Witch's Rock Surf Camp

I have been to many surf camps and Witch´s Rock Surf Camp always keep me coming back for more. Starting with the Reservations Specialist, Ryan, Julie, Shawna & Sara who are the best in the business. The accommodations are right on the beach and right smack dab in the middle of town. The amazing staff at all Witch´s Rock Surf Camp Restaurants are all extremely friendly and are fun to hangout with. Same goes for the bar staff as well. The surf instructors are all amazing surfers who rip the hell out of the waves whether it by land or boat and happily get you to the best waves for everyone’s level. I just left after spending another 8 nights and booked to come back again in September 2020 and again in March 2021 due to the kindness, professionalism and the passion and friendship that Witch´s Rock Surf Camp provides to everyone who comes to surf. So if you Need the most relaxing and amazing waves as your next vacation, Witch´s Rock will keep you returning for the rest of your life. Thanks to all at Witch´s Rock Surf Camp for all that you do. Until next time Pura Vida

This place is great if you want minimal hassles on a surf trip. Lots of boards to choose from and you can switch them as often as you like for free. Only very good surfers who are picky about high performance short boards will be disappointed, and they’re are plenty of other rental options in town. Intermediate to advanced surfers get taken by van or boat everyday to a nearby surf spot. In your down time you can surf the break right in front of the resort which is also good, but usually not as good as other more remote spots. That’s really the trade off of staying in Tamarindo, you get more places to stay and more restaurants and night life, but you often travel to get better waves. The resort itself is very nice and It’s a really great spot to meet other people.

We came for sushi at 6: 30pm. Restaurant was about 1/3 to 1/2 full. Ordered our sushi. After over an hour, we had to prompt the staff about our order. It took another 20 mins to get our ordered sushi. When not came, it was quite tasty. If it hadn't tasted good, it would have been a 1 star.

First time lessons for my girlfriend and I and her 2 sons. I would have to say the experience of learning has totally been stolen from us.the instructors were rude, inattentive, not tailoring their teaching to each individual student. They complained about the cold water, were more interested in the friends surfing around us and angry with us for not learning instantaneously. My girlfriend quit almost immediately. The boys and I stuck it out. Only wish there were less stars I could give.

This is my happy place in the world. The food, people, waves, sand, smiles, hugs, boats, seashells, sunsets, surfboards. There's a beautiful rhythm to it all.
It's way more than you think you'll find, and it makes you want to stay forever.

I need to learn more Spanish. Then I'm moving, and spending some amount of everyday at this place.

I stayed for 4 days with WRSC at their second hotel, Pueblo Dorado, and surfed with an intermediate group for 3 days. The Pueblo Dorado was a 2 minute walk from WRSC and it was clean and quiet. I surfed with Jonathan and 3 other surfers and we either took a boat or van to different surf breaks. Jonathan's English and coaching were great and I really got a lot out of the surf video analysis where he broke down some of the mistakes I was making. The front desk staff were helpful and friendly before, during, and even after my stay. I made friends with lots of the other guests and would 10 out of 10 recommend WRSC for families, friends, or the solo traveler!

Good pina coladas, get them to go so you can still walk the boardwalk. Picnic table seating on the beach.

Incredibly rude girls at the counter, when we were asking about packages and renting boards we were met with sighs and eye rolling. Iv personally have been to the camp two years in a row now after this experience where they can not even be bothered I will just go elsewhere and tell my surfing friends in New York to also go else where. Shameful. Even worse, we came back for a refund, because they didn’t have boards available for us! Incredible every other spot of the street had taken care of us immediately.

Muy buen ambiente, con hermosa vista al mar! La comida deliciosa! Agradecemos a Alberto que nos atendió muy bien!

Witches Rock Surf Camp provides a safe worry free entry level surf experience. I went to WRSC with my girlfriend who had some surf experience prior to our trip, and by the end of the trip she was trying to join WSL. WRSC surf coaches go above and beyond in instruction while providing a safe environment. The resorts restaurant provides amazing food at reasonable prices, but it’s always great to go out, and try some of the local food. I’ve seen people complain about beer prices, but they run a reasonable happy hour 4-7 with $2 dollar Imperial nothing wrong with that, Tamarindo is not the cheapest place. Honestly if you can’t make the happy hour time it’s probably because your surfing your brains out so even better.

