Cahuita Experience Surf School

Cahuita Experience is a surf school founded in 2014 in Cahuita, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast near the Panama border. Lessons take place on the black-sand beach of Playa Negra, for all levels, with instructors who grew up in the area.

Each lesson starts with safety tips, stretching and the pop-up technique, followed by about an hour in the water, a break with complimentary fresh fruit, and a second session to fine-tune the basics. Board and rash guard are supplied.

The company also rents equipment and runs guided tours: kayaking, national park hikes, sloth tours, snorkelling, fishing, horseback riding and an organic fruit farm visit.

Lessons at 8:30 am or 3:30 pm; local transport can be arranged.