Costa Rica SUP Stand Up Paddle Adventures
Costa Rica SUP Stand Up Paddle Adventures
Costa Rica SUP Stand Up Paddle Adventures
5
Surfing & Windsurfing • Stand Up Paddleboarding
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9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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About
At Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Adventures we offer high end, world class SUP Surfing Camps and high quality flatwater SUP Lessons. For Beginners, we offer high quality Stand Up Paddle Lessons in Tamarindo. For Intermediate/Advanced Flatwater SUPers we offer 2-4 hour SUP Tours in Tamarindo, Pirata, Danta, Conchal, Las Catalinas and to other beautiful nearby beaches. For Intermediate and Advanced SUP Surfers, we offer Coaching and Guided Tours in Tamarindo, Avellanas, Grande and other great SUP surf spots by our local sup surf instructor/coach/guides. We have exciting SUP Adventure Travel guided tours and vacation packages ranging from 4 hours to multi-day. We will customize and plan the adventures closely with you. Join us and learn paddle board surfing or reach your "next level" here, in beautiful Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica SUP Stand Up Paddle Adventures
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
162 reviews
Excellent
157
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
2
C&M Victoria,BC
1 contribution
Nov 2019
This will be our new go-to for SUP rental and instruction anywhere warm. Marco is dedicated about preparing the novice and seasoned paddler alike in local conditions and safety. He stuck like glue to me on the water (1:1 instruction) which had me advance quickly and increased the fun factor 10 fold. His selection of boards and paddles had my seasoned SUP husband grinning broadly and gave me the opportunity to go down in size once I was comfortable riding waves. Marco is excellent in assessing what the gaps in your learning are, or where you can improve upon, and conveys the knowledge in a straight up but humorous manner. The shop is an easy walk from central Tamarindo and is attached to his wife Lydia's art shop and gallery. If you want to try this sport or have only done flat water paddling, I highly recommend Marco, it will be the difference between an OK experience and one that leaves you grinning and begging for more. We look forward to going back!
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Matthew M
3 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
A truly great experience. Marco was super responsive from the time I reached out until I arrived at his shop. After that he was remarkably clear in providing instructions to us as first time paddle boarders. He and his partner were both not only great teachers, but truly kind people that we enjoyed paddle boarding with for a couple hours on the beautiful Pacific Ocean while looking at the Tamarindo beach. I would recommend this shop to anyone that wants a thorough and clear instructor and a personalized service that’s ideally located and such a fun time! 11/10 would recommend and can’t wait go again.
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
traveler128
Philadelphia98 contributions
Dec 2021
I was lucky enough to have six solo lessons Paddle Surfing with Marco. He is very patient and a very good teacher. We had a lot of fun together. We did some early morning sessions and some late afternoon sessions depending on the tides. I gained so much information on technique that I will practice back at home this summer. He is very good about pointing out a few things to work on without overwhelming you. He has great equipment and let me try out a couple of different boards and paddles. He helped me figure out what type of board I should be looking for for my next board. We worked on a few different things each day and it was great to see my improvement. He also has great stories. He was a top surfer in Costa Rica when he was younger and then lived in the U.S. for a long time before moving back. Thanks Marco. I look forward to coming back sometime soon!
Written December 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
paul r
2 contributions
Nov 2020
What a great week with a great host Marco. He took his time to know me as a person as well as a SUP surfer on a solo strike trip as COVID was ending and CR opened up. He has a full quiver of performance boards and paddles to try and select from. He was always on time and had amazing local knowledge as he is a CR surfing legend and has named many of the breaks he will show you. His graciousness continued in the water and out of the water education to what I needed to work on and how to approach the conditions of each day. After a session we would celebrate with a cold can on Pilsen. Please use Marco and you will truly experience Pura Vida. As a suggestion if you do a custom package like I did is to make sure you line up a photographer through Marco before coming down to ensure availability.
