Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Your first wave may be closer than you think. Surf Lessons at Cerritos combines a scenic drive from Cabo with patient coaching, provided gear, and a full Mexican lunch. I especially like the small-group format and the careful instruction from guides such as Marco, Allan, Alan, Louis, and Mike. The main drawback is the long day, with about six and a half hours spent on transport and the beach.

This is a friendly choice for first-time surfers, families, and anyone who wants a beach day beyond the Cabo hotel zone. Observers can come along, too, with shade, chairs, water, and snacks, though the price is the same for adults and children and the beach has no locker facilities.

Key Things to Know Before Surfing at Cerritos

• Cerritos is the winter surf location: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move here because Costa Azul typically lacks waves during that season.
• The guide-to-surfer ratio is strong: The operator assigns one guide for every three people, with a maximum group size of 15.
• Foam boards are standard: They are used for safety and ease of learning. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one.
• Lunch is part of the day: Expect fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water, with vegetarian choices available.
• You do not need prior experience: Instruction is adjusted for beginners, children, and more advanced surfers.
• Hotel pickup covers much of Los Cabos: Pickup is available from Cabo San Lucas, the tourist corridor, and San José del Cabo, with some resort exceptions.

The Drive to Cerritos Along the Transpeninsular Highway

The day begins at 9 a.m., though hotel pickup usually happens about an hour to an hour and a half earlier. If you are staying in the main tourist areas, round-trip transport is included at no extra charge. That makes the outing simple, especially if you do not have a rental car.

The route follows the Transpeninsular Highway toward Cerritos. The drive is part of the appeal. You can see the Pacific Ocean and the mountains along the way, with plenty of open scenery for photographs. It is a useful change of pace from Cabo’s marina, resort pools, and packed restaurant zone.

If you are driving yourself, meet the group in the Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the OXXO convenience store near the exit. Cruise ship passengers have a more detailed meeting process. After leaving the tender pier through the security gate, turn right along the red sidewalk, enter the API terminal building, and exit toward the parking lot. The OXXO will be outside, where the guide waits.

The pickup system is practical, but confirm your exact hotel time the day before. Resorts outside the main tourist area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons, are not covered by hotel pickup. From those properties, you must meet the group at Plaza Gali.

Arriving at Playa Los Cerritos

Cerritos is a broad Pacific beach with a more open, relaxed feel than the central Cabo shoreline. The sand has a sparkling quality, described by one family as looking as if it contained mica. You can expect a pretty setting for a day outdoors, even if you decide not to surf.

The beach is also the reason the trip takes most of a day. This is not a quick lesson squeezed between breakfast and a pool reservation. You travel out of Cabo, spend time preparing and learning, eat lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and return by van.

The operator sets up a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs. This matters if someone in your party wants to watch rather than surf. An observer can enjoy the beach, bottled water, and snacks while staying near the lesson instead of spending the day alone at the hotel.

There are no lockers on the beach. You can leave personal belongings safely in the transportation, but I would still pack lightly and keep valuables to a minimum. Bring what you need for the beach, not your entire suitcase.

How the Surf Lesson Works for Beginners

No prior surfing experience is required. The instruction is designed to help a beginner learn enough to catch a wave, while stronger surfers can receive coaching suited to their level.

The foam boards are a sensible choice for a first lesson. They are more forgiving than hard fiberglass boards and provide a stable platform while you learn the basic movements. If you specifically want fiberglass, request it when booking rather than assuming it will be waiting at the beach.

The best part of the instruction is the close coaching. Marco, for example, has been praised for positioning a first-time surfer on the right part of the board, helping with wave timing, and giving simple spoken cues for paddling and standing. That kind of steady guidance can turn a frustrating first hour into a real success.

Several guides receive similar praise for patience and encouragement. Allan is described as making the lesson fun from start to finish, while Alan is noted for being calm, capable, and attentive. Louis has also been praised for working well with children and sharing advice about local surf areas. Mike combines instruction with a helpful knowledge of the beach and the wider area.

The group structure gives you a reasonable chance of personal attention. One guide is assigned for every three people, and the total group cannot exceed 15. The exact feel of the lesson depends on the booking that day. A small booking may feel almost private, while a full group will be more social and less individualized.

What Families and Mixed-Ability Groups Can Expect

This activity is open to children from age six. Children and adults pay the same price, so families should calculate the cost before booking several places. When children are participating, the operator aims to add an extra guide for supervision.

The setup works well for families with mixed abilities. One parent and a nine-year-old child were both taught to surf, with the instruction adjusted to each person’s comfort and skill. A four-person family group also received help catching smaller waves before moving toward larger ones.

That progression is important. A good beginner lesson should not push everyone into the same water or expect the child, parent, and experienced surfer to learn at one pace. The guides appear to adjust their support as people gain confidence.

