Inside Scoop on the Osa Peninsula

The Sierpe rivermouth hosts the largest mangrove ecosystem in Central America. All of the coastal estuaries are plentiful with fish and more than a few sharks and crocodiles, so stay vigilant. The towns of Sierpe, Drake's Bay, and Puerto Jimenez have plenty of boat captains to take you on a surf trip adventure, where you will most likely not see another surfer in the lineup.

Location

Once you get south of Playa Ojochal, there is one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the world. The road turns inland for awhile, and you are staring at the western flank of the Talamancan Range, watching the rainsclouds settled in the peaks. Then you can continue south towards Pavones or turn west back towards the Pacific. Adjoining the northen part of the Osa Peninsula is the town of Sierpe and south of that, Drake's Bay. Bahia Drake is a protected stretch of beach, with rainforest meters from the boutique eco-lodges and fishing village. Then to the South begins Corcovado National Park, with access to surf only by foot or by boat. At the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula is Cabo Matapalo, with three right point breaks to surf.

How to get there

There are two direct routes. From the San Jose airport - I recommend driving west to the coast and then south through Jaco and Quepos. This route takes only three hours by car because of the new highway connecting San Jose to Caldera. Also, the road from Quepos to Dominical is now paved and so the last leg takes only 35 minutes. Drive slow to watch out for monkey and pizote crossings. From Dominical, keep driving south past Uvita and Palmar Norte. After another 2 kilometers, you will see the sign to turn off to Sierpe.

Go another 20 kilometers to Chacarita and then look for signs to Rincon and Puerto Jimenez. Rincon is about 30 kilometers, and then it's another 30 km. to Puerto Jimenez. Expect this to take twice as long as you think due to rain and road hazards.

From there to Playa Matapalo, it is another 25 kilometers. The first 20 are on well grated unpaved roads and the last 5 kilometers can be brutal, especially from May to November. A 4wd vehicle is almost mandatory.

The other route is to fly into the capital San Jose and take one of several daily Nature Air or Sansa flights to Puerto Jimenez. The flight is about forty five minutes, and then you can find a taxi to take you further or to your hotel.

NEED A RIDE TO OR FROM THE OSA PENINSULA?? CLICK FOR HELP..

Surf Spots

Drake's Bay has no surf, but there is a left point break 20 minutes away by boat (see the photo at the top). The part of the Osa directly facing the Pacific is a massive beachbreak with hundreds of unridden sandbars. This is the southern tip of Costa Rica, and the waves are as wild as the landscape. Best access is by boat, although during the dry season it can be accessed by 4wd. The beaches and rock ledges pick up swell from the South and Southwest and certain peaks light up depending on the tide and wave size.

Rio Terraba Rivermouth

The Terraba river is one of the largest in Costa Rica, so the rivermouth has a lot of rip currents and a few crocs and sharks to worry about as well. The wave breaks about 500 meters out and can hold any size surf. Hardly anyone ever surfs here since the best access is by boat.

Cabo Matapalo

Matapalo has three breaks, this one is the furthest out on the tip of the Osa Peninsula. The slim beach has lots of white washed cobblestones and larger boulders and ledges out in the lineup. There needs to be swell or it will go flat. Waves can get up to triple overhead and break for 300 meters with a solid West Southwest swell. Best tides are low to mid tide, it can mush out at high tide. Blue water, scarlet macaws, monkeys in the rainforest - it is a paradise to surf. When it's good there are 20+ surfers on the peak.

Matapalo - Backwash

At the tip of the Osa Peninsula, this peak is marked by a giant rock sticking up in the lineup. The waves need to be head high or bigger for this place to work. Best tides to surf it are low to mid tides. It is very remote, and never too crowded since it takes about 1.5 hours to get here from Puerto Jimenez by 4wd. Many take boats from Pavones.

Pan Dulce

Pan Dulce 'sweet bread' is the third break at the tip of the Osa Peninsula. It needs a really big south swell to break, but when it does the right can go on for 300+ meters. Best just before or after low tide. At dead low is it just too rocky, at high tide will mush out. Best access is by boat from Pavones.

Playa Zancudo

Playa Zancudo 'mosquito' is about an hour drive from Golfito. It is a beachbreak with a huge rivermouth at the north end, building up nice sandbars for whatever swell squeezes up into the Golfo Dulce. Best tides to surf it are higher tides. It needs a big south or SSW swell to work. And it's more a fishing village than a surf spot, so it is rarely crowded.

Surf Camps

Everyday Adventures

Description: Specializing in jungle and ocean adventures, relaxation, and good vibes. Expect to see monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws, toucans, big cats, crocodiles, and much, much more while staying only steps from Cabo Matapalo and minutes from Backwash and Pan Dulce.
Cabo Matapalo trustyourguide@yahoo.com

Hotels

The Adventure Inn
Convenient to both Central San Jose and the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Adventure I […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
n/a

Tica Linda Caribe
Tica Linda Caribe cabinas are nestled in a quiet place off the main road from Cahuita to Puerto Viej […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Salsa Brava, Cahuita, Playa Cocles, Playa Negra
tica-linda-caribe
Location

Nicoya Villas
Nicoya Villas consists of brand new, 2 and 3 bedroom villas, perfect for your Costa Rican vacation. […]
Hotel price range
$175-250
Surf Breaks
Mal Pais, Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa, Cabuya
nicoya-villas-rancho
Location

Surf Vista Villas
Surf Vista Villas is a boutique Santa Teresa Costa Rica hotel newly constructed resort featuring six […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, Playa Carmen, Cabuya
surf-vista-villas-santa-teresa-rooms-outside
Location

