Safari Surf
Learn to surf with the world's first STOKE-certified sustainable surf school
Creating Lifelong Surfers in Costa Rica and Beyond
Our amazing surf program has been featured in…
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Passionately
Teaching
We’re not your typical surf school. We don’t just teach our students to pop up; we create lifelong surfers.
While staying at Safari Surf, guests are immersed in surf and local culture. We’ll share our passion for wave riding and introduce you to the communities we’ve fallen in love with during our travels.
Thanks to our local employees, staying at Safari Surf School is a one-of-a-kind experience that blends cultural immersion, surf travel, and world-class service, and the best ISA-certified surf instructors in the industry.
Find out why Safari Surf is rated 5/5 from 300+ reviews on TripAdvisor.
Highly Customizable
Surf Vacations for Every Kind of Traveler
Safari Surf crafts custom surf vacations for every type of surfer, traveler, and budget.
Whether you’re traveling as a family looking for lessons, exploring solo, or planning a trip with friends, we’re here to help. Learn to surf, work with ISA-certified coaches, and explore the waves we love. From your first post up to progression coaching and surf guiding, we do it all.
"The Most Iconic & Sustainable Surf Programs In Central & South Americas"
Three Countries
Three Surf Schools
Which Safari Surf Destination Is Right for You?
Costa Rica
Best For: First-time surfers, families, couples, and travelers looking for a classic all-inclusive surf vacation.
- Ideal Traveler: First-time surfers, families, couples, wellness travelers
- Surf Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Atmosphere: Established surf town with a relaxed, upscale feel
- Seasonality: Excellent year-round with consistent surf conditions
- Accommodations: Everything from budget-friendly lodging to luxury beachfront vacation rentals
Panama
Best For: Surfers looking to progress, immerse themselves in surf culture, and experience a quieter destination.
- Ideal Traveler: Returning surfers, adventurous travelers, couples, solo travelers
- Surf Level: Beginner to Advanced
- Atmosphere: Relaxed surf community with a quieter, more local feel
- Seasonality: Consistent surf throughout the year with reliable conditions
- Accommodations: Boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and comfortable surf-focused lodging
Ecuador
Best For: Travelers who want to combine surfing with nature, culture, and an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
- Ideal Traveler: Adventure travelers, nature lovers, cultural explorers, surfers seeking something different
- Surf Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Atmosphere: Quiet, authentic, and nature-focused
- Seasonality: Year-round surfing with seasonal variations in swell size and weather
- Accommodations: Boutique hotels, eco-lodges, and locally owned accommodations
Customizable
Accommodations for Every Budget
Sign up for a surf lesson package or create your ideal turnkey surf travel experience. In other words, stay as long as you want. We can make booking as simple as possible with our packaged options or create a custom surf trip for you and your group.
Plan Your Safari Surf Vacation
Explore our surf destinations and find the experience that fits your travel style, surfing ability, and goals.
How to Get to Nosara
How to Get to Playa Venao
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the Right Safari Surf Destination
Every Safari Surf destination offers excellent waves, warm water, and personalized instruction, but each delivers a different travel experience.
Costa Rica is ideal for travelers looking for a vibrant surf town with year-round consistency and endless opportunities for adventure.
Panama combines friendly waves with a growing surf community and one of the most beginner-friendly beach breaks in Central America.
Ecuador offers a slower pace, authentic coastal culture, and uncrowded waves surrounded by national parks and incredible biodiversity. If you’re unsure which destination best fits your travel style or experience level, our team is happy to help you choose.
All three Safari Surf locations welcome beginners, but they each offer a unique learning environment.
Playa Guiones in Costa Rica is famous for its forgiving beach break and remarkable consistency.
Playa Venao’s crescent-shaped bay creates sheltered waves for beginners even when larger swells arrive.
Ayampe offers relaxed lineups and fewer crowds, making it an excellent choice for travelers looking to learn in a quieter setting.
Intermediate and advanced surfers can find progression opportunities at all three Safari Surf destinations.
