# Safari Surf School: surf trips at Playa Guiones, Nosara > Safari Surf School is a surf school and trip planner based at Playa Guiones in Nosara, on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, with sister schools in Panama and Ecuador. It's best for beginners, families and improving surfers who want lessons, coaching and a trip planned around them. Source: https://www.retreatvacations.net/safari-surf-school/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Location: Playa Guiones, Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Type: surf Official website: https://safarisurfschool.com Best for: Beginners, families and surfers who want structured coaching Setting: Playa Guiones, Nosara, a beach break with year-round surf Programs: Lessons, coaching, guiding, custom surf vacations, women's surf trips Base hotel: Olas Verdes, a partner hotel with the surf office on site Also runs: Schools at Playa Venao (Panama) and near Puerto López (Ecuador) Instructors: ISA-certified, trained in lifeguarding and first aid ## What it's like Safari Surf School started in Nosara, and Playa Guiones is still its home base. Guiones is a long, open beach break on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast, and the school describes it as having surf for every level all year. Nosara itself is known as a yoga and wellness town, which gives the place a slower, healthier rhythm than a party surf spot. The school's partner hotel is Olas Verdes, a 17-room property with a pool and a short private path through the jungle to the beach. The Safari Surf office runs from there, so you can walk from breakfast to your board. If Olas Verdes isn't the right fit, the team will also book you into other places around Nosara, from a hostel to boutique hotels and larger rental homes. Owner Tim Marsh bought land in Costa Rica in 1995, and the business now runs schools in three countries: Nosara in Costa Rica, Playa Venao in Panama and near Puerto López in Ecuador. This profile focuses on the original Nosara school. ## The programs Safari Surf is more of a surf school and trip planner than a single retreat with a fixed timetable. You can book: - Individual lessons and lesson packs, from first-timer to advanced - Progression coaching, surf guiding and video analysis - Full surf vacations, usually a week, built around your dates and level - Family surf trips - Women's surf trips that mix coaching with a social, wellness-minded vibe A typical package bundles lodging, daily lessons or guided sessions, board rental, breakfast and other meals, transport and help planning the rest of your trip. Yoga and massage aren't run by the school itself, but they're easy to add in Nosara, and the team lists them as extras. The coaching side is solid. Instructors are certified by the International Surfing Association and trained in surf teaching, lifeguard skills and first aid. The school says almost all of its staff are local Nosara residents, and it backs local causes, including a wildlife refuge and Costa Rica's forest fund. ## Who it suits (and who it doesn't) This is a good pick if you're new to surfing, coming back after a break or want proper feedback on your technique. It also works well for families, since the team can match lodging and lessons to kids and adults at different levels, and for women who'd like to learn in a women-only group. It's not a yoga retreat center. If daily yoga and meditation are the main reason you're traveling, you'll want to combine your surf package with one of Nosara's yoga studios or wellness hotels, which the team can help with. And if you're an advanced surfer who just wants a room near the break, you may not need a full package. ## Getting there Nosara sits on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. The school's turnkey packages include transportation, so ask the team which airport and transfer works best for your dates when you book. The Costa Rica office is on Playa Guiones, west of Cafe Paris. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need any surf experience? No. Lessons run from total beginner to advanced, and coaching is matched to your level. ### Where will I stay? Most guests stay at Olas Verdes, the partner hotel with the surf office on site, but the team can arrange other lodging in Nosara too. ### Does Safari Surf offer women's trips? Yes. It runs women's surf trips that combine coaching, community and wellness activities for all levels. ### Can I do yoga during my surf trip? Yes. Nosara has plenty of yoga, and the school lists yoga and massage as add-ons rather than running classes itself. ### Does the school operate anywhere else? Yes, in Playa Venao in Panama and near Puerto López in Ecuador. See the [official website](https://safarisurfschool.com) for details.