just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tideIt 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
It is only good at high tide, which is only about 3 hours a day, so it's usually a bit crowded. The locals may give you the stink eye, but they're all bark and no bite.
Do not go during rainy season (Sept-December?).
North Playitas Surf Spot Guide, Costa Rica North Playitas is a semi-consistent beach break that delivers quality waves in a relatively uncrowded setting along Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This spot offers both left and right-hand breaks over a sandy bottom with rocky features, making it an appealing destination for experienced surfers seeking reliable conditions […]
This break works best at high tide, with the tree and Tulin better at lower tides. You can surf on any of the peaks in front of the buildings - a neat place with very easy access. Gets hard when the swell builds. However, when the swell is big - try the local reefs and points instead!
There are 2 playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one is in the North Pacific and the other is in the Central Pacific. The one famous for surfing is in the Central Pacific, next to Jaco.
It can be really crowded on weekends. There´s the north and the south side of the beach. The north side brakes bigger , on really big days, you can surf on the south side.
A fast hollow break that works best on mid incoming. Powerful. Not a spot for beginners. Once over HH+ advanced only. Very strong currents. A lot of rips. If you see a few guys out, don't paddle right onto the peak with your bros..... find another peak.... there is over 5 miles along Hermosa that breaks the same.
This is a beachbreak with lava reef fingers that stick out to see. WAVE MAGNET. This place picks up even more swell than Hrmosa and has different sections of reef breaking all the way to probably 1/2 mile offshore.
probably just park your car by the small restaurant where all the toothless fishermen hang out, theres a small cabinas real cheap like 40 yds from beach, smells like fish everywhere, if its not quite big enough to be fun head to esterillos centro you can walk about 25 min or so. south of mermaid statue at resort down to centro all has little sandbars. good if centro is packed with people.
just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tideIt 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
It is only good at high tide, which is only about 3 hours a day, so it's usually a bit crowded. The locals may give you the stink eye, but they're all bark and no bite.
Do not go during rainy season (Sept-December?).
North Playitas Surf Spot Guide, Costa Rica North Playitas is a semi-consistent beach break that delivers quality waves in a relatively uncrowded setting along Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This spot offers both left and right-hand breaks over a sandy bottom with rocky features, making it an appealing destination for experienced surfers seeking reliable conditions […]
This break works best at high tide, with the tree and Tulin better at lower tides. You can surf on any of the peaks in front of the buildings - a neat place with very easy access. Gets hard when the swell builds. However, when the swell is big - try the local reefs and points instead!
There are 2 playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one is in the North Pacific and the other is in the Central Pacific. The one famous for surfing is in the Central Pacific, next to Jaco.
It can be really crowded on weekends. There´s the north and the south side of the beach. The north side brakes bigger , on really big days, you can surf on the south side.
A fast hollow break that works best on mid incoming. Powerful. Not a spot for beginners. Once over HH+ advanced only. Very strong currents. A lot of rips. If you see a few guys out, don't paddle right onto the peak with your bros..... find another peak.... there is over 5 miles along Hermosa that breaks the same.
This is a beachbreak with lava reef fingers that stick out to see. WAVE MAGNET. This place picks up even more swell than Hrmosa and has different sections of reef breaking all the way to probably 1/2 mile offshore.
probably just park your car by the small restaurant where all the toothless fishermen hang out, theres a small cabinas real cheap like 40 yds from beach, smells like fish everywhere, if its not quite big enough to be fun head to esterillos centro you can walk about 25 min or so. south of mermaid statue at resort down to centro all has little sandbars. good if centro is packed with people.
just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tideIt 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
It is only good at high tide, which is only about 3 hours a day, so it's usually a bit crowded. The locals may give you the stink eye, but they're all bark and no bite.
Do not go during rainy season (Sept-December?).
North Playitas Surf Spot Guide, Costa Rica North Playitas is a semi-consistent beach break that delivers quality waves in a relatively uncrowded setting along Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This spot offers both left and right-hand breaks over a sandy bottom with rocky features, making it an appealing destination for experienced surfers seeking reliable conditions […]
This break works best at high tide, with the tree and Tulin better at lower tides. You can surf on any of the peaks in front of the buildings - a neat place with very easy access. Gets hard when the swell builds. However, when the swell is big - try the local reefs and points instead!