Written December 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jackie J
5 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
I had the best time to with Marco - owner who took me out with SUP to learn the ocean & better techniques for SUP… I learned lots & had an amazing experience in the ocean w SUP. I highly recommend everyone try this experience; Marco or instructors will teach you how to surf the waves as well…. 11 stars!
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff G
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
I booked a lesson, as someone who has never been on a paddle board before. The other planned participants canceled, but Marco was happy to proceed with the lesson as planned.
With some prior background in coaching theory, I could recognize sound instruction in Marcos’ lesson.
He made sure to pass on the fundamentals, took it out on the water and reinforced the lessons.
With the lesson going well, he gave me the opportunity to go in and change out for a smaller board, that would advance my skills.
Can’t say enough good things.
Thanks Marco.
Jeff
With some prior background in coaching theory, I could recognize sound instruction in Marcos’ lesson.
He made sure to pass on the fundamentals, took it out on the water and reinforced the lessons.
With the lesson going well, he gave me the opportunity to go in and change out for a smaller board, that would advance my skills.
Can’t say enough good things.
Thanks Marco.
Jeff
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jace_myers
Ocean Isle Beach, NC8 contributions
Mar 2020
I'm using this post as a last ditch effort to simply get a response from Marco. Our group has emailed him three times since our trip (scheduled for mid March) was canceled due to Costa Rica closing it's borders due to the corona virus. We had previously paid a deposit for the rental of standup paddle boards and are simply trying to inquire about the possibility of a refund. Marco has yet to acknowledge are numerous attmepts to contact him over the past three weeks.
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tim
Tamarindo, Costa Rica1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Family
We had the best time!! Marco, the owner, took very good care of us and we all felt very safe in this post pandemic time. His knowledge of the local scene and waves is unsurpassed. He also has a great sense of the culture and history here in Costa Rica. He’s an amazing teacher pura vida!
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike C
1 contribution
Feb 2022
Marco's Costa Rica SUP Stand Up Paddle Adventures is the go to shop visiting Tamarindo for board rentals, surf lessons, trips and overall local knowledge for surfing Tamarindo. I was in touch with Marco a few months before my February trip to Tamarindo inquiring about board rentals and surf conditions. Marco was detailed in his correspondence re boards available for daily or weekly rental, tides, times to surf as well as the availability of daily surf trips. After securing a weekly rental (on a board i liked so much i purchased the same model when i got home) Marco emailed extensive instructions which included the suggestion (I didn't read) of bringing water shoes. There are many unseen rocks at high
tide that are in issue at low, my big toe found one the first day on the outgoing tide.
While i didn't take a SUP surfing lesson, I went on two half day surfing trips to other
breaks/beaches in which Marco paddled and surfed also, with Marco offering a couple of excellent tips while in the water. If you're planning on any SUP activities while in Tamarindo, Marco is the man to see!
tide that are in issue at low, my big toe found one the first day on the outgoing tide.
While i didn't take a SUP surfing lesson, I went on two half day surfing trips to other
breaks/beaches in which Marco paddled and surfed also, with Marco offering a couple of excellent tips while in the water. If you're planning on any SUP activities while in Tamarindo, Marco is the man to see!
Written March 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Al
San Diego, CA1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Couples
Spent two weeks touring the Nicoya Penninsula - Marco was the first to truly understand the needs of experienced paddle boarders. Had great rental equipment, deep local knowledge, and endless stoke. When we return, we’ll tap into his resources again.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jace_myers
Ocean Isle Beach, NC8 contributions
Marco, we're simply trying to get a response from you concerning our request for a refund. As you know, our trip was canceled due to travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus. David Lowery had previously paid our deposit and politely requested a refund. I then followed up twice and you have yet to respond. PLEASE respond to our emails!
