Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Catch your first wave near Cabo. Surf Lessons at Cerritos pair a scenic drive with patient, small-group coaching on one of Baja’s best-known beaches. I especially like the foam boards and wetsuits included, plus the Mexican lunch that turns a surf class into a full day out. The other strong point is the flexible setup: you can surf, bring a child, or book an observer spot with chairs and shade.

The main consideration is time. This is not a quick beach lesson. The day lasts about 6.5 hours including transport, and the advertised schedule is roughly seven hours. Cerritos is also a winter location, so summer bookings may move to Costa Azul instead.

Key points to know before booking

• Cerritos is the winter surf base: From November 15 to March 15, lessons use Playa Los Cerritos because Costa Azul usually lacks suitable waves.
• Beginner-friendly coaching: No previous experience is needed, and one guide is assigned for every three people.
• Family flexibility: Children from age six can participate, and families should identify children when booking.
• Lunch is part of the day: Expect Mexican food such as fish tacos, shrimp, chips, guacamole, sauces, and flavored water, with vegetarian choices available.
• Observers are welcome: A non-surfer can join transport, use the shaded beach camp, and watch the lesson without taking part.
• The $70 price covers a lot: Instruction, equipment, lunch, and optional hotel or port transport are included, but personal spending and alcohol are not.

The road from Cabo to Cerritos

The first part of the outing is a drive along the Transpeninsular Highway, the main road linking the communities of Baja California Sur. This is more than a transfer from one beach to another. You get views toward the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, with plenty of chances for photos if the light is good.

The drive also gives the day a sense of escape. Cabo San Lucas is built around resorts, marinas, restaurants, and nightlife. Cerritos feels farther removed from that resort center, even though the trip is arranged for visitors staying around Cabo San Lucas, the corridor, and San José del Cabo.

Your exact pickup time depends on your hotel. The operator says pickups may begin about one and a half hours before the 9:00 a.m. activity time, while the transport notes describe pickup at approximately one hour before departure. Plan for an early start and confirm your exact time the day before.

If you arrive by cruise ship, the meeting point is in front of the OXXO at the Plaza Gali parking lot. From the tender pier, pass through the security gate, turn right onto the red sidewalk beside the harbor, and walk toward the Cruise Terminal building marked API. Exit into the parking lot, where the OXXO is located.

If you drive yourself, meet at that same OXXO, in front of the Sandos Finisterra hotel. The exact address is Plaza Gali parking lot, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro, Cabo San Lucas.

The complimentary transport covers hotels in the main tourist areas. Properties outside that zone, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons, use the Plaza Gali meeting point instead. Transport is optional, and the price does not change if you make your own way there.

Arriving at Playa Los Cerritos

Playa Los Cerritos is the heart of the experience. The beach gives you room to work on basic skills, and the setting itself helps make the long day worthwhile. One family described the sand as sparkling with mica or a similar mineral, a small detail that adds character to the shoreline.

Your group can be as large as 15 people, though the coaching structure is designed to keep instruction personal. One guide is provided for every three participants. That ratio matters when you are learning to read a wave, position the board, paddle at the right moment, and stand without rushing.

The class uses foam surfboards for safety. These boards are forgiving and are the sensible choice for first-timers, especially children and adults who are not strong swimmers or regular athletes. If you specifically want a fiberglass board, request one in advance. One piece of feedback called for equipment upgrades, so experienced surfers may want to ask about the board available for their session.

Rash guards or wetsuits are provided, but you need to give the operator your size ahead of time. That simple step can save time on the beach and help you start the lesson comfortably.

There are no lockers at the beach. You can leave personal belongings safely in the transportation, but bring only what you need. A swimsuit, sunscreen, water-friendly footwear, and a towel are sensible additions, though only the listed equipment, bottled water, snacks for observers, and lunch are included.

What the surf lesson actually teaches

You do not need previous experience. The class is built for complete beginners, but it also offers coaching for stronger surfers who want help with technique.

