Surfing
Costa Rica is a famous surf destination. There are great surfing beaches in the area around Bosque del Cabo for both beginners and seasoned experts. Please see the “Surfing” sheet in this booklet for detailed descriptions of all the breaks in the area.
Surfing Lessons
If you have never surfed before and have always wanted to try, this is the perfect opportunity. Oldemar (affectionally called “Pollo”), an expert surfer/instructor with decades of experience, and a certified instructor by the International Surfing Association, and his crew of fantastic surf instructors offer lessons. Pollo’s Surf School supplies your board and guarantees to get you standing up during the first lesson! Lessons approximately 2 hours; activity is dependent on the tide, swell and space (surf conditions can change from hour to hour). Don’t forget your sunscreen! Kids welcome with some restrictions, please inquire. Prices don’t include cost of ride to the beach; taxes will be added; $10/each way/car
$65/person for group lesson
$120/person (2 lesson package)
$160/person (3 lesson package)
$90/person for private group lesson (2hrs)
$120/ person private lesson (2hrs)
PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, PLEASE INQUIRE BY EMAIL OR AT LODGE TO VERIFY PRICES.
Surfing On Your Own
If you are an experienced surfer and you have your own board or rent one from the lodge, you can head down to the surf breaks on your own. Novice surfers should only surf at the inside Pan Dulce break. Dangerous conditions could arise from beginners trying to surf at areas for experienced surfers. And, on a personal note, we hope that our guests show respect for others in the water. While the beach and waves are public and open to anyone, local surfers would love for visiting surfers to help maintain the spirit of fun and community that has predominated here for over 20 years. Please practice “surf etiquette” when you are surfing (like don’t drop in, don’t take every wave, and don’t show up with a huge group of people and dominate the entire break), and you will help keep these breaks a surfer’s paradise.
The surfing beaches are reached from Bosque del Cabo by either hiking (40 minutes to Matapalo) or driving (10 minutes). We offer a drop off/pick up service to the beach ($10 each way).
PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, PLEASE INQUIRE BY EMAIL OR AT LODGE TO VERIFY PRICES.
Surf Spots
Matapalo- A powerful right-hand wave that breaks best at midtide. Can be extremely challenging on big swells. Due to the fact that it faces open ocean, it receives more waves, more consistently than the other spots.
Backwash- A fun right that breaks in the middle of Backwash Bay. Although it doesn’t break as many days per year as Matapalo, it is the spot of choice when it is at its best (from midtide to lowtide).
Pan Dulce- A long right point break. Pan Dulce is rideable only on the larger swells that wrap into the gulf. If you are lucky to catch it good, you can expect rides up to 500 meters long. This beach offers a good wave for beginners when the swell is small at low-medium tide.
Pavones- Across the Golfo Dulce, this beach is accessible from Bosque del Cabo by boat. Pavones is a well-known, world-class wave with lefts up to a kilometer+ long.