SonneAA
1 contribution
My husband and I are looking to do a 10 night, 9 day package. We are both experienced paddleboarders, we own both rigid flatwater and inflatable touring boards for ocean paddling. I also own a river board for whitewater paddling, so we’re very comfortable on the water. We discovered that we really enjoy paddling when high wind whips the water into 1 to 2 foot swells and we try to get the board on plane, so now we want to learn to SUP surf. Will we be able to have instruction tailored to our experience and skill level? What’s the surfing and weather like at the end of November? Are Visa and Mastercard accepted in Tamarindo (I have to ask because we’ve been to Punta Perulla - cash only and to Cuba - cash and Visa only)? Thanks.
Costa Rica SUP Adventures
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Hi SonneAA, thanks for your questions, please see the answers below:|
1- Will we be able to have instruction tailored to our experience and skill level?
Yes, definitely. We offer a very personalized service, our preferred group size for SUP surfing is 1 to 3 guests plus 1 instructor in a 4WD car and we don’t take more than 4 guests at a time SUP surfing to the same spot, because it then becomes too crowded and less safe. Sometimes it might be only you and your instructor/guide!
We most certainly are not like some other surf camps, which take a van with 6 to 10 persons out to a surf spot.
We will assess where you are at on your skill level and help you with the techniques that you need to learn to raise your level.
Helping SUPers that mainly do flatwater transition into SUP surfing and coaching SUP surfers of any level, from beginners to experts to help them reach their next level through learning more advanced techniques or correcting bad habits is what we do most, and we love doing it.
We have many different boards and will help you choose which one to use and when to try a different one while you are here with us.
2- What’s the surfing and weather like at the end of November?
The end of November is normally a good time to come SUP surfing. November is a transitional month from the rainy season into the dry season with very few rains, especially towards the end but the foliage is still very lush and green. Normally, there are good waves. According to seasonal data, November, statistically has surfable waves of at least 4 feet on 69% of the days of the month. But, please remember that weather and surfing conditions can never be guaranteed, no matter where you go.
If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask us directly at our business email address.
Pura vida!
3- Are Visa and MasterCard accepted in Tamarindo?
Yes, most major credit cards are accepted in most places in Tamarindo, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, etc.
591kobi
Mahe Island, Seychelles
Hi,
We are a 40- to 60-year-old Israeli group of SAP surfers with good and medium experience who are looking for a guide who will be with us for 8 days each morning.
Do you do it?
The dates are from 15 November to 25 November from which we need an 8-day escort.
I would be happy to receive a price and are you free?
I understand that you are also renting SUP Some people will want to rent, I would also be happy to get a price for it.
As for stay we have a house close to the beach in Tamarindo.
Thanks!!
Jacob
Costa Rica SUP Adventures
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Hi Jacob, thanks for the question. In order to serve you better, provide accurate availability and be able to make suggestions on boards, paddles and other logistics, I am going to request that you send me an email to our business email address listed on our website. You can also send us a message from the Contact Us form on our website.
To go to our website, just click on the title of any of our reviews here on TripAdvisor and on the review page that follows, there will be a summary of our business where there is a link to our website.
Or just google our business name and you will find our website. Pura vida!
Elisa S
San Diego, CA20 contributions
Do you allow kids to come for private lessons and/or stay on site and have lessons? We are open to staying off or on site. Thank you!
Costa Rica SUP Adventures
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Hi Elisa, we prefer to work with at least 16 years old and older. A signed, full parental consent, waiver and release is required, and the parents are required to be present during the activity, for all minors. We do not normally take really young children but are willing to evaluate the individual circumstances. We have had a couple of 8 and 10 year old's that were really good swimmers and already had a couple of years of experience surfing and paddle boarding, so we made an exception for them. If you have any other questions please contact us via email.
Pura vida!
E G
Royalton, MN
Can I get an individual lesson? Can a staff take me on an adventure by myself?
Costa Rica SUP Adventures
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Hi EG,
Thanks for your question. Yes, you can get an individual lesson as long as there is availability of instructors for the date you propose. If you wish to make a reservation and we have availability, we can tailor a private adventure for you. Please contact us via email.
Pura vida!