Surfing in Los Cabos can feel intimidating. That changes fast when you get small-group coaching at Playa Los Cerritos, plus surfboards and lunch handled for you. I’m especially interested in how the instructors work at your pace, from first attempts to standing on waves.

The biggest plus for me is that you’re not left to figure anything out: you’ll have equipment provided (foam boards, rash guard or wetsuit help) and a professional instructor in the water. The day is also built around easy wins, like a scenic drive and a proper Mexican lunch midstream. One thing to plan for: the surf day depends on real weather, so your beach and timing can shift if conditions aren’t right.

Key things I’d watch for before you go

• Small-group class (max 15 travelers) means less waiting and more hands-on guidance.
• Foam boards for safety reduce the learning curve; request fiberglass in advance if that’s your preference.
• Observer option lets non-surfers hang out at a shaded camp with snacks and water.
• Cerritos Beach timing changes by season, so you surf where conditions are most workable.
• No locker facilities on the beach, so bring only what you need and rely on the transport for storage.

Getting to Cerritos: what your “7 hours” actually feels like

This is a day tour with a full morning start, usually tied to an around 9:00 am beginning. In practice, plan on about 6:30 hours total including round-trip transportation, which is a sweet spot when you want a real activity day without losing your entire vacation.

I like how the experience is designed to move as a unit: you get picked up, driven to the beach area, surf, eat, then head back. If your schedule is tight in Cabo, this structure matters. It’s not a half-day that feels cut short, and it’s not a day trip that drags.

Also, the tour is built for mixed ability and mixed ages. The minimum age is 6, and the class size is kept small enough that kids usually get extra attention when needed. For each group of about three people, there’s typically one coach/guide, which is a practical ratio for first-timers.

Plaza Gali meeting point: how not to waste time

Most people run into fewer problems when they find the meeting point early, so here’s the exact one used for standard pickup.

You’ll meet at Plaza Gali, Parking Lot (by Oxxo), Blvd. Paseo de la Marina in Centro, Cabo San Lucas (the Oxxo is your landmark). If you’re cruising in, the instructions are more step-by-step: once you walk from the tender pier through security, turn right on the red sidewalk by the harbor, head about 20 yards to the terminal building marked API in blue letters, then exit to the parking lot where the Oxxo is visible and your guide waits in front of it.

If you’re staying inside the tourist area, the tour also offers complimentary round-trip transport, and pickup is typically about one hour before the start. If your hotel is farther out (examples given include Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons), they won’t route you with that extended pickup. In that case, you’ll likely be sent to the standard meeting point at Plaza Gali.

The practical takeaway: confirm your pickup time the day before (they assign it based on your accommodation), and aim to be ready early. Pickup windows start about 1.5 hours before the scheduled activity time.

The drive along the Transpeninsular Highway: more than just travel

The day includes a stop along the Transpeninsular Highway where you can look out over the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. You won’t spend long here, but it’s one of those “only-in-Cabo” moments where the scenery tells you you chose the right coastline.

I recommend taking a quick photo or two, then putting your phone away. The point of this stop isn’t sightseeing as a chore; it’s to break up the trip so you arrive feeling ready to move.

Then you’ll continue to Playa Los Cerritos, where the lesson is based, and later return through that highway area again after surf time.

Playa Los Cerritos: the beach part that matters for beginners

This is the main event. Playa Los Cerritos is the learning beach, and the key reason it works for novices is that it’s a place where the instructors can control the teaching flow: how you start, how you paddle, and how you time standing.

For me, the best surf lessons are the ones where you’re not just chasing waves. They teach you to read what’s happening. And the way this lesson is structured supports that style of coaching.

Also, the location is scenic even when you’re not on the board. In real learning terms, that matters because you stay mentally calm. And calm helps your body learn faster.

Seasonal reality: where you’ll surf during the year

The lesson changes locations depending on season:

• From March 15 to November 15, lessons run on the Costa Azul side.
• From November 15 to March 15, they switch to Cerritos beach because Costa Azul has no waves in winter.

That means when you book, your best bet is to match it to your travel dates. If you’re going in winter, expect Cerritos. If you’re going in summer, expect the Costa Azul option.

At Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa: where the lesson energy shows up

You’ll reach Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel & Spa as part of the schedule, and this is essentially the base area where the group gathers before/after the time in the water.

What I like about this setup is that it gives the day a rhythm: you arrive, you get geared up, you get briefed, then you go learn. You’re not bouncing around with a “where are we now?” feeling.

Just note one practical detail: this experience takes place on the beach area where there are no locker facilities. They advise leaving personal belongings in the transportation. So pack smart:

• Bring only what you’ll need for surfing and lunch.
• Keep valuables either secured in your transport or with someone you trust in your group.

The surf lesson itself: foam boards, wetsuits, and real coaching

You don’t need prior experience. The instruction is designed for all levels, including total beginners. That’s not just marketing talk; it shows up in what they’re willing to teach you and how they manage your confidence.

Equipment: what’s provided, and what you should request

The lesson includes:

• Professional instructor
• Surfboard (they use foam boards for safety)
• Rash guard or wetsuit (they ask for your size in advance)
• Lunch plus hotel/port pickup and drop-off

If you specifically want a fiberglass surfboard, they use foam for lessons by default but say you should request fiberglass in advance.

