Last updated on December 25th, 2023 at 06:02 pm
If you are looking for a surf camp in Nosara, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find our top recommendations for a surf camp in Nosara, 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 6 best surf camps in Nosara:
1. Shambala Retreats – For more details, please click here.
2. Safari Surf School Nosara – For more details, please click here.
3. Surf Simply – For more details, please click here.
4. Selina Surf Camp Nosara – For more details, please click here.
5. Corky Carroll’s Surf School Nosara – For more details, please click here.
6. Nosara Paradise Rentals – For more details, please click here.
And now that we got that out of the way, let’s take a look at the longer version. To help you choose the right surf camp, we covered in depth everything you need to know about surf camps in Nosara before making your decision. Let’s dive in!
About Nosara
Nosara is something between a fishing village and a beach community. You will not find big resorts here, and no nightclubs either. Although it is more touristy than it used to be in the past, it still managed to remain authentic.
What makes surfing in Nosara so great is the consistent waves and relaxed vibe. You can literallybsurf good waves here almost 365 days a year. For that reason, some of the best surf camps in Costa Rica chose Nosara as their home base.
Why Should You Book a Surf Camp in Nosara?
Going on a surf vacation in an exotic destination is one of the most fun things a surfer can do. There is something about leaving everyday life and dedicating a week or two to something you are passionate about. However, planning a surf trip can be quite a hassle, especially when you don’t have local knowledge about the destination. Tasks like booking hotels, finding restaurants, and knowing which surf spots to surf can be pretty exhausting. These are precisely the problems a surf camp should solve.
By booking a surf camp in Nosara, you basically take the hassle and the stress out of the equation and focus only on the fun part. While the camp takes care of transportation, accommodation, meals, equipment, and surf lessons, all you need to do is enjoy your vacation time. In addition, surf camps in Nosara are a great place to meet new friends from all over the world.
A List of the 6 Best Surf Camps in Nosara:
1. Shambala Retreats
Connect with the spirit of the ocean and nature. Practice yoga and surf in the Pacific Ocean while exploring the beautiful area of Playa Nosara. This surf and yoga retreat combines energetic work with the practice of Kundalini yoga and Elemental Rhythm breathwork and initiation to spiritual Kung Fu with surf classes. You will enjoy three delicious, vegetarian, and nutritive meals while staying just a few steps from the beach.
These are the main highlights of Shambala Surf Camp Nosara:
Surf lessons for all skill levels.
Daily Kundalini and Hatha yoga classes.
Elemental Rhythm breathwork and guided meditation.
Spiritual Kung Fu class, fire blessing, and purifying ceremony.
Beach trip to Guiones and San Juanillo and sunrise turtle sightseeing tour.
A night out at the Restaurant La Luna in Playa Pelada, Nosara.
6 nights accommodation.
3 delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals a day made from local fresh foods.
For more details about surf camps in Nosara, please click here.
2. Safari Surf School Nosara
Safari Surf School has been a leading surf camp in Nosara since 1998. All the instructors here are local Costa Rican ISA Level 1 or 2 surf instructors or certified lifeguards, so quality and safety are guaranteed.
Safari Surf School offers 3 different packages- a standard one, one for women only, and a budget program. All packages include video surf analysis to break down your surf performance and work on your specific weaknesses.
Depending on your needs, you can enjoy an all-inclusive, customizable package to suit your ideal surf vacation. Moreover, you will have access to the best surf equipment brands, from Firewire to Walden Surfboards and more.
For more details about surf camps in Nosara, please click here.
3. Surf Simply
Surf Simply is a camp that will definitely take your surfing to the next level. It offers technical coaching by focusing on many specific skills behind the sport and then breaking down the mechanisms, making surfing accessible to everyone.
All the instructors at Surf Simply are ISA and ILSF qualified and work with just 12 students each week to ensure you get all the personal attention you need. Moreover, the package includes a combination of video analysis, theory lessons, and in-water guiding.
Besides surf coaching, Surf Simply also covers all your vacation needs. Starting from picking you up from the airport to the resort and all the way to your preferred activities such as massages, stretch classes, stand-up paddle boarding, zip lining, or horseback riding. After your stay, you will get all your photos, video footage, and even a film about your week.
For more details about surf camps in Nosara, please click here.
4. Selina Surf Camp Nosara
Selina is a famous brand in the surf travel community, with a great variety of accommodations for surfers in some of the best surf spots in Central America. It always has the best locations in front of the best surf spots, high-quality facilities, and surf lessons with the best equipment.
