Your Gateway To Surf In Jaco, Costa Rica
Joining a surf camp Jaco Costa Rica trip is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the country’s famous Pacific surf scene.
These camps bring together accommodation, tasty meals, surf instruction, and equipment into a single package, leaving you free to enjoy the waves and beach lifestyle.
Jaco is known for its lively atmosphere and consistent surf, making it a perfect choice for both first-timers and seasoned surfers.
Booking a surf camp Jaco Costa Rica adventure ensures you learn, progress, and relax without the stress of organizing each detail yourself.
For more insight into Jaco’s waves, visit our full Jaco and Costa Rica surf guide.
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In This Guide
Why Choose a Surf Camp Jaco Costa Rica?
A surf camp Jaco Costa Rica package is designed to make surf travel simple. Instead of juggling separate bookings for accommodation, surf lessons, and meals, you get everything in one organized plan.
Instructors are experienced in teaching at all levels, gear is ready on arrival, and daily sessions are structured around your ability.
What sets Jaco apart is the mix of surf and town life. Camps often include extras like yoga, Spanish lessons, or day trips to nearby waterfalls and beaches, giving you more than just waves.
With Jaco’s social vibe, staying at a surf camp Jaco Costa Rica not only helps you improve in the water but also connects you with a global surf community.
3-Day or 5-Day Jaco Surf Camp With Damo Surf
One of the top ways to enjoy a surf camp Jaco Costa Rica is through Damo Surf Camp, where personalized coaching and small group sizes create an experience that feels both intimate and tailored.
Guests can join as solo travelers, couples, or friends, with groups capped at four to keep the focus on progress and personal attention.
Packages are 3-days or 5 days, each blending surf lessons with extra activities like yoga, guided hikes, surf-skate training, and video analysis. Every program includes unlimited board use, ensuring time in the water extends beyond lessons.
Accommodation is provided near the surf, with options that balance comfort and a friendly atmosphere. Meals are included daily, offering the fuel needed for early surf sessions and afternoons of free practice.
Guests also enjoy group hikes, rooftop yoga, and guided meditation, weaving wellness and adventure seamlessly into the camp schedule.
Days are structured to start with surf instruction followed by opportunities to practice or explore Jaco’s surrounding nature.
Instructors provide in-depth feedback, and surf photos are available to capture progress throughout the stay. Both the 3-day and 5-day camps offer flexibility, making it easy for travelers to match their schedule with the perfect surf experience.
Choose between the 3-Day Surf Camp or 5-Day Surf Camp at Damo Surf Camp and discover the perfect mix of waves, wellness, and pura vida living.
7-Day Jaco Surf Camp & Photography With School Of The World
For travelers who want a surf camp Jaco Costa Rica that combines waves with creativity, the School of the World offers a 7-day program that blends surfing and photography into one immersive experience.
Guests join five days of surf instruction, with sessions lasting two hours each, while mid-week video analysis helps refine technique and track progress.
Beginners develop the fundamentals of paddling and wave selection, while intermediate surfers improve flow and positioning in Jaco’s consistent beach breaks.
Photography is woven into the schedule with daily two-hour workshops tailored to all levels. New photographers learn camera basics and editing skills, while more advanced students refine composition and expand their technical approach.
Accommodation is included for six nights in a private or shared room equipped with air-conditioning, hot water, and a refrigerator.
While meals are not provided, a shared kitchen makes self-catering simple, and plenty of local restaurants are within walking distance.
Between surf and photography classes, guests can relax by the outdoor pool, connect with others in communal areas, or stroll into town to explore Jaco’s lively streets.
With its unique blend of surfing and photography, School of the World is a standout surf camp Jaco Costa Rica that lets you return home with sharpened skills, lasting memories, and a portfolio of your own work.
Combine surfing and photography at the 7-Day Surf and Photography Camp with School of the World in Jaco.
