Your Questions, Answered

Very. Costa Rica has some of the most beginner-friendly waves in the world, and Nosara in particular is known for its long, sandy beach breaks that work well for all levels. Warm water, consistent surf year round, and no wetsuit needed make it one of the easiest places in the world to start surfing.

Nosara and Playa Guiones are widely regarded as one of the top spots in the country for learning. The beach break is forgiving, the waves are consistent, and the sandy bottom means falls are soft.

Any time, genuinely. Nosara gets surf more than 360 days a year. The dry season from December to April brings smaller, cleaner waves and blue skies. The green season from May to November brings more size and power, a quieter lineup, and lush jungle scenery. Both have their appeal depending on what you're looking for.

The so-called wet season runs from May through November, but for most of those months the rain follows a predictable pattern. Mornings are typically sunny with clean, glassy conditions. Showers arrive in the early afternoon, cool everything down, and often the wind drops afterward giving you another glassy window before sunset. A typical wet season day in Nosara is still a very good day.

The swell is also at its most consistent between June and September, which is why these months attract serious surfers from around the world. Add the fact that the jungle is at its greenest and the crowds are thinner, and the wet season starts to look like a pretty attractive option.

October is the one exception. Rain can be heavier and more prolonged that month, though even then the waves keep coming. The rest of the year, any rain tends to be brief and rarely affects your time in the water.

The comparison point worth keeping in mind is this: what Costa Rica calls its wet season still delivers more consistent surf than most destinations manage at their absolute peak.

The water in Nosara stays between 27 and 30 degrees celsius (80 to 86 degrees fahrenheit) year round. It's warm enough to surf comfortably in boardshorts or a bikini every single day of the year.

On days with strong offshore winds, a light 0.5mm or 1mm neoprene top can make the early morning session more comfortable, but that's as far as it goes.

Less than you think. The water stays warm year round so in the ocean, boardshorts or a bikini is all you need. A light rash guard and surf hat are worth having for sun protection, and a 0.5mm or 1mm neoprene top can be useful on early morning sessions with strong offshore winds.

On land, Nosara is a laid-back jungle beach village and the dress code matches. Evenings call for light long-sleeved clothing to keep the mosquitoes off.

For sun protection, bring a nature-friendly sunblock. And don't forget insect repellent for the evenings.

No. The water is warm year round and a wetsuit is never necessary. A light 0.5mm or 1mm neoprene top can be useful on early morning sessions when strong offshore winds make the surface feel cooler, but that's entirely optional.

Costa Rica is one of the more stable and welcoming countries in Central America and receives millions of visitors every year. Nosara in particular is a small, close-knit community with a large international population and a generally safe atmosphere. As with anywhere, basic common sense applies. Don't leave valuables in your car, be aware of your surroundings, and always respect the ocean. Rip currents exist on all Costa Rican beaches and should be taken seriously. Our coaches cover ocean safety at the start of every session.

Yes. We teach surfers of all ages, from young children to adults well into their sixties and beyond. What matters far more than age is attitude. A willingness to listen, have fun, and accept that falling is part of the process will take you further than any physical attribute. Some of the most rewarding sessions we've had have been with people who thought they were too old to start.

You can absolutely have a great time and enjoy surfing even if you can't swim. You'll simply be working in the gentle white-water waves, where the water stays shallow and manageable. For many people that's more than enough and offers plenty of fun on its own.

If you want to progress to larger, unbroken waves further out, you'll need to be comfortable swimming. But there's no reason that should stop you from getting started.

You don't need to be in any particular shape to start surfing. The first few sessions are more about technique than physical output, and the ocean has a way of working muscles you didn't know you had regardless of your starting point. Fitness becomes more relevant as you progress and start surfing longer sessions, but it's never a reason not to start.

Coached repetition. Most surfers who plateau do so because they're practicing the same mistakes over and over without anyone there to correct them. A good coach watching your specific movement patterns will identify what's holding you back faster than months of unguided practice. Video analysis accelerates that process even further by showing you exactly what your body is doing on the wave.

Off the water, surf skate training is one of the most effective ways to build muscle memory for the movements that matter most in surfing. Bottom turns, top turns, weight shifts. You can repeat them on dry land as many times as you need, which is something the ocean doesn't always allow.

And the progression doesn't have to stop when your trip ends. Online coaching lets you keep working with your coach remotely, sending footage from your home break and getting specific feedback on what to focus on next. More time in the water helps, but only if you're working on the right things.

Less than you think. The water stays around 27°C (80°F) year round so all you really need in the water is a pair of boardshorts or a bikini. Just make sure it fits securely, the ocean has a way of testing that.

We provide surfboards, rash guards, and sunblock. If you prefer to use your own, feel free to bring them. A pair of flip flops for the walk to the beach, a surf hat on sunny days if you have one, and some water to stay hydrated. We take care of the rest.

Many surfers wear contact lenses in the water without any issues, though losing one occasionally does happen. If that's a concern, there are brands that specialize in prescription glasses and goggles designed specifically for surfing. Silverfish is a good place to start if you want to explore that option.

Shark attacks in Costa Rica are almost unheard of. In Nosara specifically, there has never been a recorded incident of an attack on a surfer or swimmer. The beaches we surf are sandy, shallow, and well-frequented, which are not the conditions that typically attract sharks.