Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos is a good place to learn to surf without turning the day into a crowded beach-school drill. You ride west from Cabo along the Transpeninsular Highway, with the Pacific and mountains outside the window, then spend several hours at a broad beach with instructors who work in small groups. Marco, Allan, Louis, and Mike are among the guides singled out for patient, upbeat coaching.

I like two things right away: the equipment and lunch are included, so you do not need to organize much, and the lesson works for mixed groups. A nine-year-old, a first-time adult, and a stronger surfer can all receive different coaching. The main consideration is the long day, roughly 6.5 to 7 hours with transport, and surf conditions can force a change of beach, date, or plan.

Key points before you book

• Cerritos is the winter surf location: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move from Costa Azul to Cerritos because Costa Azul usually lacks suitable waves during that season.
• Small classes mean more coaching: One guide is assigned for every three people, with a maximum group size of 15.
• First-timers are welcome: Foam boards, rash guards or wetsuits, and instruction are provided. No previous surfing experience is required.
• Observers have their own option: A non-surfer can book transport, shaded chairs, umbrellas, water, and snacks without taking the lesson.
• Lunch is genuinely part of the day: Expect Mexican food such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, guacamole, sauces, and flavored water, with vegetarian choices available.
• The ride is part of the appeal: The road to Cerritos gives you Pacific Ocean and mountain views, but pickup timing can begin well before the 9:00 a.m. start.

From Cabo to Cerritos on the Transpeninsular Highway

The day begins at 9:00 a.m., though hotel pickup starts earlier. The drive from Cabo San Lucas follows the Transpeninsular Highway toward Cerritos, and this is more than a simple transfer. You get changing views of the Pacific Ocean and the Baja mountains, so keep your phone ready for photos.

The exact travel time depends on where you are staying. Complimentary round-trip transport covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the Tourist Corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Pickup can begin about an hour to an hour and a half before the activity, so do not schedule a tight morning plan around it.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, the meeting point is in front of the Oxxo convenience store at the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot. From the tender pier, walk through the security gate, turn right along the red harbor sidewalk, pass into the API terminal building, and exit toward the parking lot. The Oxxo is at the exit.

Driving yourself is possible. Meet at the same Oxxo in the Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the Sandos Finisterra hotel. Confirm your pickup time with the operator one day before the tour, especially if you are staying in a large resort area.

Hotels outside the main tourist zone, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons, are not included in the hotel pickup route. You can still join the activity, but you will need to meet at Plaza Gali.

What Cerritos Beach adds to the day

Playa Los Cerritos is the main event. It gives you a change of pace from the resort strip around Cabo, with a beach setting suited to a full surf lesson rather than a quick photo stop. The sand has a noticeable sparkle, and the beach is attractive enough that non-surfers can enjoy the day without feeling stranded.

The lesson is held near the Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa area. The exact order of activities can change with conditions, but the beach portion is designed to give you time in the water, practice on the board, and coaching suited to your ability.

You do not need prior experience. Beginners are taught the basic movements needed to catch a wave and stand up. More experienced surfers can receive coaching instead of repeating a basic introduction. That range matters if you are booking for a family or group with mixed abilities.

The foam boards are a sensible choice for beginners. They are more forgiving during early attempts and are used for safety. If you prefer a fiberglass board, request one when booking. Do not assume it will be waiting on the beach if you have not asked in advance.

The supplied rash guard or wetsuit also requires advance sizing. Give the operator the correct sizes before the day, particularly if several people in your group need different equipment.

Small groups and coaching that changes with your ability

The strongest part of the program is the guide-to-surfer ratio. One coach is provided for every three people, and the total group is capped at 15. That does not guarantee a private lesson, but it gives the instructor room to watch body position, paddling, and timing.

This matters most after your first successful stand-up. A good beginner lesson is not just about pushing you into waves. You need help choosing a manageable wave, getting your weight in the right place, and learning when to paddle and stand. The coaching described by the operator follows that progression.

Marco has been praised for working one-on-one with a first-time surfer, helping with positioning in the water, giving clear spoken cues, and slowly reducing assistance as confidence improved. That is exactly the kind of progression you want. You should not be left trying the same mistake ten times without feedback.

Allan is another named instructor associated with the lesson. His style is described as patient, encouraging, and fun, with attention to making the day comfortable for different ages. Louis has also been noted for helping children and sharing information about other surf areas around Los Cabos. Mike combines instruction with hosting the full day, from pickup through lunch and the return ride.

Instructor assignments can change, so book this tour for its teaching format rather than expecting one specific guide. If you have a strong preference, you can ask when booking, but it should not be treated as guaranteed.

A family-friendly lesson, with a few physical limits

The minimum age is six. Children should be identified when you book, since the company aims to add an extra guide when children are participating. That is useful for families, particularly when adults and children have different confidence levels in the water.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Surfing requires paddling, getting up from a prone position, and repeated attempts. The activity is not presented as a swim lesson, so you should be comfortable enough in the water to follow instruction and manage the physical effort.