There are 2 playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one is in the North Pacific and the other is in the Central Pacific. The one famous for surfing is in the Central Pacific, next to Jaco.
It can be really crowded on weekends. There´s the north and the south side of the beach. The north side brakes bigger , on really big days, you can surf on the south side.
A fast hollow break that works best on mid incoming. Powerful. Not a spot for beginners. Once over HH+ advanced only. Very strong currents. A lot of rips. If you see a few guys out, don't paddle right onto the peak with your bros..... find another peak.... there is over 5 miles along Hermosa that breaks the same.
This is a beachbreak with lava reef fingers that stick out to see. WAVE MAGNET. This place picks up even more swell than Hrmosa and has different sections of reef breaking all the way to probably 1/2 mile offshore.
probably just park your car by the small restaurant where all the toothless fishermen hang out, theres a small cabinas real cheap like 40 yds from beach, smells like fish everywhere, if its not quite big enough to be fun head to esterillos centro you can walk about 25 min or so. south of mermaid statue at resort down to centro all has little sandbars. good if centro is packed with people.
just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tideIt 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
It is only good at high tide, which is only about 3 hours a day, so it's usually a bit crowded. The locals may give you the stink eye, but they're all bark and no bite.
Do not go during rainy season (Sept-December?).
North Playitas Surf Spot Guide, Costa Rica North Playitas is a semi-consistent beach break that delivers quality waves in a relatively uncrowded setting along Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This spot offers both left and right-hand breaks over a sandy bottom with rocky features, making it an appealing destination for experienced surfers seeking reliable conditions […]
This break works best at high tide, with the tree and Tulin better at lower tides. You can surf on any of the peaks in front of the buildings - a neat place with very easy access. Gets hard when the swell builds. However, when the swell is big - try the local reefs and points instead!
There are 2 playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one is in the North Pacific and the other is in the Central Pacific. The one famous for surfing is in the Central Pacific, next to Jaco.
It can be really crowded on weekends. There´s the north and the south side of the beach. The north side brakes bigger , on really big days, you can surf on the south side.
A fast hollow break that works best on mid incoming. Powerful. Not a spot for beginners. Once over HH+ advanced only. Very strong currents. A lot of rips. If you see a few guys out, don't paddle right onto the peak with your bros..... find another peak.... there is over 5 miles along Hermosa that breaks the same.
This is a beachbreak with lava reef fingers that stick out to see. WAVE MAGNET. This place picks up even more swell than Hrmosa and has different sections of reef breaking all the way to probably 1/2 mile offshore.
probably just park your car by the small restaurant where all the toothless fishermen hang out, theres a small cabinas real cheap like 40 yds from beach, smells like fish everywhere, if its not quite big enough to be fun head to esterillos centro you can walk about 25 min or so. south of mermaid statue at resort down to centro all has little sandbars. good if centro is packed with people.
just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tideIt 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
It is only good at high tide, which is only about 3 hours a day, so it's usually a bit crowded. The locals may give you the stink eye, but they're all bark and no bite.
Do not go during rainy season (Sept-December?).
North Playitas Surf Spot Guide, Costa Rica North Playitas is a semi-consistent beach break that delivers quality waves in a relatively uncrowded setting along Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This spot offers both left and right-hand breaks over a sandy bottom with rocky features, making it an appealing destination for experienced surfers seeking reliable conditions […]
This break works best at high tide, with the tree and Tulin better at lower tides. You can surf on any of the peaks in front of the buildings - a neat place with very easy access. Gets hard when the swell builds. However, when the swell is big - try the local reefs and points instead!
There are 2 playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one is in the North Pacific and the other is in the Central Pacific. The one famous for surfing is in the Central Pacific, next to Jaco.
It can be really crowded on weekends. There´s the north and the south side of the beach. The north side brakes bigger , on really big days, you can surf on the south side.
A fast hollow break that works best on mid incoming. Powerful. Not a spot for beginners. Once over HH+ advanced only. Very strong currents. A lot of rips. If you see a few guys out, don't paddle right onto the peak with your bros..... find another peak.... there is over 5 miles along Hermosa that breaks the same.
