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Iguana Surf

Iguana Surf

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Iguana Surf is the #1 Tamarindo surf shop since 1989. We have taught over 125,000 surf lessons, have over 150 surfboards for rent, an excellent Tamarindo surf camp, the top tours in Tamarindo and surrounding area, & more. Our surf guides are ISA certified and focus on teaching you the core skills and safety of surfing while having a blast in the ocean. All guides speak English and Spanish. Our shop is located across the street from the main surf break and we also offer surf photography, rash guards, lockers, and merchandise for sale. We have options for surf trips to local breaks nearby and Tamarindo surf camp packages for those looking to surf over a long weekend or week-long stay.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles3,012 reviews
Excellent
2,864
Very good
85
Average
33
Poor
21
Terrible
9

Becks
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I stayed for 3 days with Iguana in one of the hostels and booked 2 days of individual surf lessons with Manrique. The hostel was cleaned daily and I felt like myself and my things were safe. Young adults from all over the world do work stays for months at a time at the hostel and it was nice getting to know them. The staff at the surf shop were friendly and helpful and Paris was great about keeping in touch about my itinerary answering any questions I had. I would 10 out of 10 recommend Iguana Surf for both lodging and surf lessons (ask for Manrique!) for a solo traveler or with a small group.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am so happy that you loved your days surfing with us! It makes absolutely every effort worth the while.;) We love sharing our passion for surfing with every visitor we host. We hope to see you again some time;) Pura Vida!
Written January 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Matt Poole
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
My wife and I took the week long surf camp. She was a beginner surfer who transitioned over the week from a soft-top to a normal surfboard. Tomas was a great instructor for her. Not only did she surf, but she learned how to surf. I took the intermediate camp with Fifo. He was great and his local knowledge of the waves is what really made the difference for me. I am a better surfer because of the time we shared. Both were professional yet felt like friends for sure. The pictures and videos we received of the week were high quality.

They are located directly across the street from the best beginner surf break in town. I would recommend them for anyone wanting to try surfing, if you are an advanced surfer wanting to try different high end long boards, they are limited in that area but several other places near by offer all kinds of boards to try.

Iguana scheduled all of our excursions for us that week. They even helped me make changes to our itinerary as needed. They responded to emails almost immediately.

The shop is located perfectly in town, has lodging available and the bar/grill on top of the shop has the best burger in town!

Overall we had a great time and hope to get back and catch some more waves with them. Tomas and Fifo we miss yall already!
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind review. You are part of the Iguana Family now, and always welcome to come back and surf with us any time;) Keep on surfing, and Pura Vida!
Written February 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Anton
New York City, NY2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
I was fortunate to come across Iguana Surf on my recent visit to Tamarindo. They were very accommodating at finding me a one-on-one session, even with last minute notice. My instructor, Manuel, was terrific! He asked a lot of questions about my prior surfing experience to know how to custom tailor our time together. He gave me great fundamental and safety instructions on the beach, and had me up on waves as soon as we hit the water together. He kept a close watch on each of my rides (and falls) to let me know what I was doing correctly, what to keep in mind for the next wave, and showed me how to correct bad habits I had developed in my prior surfing sessions. He kept the whole experience informative and fun! I highly recommend Iguana Surf, and Manuel, for those visiting the area and looking for great instruction.
Written May 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your amazing review and reccomendation! We really love to know that our instructors are personable, attentive and overall do a great job! We hope to have you back with us soon to catch some more waves! Pura vida!
Written May 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

406Ral10
London, UK7 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Solo
I ve booked a 10 days surf camp with Iguana during Xmas and NY with private accommodation. I ve been told I was their longest camper for this period.

Positives

I’ve had the best instructor, Tomas who i cannot recommend more. He was knowledgable friendly and generally really fun to be around. I felt like I ve made some decent progress during the 9 classes I ve had and it opened my appetite to surf more in the future. I can’t speak about the other instructors but Tomas was the perfect instructor for me

The room was okay though the walls are very thing so being some ear plugs if you re a light sleeper.

Breakfast was great but I ve had it as Santa Rita instead of Breakfast Grinds as I found their menu very limiting.