Costa Rica offers consistent surf at Playa Guiones, with larger and more powerful conditions during the south swell season (May through September).
Playa Venao in Panama is a versatile beach break with multiple peaks and conditions suited to surfers of all skill levels.
In Ecuador, Ayampe provides consistent surf, fewer crowds, and access to a variety of waves along the surrounding coastline, perfect for guiding.
Surf Seasons & Wave Conditions
Costa Rica is an excellent place to learn to surf year-round. The dry season, from November through April, typically brings sunny weather, offshore winds, and consistent waves that are ideal for beginners. During the green season, larger south swells arrive, but Playa Guiones’ expansive beach and multiple peaks continue to provide excellent learning conditions for surfers of all abilities. No matter when you visit, our instructors will match you with waves that suit your experience level.
Playa Venao offers consistent surf year-round, making it an excellent destination for beginner surfers. The dry season, from November through April, generally brings smaller, cleaner conditions, while the green season, May through September, sees more consistent swell. Thanks to Playa Venao’s wide beach break and multiple peaks, there are almost always waves suitable for learning, regardless of the time of year.
Ecuador offers warm waters and consistent surf year-round. December through April is known for clean conditions and consistent northwest swells, while May through November brings fewer crowds and reliable surf generated by southern hemisphere swells. Whether you’re planning your first surf trip or looking to continue progressing, Ayampe offers quality waves in every season.
Your instructor will always select the safest waves for your ability level. Even when larger swells arrive, there’s typically plenty of whitewater that’s perfect for beginners to continue learning fundamental skills. If conditions at your lesson location aren’t ideal, we can often travel to a more protected beach or bay with smaller, more manageable waves. Our goal is to provide a fun, safe, and confidence-building experience, regardless of the surf forecast.
Surf Vacation Packages
While every package is a little different, most Safari Surf vacations include accommodations, surf instruction or guided surf sessions, daily breakfast, airport transportation, and personalized trip planning. Packages also include surfboard rentals and optional activities, making it easy to enjoy a seamless surf vacation from arrival to departure.
Yes. Many of our surf vacations can be tailored to your interests, schedule, and skill level. Whether you’d like to add extra surf coaching, yoga, adventure activities, additional nights, or create a private itinerary, we’ll work with you to build the trip that best fits your goals.
Absolutely. Our family surf vacations are designed to make learning together fun, safe, and memorable. Lessons are tailored to each family member’s experience level, and we can recommend accommodations and activities that everyone can enjoy.
Yes. Safari Surf offers dedicated women’s surf retreats that combine professional coaching with a supportive, welcoming environment. These retreats are designed for women of all experience levels and blend surfing with community, wellness, and unforgettable destination experiences.
Absolutely. Many guests travel with friends, partners, or family members who don’t surf. Depending on the destination, non-surfers can enjoy activities such as yoga, hiking, wildlife tours, snorkeling, fishing, cultural experiences, spa treatments, or simply relaxing on the beach while surfers are in the water. Our team can help create an itinerary that everyone will enjoy.
Planning Your Trip
We recommend booking several months in advance, especially for peak travel periods and popular retreats. Booking early gives you the best selection of accommodations, lesson times, and travel dates, although we’ll always do our best to accommodate last-minute trips whenever possible.
No. Surfboard rentals are included with most Safari Surf vacation packages, and we’ll match you with the right board for your experience level and the day’s conditions. If you have a favorite board, you’re welcome to bring it, but most guests find there’s no need.
Not at all. Safari Surf welcomes everyone from complete beginners catching their very first wave to experienced surfers looking to refine their technique. Every lesson is tailored to your individual skill level and goals.
Most guests stay between five and seven nights, which provides enough time to progress in the water while enjoying everything each destination has to offer. Longer stays allow for even more coaching, exploration, and flexibility if conditions change during your trip.