La Sirena Hotel
This boutique hotel is a cozy, special place to rest and relax, to disconnect from the daily routine […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Tulin, Esterillos, Boca Barranca
la-sirena-jaco-pool

Don Jons Surf Resort
Don Jon’s offers a variety of accommodations for everyone, situated only 100 meters distance from th […]
Hotel price range
<$40
Surf Breaks
Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, Mal Pais, Cabuya
don-jons-santa-teresa-cabins3
Location

Surf Inn Hermosa
Their beach front vacation rentals are situated in the heart of the action of Playa Hermosa, one of […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Playa Hermosa, Jaco, Boca Barranca, Esterillos, Playa Bejuco
surf-inn-hermosa-Path-To-Beach

Hotel Silencio del Campo
At El Silencio del Campo, we have built a cozy atmosphere for the visitor as we are more than willin […]
Hotel price range
$125-175
Certificate of Sustainable Tourism

Hotel Las Tortugas
Las Tortugas Hotel is the only beach front hotel in Playa Grande. They are located in the beautiful […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Playa Grande
las-tortugas-bedroom
Location

Rip Jack Inn
RipJack Inn offers close proximity to the surf, on site yoga and a tree top restaurant with some of […]
Hotel price range
$125-175
Surf Breaks
Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Witchs Rock, Ollies Point, The Labyrinth
ripjackinn-double-room
Location

Tamarindo Vista Villas
Located across the road away from the famous Tamarindo beach with a beautiful view on the beach and […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Avellanas, Playa Negra, Playa Langosta
tamarindo-vista-villas-corona-suite-view
Location

Buena Vibra Collective
Featuring a zero-depth waterfall pool, an on-site restaurant and free Wifi, The Buena Vibra Collecti […]
Hotel price range
$125-175
Surf Breaks
Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, Playa Garza, Ostional, Playa Samara
the-buena-vibra-collective-nosara-pool
Location

Ranchos Itauna
Feel the joy of nature in this paradise where you can go barefoot from your bed to the ocean staying […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, Mal Pais, Cabuya
ranchos-itauna-porch
Location

Coco Beach Village
Located only one block from the quiet beaches of Matapalo, you can enjoy one of their 12 well appoin […]
Hotel price range
$125-175
Surf Breaks
Playa Matapalo, Dominical, Quepos Rivermouth, Manuel Antonio
coco-beach-matapalo-hotel
Location

Jazzys River House
Tucked in the heart of a vibrant surf town is the riverfront oasis of Jazzy's River House. While not […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Playa Dominical, Playa Matapalo, The Point, Playa Hermosa de Uvita, Playa Chaman
jazzys-river-house-dominical-apartment
Location

Rancho Coral
This property has the best location in Esterillos Oeste just 20 minutes south of Jaco. It is located […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Esterillos Oeste, Playa Bejuco, Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Isla Damas, Tulin
rancho-coral-esterillos-aerial-view-beach

Tamarindo Diria
Located directly on the beach, on the middle of the most famous beach in Costa Rica, with direct acc […]
Hotel price range
$175-250
Surf Breaks
Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Playa Grande, Avellanas, Witchs Rock, Ollies Point, Playa Negra
tamarindo-diria-hotel-43-tropicana
Location

Hotel Playa Negra
The ocean breeze and the sound of waves will combine to provide a sensation of peace and relaxation […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Playa Negra, Avellanas, Marbella, Junquillal
playa-negra-hotel-aerial-view
Location

Olas Verdes Hotel
Nestled on the edge of a conservation easement in the world famous beach town of Nosara (Playa Guion […]
Hotel price range
$175-250
Surf Breaks
Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, Playa Garza, Ostional, Playa Samara
Certificate of Sustainable Tourism
olas-verdes-accommodations-2br-beach-apartment
Location

Casa Tua - Peninsula #46
The apartment features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped ki […]
Hotel price range
$175-250
Surf Breaks
Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Witchs Rock, Ollies Point, The Labyrinth, Playa Langosta
tamarindo-casa-tua-balcony
Location

Mavi Surf Hotel
Walking distance to the beach (one block), paddle distance to the line-up, this hotel is ideally loc […]
Hotel price range
$125-175
Surf Breaks
Dominical, Uvita
mavi-dominical-pool
Location

3/2 Home - Two blocks to the beach
3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath 1750Sq Ft, Pool. Ocean And Mountain Views, 2 Mins To the Ocean - Private, comf […]
Hotel price range
$175-250
Surf Breaks
Dominical, Dominicalito, Uvita, Playa Ventanas, Manuel Antonio
dominical-home-rental-front
Location

Casa Sophia
This luxury rental home is located in a quiet, secluded neighborhood on the eastern side of Manuel A […]
Hotel price range
>$250
Surf Breaks
Isla Damas, Playitas, Manuel Antonio, Quepos Rivermouth

Hermosa Retreat - HR3
Hermosa Retreat is an exclusive escape nested in the jungle above the famous Playa Hermosa. Absolute […]
Hotel price range
>$250
Surf Breaks
Dominical, Dominicalito, Uvita, Playa Ventanas, Punta Achiote, Manuel Antonio
hermosa-retreat-HR3-bathroom
Location

Casa Hierba Pavones Retreat
Walk to the beach! This private split floor plan family pool home is located blocks from the Golfo D […]
Hotel price range
$75-125
Surf Breaks
Pavones, Punto Banco, Matapalo, Pilon
pavones-casa-hierba-bathroom
Location

Booking.com

Use the map above to book directly or contact us to help you plan a customized trip.

Surf Shops

None at this time that I am aware of. Closest are in Pavones or Dominical.

Recommended Tours

Bulletins - Anuncios

Support the Corcovado Foundation in their efforts to protect the Osa Peninsula. Their members are local businesses who care about their community.