Are surf camps worth the cash?

[mg100]

Been looking at possibly spending a couple of days surfing in Mexico as I will be in the country end of March , when checking the pricing of the surf camps they seem crazy expensive, ranging from $800-$2600 for 4 days (although I'll probably only go for 2-3)
But in general no matter which country you visit is it actually worth paying money for these surf camps so they show you the spots, I guess you can do it for less than half the price if you do it yourself.
I guess if you have the money then go with the camps, if not you can still have fun if you do your research.... wait have I just answered my own question?
I have never done a surf camp so and opinions from people who have?

[BaNZ]

I've worked in a surf camp for a few months. This is just my personal experience. Camp staff tends to treat hot and young girls much more favorable than men. You don't even need to join the surf camp. We will invite you to go on surf trips and you get to use our equipment for free, you even get to join our bbq or party.

Some guests like to keep it to themselves and not really into party, I really don't know why they even bother going to a surf camp. If you're outgoing person and loves to party then surf camp is for you. Also it depends on your luck, sometimes you have a nice crowd and other times not.

If you're on a budget and want to experience all of that. Just rent the board and stay in the self catering camp but don't take lessons or the all inclusive as that is where the costs adds up.

[mg100]

Cheers BaNz.
I am sure you gave the ladies special treatment sometimes too

[mg100]

Think I am in the wrong industry.
Cheapest surf guide I found was $150 for 3-4 hours, doesn’t include any equipment or coaching and driving more than 20km you have to pay for gas.
Minimum 3 people they say so they get $450 just to drive you to the right spot.

[DrDave]

I did a camp at Witch’s Rock in Costa Rica last year. For me, time off is harder to come by than the $, so I went with the camp (kind of like what you said in your post). I’m not into the party scene, but it was worth it to a) have a posse to hang out with, hoot for, etc. (I went by myself), b) not waste time figuring out the right break/tide/time for each day so I can maximize my surfing time, c) have a bunch of boards to try and not have to deal with taking them on the plane. I’m going again this year, so for me the answer is yes. YMMV

[mg100]

Cheers MrDave
I actually found the best way.... for me anyway.
On Airbnb there are quite a few people offering either lessons or to take you around the ‘secret’ spots for a quarter of the price of these camps so I am going to give that a try

[BaNZ]

There is no such thing as secret spot anymore. I always look at Google earth and also it is a little obvious when there's a bunch of cars with surf decals parked in the middle of nowhere. Often I go and explore these spots. I also got a drone that can scout the coast line.

Plus the secret spots that they take you aren't exactly secret. There are ones that we go which are only for locals. But anyway, as I mentioned earlier. Technology makes it impossible to hide these secrets spot.