Whether you’ve never tried surfing or you want to progress from catching whitewater waves, Latin America is home to some of the best beginner surf spots in the world. These are great places to learn how to surf, from solid wave selection for beginners to exceptional coaching and schools.

When it comes down to it, the one thing many people lack when learning how to start surfing is actual time in the water. At the right break, you can find consistent waves so you can spend as much time as you wish in the water. In addition, all of these surf spots have surf camps and classes available for beginners. So get your packing list ready and let’s check out these surf towns!

Sayulita, Mexico

To be honest I don’t think Sayulita is the #1 place to learn to surf, but we have to start in our home country of Mexico. And as one of the best beginner surf spots in Mexico, Sayulita is definitely the place to learn to surf in Mexico! The town is centered on its surf culture, and you can’t miss the surf vibes in this Riviera Nayarit town.

As a place to learn how to surf, Sayulita has a solid offering. There are incredibly consistent waves, tons of schools and surf camps, and other waves nearby if you progress during your time in this beach town (such as Punta Mita, La Lancha, and more). For your time out of the water, there are a ton of things to do in Sayulita, from whale watching (in the winter/spring), shopping their exploding art scene with local Huichol art, and visiting the local sanctuary of Islas Marietas.

However, to offer an honest review, there are of course some potential downsides to Sayulita. The waves here can be quite crowded. We recommend trying to go in the shoulder seasons of March/April or September/October. Between the holiday rush of the winter (and people trying to escape the cold), and the summer vacations, these shoulder seasons tend to have solid conditions and less people. The other thing worth noting about Sayulita is that it is a party town. If you stay right in town, be prepared for loud music late into the night, especially during higher seasons!

As for surf camps or lessons in Sayulita, we strongly recommend WildMex. They’ve been operating in Sayulita for years, and on our list of the best surf camps for beginners. WildMex offers surf camps and lessons in Sayulita, San Pancho, Puerto Vallarta, and Punta Mita. With a huge section of surfboards for beginners, ISA-certified surf instructors, and several different housing options, they’re really the best surf school one could hope for!

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Tamarindo is next on our list, partially because Costa Rica is our second home. One of the places I learned to surf while living there as a teenager, Tamarindo has incredibly consistent waves year-round. Summer is generally considered the best as far as wave conditions, but beginners can find plenty of surfable whitewater and small green waves through the winter months.

Like many of my favorite surf spots, Tamarindo has several waves to choose from and many different types of breaks. Playa Tamarindo, right in town, is the go-to for beginners and schools. Nearby Witch’s Rock is a world-class spot for intermediates, and Pico Grande is a solid advanced wave nearby.

As a popular tourist destination, Tamarindo has tons to offer to visitors. You can dive or snorkel, visit La Leona Waterfall, go ziplining, and visit sloths in their natural habitat. The town is rather touristy, similar to Sayulita above, but its still Costa Rican. It’s probably the most expensive town on this list, but amenities and accommodations generally match what you’re paying. It is one of the best surf towns in Costa Rica, especially if you’re looking for a comfortable and touristy vibe.

As for lessons and camps, you have to go with Iguana here. Iguana Surf Camp is hard to miss if you’re in town. They have a full-on surf shop, which is rare for a surf camp. They also offer different surf camps as well as classes for both adults and kids!

Popoyo, Nicaragua

Popoyo is a fairly well-known wave, and definitely more geared to intermediate and advanced surfers. However, there is a solid beginner wave here in Beginner Bay. The name probably says it all, but this is a little bay at the south end of the Playa Guasacate that is protected from the Main and Outer Reef. Swells are much smaller, it is super consistent, and full of options for board rentals and surf lessons.

Popoyo is definitely growing in popularity in our opinion, as is much of Nicaragua for surfers. It’s not a crowded town, but it is growing. One of the upsides to Popoyo is the consistency. We’ve heard it called one of the most consistent waves in all of Nicaragua, and when we were there we saw surfable waves literally every single day.

When you’re not surfing, you can visit the tide pools, check out Las Salinas Hot Springs, explore the Chacocente Nature Reserve, or take an adventure to nearby towns. The seafood on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua is top-notch, and there are tons of affordable but amazing little restaurants in town.

For beginners, we recommend visiting 99 Surf Lodge. They offer surf camps specifically for beginners with an all-inclusive format. It’s a beautiful place to stay, and although we’ve actually never eaten there, we hear great things about their gourmet restaurant.

Mancora, Peru

Heading down to South America now, Mancora is an awesome place to learn how to surf. With slightly warmer water year-round than the waves in places liek Tamarindo, Mancora offers several different point and beach breaks for all levels. It’s still growing and developing, and you won’t find the same level of tourism here that you find in places like Tamarindo or Sayulita. However, you will find a relatively laid-back vibe and a super welcoming community.

With Mancora, there is a specific surf season. You won’t find perfect waves year round due to wind changes, and it can get blown-out. The best time is generally April to October, or the North American summer (or the South American winter!). There are lovely inside waves for beginners, and the outer waves offer long lefts as you progress to a more intermediate level.

We recommend checking out La Maison Eco House. Just a few steps from the beach and break, this little hotel and surf camp is beautiful. You will definitely feel liek you’re living it up in the Peruvian jungle. They have a pool, beautiful gardens, yoga classes, and tons of options for surfboard rentals, classes, and camps.

El Paredon, Guatemala

Finally, we have a bit of a lesser-known surf spot here. As of writing this, we went to El Paredon just a couple of months ago and loved it. The break is incredibly consistent, it has one of the kindest surf cultures I’ve ever experienced, and a fun vibe in town. It’s definitely not a super developed town, but with construction all around town it seems like it’s growing rapidly.

Although we read quite a bit that El Paredon is better in the summer, the locals there repeatedly told us that summer can produce a lot of blowout days. In the winter, waves are slightly smaller, and there is offshore wind every morning. My brother-in-law and 5 year old son took lessons every day and loved it. There was perfect whitewater on the inside, and as my cuñado progressed he moved onto the green waves out back.

The sea bottom is pure sand, which is great for beginners who don’t entirely know how to fall quite yet. However, there is a strong rip current that pulls you down the beach. I have heard many people complain about this here, but I didn’t find it to be a big deal. If I got pulled too far down, I got out of the water and had a lovely stroll up the beach to get back to where I wanted to be.

For surf camps or lessons, we have two recommendations. First, try Ryan Croteau. This dude absolutely rips, and is the nicest guy. We ran into him at a local surf school and had a nice chat. He has been surfing in Guatemala for many years, and seems to know every single local that lives in town.

You also can check out Escuelita de Surf Torre Fuerte. This is a little surf rental place with tons of local coaches. This is where we took our lessons and had a great experience. Their coaches were super helpful with all levels, kind and gentle with the kids, and offered feedback that truly helped the students progress in their surfing!

Remember, if you have a question or want a personalized recommendation, hit us up at LatAmSurfing@gmail.com. We’re happy to bounce ideas around or help you find the right place for your trip :)