Expect instruction on the beach before you head into the water. You learn how to lie on the board, paddle, position your body, and rise to your feet. The aim is not to turn you into a polished surfer in one morning. It is to help you catch a wave safely and understand what your body and board should do next.

The strongest part of the coaching is the individual attention. One first-time surfer worked one-on-one with Marco, who helped with board position, wave selection, and timing. As the student gained confidence, Marco reduced the physical help and shifted to spoken cues for paddling and standing. That is exactly the kind of progression you want: support at the start, then room to try on your own.

The class also adapts to age and ability. A 9-year-old and a 44-year-old beginner were both taught successfully, despite the adult not being a strong swimmer or athlete. A family of four received guidance matched to each person, with instructors helping them move from smaller waves toward larger ones as they became more comfortable.

That does not mean every participant will stand up. Surf conditions, fitness, balance, and timing all matter. Still, the coaching approach gives beginners a real chance to catch a wave rather than simply paddle around with a board.

Guides named in the feedback include Marco, Alan, Allan, Louis, and Mike. The praise is consistent: the instructors are patient, encouraging, upbeat, and careful. Alan and Allan were singled out for making the lesson fun while still offering clear guidance. Louis was also praised for looking after children and explaining other surf areas around Cabo.

Cerritos for families and mixed groups

This is one of the better choices if everyone in your party wants a different kind of beach day. Strong surfers can work on their technique, beginners can learn the basics, and people who do not want to enter the water can book an observer spot.

Children must be at least six years old. The operator asks you to identify children during booking so it can plan supervision, and it aims to provide an extra guide when children are present. That is useful, but you should still expect an active beach setting rather than a formal childcare service.

The one-guide-for-three-participants ratio can work well for a family group. If four people from your family book together, the day may feel especially personal, depending on the final group makeup. Larger groups may have a different rhythm, though the maximum size is 15.

For an adult who is nervous about surfing, Cerritos can be a good test. The equipment is supplied, the instruction is structured for beginners, and the class can adjust to your energy and requests. You should still be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity. Paddling, balancing, repeated attempts to stand, and walking on sand all take effort.

The observer option is worth considering

You do not have to surf to enjoy the outing. A non-surfer or companion spot includes round-trip transport, a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks. You can watch the lesson from the beach and enjoy Cerritos without paying for a surf lesson you do not plan to use.

This is particularly useful for parents, grandparents, or friends in a mixed group. One family’s parents observed while the younger members surfed and still enjoyed the beach. The option also gives you a comfortable way to spend the day if you are recovering from an injury or simply prefer dry land.

You must book the observer spot in advance. An observer is not simply added informally to the transport on the morning of the tour. The separate companion fee covers the listed transport and beach-camp benefits.

Lunch adds value to the $70 cost

At $70 per person, this experience is priced as a full outing rather than a standalone lesson. You receive a professional instructor, surfboard, rash guard or wetsuit, lunch, and hotel or port transport at no added transport charge.

Lunch is served at a Mexican restaurant and includes options such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, tortilla chips, sauces, guacamole, and refreshing flavored water. Vegetarians can request food such as salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

Lunch is included but optional. If you choose not to eat, there is no price reduction. Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses are extra, so bring money if you want anything beyond the included meal.

I think the value is strongest for first-time surfers and families. Paying separately for transport, equipment, an instructor, and lunch could easily make a self-arranged day more complicated. Experienced surfers who already have boards and only want water time may find the package less essential, especially since the class is designed around instruction rather than independent surfing.

The seasonal location changes the experience

The name of the activity points to Cerritos, but the surf location changes with the calendar. From November 15 to March 15, lessons take place at Cerritos Beach. In the summer season, from March 15 to November 15, the operator uses Costa Azul because winter conditions at Costa Azul usually do not provide suitable waves.

That seasonal switch matters if you are choosing the tour for a particular beach. Ask where your lesson will take place when you book, especially if the Cerritos setting is the main reason you are interested.

The operator may also change locations because of wind, heavy swell, rain, tropical storms, or jellyfish. Surfing depends on nature, and a safe day matters more than sticking to one beach. If conditions are poor, you can be offered another date or a full refund when the operator cancels.