This is a beachbreak with lava reef fingers that stick out to see. WAVE MAGNET. This place picks up even more swell than Hrmosa and has different sections of reef breaking all the way to probably 1/2 mile offshore.
probably just park your car by the small restaurant where all the toothless fishermen hang out, theres a small cabinas real cheap like 40 yds from beach, smells like fish everywhere, if its not quite big enough to be fun head to esterillos centro you can walk about 25 min or so. south of mermaid statue at resort down to centro all has little sandbars. good if centro is packed with people.
just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tideIt 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
It is only good at high tide, which is only about 3 hours a day, so it's usually a bit crowded. The locals may give you the stink eye, but they're all bark and no bite.
Do not go during rainy season (Sept-December?).
North Playitas Surf Spot Guide, Costa Rica North Playitas is a semi-consistent beach break that delivers quality waves in a relatively uncrowded setting along Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This spot offers both left and right-hand breaks over a sandy bottom with rocky features, making it an appealing destination for experienced surfers seeking reliable conditions […]
This break works best at high tide, with the tree and Tulin better at lower tides. You can surf on any of the peaks in front of the buildings - a neat place with very easy access. Gets hard when the swell builds. However, when the swell is big - try the local reefs and points instead!
There are 2 playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one is in the North Pacific and the other is in the Central Pacific. The one famous for surfing is in the Central Pacific, next to Jaco.
It can be really crowded on weekends. There´s the north and the south side of the beach. The north side brakes bigger , on really big days, you can surf on the south side.
A fast hollow break that works best on mid incoming. Powerful. Not a spot for beginners. Once over HH+ advanced only. Very strong currents. A lot of rips. If you see a few guys out, don't paddle right onto the peak with your bros..... find another peak.... there is over 5 miles along Hermosa that breaks the same.
This is a beachbreak with lava reef fingers that stick out to see. WAVE MAGNET. This place picks up even more swell than Hrmosa and has different sections of reef breaking all the way to probably 1/2 mile offshore.
probably just park your car by the small restaurant where all the toothless fishermen hang out, theres a small cabinas real cheap like 40 yds from beach, smells like fish everywhere, if its not quite big enough to be fun head to esterillos centro you can walk about 25 min or so. south of mermaid statue at resort down to centro all has little sandbars. good if centro is packed with people.
just park on the only road, and surf it during middle or high tideIt 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
It is only good at high tide, which is only about 3 hours a day, so it's usually a bit crowded. The locals may give you the stink eye, but they're all bark and no bite.
Do not go during rainy season (Sept-December?).
North Playitas Surf Spot Guide, Costa Rica North Playitas is a semi-consistent beach break that delivers quality waves in a relatively uncrowded setting along Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This spot offers both left and right-hand breaks over a sandy bottom with rocky features, making it an appealing destination for experienced surfers seeking reliable conditions […]
This break works best at high tide, with the tree and Tulin better at lower tides. You can surf on any of the peaks in front of the buildings - a neat place with very easy access. Gets hard when the swell builds. However, when the swell is big - try the local reefs and points instead!
There are 2 playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one is in the North Pacific and the other is in the Central Pacific. The one famous for surfing is in the Central Pacific, next to Jaco.
It can be really crowded on weekends. There´s the north and the south side of the beach. The north side brakes bigger , on really big days, you can surf on the south side.
A fast hollow break that works best on mid incoming. Powerful. Not a spot for beginners. Once over HH+ advanced only. Very strong currents. A lot of rips. If you see a few guys out, don't paddle right onto the peak with your bros..... find another peak.... there is over 5 miles along Hermosa that breaks the same.
This is a beachbreak with lava reef fingers that stick out to see. WAVE MAGNET. This place picks up even more swell than Hrmosa and has different sections of reef breaking all the way to probably 1/2 mile offshore.
probably just park your car by the small restaurant where all the toothless fishermen hang out, theres a small cabinas real cheap like 40 yds from beach, smells like fish everywhere, if its not quite big enough to be fun head to esterillos centro you can walk about 25 min or so. south of mermaid statue at resort down to centro all has little sandbars. good if centro is packed with people.
