🏄 Surf Intensive

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Dominical Surf School - beachfront location

Dominical Surf School - surf instruction

Surf Camp

Dominical Surf School

📍 South Costa Rica, Costa Rica

4.9

(224 reviews)

Camp Score

Excellent

80/100

Based on reviews, coaching quality, value, and local ownership.

🏄

Surf Level

Beginner, Advanced

Starting from $1,600/week

About

Dominical Surf School has been sharing the love and stoke for surfing since 2005, earning six consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence and the #1 attraction rating in the area. Owned and operated by locals with backgrounds in professional surfing, they deliver personalized instruction with a maximum of two students per instructor.

Surfing is more than a sport to the team at Dominical Surf School—it's a passion they're driven to share. Their personalized, technical approach caters to curious first-timers and seasonal surfers alike, with ISA and ILS-certified instructors ensuring both safety and rapid progression in the water. Their reputation speaks through accolades: Featured in The Inertia as one of the Top 8 Women's Surf Camps, chosen as one of the Best 10 Surf Schools in Costa Rica by The Culture Trip, and named a Travel & Hospitality Award Winner for 2024-25. The quality-over-quantity philosophy means intimate sessions where instructors can focus on each student's unique needs. For those seeking immersion, 7-night surf camp packages handle every detail from airport pickup at SJO or Quepos to accommodations, meals, and daily lessons at beautiful Dominical Beach. The stress-free vacation design lets guests focus entirely on surfing, adventure activities, and relaxation—exactly what the body and mind need.

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Packages & Pricing

7 Days Women's Surf Camp

7 days

$1,600

per person

Led by former professional surfer Debbie Zec with 18 years of coaching experience, this women-only surf retreat in Dominical Beach offers a supportive environment to learn or improve your surfing. The 7-night package includes stays at the eco-friendly Villas Riomar with jungle bungalows, daily technical surf coaching, yoga classes, massage therapy, a waterfall tour, and all transportation. Ideal for solo female travelers, groups of friends, or anyone seeking connection with like-minded women surfers in Costa Rica's tropical paradise.

What's Included:

7 nights accommodation at Villas Riomar Eco Hotel
Airport transportation from SJO
5 surf lessons with female coaches
Daily breakfast
5 dinners included

7 Days Standard Surf Camp Package

7 days

$1,600

per person

This 7-night surf camp in Dominical Beach, Costa Rica includes daily technical coaching from ISA-certified instructors, all transportation from SJO Airport, comfortable accommodation at Mavi Surf Hotel with pool access, daily breakfast, surf equipment for the week, two photo/video analysis sessions to perfect your technique, a therapeutic massage, and a choice of adventure tour to either Nauyaca Waterfalls or Hacienda Baru zip line. Perfect for beginners to intermediates looking for a complete surf vacation with personalized 2:1 coaching ratio.

What's Included:

7 nights accommodation at Mavi Surf Hotel
Airport pickup and drop-off from SJO
5 surf lessons (2:1 student to instructor ratio)
Daily breakfast
Weekly board rental

✗ Not Included

Accommodation (included in camp packages only); Meals (included in camp packages only); Airport transfers (included in camp packages only)

Prices at Dominical Surf School may vary by season. Contact the camp directly for current availability and booking.

Reviews & Ratings

224 Google reviews

What People Are Saying

Dominical Surf School provides friendly, accessible surf lessons in the relaxed beach town of Dominical, appealing particularly to beginners and families. Instructors are described as patient, safety-conscious, and skilled at building confidence in new surfers. The school offers both group classes and private lessons, with private instruction receiving especially high praise for personalized attention and rapid results. Students appreciate the encouraging, pressure-free teaching style that makes learning enjoyable. The location in Dominical offers good beginner waves and a laid-back atmosphere distinct from more touristy areas. Prices are competitive, offering good value especially for group lessons. The school can arrange multi-day packages and appears flexible in accommodating student schedules and preferences. However, some reviews mention that equipment quality could be better, with boards sometimes showing wear. Communication and scheduling can occasionally be unclear, though instructors themselves are responsive. The school succeeds in getting beginners standing and riding waves, with many students expressing satisfaction with their progress and the fun they had learning.

Highlights

Patient, encouraging instructors
Good for beginners and families
Private lessons offer excellent personalized attention
Competitive pricing - good value
Relaxed Dominical location
Safety-conscious approach
Flexible scheduling

Dominical Surf School

Camp Score

About

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Packages & Pricing

7 Days Women's Surf Camp

7 Days Standard Surf Camp Package

Accommodation Options

Private Room at Mavi Surf Hotel

Shared Room at Mavi Surf Hotel

Shared Bungalow at Villas Riomar

Private Bungalow at Villas Riomar

Reviews & Ratings

What People Are Saying

Highlights

Surf Program

Amenities & Facilities

Additional Information

Location

Things to Consider