Puerto Escondido surfing: lessons at Zicatela
Puerto Escondido surfing is a day out from Zipolite, not something you book on Zipolite beach. The state coastal route names Zicatela as the coast's surf spot, and both lessons here are taught at Puerto Escondido. The two towns are about 70 km and roughly 1 hour 25 minutes apart by road, so plan the lesson as a morning or afternoon with the drive on either side.
Both options last 2 hours. Prices are per person, as of November 2026: 54 USD and 66 USD.
Our picks: surf lessons
Two 2-hour lessons in the Brisas de Zicatela area of Puerto Escondido, one with a fixed school meeting point.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two-hour surf lesson at a school shop in Brisas de Zicatela
- Board, leash and rashguard
The school provides the board, leash and rashguard.
Check availability →
Two-hour surf lesson at Zicatela
A certified instructor, board, rashguard, theory and practice, zinc sunscreen and a safety briefing. The exact beach is set the day before, depending on conditions.
Check availability →Surf lessons at Puerto Escondido
Two 2-hour lessons, both meeting in the Brisas de Zicatela area, with live prices and availability.
Surf lesson in Puerto Escondido: the two options
The 54 USD lesson starts in the Brisas de Zicatela area. It comes with a certified instructor, a board, a rashguard, theory and practice, zinc sunscreen and a safety briefing. The exact beach is set the day before, depending on conditions, so the lesson follows the waves rather than a fixed spot. It has a 5.0 rating from 11 reviews.
The 66 USD lesson meets at a school shop in Brisas de Zicatela, with the entrance from the Nayarit side. The board, leash and rashguard are provided. It has a 5.0 rating from 193 reviews.
What the price difference buys
The 54 USD lesson lists the instructor, the theory and the safety briefing. The 66 USD lesson gives you a fixed meeting address and far more reviews behind it. Both are short enough to fit around a day in Puerto Escondido.
Who each lesson suits
The school behind the 66 USD lesson teaches beginners and advanced surfers, so it is the one to look at if you have stood on a board before. If you simply want a first wave with theory and practice, the 54 USD lesson fits.
The 66 USD lesson is not recommended with back problems or during pregnancy, excludes people with heart problems or other serious illness, and is not wheelchair accessible. Good weather is required: if the school cancels for weather, you get another date or a full refund. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start.
Waves and safety on this coast
The Pacific here is powerful. On 3 April 2026 the state civil protection agency reported precautionary evacuations in the Marinero and Zicatela area and a red flag that banned going into the sea. A red flag means entry is forbidden because of high risk, so a lesson on such a day is off. Civil protection also advises against entering the sea without swimming skills, and children need constant adult supervision. Our Puerto Escondido guide covers the town and the lagoon trips.
Puerto Escondido surfing: frequently asked questions
How much does a surf lesson in Puerto Escondido cost?
A lesson costs 54 USD or 66 USD per person, so two people pay 108 USD or about 132 USD in total.
How long is the lesson?
Both last 2 hours.
Can I take the lesson from Zipolite?
Both lessons meet in Puerto Escondido, about 70 km and roughly 1 hour 25 minutes by road from Zipolite. Neither includes a ride from Zipolite, so most people go for the morning or the afternoon.
What is provided?
The board and rashguard are provided in both lessons, plus a leash in the 66 USD lesson. The 54 USD lesson adds a certified instructor, theory and practice, zinc sunscreen and a safety briefing.