The Osa peninsula is known for many things, and among them, some world class waves. Whether you’re an experienced surfer or a beginner wanting to learn, you will find just what you need in the Osa.
Note that all the surf spots in Matapalo are point breaks.
Surfing the Osa
Pandulce 1
Location: Cabo Mata Palo. Drive past the little jungle bar of Martinas, cross the river and take the first left into the road that takes to Cabo Matapalo. Pass casa Bambu, Casa Pina and Casa Dulce on your left and then turn left on a little road that will take you to a tiny parking lot. Lock your vehicles and keep all valuables with you!
Difficulty level: easy. This is a forgiving wave and the best one to learn surfing on. (this spot is also known by the locals as “Pussy Point”, because it’s one the most beginner surf spots in the area.
Wave direction: Right
Barrels? Yes, usually smaller ones.
Best part about it: this spot has a fun right wave with a good speed which can make for fun sessions.
Good to surf during: low tide
Crowded? Yes
Watch out for: When you go in at low tide you will need to walk on some flat rock as you enter the water, which can be a bit slippery. Also sting rays sometimes hang out in the sandy bottoms, so shuffle your feet as you walk in.
Pandulce 2
Location: Cabo Mata Palo. This spot is still Pan Dulce, but a bit further down on the Matapalo road. You can enter from a few different points. You can get to it by walking on a little trail from PanDulce 1 at low tide on your right. You can also go from the Encanta la Vida yoga deck and then take a right on the trail. You’ll see a few benches.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Wave direction: Right
Barrels? yes
Best part about it: all the waves here are great for ripping
Good to surf during: When there’s a big swell you can surf both tides, the high and low, but when the waves are small you want to surf at high tide.
Crowded? Usually yes
Watch out for: rocks
Backwash
Location: Cabo Mata Palo. Once again take the main Matapalo road and continue until you get to the Backwash parking lot right before a little river. If you passed a steep hill you’ve gone too far.
Difficulty Level: fairly Difficult. Definitely for people who can already surf, not for beginners.
Wave direction: Both rights and lefts
Barrels? yes
Best part about it: All the waves there are good, there’s a good drop and good sections for its airs and maneuvers!
Good to surf during: low tide
Crowded? sometimes
Watch out for: Water currents and rocks. The rocks that divide Backwash from PanDulce 2 are surrounded by strong currents, so make sure you don’t go in/get out from there.
Matapalo
Location: Cabo Mata Palo. Drive all the way to end of the Matapalo road. The beach will be right in front of you.
Difficulty Level: difficult. Experienced surfers only.
Wave direction: right
Barrels? yes. Good barrels
Best part about it: the drop
Good to surf during: low/medium tide
Crowded? it depends on the swell and the season. During the low season you could find only locals surfing there.
Watch out for: rocks underwater and currents during big swells that push towards the rocks. Go in front the right side, not from dead center.
The rest of the beaches below are NOT located in Cabo Matapalo, but rather in the surrounding area.
Germany Beach
Location: playa sombrero, right in front of Boca Sombrero. It’s a beach break.
Difficulty level: easy wave
Wave direction: both lefts and rights
Barrels? yes, small ones
Best part about it: it’s a short break, close to the beach. good sessions for barrels
Good to surf during: high tide
Crowded? no
Watch out for: rocks
Playa Tamales
Location: before Blue Osa, while you are driving from Puerto Jimenez. It’s right in front of the river mouth
Difficulty level: intermediate
Wave direction: left
Barrels? yes
Good to surf during: high tide
Crowded? no
Watch out for: crocodiles and sometimes sharks
Carate
Location: Playa Carate. Instead of driving towards Matapalo keep going towards Park Corcovado.
Difficulty level: Not recommended for surfing
Wave direction: both left and right
Barrels? yes
Crowded? no
Watch out for: dangerous currents, crocodiles and sharks.
Surf Lessons
For surf lessons or a private surf guide contact Aaron Garcia, local pro surfer.
Email him at: aaronjg91@gmail.com
Check out his Instagram: https://instagram.com/aaronmatapalo/