The Not so positives

I found that considering the price I have paid ( have been charged more for the period before NY as demand is higher) the camp doesn’t cater to the level of service you’re paying for. The thing that bothered me the most was that was no activity organised for evenings despite having a hostess assigned, Isa, who I ve met once at the surf shop. I m confused to what her role really is as other than dropping me a text on WhatsApp to tell me about a trip (which you had to pay for) I ve Had no contact with her. I would have expected more activities and get togethers with the other campers.

The videos & pics taken were extremely disappointing. This kid literally stayed for 30 min (lesson is for 2 hours). The surf lesson on the photo day was a good one ( caught 6 nice waves) and yet all the pics I have are terrible. Granted they might be because of my stance however i would have expected them to stay longer and try harder to get some good shots.

My room was literally the first room after the restaurant and for my last 3 days the staff were charging 1,000 colones for the public to use the iguana bathrooms. 3 times I had drunk people trying to get into my room thinking that’s the bathroom. When you pay 200 USD per night that’s just not right.

Overall I had a good time however if I had to do this again I d stay at a nice hotel and book lessons separately as this just wasn’t worth the money I paid
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Raluca -- I am so sorry to read your review. My name is Lindsey and I am the owner of Iguana Surf. I had numerous meetings with my management team and hosts over these last weeks in regards to the campers and our assessment surveys. We meet all together every 3 days to go over and check in on our campers and how everyone is doing. I remember your first review form where you gave great reviews of everything and only mentioned that you wish the breakfast had a few more vegetarian options which is when we arranged with another nearby restaurant for you to be able to eat there and followed up with you to ensure the only issue you had mentioned to us was taken care of and you were completely satisfied. Paris our Surf Camp Director checked in with you numerous times daily and we were never told anything except about how much you were really enjoying the surfing and your instructor. This saddens me now to read your review because obviously we care deeply for the complete satisfaction of our customers which is why we go to great lengths to ensure their happiness and constantly check in in order to be able to correct anything while you are here. I spoke directly with Isa and she did say that both her and Tomas hosted you and were out with you almost every afternoon or night. She even mentioned she bought you a Christmas present along with the other campers and put it under the tree for you to have on Christmas Morning. She was sick for part of your time here but she had spoken with Tomas to make sure you would be well taken care of. Again my deepest apologies you didn’t feel that way and I only wish you would have said something to us instead of insisting everything was great, so we could have had a chance to address it and fix it in the moment. I also wanted to comment about the rate you mentioned of $200/night. This does seem high when mentioned like that, but it is not telling the full story since you purchased a surf camp package The $200/day includes airport transportation, nightly beachfront accommodation, daily surf lessons, photo package, surf trip, rash guard and unlimited board rentals - in the end you are paying even less than $100/night. I honestly know it is the best price anywhere around for what you receive and I’m super bummed you didn’t feel the value was there. Please next time no matter where you are - when the staff and company are constantly checking in and even having you fill out satisfaction surveys during your stay, fill them out honestly to give the company a chance to address the issues in the moment- if not it is a lose lose for everyone. Pura Vida Lindsey Gaston Iguana Surf Vacations,
Written January 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Beth
Kansas City, MO67 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021 • Couples
My husband and I had never surfed before and knew Tamarindo has great waves for beginners. Thanks to Manuel, we both were able to ride some waves in just an hour and a half. Manuel was fun, patient, knowledgeable, and friendly!! We’d highly recommend this place for surf lessons and they offer a discount after taking lessons if you want to get back out on the waves during your stay!
Written March 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your amazing review.We specialize on beginner lessons. We are all about sharing our passion for the waves with all of our visitors;) Manuel is known for his patience and his way of motivating the students, he is one of our best. Pura vida!
Written April 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ryan Donovan
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
I had been to Tamarindo twice prior to my visit last week at Iguana Surf Camp, and was expecting great waves, and great food from the town it's located in. However, tbh, I didn't know what to expect from the hotel experience. All I knew was that there were gonna be other people, and the instructor's planned on taking me to different beaches since I signed up for the intermediate surf schedule. However, I was completely blown away by how amazing the hotel/room/staff was at Iguana Surf Camp. I was absolutely jaw dropped (which never happens), and the staff was incredibly friendly. The person they made my instructor, Keke, was beyond cool. He was talented, and he treated me more as a friend than a student. The prices are also pretty good for what you're getting (an insane room, unlimited board rentals throughout the day until Iguana closes, and free breakfast). If you're a surfer and are looking for a good time, good waves, and good vibes for a week in Costa Rica, I promise you, there is NO BETTER option than Iguana Surf. Even if you've never surfed before and just wanna do something adventurous for a week in Costa Rica, this place is still perfect. I loved this place, and I can't express it enough. PURA VIDA
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow Ryan!!! Thank you very much for such a detailed review and recommendation. We are always happy to host returning customers. You are part of our Iguana Family;) Keep on surfing and Pura vida!
Written March 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

