Cabo Matapalo · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Carate
A beach break in Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Playa Carate is the last beach before the Corcovado National Park boundary, at the end of the road past Cabo Matapalo. Its sandbanks near the rivermouth pick up any south or west swell, so it's where to go when the Matapalo points are flat.
The shape depends on the river and changes a lot. Mid tide is usually best. The dirt road gets cut by swollen rivers in the wet season, and there are only a few expensive lodges, but there are scarlet macaws everywhere.
When to surf
Playa Carate
Playa Carate is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S/W swell, mid tide.
April to June: Good
Season building, S-SW swell arriving, lush and quiet, roads still passable
July to September: Prime
Peak S-SW power, Pavones at its best, but the wettest, road-washing months
Oct: Good
Still firing, crowds thinning, very wet
November to March: Quiet
Dry but smaller. Pavones needs a big south swell, so it's often flat
The year across Golfo Dulce
Waves near Playa Carate
Backwash
22 kmCabo Matapalo · Right Point · Intermediate / Advanced
Hog Hole
23 kmCabo Matapalo · Right Point · Advanced
Pan Dulce
23 kmCabo Matapalo · Right Point · Beginner / Intermediate
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Cabo Matapalo is roadless-remote, expensive jungle eco-lodges only, reached by 4x4 that floods in the wet season. Puerto Jiménez (30-40min) is the practical base with supplies and cheaper rooms. Bring cash; there's no ATM at the cape. The three rights are private-ish and less crowded than Pavones.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Cabo Matapalo guide.
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