Surf Lessons For The Whole Family In Playa Sámara

Instructors were awesome! Great with the kids. Everyone was successfully surfing pretty much with the first try.

Fantastic surfing expérience with Ticos surf school. They have the best équipement and material (the boards for the lessons were almost new), the instructors were very professional and safety oriented and our first ever surf expérience was a blast! Kids (10 upwards) and adults loved it equally and managed to ride the waves with grest fun! They also have lessons for advanced surfers and various equipment depending on level.

Javier gave me a fantastic introduction to the world of surfing during my one-week course. He gave me really helpful tips throughout the week and always adapted the class to my progress. The classes were a lot of fun and I was laughing a lot while waiting for the next wave! I had a great experience and would highly recommend Javier to anyone looking to learn how to surf.

This was a bucket list experience for our family Our Intructor Slathan was very clear in his instructions and made it a very fun experience

Emerson was fantastic - I have taken a few lessons before (though not in Costa Rica) and have always made it to my knees only, but second wave out Emerson got me just the right wave and I was able to stand up!h kids had equal success, though they have managed to make it to their feet every time!

We took lessons with Javi and it was absolutely amazing! (Private lessons for our kids, ages 4 and 7, plus separate lessons for us.) He’s an extraordinarily brilliant surf teacher — an impressive surfer himself and an experienced lifeguard, which gave us real confidence in his teaching and his judgment in the water. In just a few lessons, we progressed faster than we imagined, while having the best time. Fun and careful with the kids, Javi also trusted them and assessed their abilities precisely. Our 4-year-old surfs before he can even swim! And our 7-year-old is on fire — catching every wave (not clear where the talent comes from, though 😉). The kids don’t want to do anything else but surf now. You got our whole family hooked on surfing — thanks, Javi :) We’ll be back soon!

My brother and I had a wonderful experience! We had our very first surf lesson with Jafet, who couldn’t have been more patient, encouraging, and positive. We had so much fun and learned a lot. Highly recommend this surf school!

Wonderful experience, all around. We booked surf lessons for our 13 and 7 y/o girls, who had never surfed before. It was easy to contact Tico’s Surf School and book, and they were easy to locate the day of. Very friendly and communicative, and Lisa was excellent with our girls. Would definitely recommend!

My mom and I had a wonderful experience! They understood we already knew a little bit about surfing already and were able to help regain our confidence, fix our bad habits, and get in the groove again. Loved the on land prep, photos, stretch, and encouragement. Had a lot of fun, highly recommend!! Our guide Joel was perfect, thankful for his pushes, support, and tips.

Slatan our instructor was amazing! We were all beginners and the pre instruction was simple and easy to understand. In the water he couldn’t have been more positive and helpful. Everyone in our family of 5 managed to surf (even the inflexible 52 year old). It was a great experience and we are looking forward to putting it all into practice later today.

Tico and team were lovely to learn from. They were experienced, informative, patient and we had so much fun. Highly recommend.,

We had an excellent morning learning our first surf moves from our instructor Emerson. Within an hour we were riding our first waves, evidenced by the pictures taking by the surf school. Highly recommend when in town.

Great experience. Would highly recommend for any ages. Went with a 7 year old, 16 year old, and adult. Slatan was so patient and all got great rides. One of the highlights of our trip. Would take more lessons when we come back.

The best surf school in Samara! The team and teachers are amazing. Highly recommending to learn surf with them!

We had an amazing experience with Tico's surf school. My husband and I have never surfed before, but wanted to give it a try. From booking to arrival to the lesson itself, everything was smooth and easy. Our instructor, Emerson, was very kind and helpful throughout the lesson. I highly recommend this company to anyone wanting to learn to surf. Emerson is an excellent instructor too!

We booked 3 private lessons over 3 days for two of us with Tico's in late June. The instructors are excellent instructors, staff friendly, the equipment is high quality and in new condition. The Samara location seems perfect for learning. I'm 60 and never surfed and with their instruction was able to stand up and surf on my first attempt.

We had such an amazing experience at Tico Surf School! My daughter had her very first lesson this morning with Jafet, and I honestly couldn’t believe how much she improved in just one session. He was incredibly patient, encouraging, and knew exactly how to build her confidence while making it so much fun. The beach is absolutely perfect for beginners, with gentle waves that made learning feel safe and enjoyable. Watching her catch wave after wave by the end of the lesson was such a proud moment! If you’re looking for a surf school in Sámara, we can’t recommend Tico Surf School enough. Thank you, Jafet, for an unforgettable experience—we’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in Costa Rica!

Our family of four (kids aged 10 and 12) had a great time learning to surf with Tico's Surf School! Kids had never been before, and were up on their boards with their first waves. Instructor and all the staff were so nice. Highly recommend!

