Global Surf Trip FAQ - The Complete Guide to Planning Your Surf Vacation Worldwide

Planning a surf trip is exciting - but choosing when to go, where to surf, and how to optimize your time in the water can feel overwhelming.

At Salty Smile Surf School in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, we don’t just teach surfing - we help travelers build complete surf vacations tailored to skill level, season, wave type, and travel style.

Below is the full guide to the most common questions surfers ask before planning a surf holiday.

1. What is the best time of year for a surf trip?

It depends on your surf level and the destination.

Some countries offer safe, friendly waves year-round (like Costa Rica), while others have strong seasonal shifts where waves may be too powerful for beginners but ideal for intermediate or advanced surfers.

Example seasonal matches:

Level	Recommended Destinations & Timing
Beginners	Costa Rica (year-round), Portugal summer, Sri Lanka, Barbados
Intermediate	Nicaragua, Mexico summer, Morocco winter, Canary Islands
Advanced	Indonesia dry season, Maldives, Mentawais, fast reef breaks

The key is choosing the right destination for your skill level during the right season, and that's exactly what we help surfers do worldwide.

2. Which surf destination is best for my level?

• Beginners: warm water, sandy bottom, mellow waves → Tamarindo is one of the best in the world.

• Intermediate: more shape and energy, point breaks + beach breaks.

• Advanced: barrels, strong swell, long peeling points and reefs.

We assess your level and match you to beaches where progression is safe, enjoyable, and fast.

3. Can families learn to surf together?

Absolutely - especially in Tamarindo.At Salty Smile Surf School we offer:

• Family Surf Lessons

• Kids Surf Programs

• Private & Semi-Private Coaching

• Multi-lesson progression courses

Warm water, soft waves, and patient instructors create the perfect environment for all ages.

4. How many lessons do I need to see progress?

Most beginners stand during their first session.

Real improvement - timing, wave reading, paddling power - usually develops after 3-5 lessons, especially when combined with Drone Video Analysis, which accelerates learning significantly.

5. What should I pack for a surf trip abroad?

Keep it minimal:

✔ Reef-safe sunscreen

✔ Rash guard or surf top (we provide one as well)

✔ Comfortable swimwear

✔ Surf-skate (optional)

✔ GoPro or camera if you love footage

Boards are optional - we provide equipment for every age and skill level.

6. Surf Camp vs Custom Surf Trip - Which one is right for me?

Surf Camps

Great for travelers who enjoy structure, group energy, and fast progression.

Often includes shared lessons, fixed schedules, and social atmosphere.

Custom Surf Trips (Salty Smile Specialty)

This option is fully personalized - and where we stand out.

Unlike standard travel platforms or fixed surf camps, we design your surf holiday entirely from scratch based on season, wave size, traveler profile, and destination preferences.

We work only with vetted partners worldwide and build the entire experience for you:

• Destination selection based on season & skill

• Accommodation matched to comfort & budget

• Surf lessons, coaching, progression plans

• Day tours, adventure add-ons, transportation

• Optional Drone Video Analysis for technique growth

Full flexibility, professional guidance, zero guesswork.

This is surf travel - refined.

7. Can I combine surfing with adventure tours?

Yes - highly recommended.

We organize:

• Catamaran & Snorkeling Tours

• Scuba Diving (no certification required)

• ATV Jungle Tours

• Kayak or SUP River Expeditions

• Fishing Charters

• Waterfall + Nature Day Trips

• Beach-hopping Trips

Surf in the morning, explore in the afternoon.

The perfect balance of stoke + pura vida.

8. Does drone footage really improve surfing?

Yes - and fast.

Drone video reveals angles, stance, timing, rail engagement, take-off positioning, and paddling efficiency that are impossible to see from the beach.

Video-based coaching reduces months of trial-and-error into weeks of improvement.

9. Do you help plan full surf vacations?

Yes - worldwide and in Costa Rica.

We provide:

✓ Surf Lessons

✓ Family & Kids Surf Sessions

✓ Surf Camps

✓ Multi-day progression programs

✓ Custom Surf Trips globally

✓ Accommodation planning

✓ Adventure tours

✓ Drone video analysis & coaching

Travel easier.

Learn smarter.

Progress faster.

Ready to plan your surf experience?

Send us your dates, number of surfers, and your level -and we’ll build a surf holiday tailored to you.

Salty Smile Surf School Surf smarter.

Travel smoother.

Keep your smile salty! :)