Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Cerritos Beach gives this Cabo outing its real appeal: you leave the resort strip behind and spend a full day on a broad Pacific beach, learning to catch waves with a coach close at hand. The road west brings open views of the Pacific Ocean and mountains, so the ride is part of the outing, not just a transfer.

I like the small groups, with one coach for every three people, and I like that the day works for a mixed family. Beginners get foam boards, rash guards or wetsuits, patient instruction, lunch, and a shaded camp for non-surfers. The main consideration is time: this is roughly six and a half to seven hours, and conditions can force a location change or cancellation.

Key things to know before booking

• Cerritos is the winter surf location: From November 15 to March 15, lessons move here because Costa Azul generally lacks suitable waves.
• Coaching is close and personal: The usual ratio is one guide for every three participants, with a maximum group size of 15.
• Your first wave is the focus: No previous experience is required, and coaches adjust the lesson from basic pop-up practice to more advanced guidance.
• Observers have a real place in the day: Book a non-surfer spot to receive transport, shaded chairs, umbrellas, water, and snacks.
• Lunch is proper Mexican food: Expect fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water, with vegetarian choices available.
• Ask for special equipment early: Foam boards are used for safety. Request a fiberglass board and provide wetsuit or rash guard sizes when booking.

The road from Cabo to Cerritos

The trip begins at 9 a.m., with hotel pickup available in San José del Cabo, along the Tourist Corridor, and in the Cabo San Lucas resort area. Pickup times vary by location and can begin about an hour to an hour and a half before the lesson. Confirm your exact time the day before.

If you are staying outside the covered zone, including Hard Rock, Nobu, or Four Seasons, you need to reach the standard meeting point yourself. That point is in the Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the Sandos Finisterra hotel, near the OXXO convenience store.

Cruise-ship passengers have a slightly fussy but workable meeting procedure. From the tender pier, walk through the security gate, turn right along the red sidewalk, and follow the harbor to the Cruise Terminal building marked API. Exit into the parking lot, where the guide waits by the OXXO. Give yourself time for this walk, especially if the tender operation is busy.

The drive follows the Transpeninsular Highway. I like this part because it gives you a look beyond Cabo’s hotel zone. You can see the Pacific and mountain country along the way, with plenty of photo opportunities. It also explains why this is not a quick beach lesson. You are paying for a day trip to a different coast, not simply an hour beside your hotel.

Round-trip transportation is complimentary and optional, so the $70 price does not change if you drive to the meeting point. The vehicle is described in the available feedback as clean and air-conditioned, a welcome detail on a long Mexican beach day.

What makes Playa Los Cerritos a good classroom

Cerritos is the heart of the experience. The lesson takes place on the beach, where the instruction starts before you paddle out. You should expect guidance on board position, paddling, timing, and standing up. The goal for a first-timer is simple: catch a manageable wave and get to your feet.

The supplied equipment is designed with beginners in mind. Foam boards are used for safety and stability, and rash guards or wetsuits are provided when you give the correct size in advance. If you specifically want a fiberglass board, request one when you book. Do not assume it will be waiting automatically.

The coaching is the strongest part of this outing. In one especially personal setup, Marco worked one-on-one with a first-time surfer, helping with positioning and choosing waves before gradually reducing the assistance to short verbal cues. That is the sort of progression you want: hands-on help at first, then enough space to build confidence.

Allan and Alan are also named instructors associated with the experience. Alan is described as a fun and encouraging coach who adjusted the session as comfort grew. Louis has helped families with children and offered advice about local surf spots. Mike has handled the full day, from pickup through lunch, while sharing his own surfing experience.

These details matter because surfing instruction can easily become a generic group activity. Here, the stated ratio is one instructor for every three participants, and a family of four may receive several coaches. The maximum group size is 15, but your actual class could be much smaller, depending on the day.

From a six-year-old beginner to an unsure swimmer

The minimum age is six, and children should be identified at the time of booking. The operator aims to add an extra guide when children are present, which is useful for families with different ages or confidence levels.

The lesson is not limited to athletic adults. One participant described being 44, not a strong swimmer, and not especially sporty, yet still treating the first successful stand as a major personal win. That is a helpful benchmark. You do not need to arrive polished. You need a moderate fitness level and enough comfort to follow instructions in the water.

Parents should set sensible expectations. Standing up on the first lesson is possible, but not guaranteed. The coach controls the pace, and wave, wind, and comfort levels matter. A child may be ready for small waves while an adult wants more coaching, or the reverse. The small-group format gives the instructor room to adjust.

The experience can also suit a group with mixed interests. A parent, grandparent, or friend does not have to surf. But a non-surfer should book an observer or companion space rather than simply showing up. That fee includes round-trip transport, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks.

The observer option at Cerritos

The observer arrangement is more useful than a basic ride-along. You can sit under shade at the beach camp, watch the lesson, and enjoy the coast without needing to handle a board. This makes the outing practical for grandparents, nervous beginners, people recovering from an injury, or anyone who wants a beach day but not a surf session.

There are no locker facilities on the beach. Personal items can be left safely in the transportation, but bring only what you need and keep valuables to a minimum. A swimsuit, sun protection, towel, and dry clothes are sensible choices, although the supplied details do not promise towel service.

