close, one-on-one help, starting with smaller waves and then moving farther out as confidence grew. He also offered extra pointers at Costa Azul afterward, a thoughtful touch, though you should not assume that every booking includes extra surfing beyond the planned program.

Other coaching accounts point to the same useful pattern: patience, encouragement, and close attention to each person’s energy. One family of four received near-private help from three instructors, with the coaches guiding each person from smaller to larger waves. A nine-year-old child and a 44-year-old parent who did not consider themselves athletic both managed to get upright, which says a lot about the lesson’s beginner focus.

A good fit for children and mixed-ability families

The minimum age is six. Children and adults pay the same price, and you should identify any children when booking. The operator says it aims to provide an extra guide when children participate, but the exact staffing can vary with the group.

The ratio is one guide for every three people in a class. That matters. Surf lessons can become frustrating when an instructor must spread attention across a large crowd, especially when children and adults have different comfort levels. This experience allows closer supervision, though the maximum group size is 15.

Families should still think about the physical demands. You need a moderate fitness level, and the lesson takes place at the beach without locker facilities. Personal belongings can be left in the transport vehicle, but bring only what you need and avoid carrying valuables.

The family appeal goes beyond the lesson itself. Parents or grandparents can book an observer spot rather than paying for a surf session they will not use. They get transport, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks, while watching from the beach. That makes this a more sensible choice for a mixed group than a tour where everyone must participate.

Lunch at the end of the beach session

Lunch is included at a Mexican restaurant and is built around familiar local dishes. The meal includes fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water. Chicken and beef are also available, and the vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

This is useful after a physical morning. You do not need to search for a restaurant after surfing, and the meal gives the day a clear break before the return drive. Lunch is optional in the sense that you may skip it, but there is no price reduction if you do.

Alcohol is not included. Plan on paying separately for personal expenses and any alcoholic drinks. The supplied information does not promise a special diet beyond the vegetarian option, so contact the operator in advance if you have other food needs.

The return route and what the listed stops mean

The itinerary lists the Transpeninsular Highway before and after Playa Los Cerritos. These are transfer portions, not separate sightseeing attractions with scheduled activities. Their value is the scenery: ocean and mountain views as you travel between Cabo and the beach.

The final named stop is Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa. This appears within the beach-day arrangement, but the information does not describe a separate hotel tour, spa treatment, or free time there. I would treat it as part of the operating base or return sequence rather than book the experience expecting a spa visit.

The activity ends back at the original meeting point. If you use hotel transport, confirm your pickup time and location with the operator one day before departure. Transfers are complimentary and optional, so the price stays the same if you meet the group yourself.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. A first-time surfer would have to find a coach, rent a board, arrange transport to Cerritos, obtain a wetsuit or rash guard, and buy lunch. Here, those major pieces are bundled together.

The transportation is especially valuable if you are staying in Cabo and do not want to drive an unfamiliar route. The journey to Cerritos takes time, but the package turns it into a full beach excursion rather than a short lesson squeezed into a resort schedule.

The price is less compelling for an experienced surfer who already has equipment and transport. Foam boards are chosen for safety, not performance, and one comment specifically called for upgraded boards. If you want a serious surf-training session with high-end fiberglass equipment, request that option in advance and confirm availability.

For families, the equal child and adult pricing is worth noting. A family may pay more than expected if only a child wants to surf. On the other hand, the observer option gives non-surfing relatives a defined place in the day, with shade, seating, water, and snacks rather than leaving them to manage themselves.

Weather, waves, and the need for flexibility

Surfing depends on conditions, and the operator may change the location, move the date, or cancel if rain, wind, high swell, tropical weather, or jellyfish make the session unsafe. If the company cancels because of weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

That policy is sensible, but it means you should avoid placing this tour on the one day before an important flight if your schedule cannot shift. The seasonal location change is also worth understanding: Costa Azul is used in the warmer season, while Cerritos is used in winter when Costa Azul does not have suitable waves.

You should not book this as a guaranteed big-wave session. The class is designed to help beginners catch a wave and to offer coaching for stronger surfers. Conditions can change, and safety decisions take priority over forcing a lesson.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation arrives at booking. You should provide your hotel, accommodation details, clothing sizes, and whether participants are children. Tell the operator in advance if you prefer a fiberglass board instead of the standard foam board.

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection, though the supplied information does not provide a full packing list. Since there are no lockers, keep your valuables to a minimum. The transport vehicle is where belongings can be left during the beach session.

The experience is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. A moderate fitness level is required, and the minimum age is six. The maximum group size is 15, with one coach for every three people.

Cancellation terms need a small but important check. The booking information gives two different cutoffs, one saying 48 hours and another stating 24 hours. Confirm the rule shown at the time you reserve. The consistent point is that late cancellations and no-shows are not refunded, while weather cancellations offer a date change or full refund.

Who should book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

I would recommend this for first-time surfers, families with children six and older, and anyone staying in Cabo who wants a full Pacific beach day. It is also a good choice for a mixed group because non-surfers can sit under shade and watch rather than paying for a lesson they will not take.

You should book it if personal coaching matters more to you than a quick, polished resort activity. The best part is the human instruction. Coaches such as Marco, Allan, Alan, Louis, and Mike have shown the ability to keep lessons upbeat while adjusting their help to different ages and skill levels.

I would hesitate if you want premium equipment, a short outing, or a guaranteed surf location. The transfer takes much of the day, the standard boards are foam, and weather can force a change. For most beginners, though, $70 covers enough practical pieces to make the day a strong value, especially when transport and lunch are included.

FAQ

How much does Surf Lessons at Cerritos cost?

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

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about 6.5 hours including round-trip transportation and is also described as approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m. Hotel pickup may take place about one to one and a half hours earlier, depending on your location.

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.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet the guide?

Cruise passengers meet in front of the OXXO convenience store at the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot. The exact location is Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas.

Do I need prior surfing experience?

No. The lesson is designed for beginners and also offers coaching for more experienced surfers.

What equipment is included?

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

Can someone come along without surfing?

Yes. You can book an observer or non-surfer companion spot. It includes round-trip transportation, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Mexican food such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, chicken, beef, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice. Alcohol is not included.