Mexico is a very popular surfing destination due to its huge coastline, consistent swells, cheap cost of traveling and awesome weather.
Whether you are a beginner looking to learn how to surf between a couple nights out or an expert wanting to get barreled in Puerto Escondido, Mexico has everything to please all types of surfers.
Best time to surf in Mexico
Mexico has great waves throughout the year. However, surfing conditions are bigger and more consistent from April to October during the rainy season. Therefore, intermediate and advanced surfers will find more challenging conditions during this time of the year while beginners might want to aim for the dry season which runs from November to March for smaller, yet still fairly consistent surfing conditions.
Best Places to Surf in Mexico
Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a world famous surfing destination on the Mexican Pacific Coast with one of the world’s heaviest beach break, Playa Zicatela. However, surfing conditions are definitely not always monstrous in Puerto Escondido. During the shoulder seasons, even beginners can catch some fun waves in Puerto Escondido, either at Playa Zicatela or at one of the surrounding beaches.
Read our complete surfing guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Sayulita
Sayulita is a lively and charming surf town located in Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. With several surf spots and year-round mellow waves, Sayulita is a great place in Mexico for beginners and intermediate surfers. The surfing vibe in Sayulita is awesome with many hostels, bars and restaurants that provide a great social aspect to your surf trip.
Read our complete surfing guide to Sayulita, Mexico
Baja California
Baja California is a surfers’ favorite on a surf trip to Mexico with many empty and unexplored waves as well as some world-class surf spots. The region is separated between Baja North, including Ensenada and Rosarito, and Baja Sur which includes Cabo San Lucas, Punta Abreojos and San Juanico.
Read our surfing guides to Baja North and Baja Sur
Barra de la Cruz
Barra de la Cruz is a world-class surf spot located a short drive south of Puerto Escondido, near Huatulco. This right-hand rocky point break has hosted the World Surf League twice and remains one of Mexico’s most iconic waves. Barra de la Cruz is part of a reserve which makes it a bit secluded and there aren’t that many options of places to stay within a short distance to the wave. Most people stay in Puerto Escondido and drive down when swells hit.
Read our complete surfing guide to Barra de la Cruz, Mexico
Playa Saladita
Saladita is an awesome left-hand point break located in the state of Guerrero, just north of Zihuatanejo. This spot is still a hidden gem and is a long boarders’ favorite. Playa Saladita is a true wave magnet with waves all year round.
Read our complete surfing guide to Playa Saladita, Mexico
Best Surf Camps in Mexico
8-Day Surf Camp and Learn Spanish in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
US$590, including:
- 1.5 hours of Spanish semi-private tuition from Monday to Friday
- 7 nights of accommodation
- Learning material and final Spanish Diploma
- Yoga classes along the week
- Surf theory class
- Coaching session
- Welcome activity
- 5 surf lessons
- Surf photos
7-day Exclusive Surf Retreat in Cabo San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur
US$425, including:
- 5 surf lessons
- 1 guided art-walk through San Jose art district
- All equipment, documentation photo and video, and professional instructors
- Daily healthy breakfast and ground transportation
- 6 nights accommodation
- Camping night
7-Day Progressive Surf Camp in Sayulita, Mexico
US$710, including:
- 5 instructed surf lessons
- All land and boat transfers to surf breaks
- Access and use of over 300 surf and SUP boards
- Rashguard, booties, and wetsuit top rental
- 6 nights accommodation
- Beach and pool access
Budgeting a surf trip to Mexico
Mexico is not as cheap as it once used to be. In fact, since the Covid pandemic and the rise of digital nomads, the costs of traveling in Mexico has gone up substantially. A meal in a restaurant with a drink can cost you up to 20USD. Basic accommodation is gonna be around 60USD per night and nicer rooms will go up to 200USD.