You should still be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity. Surfing involves paddling, pushing up from the board, balancing, and repeatedly getting back into position. One participant who described being 44, not athletic, and not a strong swimmer still managed to stand on the board, but you should be honest about your own limits before signing up.

The Included Lunch at a Mexican Restaurant

Lunch gives the day a welcome break from the water. The included meal features Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water. Chicken, beef, and other choices are also available, along with vegetarian food such as salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

The meal is included in the price but optional. If you decide not to eat, there is no reduction in the tour cost. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and personal expenses are your responsibility.

I see the lunch as part of the value rather than a minor extra. A surf lesson uses more energy than many first-time participants expect, and a restaurant meal means you do not have to plan or carry your own food. It also keeps the outing connected to local food instead of turning the entire day into a resort-style activity.

If you have dietary needs, mention them when booking. Vegetarian food is specifically available, but the information does not promise a full range of other dietary accommodations.

Is the $70 Price a Good Deal?

At $70 per person, this is priced as a full-day beach outing rather than a short one-hour surf class. The fee includes the professional instructor, surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, and round-trip transportation from covered hotel areas.

The equipment and transport make a major difference. Renting a car, driving to Cerritos, finding the beach, arranging a board, and buying lunch could easily make a self-planned day less convenient. Here, the guide handles the route, surf setup, instruction, and meal.

The price is less compelling if you already have your own car, surfboard, wetsuit, and strong local surf knowledge. It is also worth thinking carefully about the same-price policy for children and observers. A non-surfer companion receives transport, shade, chairs, bottled water, and snacks, but not a reduced fare.

For a first-time surfer, family, or cruise passenger, I think the bundled cost is fair. You are paying for a guided day with a safety-focused setup, not merely for access to the water.

Weather, Seasonal Changes, and the Need for Flexibility

Cerritos is used for winter lessons from November 15 through March 15. During the warmer season, from March 15 through November 15, the operator offers lessons at Costa Azul instead. The reason is simple: Costa Azul generally does not have suitable waves during winter.

Weather can still change the plan. Rain, strong wind, large waves, tropical storms, or jellyfish may lead the operator to change the beach, reschedule, or cancel. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

That policy is reassuring, but keep your schedule flexible. Do not book the lesson on the final morning of a short trip if missing the activity would ruin your plans. The standard cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows are charged in full.

What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

The operator supplies the main surf equipment and clothing, but you should arrive ready for a beach day. Pack sunscreen, a swimsuit, a towel, water-friendly footwear, and a change of clothes if you prefer not to travel back in wet gear.

Keep valuables to a minimum because there are no beach lockers. Personal items can be left in the transportation, but carrying less is still the simplest approach.

You may also want a camera or phone for the highway views and beach scenery. Just protect it from sand and water. The Pacific setting is photogenic before you even reach the surf lesson.

Who Will Enjoy This Surf Day Most?

This experience is a strong fit if you want to try surfing without buying or renting a full set of equipment. It also suits families, since the minimum age is six and the guides adjust coaching for different skill levels.

It works well for people staying in Cabo who want to see a quieter Pacific beach. The drive adds time, but it also gives you a look beyond the marina district. Cruise ship passengers can join, provided the ship schedule allows enough time for the full outing and transport.

It may not suit you if you want a short, highly flexible lesson, dislike group activities, or need guaranteed access to a private locker. The maximum group is 15, and the advertised duration is about seven hours, or approximately six and a half hours including round-trip transportation.

Should You Book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

Book this if you want a well-organized first surf lesson with transport, gear, close coaching, and lunch included. The strongest reason to choose it is the instruction. Guides such as Marco, Allan, Alan, Louis, and Mike are repeatedly praised for patience, humor, encouragement, and personal attention.

Families should feel comfortable bringing different ages and skill levels, while observers can enjoy the beach from the shaded camp. Just remember that every participant, including children and non-surfers, pays the listed per-person rate.

I would skip it only if you have very limited time in Cabo, already own the necessary equipment, or need a private lesson with no chance of a larger group. For most beginners, the $70 package offers a practical way to reach Cerritos, learn safely, eat well, and spend a full day by the Pacific.

FAQ

Where does Surf Lessons at Cerritos meet?

The standard meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot in Cabo San Lucas, in front of the OXXO convenience store at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m. Hotel pickup usually begins about one hour to one and a half hours before the activity, depending on your accommodation.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Complimentary round-trip transport covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the tourist corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Hotels outside that area, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons, use the standard Plaza Gali meeting point.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is six. The operator aims to provide an extra guide when children participate, and you should identify children in your booking.

Do I need surfing experience?

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

What equipment is provided?

A surfboard and a rash guard or wetsuit are provided. Foam boards are standard for safety. 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 options include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The operator may change the location, reschedule, or cancel because of rain, wind, large waves, tropical storms, or jellyfish. If the activity is canceled due to poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.