Last updated on December 24th, 2023 at 05:38 pm
If you are looking for a surf camp in Jaco Costa Rica, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find our top recommendations for a surf camp in Playa Jaco, where you can improve your surfing skills, meet new people, and, most importantly, have lots of fun.
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If you prefer the short version, here it is; these are the 5 best surf camps in Jaco:
1. Surf Synergy Academy & Resort – For more details, please click here.
2. School of the World Surf Camp Jaco – For more details, please click here.
3. Damo Surf Camp Jaco – For more details, please click here.
4. Diego Naranjo Surf Academy – For more details, please click here.
5. Tortuga Surf Camp – For more details, please click here.
About Jaco, Costa Rica
Playa Jaco is a popular surf town among both locals and foreigners. Due to its proximity to the international airport in San Jose and the variety of surf beaches nearby, it is a real attraction for surfers. The waves in Jaco are consistent year-round and suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers. Therefore, some of the best surf camps in Costa Rica are based here. In addition, Jaco offers a variety of surf shops, nightlife, and a wonderful atmosphere.
Why Should You Book a Surf Camp in Jaco?
There is probably no greater fun than going on a surf vacation in an exotic destination. There is something about leaving the everyday stress and dedicating a week or two to something you love doing. However, planning a surf vacation can be quite a hassle, especially when you don’t have the local knowledge about hotels, restaurants, and the best surf spots in the area.
By booking a surf camp in Jaco, you basically take the stress and the hassle out of the equation and focus only on the fun part. While the camp takes care of accommodation, meals, transportation, equipment, and surf coaching, all you need to do is enjoy your time. Moreover, surf camps in Jaco are a great place to meet new friends from all over the world.
So let’s dive in; these are the best surf camps in Jaco Beach:
A List of the 5 Best Surf Camps in Jaco:
1. Surf Synergy Academy & Resort
About a 1.5-hour drive from the airport, in Playa Jaco, Surf Synergy Academy &Resort provides a comprehensive system to develop surfing and stand-up paddleboard skills. This high-level surf center is designed and oriented to provide world-class athletic and wellness tools to anyone who wishes to learn and improve his surf game. It has created an integrated whole-being training system, including the technicalities of the sports and core foundational wellness elements such as breath work, state-of-the-art physical training routines, cryotherapy, mental training, nutrition, and a follow-up takeaway program of training routines.
The surf camp offers packages for all skill levels:
Entry Level One- for those who have never surfed before or only tried a few times.
Entry Level Two- if you already started to catch and surf unbroken waves.
Intermediate Level One- consistent take-offs and can ride the shoulder.
Intermediate Level Two- working on producing speed and basic maneuvers like cutbacks.
For more information about Surf Synergy Academy, please click here.
2. School of the World Surf Camp Jaco
With this excellent surfing package, you will be surfing twice a day, Monday through Friday (two hours per session, four hours in total per day). School of the World aims to keep their groups as small as possible, so one instructor will teach no more than three students. As part of the program, you will get personal guidance and one surf video analysis session to improve your skills and help you reach the next level. The camp suits all skill levels, from beginner to advanced surfers.
These are the main highlights of the School of the World Surf Camp:
2 surf classes per day
120 minutes per surf lesson
Guidance of highly qualified instructors
Surfboard rental is available during classes
Transportation to the beach
6 nights accommodation
For more information about the School of the World Surf Camp Jaco, please click here.
3. Damo Surf Camp Jaco
Damo Surf Camp is dedicated to providing everyone with the best surf coaching, using the most advanced surfing techniques and equipment. Therefore, it is focused on a personalized approach that ensures each student gets full attention according to his needs. Knowing that everyone progresses at different levels, the goal is to prepare you to be an independent surfer who can catch green, unbroken waves – one of the best feelings in the world!
All the activities in the camp are meant to show you the best surf training and exercises done by professionals, such as yoga, surf skate, video analysis, and more. In addition, it also includes the most important sightseeing and adventures around the area, so you won’t miss anything Costa Rica and Jacó has to offer.
For more details about Damo Surf Camp Jaco, please click here.
4. Diego Naranjo Surf Academy
Diego Naranjo Surf Academy was established by the former professional surfer Diego Naranjo. In fact, It is the result of many years of work in the field of surfing, teaching, and sports performance. This surf Academy was born to make local and national surfing grow to an international level, through the professionalization of athletes, the training of specialized coaches, and also the creation of sports structures to take this sport to a higher level. The training at Diego Naranjo Surf Academy aims to satisfy all students’ needs, not only on a technical and sporting level but also on an emotional level. The camp wants to train high-performance athletes who are benchmarks not only for their results but also for their character and, above all, for their values.
Behind Diego Naranjo Surf Academy, there is a human team that, after many years of effort, linked a worldwide surfing network, working with some of the world’s highest-level surfers and trainers, promising that you will get the highest level of surf training.
For more details about Diego Naranjo Surf Academy, please click here.