Testimonials
"My wife and I have been taking our kids to Safari Surf for over a decade now. We have been to family surf camps all over Central America and Southern California. Safari Surf's accommodation choices, impressive quiver of boards, food, culture and warm water are top-notch. But what really makes Safari Surf stand out to us is its roster of relatable, fun and highly capable instructors. They get you in the right place at the right time, with the right tools to succeed (all with a big welcoming smile on their faces). Safari Surf has taught all 3 of our kids to surf, and how to be safe on their own in the water. They have also helped my wife and me progress even further in our surfing. Our kids still have smiles on their faces when they talk about their instructors from Safari Surf. They have everything you need if you have a group of complete beginners, or if you have a group with very diverse abilities."
Jamie Matthews
Texas, USA
“I have been coming to Safari Surf School for 5 years now, and I can’t say enough good things about the quality of the instruction which I receive there or the quality of the entire staff who work there. The instructors are knowledgeable, professional, kind, and yet ready to give you the criticism which you need to improve your surfing. The Manager of the school, Jeffrey, is incredibly caring and competent. If you have a need, Jeffrey can always help you out. I have surfed with several other surf schools inNosara and other places, and this one is the best both for the quality of the instruction and the friendliness of the staff whether you are a beginner or a more advanced surfer who wants to improve. The surf school is set in a beautiful hotel, Olas Verdes, which has an excellent restaurant, El Manglar. From hotel to restaurant to surf school,Safari can well accommodate all of your needs. I feel fortunate to have found it.”
Jessie Witherspoon
UK
“Hands down - Safari Surf in Costa Rica is my one true happy place. It’s so much fun, it’s almost hard to describe. I’m 59 years old, but they still managed to teach me how to get onto green waves in record time (and get a photo of it to boot!) The instructors are super patient and ISA trained. It allowed me to skip ahead and avoid bad habits beginners unknowingly make. I used to take site-seeing vacations, but after learning to surf, I understand how much more valuable an adventure vacation is. Nosara is an ideal place to learn surfing. The waves are consistent with enough variation to keep me learning, but never a time when I felt I had to sit out. Just me and a perfect beautiful friendly wave.
I’m so grateful to the crew at Safari Surf for showing me another side to life I had been missing. They are such good human beings and are very passionate about the art of teaching surfing. I can’t wait to get back! “
Julie VanDerZanden
Oregon, USA
“Our family has been surfing with Safari since 2004. They helped us catch our first waves and now guide us when we need to fine tune our skills. Beyond surfing, they introduced us to Costa Rican people and the pura vida vibe we’re grown to love. Tim and Marsi are so attentive and professional but yet relaxed in their approach to putting together the ideal surf vacation for our family everytime we go. Once in Costa Rica, Jeffrey and the entire Safari Surf family are so welcoming and filled with such “pura vida” vibes it feels like coming back to visit family everytime we step foot there. Words can’t describe how we truly feel about this company and the people that make it what it is…a memorable experience!”
Drew & Sylvia Atkins
Canada
“Hey Tim and Marsi, We wanted to send a quick note of thanks and gratitude for our amazing week there in Costa Rica. We are so impressed with the Safari Surf team and Olas Verdes Hotel. You guys nailed it! The people have been just amazing in every way. It felt like an insta-family right when we got there. Jeffrey and all of your amazing surf instructors have been so kind hearted and have been able to take care of any off hand request that Mark or I may have had during our stay. We officially LOVE Safari Surf and will be telling all of our friends about this amazing experience. And of course you can count on us coming back to visit very soon!
Thank you again for everything you have done for us. Simply the best trip we’ve ever had.”
Mark & Jennifer Lipscomb Family
California, USA
“Safari Surf School rocked! Our family of 12 had the BEST time!! And the 10 of us who surfed, most of us having no experience, all got up on a bunch of waves! Safari Surf was able to accommodate both the complete beginner as well as the super surf girl in our group.The surf instructors were just great!
Jeffrey was the host/concierge extraordinaire! He made us feel at home, and every time we requested anything, he was super attentive with great attention to detail. We felt that we made a new friend in Jeffrey.
All in all we loved the Safari Surf package! Thank you Tim and your team who made this an unforgettable experience for all twelve of us.”
Natalie Jacobsson Family
California, USA
*****
300+ Reviews on TripAdvisor
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