Timing, meeting points, and practical planning

The activity starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the original meeting point. The total time is listed as about 6.5 hours including round-trip transportation, while the tour summary describes it as approximately seven hours. In practical terms, set aside most of your day.

The return trip is part of the appeal for some people. Mike, one of the instructors, was praised for handling the day from hotel pickup through lunch and the ride back. The transport also gives you a chance to ask about other surf areas. After one lesson, Marco even showed a participant Costa Azul and offered extra guidance there, a thoughtful touch that turned the day into a useful introduction to surfing in the region.

Do not schedule a tight afternoon appointment. Pickup times vary, road conditions can affect the drive, and the beach portion includes changing, instruction, surfing, and lunch. You will enjoy the day more if you leave the evening open.

Confirmation arrives at booking. The operator asks you to contact it one day before the tour to confirm your pickup time. This is especially important if you are staying at a large resort or using the cruise meeting point.

Weather and cancellation details

Good weather is required. The operator may reschedule or cancel because of rain, wind, high waves, tropical weather, or jellyfish. If the operator cancels, you can choose a new date or receive a full refund.

The supplied booking terms contain two cancellation windows, so check the terms shown at the time you reserve. One section says you can cancel 48 hours before the start, while the separate cancellation policy says 24 hours. To avoid losing the payment, cancel at least 48 hours ahead unless the current confirmation clearly states otherwise.

Last-minute cancellations and no-shows are charged in full under the stricter terms. Cutoff times use local Cabo time.

Who should book Surf Lessons at Cerritos

I would point beginners toward this outing if you want more than a short lesson near your hotel. The drive, beach setting, meal, and transport make it a proper day trip, and the instructor ratio gives you a fair shot at learning the basics.

It also fits families with children age six and older, couples with different skill levels, and groups that include non-surfers. The observer setup means nobody has to sit alone at the hotel while the rest of the group heads to the beach.

You may want a different arrangement if you are an advanced surfer seeking unrestricted time with a high-performance fiberglass board. Ask in advance about board options and conditions. You should also think twice if you dislike long activity days or if moderate physical effort is not suitable for you.

Should you book it?

Book Surf Lessons at Cerritos if you want friendly instruction, included equipment, a scenic trip away from central Cabo, and a Mexican lunch without arranging every detail yourself. The most valuable part is the coaching. Marco, Alan, Allan, Louis, and Mike are repeatedly praised for patience, humor, care, and the ability to adjust lessons to different ages and confidence levels.

I would book early, since the experience is often reserved about 34 days ahead. Confirm your hotel pickup, board preference, clothing size, children’s ages, dietary needs, and the seasonal surf location. If your group includes non-surfers, reserve observer spots at the same time.

For $70, this is a strong choice for a first surf lesson and a full beach day. It is less compelling for experienced surfers who already carry their own equipment. For everyone else, especially families, the combination of instruction, transport, lunch, and a beautiful Pacific-side beach makes the price reasonable.

FAQ

Where does Surf Lessons at Cerritos meet in Cabo San Lucas?

The standard meeting point is in front of the OXXO convenience store at the Plaza Gali parking lot, Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36, Centro, Cabo San Lucas.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Optional round-trip transport covers hotels in San José del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. The price does not change if you do not use the transport.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m. Pickup time depends on your hotel and may begin about one to one and a half hours before the activity.

Can cruise ship passengers join the tour?

Yes. Cruise passengers should walk from the tender pier through the security gate, follow the red sidewalk to the Cruise Terminal marked API, exit into the parking lot, and meet the guide in front of the OXXO.

Is previous surfing experience required?

No. The class is designed for beginners and can also provide coaching for more experienced surfers.

What equipment is supplied?

A foam surfboard and a rash guard or wetsuit are included. Request a fiberglass board in advance if you prefer one, and provide your clothing size when booking.

Can someone join without surfing?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The operator may change the location, reschedule, or cancel the experience because of rain, wind, high swell, tropical storms, or jellyfish. If the operator cancels, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.