At Selina Surf Club Nosara, you can learn from professional and experienced surf coaches that will take your surfing game to the next level and maximize your time in the water. They use the most advanced coaching tools to guarantee your safety and comfort in the water.
Selina Surf Club Nosara offers different surf packages depending on your needs and budget. From 1-hour surf lessons all the way to 10-night surf camps, all options are available.
For more details about surf camps in Nosara, please click here.
5. Corky Carroll’s Surf School Nosara
Since 1998, Corky Carroll’s Surf School has helped beginners and advanced surfers to improve their skills. Corky Carroll’s all-inclusive “Surf & Stay” resort in Nosara is an epic adventure for travelers and surfers of all ages.
The 7-night packages at Corky Carroll’s include transportation from the airport, accommodations in a private bungalow, meals, surfboards, coaching sessions, and a private pool.
In the mornings, you will get a private 1 on 1 surf lesson. There is a sunset group surf session with the instructors in the afternoon to practice the new skills learned in the morning. Sessions are filmed and analyzed, providing an innovative way to capture and improve your surf progression.
For more details about surf camps in Nosara, please click here.
6. Nosara Paradise Rentals
Nosara Paradise Rentals is a totally new concept in Costa Rica vacation rentals and offers all the full-service amenities of a first-class hotel. As for surfing, you will be guided by Nosara Tico Surf School, a locally owned surf shop and surf school in Playa Guiones. They work with surfers of all levels and ages and customize the surf coaching to your current level to maximize your potential.
These are the main highlights of the program:
Six 90-minute private surf lessons.
Surfboard, rashguard, and sunblock provided.
Keep the board for 90 minutes after each lesson for practice.
Nosara Paradise Rentals has a secluded path straight to the treetop yoga studio.
Daily organic breakfast is served at the poolside cafe.
6 nights accommodation.
For more details about surf camps in Nosara, please click here.
How Much Should a Surf Camp in Nosara Cost?
When choosing a surf camp in Nosara, the cost should definitely be a factor in your decision. Luckily, there are a variety of surf camps and different packages to suit any budget. In fact, the surf camps in Nosara offer great value for money. What determines the cost of a surf camp are parameters such as the quality of the accommodation, number of days, number of surf lessons per day, seasonality, and additional services. Therefore, depending on your budget, you can customize the package that suits you best. In most cases, booking a surf camp in Nosara will actually cost you less than it would be if you booked all services on your own. As for the numbers, a one-week package in a surf camp in Nosara should cost between $600 on the low end and $2500 on the higher end.
Are Surf Camps in Nosara Suitable for All Skill Levels?
One of the things that make Nosara such a fantastic surf destination is that it offers several different surf spots. Some of them are challenging and require high skills, but others are suitable for beginners. For instance, in “Playa Ostional” and “Playa Guiones,” the waves can get steep and hollow, but the beach break on the south end of Playa Nosara offers soft and mellow waves. Therefore, surfers of all levels can come to a surf camp in Nosara, and there are plenty of waves to suit all of them. Moreover, all the surf camps in Nosara know exactly where to take their students to keep them safe and help them improve.
What Time of Year is Best for a Surf Camp in Nosara?
Luckily, Nosara is a year-round surf town. In fact, you can find good waves here almost 365 days a year. While the summer swells tend to bring bigger waves, in the winter, you can find clean and glassy conditions. Also, the variety of different breaks ensures that some spots will perform well during any weather conditions. Therefore, any time is a good time for a surf camp in Nosara.
Which Location in Nosara is the Best for a Surf Camp?
Although Nosara is a small town and most surf camps are close to each other, location is still a parameter 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. Therefore, just ensure the surf camp provides easy access to the beach.
Important Things to Check Before Choosing a Surf Camp in Nosara?
Before choosing a surf camp in Nosara, 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 from the instructor. 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 your stay?
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 a precise 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 certified? Remember, your safety is the most important thing.
9. Which coaching tools are used in the surf sessions? 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 package cost cover everything?
How to Book a Surf Camp in Nosara?
Once you choose your preferred surf camp in Nosara, 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 Nosara.
Conclusion
To sum up, when looking for a surf camp in Nosara, Costa Rica, there are several excellent options you can choose from. Although each one of them is unique, they are all good and offer pretty much the same thing. From basic exercises to video analysis and advanced techniques, you will get all the tools you need to become a good surfer. Of course, it will also require some dedication from your side, and if you put in the effort, the results will surely come. Most importantly, have fun; that’s what surf vacation is all about.
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.