7-Day Beginner Playa Hermosa Surf Camp With Surf Inn Hermosa
Although not in Jaco itself, Surf Inn Hermosa sits just a short drive away in Playa Hermosa, one of the most consistent surf beaches in Costa Rica.
This beginner-friendly camp delivers a structured and supportive introduction to surfing, blending local expertise with a welcoming atmosphere.
Each day begins with a surf check and guided lesson designed around tide, swell, and conditions, so you can progress with confidence. Instructors focus on paddling, pop-ups, board control, and surf etiquette, ensuring you build a strong foundation from the start.
Accommodation is set in air-conditioned studios located steps from the waves. Each unit sleeps one to three people and includes modern comforts like Wi-Fi, refrigerators, and private bathrooms.
Breakfast is provided daily, and after morning sessions you’ll have free time to relax, add on activities, or explore nearby Jaco just 10 minutes away.
Board rental is included during lessons, and with airport transfers also covered, the program is designed for simplicity.
Playa Hermosa offers a quieter setting than Jaco, but with the same access to world-class waves, making this a great choice for those seeking both focus and fun on their surf journey.
Learn to surf in paradise with a 7-Day Beginner Surf Camp at Surf Inn Hermosa just a short distance from Jaco.
Planning Tips & Travel Resources
Most surf camps in Jaco bundle accommodation, surf coaching, meals, and equipment. Sites like BookSurfCamps by Tripaneer are great for comparing packages, and many camps run promotions for early bookings or off-season stays.
December to April is the dry season with smaller, cleaner waves that are great for beginners. May to October brings larger Pacific swells, perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers looking for more challenge. Shoulder months often offer fewer crowds with consistent conditions.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, light tropical clothes, and a hat for sun protection. Although surf camps supply boards and wetsuits, a rash guard, quick-dry towel, and reusable water bottle are smart additions. If you have favorite surf gear, you can bring it along.
Jaco is about a 1.5–2 hour drive from San José airport. Pre-booked rides through services such as HolidayTaxis or Welcome Pickups ensure safe and direct transfers, especially if you are carrying surfboards.
It’s always recommended to travel with insurance that covers surfing. Providers like VisitorsCoverage offer packages that protect you for sports-related activities and equipment loss or damage, giving you confidence to fully enjoy your surf trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most packages cover accommodation near the beach, daily surf lessons, meals, and the use of boards and wetsuits.
Some camps also offer yoga, Spanish lessons, or guided excursions so you can experience more than just surfing.
Everyone is welcome at Jaco surf camps. Beginners learn in safe white-water conditions, while intermediates practice riding green waves.
Advanced surfers can explore stronger breaks just outside of town. Families, solo travelers, and groups often find the environment friendly and social.
If you are just starting out, the dry season from December through April is ideal with smaller, forgiving waves.
From May to October, the wet season brings bigger swells that suit more experienced surfers. Many find November to be a sweet spot with great waves and fewer visitors.
No prior experience is necessary. Camps have programs designed for total beginners, including theory lessons, beach safety, and step-by-step coaching.
Intermediate and advanced surfers benefit from guided sessions that focus on improving specific techniques or tackling more challenging breaks.
Bring personal essentials like sunscreen, a rash guard, flip-flops, and casual summer wear.
A quick-dry towel, insect repellent, and reusable water bottle are also useful.
While equipment is included, bringing your own fins or surf wax can be a nice touch.
Yes, Jaco is one of Costa Rica’s most visited surf towns and is generally safe for travelers.
Camps are well established, and the town is used to welcoming international visitors.
Taking standard precautions, such as not leaving valuables unattended, helps ensure a smooth trip.
Most Jaco surf camps allow flexibility. You can usually extend your stay if you want more time in the water or add extras such as yoga, private coaching, or guided trips to nearby surf spots like Playa Hermosa.
This makes it easy to adapt your surf camp Jaco Costa Rica experience to your goals.