Southern Pacific Coast
Cabo Matapalo, South Pacific, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
By Explore Costa Rica Staff
Feb 5, 2009, 11:43

Ojochal Costa Rica Hotels, cabinas, villas, accommodations, places to stay: Costa Rica National Parks: Uvita, Costa Rica Hotels, Dominical, Ojochal, Southern Costa Rica: Cabo Matapalo, South Pacific, Puntarenas, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Mantapolo Southern Costa Rica

The southern tip of the Osa Peninsula, where virgin rain forest meets the sea at a rocky point, retains the kind of natural beauty that people travel halfway across the world to experience.  From its ridges you can look out on the blue Golfo Dulce and the Pacific Ocean, sometimes spotting whales in the distance.

Located in the southern Puntarenas province, Matapalo town is best known for being a great Costa Rica surf spot. While the surf break itself is a bit inconsistent, the swells here are pretty good, especially for the serious surfer.

One of the best features of Cabo Matapalo is its seclusion and privacy. This makes it among the most pristine area in Costa Rica. The forest is tall and dense, with the highest and most diverse tree species in the country, usually draped with thick lianas. The name refers to the strangler fig, which germinates in the branches of other trees and extends its roots downward, eventually smothering the supporting tree by blocking the sunlight. Flocks of brilliant scarlet macaws and troops of monkeys are the other draws here.

There are a number of all inclusive Costa Rica hotels and resorts in Cabo Matapalo that provide not only full service meal plans, but also offer excellent services and facilities.

Simply known as Matapalo by the locals, one of the main attractions of staying in this remote town is its close proximity to the Corcovado National Park and Isla del Caño. Known for its isolated and diverse beauty the Corcovado National Park is among the best parks in the country as the flora and fauna found here are totally indigenous to this region. Visiting Caño Island is a must for anyone who wishes to truly appreciate Costa Rica’s wonderful marine life.

A difficult area to reach, the best way to get to Cabo Matapalo is to fly into Puerto Jimenez and then take a 45 minute drive out here. If you have plenty of time on your hands you can take an 11 hour drive from the capital city of San Jose in the Central Valley enjoying some stunning picturesque sceneries along the way. If you are planning on driving  in Costa Rica especially out here, please do so in the dry season as during the rainy season driving here can be very treacherous. Also keep in mind that the infrastructure here is pretty basic and the phone service is rudimentary at best.

With all this said it is important to emphasize that coming here is an amazing experience. A lovely long beach strip, three excellent surf breaks and abundant natural beauty make coming to Cabo Matapalo definitely worthwhile.

Costa Rica National Parks

South Pacific Links:		Costa Rica Weather
Dominical:	Things to Do	Places to Stay	Places to Eat
Ojochal	Zancudo	Golfito	Corcovado

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