brad r
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
We are a family of 8 with 6 kids ranging from toddler to 17 years old. We did a customized family surf camp. Another family of 6 came along with us so we ended up as a group of 14 people. The package was customized to include 6 nights at the hotel at Iguana Surf, Daily Breakfast, 4 days of surf lessons, surf photos, airport transportation, and a surf trip to another beach.

The highlight of the package was the surf instructors, they were excellent and did such a good job being patient with such a large group. All of the kids learned to catch waves and even the adults that took lessons caught a few waves. They are honestly what makes Iguana Surf great.

The transportation to and from the airport was great, I was worried we were going to be crammed into a van with a large group but they provided a larger bus with AC. They dropped off and picked up on time.

The breakfast was excellent with a 2nd story balcony looking over Tamarindo Beach each morning while we enjoyed several great options for breakfast. The staff at Breakfast Grinds were patient with the 2 large families.

The hotel accommodations were good, we stayed in the family suite which comfortably slept all 8 of us. The rooms were newer and modern and the location of the hotel is perfect; above the surf shop right across the street from Tamarindo Beach. It was so nice not to have to worry about beach parking as the beach is very busy. There is a grocery store on the first floor next to the surf shop with just about everything you might need.

The surf trip to Playa Avellenas was a blast and the highlight of the trip. My kids had so much fun with the instructors and once again they were patient with a large group. They arranged for a photographer to take some surf pictures which I received a little over a week later.

We did a few other excursions while we were there but did not book them through Iguana Surf because the surf shop was so busy. There were a few issues communicating the daily schedule, I believe because they were busy in the shop and we were a large somewhat difficult group but it all worked out.

When it came time to leave we wish we could have stayed longer and overall had an epic experience.
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the amazing review! Your satisfaction makes every effort absolutely worth it :) We look forward to having you and your family come and catch some more waves with us again soon! Pura Vida :)
Written April 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

FellowTraveler293844
Palos Verdes Estates, CA3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Location of our air BNB was awesome - right across from the beach and a close walk from restaurants and shops. Staff was accommodating and friendly, super helpful with booking last minute excursions - we especially loved the snorkeling part of the Catamaran Sunset Cruise. An added plus was the restaurant right outside the hallway of our room - made grabbing coffee or a bite to eat super simple. And the burgers were delicious!
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Your satisfaction makes every effort absolutely worth it :) We hope you come back and stay with us again soon! Pura Vida :)
Written April 11, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Angela nichol
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
Had an amazing time surfing yesterday! I was a little nervous about getting in the water. Especially with all the newbies that flock to Tamarindo to learn how to surf (myself included), but I will say that my instructor, Sabinka made it such an incredible experience for me! She was so thoughtful and super easy to connect with. Her instructions, feedback and guidance were also very helpful while being thorough and direct! The best part was that she picked all the best waves for me and I stood up and rode them out about a dozen times! I felt like a pro ;) - thanks for everything girlfriend, I really appreciate you!
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the amazing review, Angela. I hope you come back soon to keep on surfing with us. We consider you part of our Iguana Surf Family;) Pura vida!
Written January 25, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Maslanuk
Newmarket, Canada8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
Amazing place, good equipment for the beginners.
I have done surfing with my 12 years old child first time at Iguana Surf.
Booking process is flawless through WhatsUp.
We booked in advance and were recommended to make it in the morning to take advantage of the calm ocean.
Instructions were relatively quick as we both snowboard and got it fast.
Overall experience took about 2 hours.
We both enjoyed every moment a had a great time with our instractor.

Suggestion:
Don't be fooled by the "professionals" offering you a private lesson for $40.
You get what you pay for!
Instructions and equipment will be up to the same level!!
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Thank you so much for your fabulous review recommendation :) Your satisfaction makes every effort absolutely worth it! We look forward to having you come surf with us again soon! Pura Vida :)
Written April 13, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Iguana Surf - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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