Matapalo – Osa Peninsula
Puerto Jiménez, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: April–November
Cabo Matapalo is the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica's Puntarenas province, where the Pacific meets the mouth of the Golfo Dulce. The cape is backed by rainforest, and there is no town at the breaks; the nearest is Puerto Jiménez, reached by a rough road.
Several right-hand points wrap around the cape and up the gulf shore, among them Matapalo point, Backwash and Pan Dulce, with Hollywood among the other named breaks. They work on south and south-west swells, best from about April to November, and the gulf side is sheltered from many winds, with offshores from the north, north-west and west. The waves break over rock, reef and some sand; Pan Dulce is the gentlest on small days, while the main points are faster and suit intermediate and advanced surfers. Rocks and reef are a hazard, and the area is remote, with little phone signal and medical help far away, so surf with others and bring a first-aid kit. Crowds are small compared with the rest of the coast. The water is warm all year (about 27–30°C); boardshorts or a lycra are enough.
Spots near Matapalo – Osa Peninsula
- Pavones (17 km)
- Dominical (116 km)
- Playa Cocles (154 km)
- Puerto Viejo – Salsa Brava (154 km)
- Bocas del Toro – Playa Bluff (162 km)
- Esterillos (185 km)
- Playa Hermosa – Jacó (196 km)
- Jacó (201 km)