5. Tortuga Surf Camp
Tortuga Surf Camp in Jaco Beach is an industry leader in providing authentic Costa Rican surf experiences and multi-level training packages. The English & Spanish-speaking staff are all ISA (International Surfing Association) and lifeguard certified, ensuring a safe experience and providing you peace of mind and confidence to push your limits in the water with full trust.
The Tortuga Surf Camp is happy to accommodate every surfer and provides you with everything from board rentals to surf lessons and comprehensive training camps.
If you are new to surfing, don’t worry; Tortuga Surf Camp will help you discover the thrill of catching your first wave. However, if you are already an Intermediate or advanced surfer, the Tortuga team will create a unique surfing experience and program tailored to your level, aiming to improve your skills and propel you to the next level of wave riding.
For more details about Tortuga Surf Camp Playa Jaco, please click here.
What is the Cost of a Surf Camp in Jaco?
When choosing a surf camp in Jaco, the cost should be a significant part of your decision. Well, you will be happy to know that there are various camps and packages to suit any budget. In fact, the surf camps in Jaco offer wonderful value for money. What determines the cost of a surf camp are factors such as accommodation level, number of days, number of lessons per day, seasonality, and special services. Therefore, depending on your budget, you can customize the package that suits you best. In most cases, booking a surf camp in Jaco will actually cost you less than it would be if you booked all the services yourself. As for the numbers, while the low-budget surf camps in Jaco start at about $300, the high-budget ones can cost up to $1800 per week.
What Skill Level is Required for a Surf Camp in Jaco?
In general, the waves in Jaco are mellow and beginner-friendly. The shape of the bay and the sandy bottom create a safe environment to learn and practice without worrying too much. That being said, once a huge swell hits the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Jaco is no exception, and you might see waves that are too big for your skill level. However, once that happens, you can go to the sides of the bay, where the waves are significantly smaller than in the middle. The instructors of all surf camps in Jaco know exactly where to take their students in every swell condition. Therefore, surf camps in Jaco are suitable for all skill levels, mainly for beginners and intermediates.
What is the Best Time of Year for a Surf Camp in Jaco?
Jaco receives consistent swells all year long. Usually, the bigger swells hit between April and October, but you can find decent waves in the winter, too. Therefore, every time is an excellent time to take a surf camp in Jaco.
What is the Best Location in Jaco for a Surf Camp
Although Jaco is a small town and most surf camps are close to each other, location is still a factor worth considering. In general, you want to be as close to the waves as possible. Remember, this is a surf vacation, and you will go back and forth from the camp to the water. Usually, the best waves hit in the middle of the bay, so the closer you can be to this spot, the better.
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Surf Camp in Jaco?
Before choosing your favorite surf camp in Jaco, don’t forget to go over the following checklist:
1. What is the student-to-instructor ratio- In general, the smaller the group is, the more personal attention you will get. Therefore, look for a ratio of no more than 5 to 1.
2. Are surfboard rentals included in the package- Will you have to bring your own surfboard, or is it provided by the camp? Also, can you use the camp’s surfboard for practice after the lessons?
3. Are airport transfers included in the surf package, or should you get there on your own? What about transfers to different surf spots during the camp?
4. Is the package all-inclusive, or should you pay for meals? If it is an all-inclusive one, which meals are included?
5. How many surf lessons are included in the package? Is there an organized schedule?
6. What type of accommodations will you be staying at? Is it a private room or a dorm? Which features does it have?
7. Does the level of coaching suit your skill level? Is there a separation between beginners and advanced surfers?
8. What are the qualifications of the surf instructors? Are they licensed? Remember, your safety is the most important thing.
9. Which coaching tools are used in the surf lessons? Is there a theoretical part? Video analysis? Enough practice time?
10. Are there any add-ons or additional services you should know about, or does the cost of the camp cover everything?
How to Book a Surf Camp in Jaco?
Once you choose your preferred surf camp in Jaco, booking it is pretty easy. Nowadays, there is no need to speak with anyone on the phone; everything is available online. The main question is what kind of surf camp are you looking for, and these are the two best options:
1. If you are a beginner or an intermediate surfer looking for a coaching program, the best website to book the surf camp is www.booksurfcamps.com. This is where you can get the most details for surf instructors, weekly schedules, and general guidance.
2. If you are an experienced surfer and don’t need anything but a nice place to stay close to the waves, you can simply book your surf camp on www.booking.com.
Both websites are reliable and user-friendly, and therefore, we recommend using one of them to book your surf camp in Jaco.
Conclusion
To sum up, finding a good surf camp in Jaco is a pretty easy task. Since the town is so surf-oriented and the conditions are perfect for learning, many surf camps are found here, so all you need to do is choose the right one for you. In reality, they are all good and offer pretty much the same thing. The surf camps mentioned here offer very professional coaching programs and include personal guidance, video analysis, and all the tools needed to ensure you reach your goals. Therefore, if you come with a good attitude and open mind to learn, you can improve your surfing game drastically and have the best time on these beautiful green waves.
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out our post about the best surf camps in Costa Rica, and also the one about surf resorts in Costa Rica.