Well if you’ve ever thought about taking surf lessons, but maybe don’t swim that well, this is your sign to do it! I’m not a strong swimmer (good at doggie paddle and floating) so was a little apprehensive, but they made me feel safe to try! All of the teachers are lifeguards and the water is only waist to chest deep you learn in. I booked a private lesson and had a wonderful experience with Javier. He was so patient with me! And somehow…defying all logic…he got this not so fit 40 year old to stand on 2 feet more than once! The pictures are proof to myself I did it! Cannot recommend them enough. Also recommend renting a boogie board!

We took a surf lesson together with my 7-year-old son and had a fantastic experience. The prices were very affordable, the equipment was in great condition, and the lesson was both fun and professional. What made it even better was that the price included two additional hours of board rental, which gave us plenty of time to practice what we had learned. The instructors were friendly, patient, and great with children. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking to learn surfing or improve their skills while enjoying a great value for money experience.

I would highly recommend Tico Surf School to anyone ! I booked 3 private lessons over 3 days through email a few weeks before my trip to Samara . The instructors are super friendly and made the effort to get to know me , while also remaining committed to meeting my level of experience and supporting the progression. One of the most critical parts was learning how to observe the ocean , read the conditions , and factor in the weather for a good surfing experience . I was able to pop up and surf on my first day , and with a lot of effective guidance , grow my confidence. This has been a bucket list dream to learn to surf and Im super glad I picked the best school in Samara ! 🌴🤙🏄‍♂️

We did a family group of 7 for surf lessons and these guys were amazing! So patient with everyone and had us all up and surfing in no time! We will definitely come back to them hen we come back to Costa Rica and we can’t recommend them enough!

Thank you Javier for the amazing experience. Kind, patient and knowledgeable was exactly what I needed (and lots of practice). 😊 I also wanted to mention that during my on land training, Javier and teammate suddenly paused training to attend to beach goers that were in distress in the ocean. Top notch! Safety first! Thank you.

My husband and I took surf lessons from Tico’s Surf School during our stay in Sámara for our honeymoon and it was a blast!! It was perfect for us as beginners. Jafet was an amazing instructor and we both got up on the board multiple times with his help! I highly recommend taking lessons here!

Instructor was knowledgeable and able to adjust teaching to varying levels of experience and learning. Safety was always a consideration,but everyone was up on their board and riding waves in quickly. I structor kept giving individualized pointers for improved technique. Pictures taken during lessons were exceptional in quality and editing and worth the extra expense.. Entire staff was welcoming and friendly on day of instruction as as throughout the following 2 days of our stay.

My boys had a blast learning to surf with Javier! Javier was an excellent teacher both for his patience and his perception. He recognized right away as the boys did land training where they needed to adjust and had them repeat the steps multiple times so that they were successful when they got into the water. He was fun and funny and they all really enjoyed learning from him. We loved meeting and talking to Pablo and would highly recommend Ticos as the go-to for surf lessons in the area!

We had the absolute BEST experience with Tico’s Surf School in Costa Rica! Our 4- and 5-year-old were surfing for the very first time, and the coaches were incredible — young, energetic, patient, and so kind with the kids. Within minutes, both kids were getting up on wave after wave and surfed for a full 90 minutes! We honestly could not believe it. We were cheering and jumping for joy from the beach watching them succeed and have so much confidence and fun. The instructors made the entire experience feel safe, exciting, and truly special for our family. You can tell this is a local company that genuinely loves what they do and cares deeply about creating an amazing experience. One of the highlights of our whole Costa Rica trip — highly, highly recommend Tico’s Surf School for families and beginners!

It was an awesome experience, my two young girls did surf lessons. The guides are amazing so kind really had a blast with them. They weregreat teachers. We just had a really wonderful experience in them. The group is amazing.

Our guide and his lesson was. Awesome! I think his name is Jafet. I would do it again. He was patient and very encouraging!!

Two of us couples booked a surf lesson and we had Javier as our instructor. Three of us had surfed before (a long time ago) and one was a complete beginner; we all had way more success if getting up with Javier’s detailed instruction than in our prior experiences. He was clear, knowledgeable, funny and personable and we all had a great time. All the staff were kind and helpful and we found it a great deal at $60usd for an almost 2 hour session in which we each got to ride at least 10 waves each. Would highly recommend Tico’s and Javier!

We had an amazing time. Our teacher Daniel was really great.

I finally lived my dream of learning to surf on the beautiful Pacific coast of Samara at age 44. I learned how to surf with Slathan as our instructor. He was kind, professional, skilled, and supportive - truly meant to do what he was doing. I never write reviews unless my experience is life-changing, which this was for me. He was the most perfect person to have as our guide.. I truly cannot say enough. He made me feel safe, ready, confident - all so I could feel the excitement I have craved my entire life. My daughter and I now have lifelong, core memories of surfing/her boogie boarding on this beautiful coastline. I am eternally thankful for our experiences with Tico’s, and most especially to the most amazing instructor and person, Slathan. You are a gift. 🤍

Javier was a great teacher and helped us out a lot! We caught so many beginner friendly waves we had the best time. The staff were very friendly too. 10/10

My friend and I had a surf lesson with Japheth. He was so helpful and accommodating, spoke excellent English and clearly broke down all the steps to getting up on a surf board. We had plenty of time in the water to practice with him and he gave us lots of encouragement and tips to help our form. Definitely worth it if you want to learn to surf. Samara is a perfect beginners beach! Highly recommended.

