Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Surf lessons at Playa Los Cerritos are interesting because your day starts with big Pacific-and-mountain views along the Transpeninsular Highway, then ends at a beach that works for brand-new surfers. I like the small-group feel and the chance for personal coaching.

I also like that you do not need to hunt down gear, because they provide surf boards and wetsuit or rash guard options, plus a Mexican lunch with a vegetarian choice. One consideration: they use foam boards for safety, so if you want a fiberglass board, you must request it ahead of time.

Key things I’d bet on before you go

• Small-group teaching up to 15 travelers, with extra attention when kids join
• Foam boards for safety, with fiberglass available only if you request it early
• Cerritos Beach vibes plus a photo-friendly drive with Pacific and mountain views
• Observer option with shaded camp, chairs, umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks
• Lunch is part of the day, including fish tacos, shrimp, chips, guacamole, and vegetarian dishes

Pacific views and a photo stop before the waves at Playa Los Cerritos

Your day has the feel of a road trip that actually pays off. You start in Cabo San Lucas, and the route includes a stop along La Carretera Transpeninsular where you can look out over the Pacific and take in the mountain backdrop. It’s the kind of pause that helps you orient fast, and it gives you an easy set of photos before you get sandy.

This also sets expectations for what “Cabo surfing” feels like. You’re not just arriving at a random beach. You’re being shown a slice of the region’s geography, and that matters because you’ll understand why wind and swell can change the feel of the water.

There’s a second highway moment later in the plan too. It keeps the day moving without feeling rushed, and it gives your group time to regroup before the main beach time.

Cerritos Beach and the Surf Town base: where the day clicks

The core of the experience is centered on Playa Los Cerritos. This is the beach where you’re set up for learning, and it’s also where the day’s energy builds. The name Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa shows up as part of the route, and in practice it works as the kind of staging area that makes the transition from travel to surf feel smooth.

If you are traveling with parents, partners, or friends who are not surfing, this is also where you’ll appreciate the setup. One theme in the experience is comfort for non-surfers: observers get a shaded area with chairs and umbrellas, plus snacks and water. That means people who just want the view are not sitting out in the sun hoping for the best.

One more detail to know: there are no locker facilities at the beach. The tradeoff is simplicity. You can leave personal belongings in the transportation, and the instructors keep the focus on time in the water.

How the surf lesson actually works, beginner to wave-catcher

The best part of this surf lesson is that they treat it like coaching, not like a one-size-fits-all swim test. No prior experience is required, and they tailor how you learn based on your level.

They also keep the group size controlled. The activity is capped at 15 travelers, and for every three people in the class, there is 1 guide or coach. In kid situations, they add supervision support when children are participating. That ratio is what makes the lesson feel “closer” than you’d expect from a group day.

In the water, you can expect a progression from basic board control to timing. I like how instructors are described as patient and hands-on, especially for first-timers. When the group stays small, you may even get very close attention, with help that focuses on positioning and what to do next.

For brand-new surfers, the goal is simple: get you confident enough to catch your first ride. Many people are surprised by how quickly the basics come together when someone is watching your stance and telling you what to do in plain terms, like when to paddle and when to stand.

For more experienced riders, the coaching shifts toward technique and bigger waves once you’re comfortable. The point is not to throw you into rough conditions. It’s to match your ability to the wave size they’re working with.

Equipment and packing: foam boards, rash guards, wetsuits, and no lockers

You do not need to bring surf equipment. Surf boards and safety-focused gear are included. For safety, they use foam boards during the lesson. If you specifically want fiberglass boards, you need to request that in advance while booking.

They also ask you to specify rash guard or wetsuit size ahead of time. If you skip that detail, you might end up waiting while someone figures out fit. It’s a small thing, but it affects comfort, which affects how fast you learn.

At the beach, you should plan for the practical reality: there are no lockers. The good news is you can safely leave personal belongings in the transportation. Bring only what you truly need, and keep the rest for later.

What to wear? Expect to be in swimwear plus whatever they provide. For shade breaks between sets, bring sun protection like a hat and reef-safe sunscreen if you use it. The day includes both water time and waiting time, especially if you are an observer or have non-surfers with you.