Cerritos itself is part of the reward. The sand has been described as sparkling with mica or a similar mineral, and the beach offers the open Pacific setting that the Cabo marina cannot. You should expect a more natural beach stop than a polished resort pool. That also means fewer built-in conveniences, so plan for a full day outdoors.

Mexican lunch after the lesson

Lunch is included and served at a local Mexican restaurant. The stated menu includes fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, tortilla chips, sauces, guacamole, and refreshing flavored water. Vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

I see this as a useful part of the value rather than a fancy add-on. After a morning in the water, a substantial meal saves you from hunting for food in an unfamiliar beach area. It also gives the day a local flavor that a packed resort lunch would miss.

Lunch is optional, but there is no price reduction if you skip it. Alcohol is not included, and alcoholic drinks count as a personal expense. If you have dietary concerns, mention them when booking so the vegetarian option is ready.

The return trip and Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa

The listed route includes a stop at Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa, along with the highway stops on the way out and back. The available details do not promise a formal hotel tour, spa treatment, or overnight use, so I would treat this as a route or meal-related stop rather than booking it for spa access.

The highway appears again on the return, giving you another chance to photograph the Pacific and mountains if you missed them earlier. Hotel or port drop-off brings the activity back to its starting area.

The advertised duration is seven hours, while the more precise operating note gives six and a half hours including round-trip transport. In practical terms, reserve most of your day. Cruise-ship passengers should confirm the return timing against all-aboard requirements rather than assuming there will be plenty of spare time.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, this is a solid value if you want a full surf day rather than a short lesson near Cabo. The price includes a professional instructor, board, rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, and transport from many hotels. Those inclusions remove several costs that can add up when arranged separately.

The small-group ratio matters most. Private instruction would normally cost more, while a large class can leave beginners waiting on the sand. Here, one guide for every three people gives you a reasonable chance of getting direct help with paddling and wave selection.

The value is less clear if you only want a quick introduction or already have strong surfing skills. The drive takes time, the lunch is built into the day even if you do not eat it, and the beach has no locker facilities. Experienced surfers should ask in advance about fiberglass equipment and the level of coaching available.

Children and adults pay the same rate. That can feel expensive for a young child who spends much of the lesson resting, but it makes more sense when you consider the equipment, transport, meal, and close supervision included. For a family where two or more people surf, it can be a convenient package.

Weather, seasons, and the practical fine print

The surf location changes by season. From March 15 to November 15, lessons are available at Costa Azul. From November 15 to March 15, the activity moves to Cerritos because Costa Azul generally does not have suitable waves in winter.

Weather can also change the plan. Rain, high swell, strong wind, tropical storms, and jellyfish may lead to a different location, a new date, or cancellation. If the operator cancels for poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

The stated cancellation information gives a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows are charged in full, and changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted. Check the policy shown at the time you reserve, since the broader trip information also refers to a 48-hour advance period.

Bring sun protection and prepare for a physically active morning. The operator asks for a moderate fitness level. You do not need previous surfing experience, but you should be ready to paddle, balance, fall, and try again.

Who should book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

I would book this for a first-time surfer who wants real instruction, not just a board rental. It is also a strong choice for families, thanks to the minimum age of six, the child-focused supervision plan, and the ability to coach people at different levels.

It works well for couples or friends when one person wants to surf and another prefers to watch. The observer spot provides transport, shade, chairs, water, and snacks, so the non-surfer is not left to invent a beach day alone.

I would think twice if you have only a few hours between cruise-ship activities, dislike long road transfers, or need guaranteed weather. I would also ask questions before booking if you require fiberglass equipment, have a strict dietary need, or are staying outside the standard pickup area.

Should you book it?

Book Surf Lessons at Cerritos if your priority is a friendly, guided introduction to surfing in a scenic Pacific setting. The best reasons are the close coaching, family-friendly structure, included gear, Mexican lunch, and observer option. Marco, Allan, Alan, Louis, and Mike are all associated with the kind of patient, upbeat instruction beginners need.

Skip it if you want a short activity, a resort-style beach with lockers, or a guaranteed schedule. For everyone else, $70 buys a useful mix of transport, instruction, equipment, food, and a full day away from Cabo’s marina. Ask for sizes, child details, special board requests, pickup time, and the current cancellation terms before you pay.

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, the lesson is offered at Costa Azul.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts about six and a half hours including round-trip transportation. The tour summary describes it as approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Complimentary round-trip transport covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the Tourist Corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Pickup times depend on your accommodation and may begin about an hour to an hour and a half before the activity.

Where do cruise-ship passengers meet the guide?

Cruise-ship passengers meet at the OXXO convenience store by the exit of the Plaza Gali parking lot. The address is Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro, Marina, Cabo San Lucas.

Do I need previous surfing experience?

No. The classes are designed for beginners and experienced surfers. Beginners receive instruction aimed at helping them catch a wave, while more experienced participants can receive coaching.

What equipment is included?

A surfboard and a rash guard or wetsuit are included. Foam boards are used for safety. Request a fiberglass board in advance if that is your preference, and provide the needed clothing size when booking.

Can someone join without surfing?

Yes. The person must book an observer or non-surfer companion spot. This includes round-trip transportation, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks.

What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?

If conditions such as rain, high swell, strong wind, tropical weather, or jellyfish make the activity unsafe, you may be offered another date or a full refund.