Surfing in Matapalo Beach

Along the sparsely populated middle Pacific coast region of Costa Rica, twenty miles south of Manuel Antonio, lies the unique little beach community of Playa Matapalo. Unlike its more popular neighbors, Dominical and Quepos/ Manuel Antonio, it doesn't have world-class surf or a famous park to draw international tourists. Instead, it has a slow stroll-about peace and a beautiful, long sandy beach, perfect for swimming and watching sunsets.

Because the beach community is not directly on the main Pacific Coast road and is over a miles away from the town of the same name, Matapalo is usually bypassed in favor of more established destinations. This has caused the people of the town to remain more tranquil and the area to retain a more natural charm. Many of the residents don'