If you’re thinking about comfort, do the wetsuit/rash guard step early. Getting your size right helps you move better and focus on learning, not adjusting gear.

Coaching style: what you’ll feel in the water

The best part, based on the guide stories from past lessons, is how often you get close, focused attention. Examples include instructors like Marco delivering an experience where he helped with positioning and then reduced his prompts as confidence grew. Other lessons highlight Alan and Allan as patient teachers who kept beginners moving from paddling to standing quickly.

What this usually means for you as a first-timer:

• You’ll start with the mechanics at the pace you can handle.
• The instructor will help you position on the board and aim for the right waves.
• As you improve, you’ll get less help physically and more “what to do next” cues.

Also, one detail that comes through in the experience: good instructors don’t just hand you a board and wish you luck. They stay in the water with you, adjusting as you learn. That’s how people end a first session feeling accomplished instead of exhausted.

Lunch break: fish tacos, guacamole, and options that keep you fueled

Surfing works your legs and shoulders fast, so the included meal is not a minor perk. It’s a planned reset.

Lunch is Mexican food with a menu that can include:

• Fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, and guacamole
• Vegetarian option (salads, quesadillas, beans, rice, etc.)
• Refreshing flavored water

The meal is included, but it’s also described as optional in the sense that there’s no discount if you skip. So if you know you’ll eat, plan to. You’ll likely want the energy after the waves.

One smart tip: drink some water even before you feel thirsty. Cabo sun and salt can sneak up on you, especially if you’re busy learning timing and balance.

If you don’t want to surf: the observer camp option

If surfing isn’t your thing that day, you can book an observer (non-surfer) / companion spot.

This includes:

• Round-trip transportation
• A shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs
• Bottled water and snacks

So you’re not stuck out in the open. You can relax on the beach while watching the lesson unfold. This is also a good call for family groups where one person surfs and others want a calmer plan.

Safety and weather: the part you should take seriously

This tour is explicit about weather and safety. Conditions that could affect the day include rain, high swell, wind, and jellyfish. If conditions aren’t favorable due to wind, high waves, or tropical storm risk, they offer changes like:

• rescheduling the day, or
• a refund (100% if they cancel due to poor weather)

So while the schedule is set, flexibility is part of the package. If you’re the type who hates plans changing, you’ll want to build in buffer time on your Cabo itinerary.

Price and value: why $70 can actually feel fair

At $70 per person, the lesson price is easier to justify than many stand-alone surf rentals because you’re buying several things together:

• Instructor-led coaching
• Board and surf gear support
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
• Lunch
• A small group limit (max 15)

If you think about it, a surf session with gear and coaching on your own usually costs more once you include pickup, board access, and a guide. Here, lunch is part of the bundle, and it’s not a tiny snack either.

Value improves even more if you’re traveling with kids or you want an observer spot. The observer option comes with transportation plus shaded comfort and snacks, which is a practical way to include everyone without paying for another full activity.

Who should book this surf lesson (and who should think twice)

You’ll likely love this if:

• You’re a beginner and want an instructor to help you catch a wave fast
• You want a small group with more attention
• You prefer an organized day with pickup, gear support, and lunch handled
• You’re traveling with family and need a non-surfing option

You might think twice if:

• You’re strongly set on a specific beach and hate schedule changes
• You don’t handle sun/wind well and don’t plan to pack for beach conditions
• You’d rather have extensive locker/storage options for valuables (there aren’t lockers on the beach)

Should you book Surf Lessons at Cerritos?

Yes, if you’re going for a straightforward Cabo experience that prioritizes getting you on the board with minimal fuss. The mix of small-group coaching, provided foam board safety gear, and a real lunch makes this feel like money spent on the important parts.

If you’re booking during a season when conditions can change, keep your expectations flexible and understand that safety comes first. For many people, that flexibility is exactly why the lesson works so well.

FAQ

What should I wear and how do wetsuit or rash guard sizes work?

You’ll be provided a rash guard or wetsuit, but you need to share your size in advance. If you don’t, you may have fewer options for fit.

Are surfboards and wetsuits included?

Yes. Surfboards are included, and they use foam boards for safety. Rash guard or wetsuit is also included, with sizing requested in advance.

Can I request fiberglass boards instead of foam?

Yes. Foam boards are the standard for the lessons, but they say you can request fiberglass surfboards if you let them know in advance.

Do I need surfing experience?

No prior experience is required. The class is designed for all experience levels, including beginners.

Is lunch included, and are there vegetarian options?

Lunch is included and Mexican food is served. There is a vegetarian option as well.

Can non-surfers come along?

Yes. You can book an observer spot. Observers get round-trip transportation plus a shaded camp with umbrellas and chairs, bottled water, and snacks.

What’s the cancellation/refund cutoff if weather is bad?

The details include a weather guarantee approach: if the activity is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. The cancellation cutoff is listed as either 24 hours or 48 hours depending on the policy text, so check your booking confirmation for the exact cutoff time.