You do not need to be athletic to try it. An adult who is not a strong swimmer and had never surfed was able to stand on the board with patient coaching, but that should encourage you, not make you careless. Ocean conditions vary, and instructors may change the plan when waves, wind, rain, tropical weather, or jellyfish create a safety concern.

There are no lockers on the beach. Personal items can be left in the transportation, but bring only what you need. Wear or pack practical beach clothing, and keep valuables to a minimum.

Lunch at a Mexican restaurant

Lunch gives the day a useful break from the water. The meal includes Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, salsa, guacamole, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices can include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

This is not simply a snack handed out between waves. The group goes to a local restaurant, making lunch one of the more social parts of the outing. It also means you should allow enough time for a full day rather than expecting to be back in Cabo shortly after midday.

Lunch is included but optional. If you skip it, the price does not decrease. Tell the operator about vegetarian needs in advance so the meal plan is clear.

Alcohol is not included. Personal expenses are also separate, so budget for anything beyond the listed meal and transport.

Observers can enjoy Cerritos without surfing

You do not have to surf to join the outing. A companion can book an observer or non-surfer spot, which includes round-trip transportation, shaded camp seating, umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks.

That is a smart option for parents, grandparents, or friends who want a beach day while others take the lesson. The beach itself is attractive, and the shaded chairs make the wait more comfortable than simply sitting on a towel for several hours.

The observer fee is not the same as tagging along informally. You need to reserve a non-surfer spot on the transport. This helps the company plan seats and food and prevents an unbooked companion from being left without space.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. The fee includes an instructor, surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, and round-trip hotel or port transport. For a first lesson, those included pieces make the price easier to justify.

You are also paying for a full day rather than a short board rental. The guide helps you get started, watches your technique, and adjusts the lesson to your level. Transport removes the need to find Cerritos yourself, and the lunch stop fills out the outing.

The price is the same for children and adults. That can feel expensive for a young child who spends less time in the water, but the extra supervision goal and included equipment make the arrangement more practical for families.

The value is weaker if you only want a board for an hour or two, or if you are an experienced surfer who already has equipment and transport. In that case, the included lesson and long transfer may be more than you need. For a first-time surfer, a family group, or an observer joining a beach day, the package makes better sense.

Weather, seasons, and changes to the plan

The location changes by season. From March 15 through November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul. From November 15 through March 15, they move to Cerritos because Costa Azul does not usually have suitable waves in winter.

That seasonal switch is practical, not cosmetic. Surf lessons depend on wave conditions, and the operator may change the location when wind, swell, rain, tropical storms, or jellyfish affect safety. You will be offered a different date or a refund if the company cancels.

The activity requires good weather, so keep some flexibility in your Cabo schedule. Do not book this for the final few hours before your flight. A weather change can affect the beach, timing, and transportation.

The stated cancellation information is not fully consistent. One section says you need to cancel 48 hours ahead for a full refund, while the final cancellation policy says 24 hours. Check the terms shown at booking and confirm directly if your plans are uncertain. If the company cancels because of weather, you are offered a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this Cerritos surf lesson?

I would choose this for a first-time surfer who wants instruction rather than a simple rental. It also fits families, since children from age six can participate and the coaching can be adjusted for different ability levels.

It works well for a mixed group. Surfers can take the lesson, while parents or friends book observer places and use the shaded camp. The meal and transport mean nobody has to arrange a separate beach plan.

You should think twice if you dislike long activity days, need guaranteed hotel pickup from an outlying resort, or want a quiet beach visit with no scheduled instruction. The road trip, equipment, lunch, and lesson are all part of the package, so this is not a quick in-and-out excursion.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson take place?

From November 15 to March 15, the lesson takes place at Cerritos Beach. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are offered at Costa Azul.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup may begin approximately one to one and a half hours earlier, depending on your location.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts about 6.5 hours including round-trip transportation. The tour summary lists approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Complimentary pickup and drop-off cover hotels in San José del Cabo, the Tourist Corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Transfers are optional and do not change the price.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet the guide?

Cruise ship passengers meet in front of the Oxxo convenience store at the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot. The exact address is Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36 in Cabo San Lucas.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides foam surfboards and a rash guard or wetsuit. Request a fiberglass board and provide clothing sizes in advance if needed.

Do I need previous surfing experience?

No. The lesson is designed for beginners and experienced surfers. Beginners receive instruction on catching waves, while stronger surfers can receive coaching.

Can children join the lesson?

Yes. The minimum age is six. Tell the operator when children are participating so the company can plan supervision.

Can someone come along without surfing?

Yes. Book an observer or non-surfer companion place. It includes transport, shaded seating, umbrellas, bottled water, and snacks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Mexican food such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices are available. Alcohol is not included.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a full beach day built around learning to surf, not just a short lesson. The strongest reasons are the small-group coaching, included equipment, helpful transport, and the option for non-surfers to enjoy Cerritos nearby.

I would especially recommend it for families and complete beginners. Just plan for an early pickup, a physically active day, and possible weather changes. Confirm the cancellation deadline and your pickup time before the day, then leave room in your schedule for the road, the waves, and lunch.