Costa Rica → Destinations → Cabo Matapalo

Cabo Matapalo Costa Rica

Cabo Matapalo is located on the southernmost tip of the Osa Peninsula and belongs to the province of Puntarenas. The Osa Peninsula is in the extreme southwestern part of Costa Rica near the border with Panama. Cabo Matapalo is where the rainforest meets the sky and sea. The weather is hot and humid so you can expect thunderstorms and lots of rain, making it a great location for nature lovers. Surfers visit Cabo Matapalo for its renowned point breaks, and the seclusion and lack of competition for waves. This relatively unexplored area offers lodgings ranging from exotic villas and bamboo houses to luxurious wooden hotels built in a traditional Costa Rican style, ideal for relaxation. If you want to enjoy a retreat in a rain forest paradise you should consider visiting Cabo Matapalo. The area combines dense jungles stocked with animals, breathtaking beaches and world class surfing in a peaceful remote setting, considered one of the most extreme regions in Costa Rica.

One of the attractive factors of Cabo Matapalo is the isolation and difficult access, making it still one of the least exploited and pristine areas in Costa Rica. Lodges in the area have full meal plans so you don’t need to worry about meals. You’ll find the truly basic services, and the staff you’ll probably contact during your stay will be bilingual. The main attraction in the area is Corcovado National Park, and nearby Isla Del Cano, allegedly the best diving in Costa Rica. The nearest air strip is in Puerto Jimenez about 12 miles (19 km) away, usually a 45 minute drive. By car it takes 11 hours to get to Cabo Matapalo from San Jose and a 4x4 is definitely required. The 11 hour drive through some of the most spectacular landscape is worth it for some, although the drive should only be attempted during the dry season, since part of the road requires crossing rivers and fording streams. As a matter of fact, some Cabo Matapalo hotels close their doors during the brunt of the rainy season and give their employees holidays in September and October.

Independently of the time of the year you decide to visit Cabo Matapalo in Costa Rica, you’ll be greeted by many species of animals in this tropical rainforest jungle. Four different kinds of monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, sloth, coatis, anteaters, tayras, iguanas, poison dart frogs and many types of birds call this area their home. Some species are endemic to this area and you won’t be able to see them anywhere else in Costa Rica, or in the rest of the world! As for unique surfing, Hog Hole and Punta Pan Dulce are two great breaks that you may enjoy in the area, or just sit on the beach’s shore and see if you can spot one of the Orca whales spewing water off it’s blowhole, dolphins playing in the waves, or scarlet macaws flying overhead. Then return to your lodging and relax in a hammock swaying in the breeze. If you plan to visit the area we recommend you review the Cabo Matapalo Map and contact one of our travel advisors for more information.