Surf and Paddleboard Camp on Playa Jaco, Costa Rica

A typical day at Tortuga starts with a check of the tide chart. Class times vary daily because the camp schedules around the surf, not a fixed timetable. When your slot comes, you get a two-hour session with an instructor — beginners work on popping up and reading whitewater, while improvers focus on turning and wave selection. Sessions are capped by instructor ratio: private one-on-one, semi-private for couples or friends, or groups of three or more.

The camp package adds several things a standard lesson doesn't. You get unlimited access to surfboards for the length of your stay, so you can paddle out between scheduled sessions. There's professional photography and video, used for technical reviews where an instructor walks through your footage with you. There's also a survival apnea workshop — breath-hold training for the moments you get held under. Round-trip private airport transfers and beachfront lodging with ocean views are part of the camp price.

Paddleboarding runs alongside the surfing. The sunrise tour lasts about 3.5 hours in total and costs $60–110 depending on how many people join. No experience is needed; instructors cover basic paddle technique before you head out. For anyone who wants to go further, coaching is led by a national paddleboard champion and coach, and the camp says it can help you set and reach racing goals. High-quality boards and all gear are included in both.

What separates this from a generic surf school is the length of time it's been running and the depth of the programme. Since 2007 is a long tenure for a Central American surf camp, and the add-ons — apnea work, video analysis, unlimited board use — are the kind of things that usually cost extra elsewhere. The paddleboard coaching with a national champion is a specific draw you won't find at most camps in the region.

The setting is Playa Jaco itself, on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. The camp is beachfront, with ocean views from the lodgings. Jaco is a surf town with restaurants and shops within walking distance, and the waves are consistent enough for daily sessions. A live camera on the camp's site shows current conditions.

What's included

- Beachfront lodgings with ocean views - Unlimited access to surfboards - Professional photography and video for technical reviews - Survival apnea workshops - Round-trip private airport transfers - Free yoga sessions - Free social events

What's not included

- Flights to Costa Rica - Travel insurance - Meals (not listed as included) - Standalone lessons, paddleboard tours and coaching (priced separately) - Gift vouchers