The Mexican lunch break, plus observer comfort if you skip surfing

The day includes lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Meals are 100 percent Mexican style, including items like fish tacos, shrimp, chips and sauces, and guacamole. There’s also a vegetarian option, with dishes like salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

Here’s the part I think matters for value: lunch is included in the price, and it lands in the middle of the day when you’re likely hungry from sun and exertion. There’s no discount if you choose not to eat, so if you skip lunch, you’re basically opting out of food rather than saving money.

If you decide not to surf, you can book an observer (non-surfer) spot. The observer fee includes round-trip transportation, shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks. That’s a smart choice for people who want beach time without the physical demands, and it keeps the day social.

Pickup timing and the day rhythm from 9:00 am to about 6:30 hours total

The lesson starts at 9:00 am, but your day begins earlier. Pickup typically starts about one and a half hours before the scheduled activity time, based on where you stay.

That timing matters in Cabo because travel times can vary. If you want an unhurried morning, plan to be ready for the earlier pickup window. Once you’re picked up, the overall activity lasts about 6:30 hours including round-trip transportation.

Meeting points are very specific, and you should use them to avoid stress:

• Standard start point for many visitors: Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of an Oxxo convenience store, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro.
• Cruise ship passengers: you’ll exit onto the parking lot side at the cruise area and look for the guide waiting in front of Oxxo on the red-sidewalk route described.

If you want the simplest plan, use the assigned pickup and stick to the meeting point directions. The smoother you keep logistics, the more energy you have for the first wave.

Also note: transfers are complementary and optional. That means the base price stays the same whether you use pickup or meet at the location, but using pickup generally reduces hassle.

Summer Costa Azul vs winter Cerritos: why the beach can change

This is one of those details that can make or break your day, and it’s worth understanding before you assume you’ll always be on the same beach.

They run surf lessons on two seasonal patterns:

• From March 15 to November 15, lessons are available on Costa Azul.
• From November 15 to March 15, lessons move to Cerritos beach, because there are no waves on Costa Azul during winter.

So even if the experience is marketed around Cerritos, your real plan depends on the month you’re traveling. If you’re coming in winter, Cerritos makes the most sense. If you’re visiting in summer, you should be prepared for the lesson to take place at Costa Azul instead.

This is also why weather matters. When conditions shift, surf spots can shift too.

Weather reality check: what happens with wind, swell, or jellyfish

Surf days are weather days. This experience is built around ocean conditions, and the operators prioritize safety over stubbornness.

When conditions are not favorable, they may change the day, reschedule, or cancel with a full refund. Conditions that can trigger changes include rain, high swell, wind, and jellyfish.

If the cancellation is caused by them due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the kind of policy you want to see for a surf lesson, because the whole point is getting into the water with conditions that make learning possible.

Should you book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

Book it if you want a straightforward surf day with real coaching and a built-in comfort plan for non-surfers. This is especially good for:

• First-timers who want to stand up fast with patient instruction
• Families who want kids and adults taught at the right level
• People who hate logistics, because pickup, equipment, and lunch are handled

Consider thinking twice if:

• You have very specific gear preferences, like fiberglass boards, since you must request them in advance
• You dislike time outdoors, because the schedule includes beach breaks and waiting for sets
• You are traveling during a period when surf conditions may be less consistent, since the day can shift based on wind, swell, or marine life

One extra practical note: the strongest lesson days happen when you show up ready to learn, bring your correct wetsuit or rash guard size info, and accept that the ocean is the boss.

FAQ

What is the duration of the surf lesson including transportation?

The activity lasts about 6:30 hours total, including round-trip transportation.

Where do I meet for the tour if I’m driving myself?

Meet at Plaza Gali parking lot (right in front of Sandos Finisterra hotel), in front of the Oxxo convenience store at the exit of the parking lot, on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro.

Do I need prior surf experience?

No. The class is designed for all levels, from beginners learning enough to catch a wave to more experienced surfers who receive coaching.

Do I get surfboards and wetsuits or rash guards?

Yes. Professional instructors are included, plus surf boards (foam boards for safety). You should let them know your rash guard or wetsuit size in advance. Fiberglass boards are available only if you request them in advance.

Is lunch included, and is there a vegetarian option?

Lunch is included. It’s Mexican food such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, and guacamole, with a vegetarian option that includes items like salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

Can I go as an observer instead of surfing?

Yes. 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.

What happens if weather conditions are not good for surfing?

If conditions are not favorable, they may change the day or reschedule. If the activity is canceled by them due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.