I had my first ever surf lesson and loved it. My instructor explained things clearly and with great patience.

Our family surf lesson with Javier and Jafer will be a memorable experience we are very grateful for. They were so good with the kids and we all were able to ride the wave standing on our first or second try!

Took a lesson with my husband: it was my first time and we had a lot of fun! Our instructor (Santham?) was very friendly and experienced, he was very helpful!

Had a great time with Treasure teaching us to surf! Super patient and very enthusiastic, encouraging instructor. Defo recommend. Easy to leave bags there,provided with rash vests and good quality boards. Plus the lesson includes another 2 hours hire for the next 3 days,which is ideal so we will be back tomorrow for more surfing! Toilets available and close to plenty of places to grab food/drink after.

Did surf lessons withe another family April 4, 2026. We were 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 7-10) and Ticos was absolutely amazing. Instructors were great, excellent instruction prior to water, check-in was easy, offered beautiful photos for great price and everyone was able to get up multiple times. Company reached out day prior to move up our surf time due to ages of our kids and surf for that day which made it a better experience for everyone. Bring cash for discount and would recommend to anyone! Kind and very knowledgable.

Fantastic experience. Very good instructor and friendly staff

I had an amazing experience taking a surf lesson with Slatan. His explanations were clear and he made sure everyone was being safe and had fun. My six and eight-year-olds took a class with him later in the day and had a blast. They’ve been asking to go back and take another lesson with Slatan. If you want to try surfing, don’t miss this your chance with Ticos.

The surf lesson was awesome! Javier took the time to explain everything in detail and also made it funny I was able to improve very quickly thanks to his tips Gracias 😎

We’ve been coming here every day to rent boards for the whole family, and the service is outstanding. The staff is incredibly friendly and always helpful, making sure to recommend the perfect boards for each of us. The school also has a perfect location right at the beach, which makes everything so easy. I also highly recommend booking the photo service,the pictures they took of us are simply incredible and such a beautiful memory! To top it all off, I had a private lesson with Daniel, and it was hands down the best surf session I’ve ever had. Daniel is a fantastic instructor, super relaxed and very patient. He gave me great tips before we even hit the water, and thanks to him, I caught my first "green waves!" It was absolutely perfect. I can wholeheartedly recommend Ico’s Surf School to everyone. We will definitely be back!

10/10 experience at Ticos Surf School! I had a private lesson with Daniel yesterday, and it was hands down the best surf session I’ve ever had. I managed to catch my first "green waves," and it felt amazing! Daniel is an incredible instructor—very patient, super relaxed, and he gave me some invaluable tips before we even hit the water. Beyond the lessons, we’ve been renting our boards here every day. The whole team is incredibly friendly and helpful, always recommending the perfect boards for our family's needs. I can wholeheartedly recommend Ticos Surf School. We will definitely be back!

We had a fantastic surf experience, the instructors were amazing with our 2 kids. All of us were surfing in no time!

Had an awesome lesson and time surfing with our instructor, Gato! He did a great job of covering the fundamentals while we were on land, and when I got a little nervous in the water, he was incredibly supportive and patient with me. I was a beginner, and I successfully stood up and surfed a bunch of times with his help! Most importantly, he reminded us to have fun :) Would highly recommend taking a lesson with him or any of the other great instructors here! Thanks for everything, Gato! - Christina and Michael

had such an amazing experience with this surf school in Sámara! Everyone was incredibly helpful from the start, and the training beforehand made getting in the water feel really easy and not intimidating at all. Our instructor was honestly the best — super supportive, patient, and basically our personal hype man the entire time. He made it fun and kept everyone feeling confident. By the end, everyone in our group was able to stand up and actually surf a little, which felt like a huge win. The water was beautiful, everything felt really safe and well-organized, and the whole experience was just so much fun. Couldn’t have asked for a better first surf lesson — highly recommend! Oh, and I got these epic photos.

We had an amazing experience. It was great for our whole family. The service was solid from start to finish: professional, and genuinely caring. Daniel, our instructor, was fantastic with our youngest daughter, who was nervous about falling in the waves. He guided us all step by step from the beach into the water, building our confidence, particularly hers, the whole way. The equipment was excellent (rash guards and solid, newer boards), and we also loved being able to use the boards for a few hours each day afterward. Highly recommend, especially for families!

It was my first time ever on a surfboard and I really enjoyed it. We had Slathan for our instructor and he was really professional. Took us through all the steps and safety instructions. He really guided us well in the water and really took his time with people that had a hard time catching the waves. 10/10 experience!