Matapalo

Edit Spot

About

very long ride, turn your arms to noodles in no time

Atmosphere:
surfing in the rain forest, not a store for 15 miles

Additional Info:
just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tide
It is for experienced surfers only. Matapalo is one of 4 point breaks there. Pan Dulce is the first you drive by. Very gentle longboard wave most days, hits at low tide. Next is Backwask: holds amazingly large swell. Next is Matapalo-it is the ultimate "critical" wave. Large group of rocks on the inside. Finally (and much less surfed, working only on high tide becvause of very dangerous rocks) "the Crack", which is basically the headland point of the Osa Penninsula. Starting at the Crack and working back, each break will be a bit smaller. These are all relatively rocky breaks BUT if there is a good south swell the place is amazing. It is true that there are a lot of ex-pats that live there that think they own it. Most can't surf and often say things like ''we've owned property here for years'' or other retarded things an idiot expat would say, like they discovered the whole place or something. Most can't surf for shit either. Don't believe the territorial crap some people right, it's just the locals trying to keep people that can actually surf out. Huge egos abound. VERY expensive lodging and very little of it. Only one cantina nearby. It is about 10 hours dive from SJ. You must drive through 3 rivers so if it rains hard you are not leaving till the water subsides. Puerto Jimenez is a laid back little town, safe and tranquillo. I have been there many times and have had some of my favorite surf trips there. It is very hit and miss but it is absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Monkeys and parrots in the trees everywhere. It is not a bad place just to be, surf is a bonus. So the skinny is: very expensive, few lodging choices, inconsistent rocky breaks with the potential for occasional "world-class" surf, territorial locals, lots of surfers, beautiful place.
CHECK IT AT:
http://www.costaricasurfguide.com/matapalo.htm

Location

Access

18 kilometers Southwest of Puerto Jimenez is the entrance to Matapalo. Dirt road is in good condition most months. You may have trouble with one river crossing during the rainy season.

Walk	Instant access (<5 min)
Public access	Yes
4x4 required	No
Boat required	Yes

Wave Characteristics

Type	Reef (rocky)
Direction	Right
Bottom	Reef (coral, sharp rocks etc.) with sand
Power	Hollow, Fast, Powerful
Frequency	Very consistent (150+ days/year)
Normal length	Normal (50 to 150m)
Good day length	Long (150 to 300m)

Ideal Conditions

Wind direction	SouthEast, East, NorthEast
Swell direction	North, NorthWest, West, SouthWest, South
Swell size	Less than 3ft - 10ft+
Tide	Don't know
Tide movement	Don't know