Having worked in hospitality the most impressive part of Witches Rock is ownerships/managements pride in the camp. Having been to camps all over the world from Africa to India no one tops Pats dedication to Witches Rock Surf Camp, and it’s guests. Having unfortunately run into issues while at WRSC Pat stepped in directly, and handle all of my problems. I’m telling you Witches Rock Surf Camp is where you want to stay in Tamarindo. No one can, and will guarantee the safety of yourself, and belongs like Witches Rock does.

If your looking to experience surfing for your first time or trying to introduce someone to it Witches Rock is a great place for you to start. I cannot our over state the secure atmosphere, and enjoyable surf environment Witches Rock creates for their guests.

My grand daughter said this place is the best in town! I wish I was young enough to try it! Thanks witches rock!

Other than getting ripped off on the advertised happy hour, it was great! The bartenders were nice and the drinks were fine but being in the industry, I know what a 12 oz and 22 oz glass looks like. The live music was awesome!

1st time we went the server was awesome and so was the food, we liked it so much we went to the bar and the bartender was awesome as well we stayed till close and had a great time. The second time we came different staff and we felt so unwelcome we left after our first drink.

Service was terribly slow even though we were close to the bar. We had to go up and ask for our drinks and such. Not impressed.

Short version - A mediocre experience but not worth my money.

I had high expectations and was disappointed. Maybe it was good once?

I spent my time off and a decent fortune to surf with WRSC in winter of 2018. I've surfed a bit and I was hoping to go from a floundering beginner to a confident surfer in a nice hotel with a good vacation experience - WRSC didn't measure up to that for me and they now ignore my emails.

-The rooms are hostel level - they have good climate control but the beds are basic; you might get new soap every day, and don't expect a TV, clock, or even a working safe.

-They promise individual video but we were never sent ours, despite multiple emails asking for it. Honestly, this one bothers me the most. They're ignoring our emails.

-The off-site excursions cost more than buying directly from the vendor.

-The instructors can teach to a broad type of student. Beginner instructors will only help you learn to catch a wave and learn to get up. I filled out a pre-trip survey asking to be taught how to ride a wave left/right and how to use my shortboard better. I doubt anyone ever read that.

You are much better off getting a well managed hotel and going with third party surf instructions (see iguana surf shop, kelly's, or blue trailz).

That said, they have many great members on the staff (Daniela is fantastic), the rooms are clean, and the amenities are comprehensive. I wouldn't expect an individual experience or anything beyond your stay though. They make a fairly customer-friendly experience for someone who just wants to show up and stand up on a board. Anything beyond that, go somewhere else.

Being my first foray into travel abroad, I have no other personal basis of comparison, so my review may seem curious to some with more experience. From being picked up at the airport and driven to the "camp", to the staff attending to any wish, I have been pampered so far. I will say that I was a little taken aback by also needing ample cash to 'tip' frequently, I also don't mind showing appreciation so I usually tip generously. I need to remember to learn the exchange rate before travel and be sure to exchange plenty of cash at the airport. It would have helped me spend a lot less while still tipping fairly. This place is great. The staff makes a point to remember you and address you by name, even just to say hello. There are a few stand out staff here that have really impressed me, and I believe one's name is Andre. He is very well informed and addresses me by name after a single meet. Very appreciated by this guy.

My only complaint thus far is the (in my opinion, shady) practice of offering "insurance" for any damage to their surf boards. With an "all inclusive vacation package", any damage insurance should be included in the package price. If they want to make an extra buck from insurance, then offer it to those renting boards. When I pay for a package, I don't expect to be hit with extra costs for insurance in case something happens during the lessons I have already paid for. I know that "insurance" or "protection plans" are pure profit. Include it in the package and up the price a little, but don't offer it to me as some value-added garbage when it should be a given that I'm covered with the lessons.