Cabo Matapalo · Costa Rica
Surfing Backwash
A point break in Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelIntermediate / Advanced
- Size2-8 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Backwash is the middle of the three right points at Cabo Matapalo. It's usually a bit smaller than Hog Hole, with fast, hollow sections, and it works best from low to mid tide on a solid south-west swell.
It's a little easier than Hog Hole but still a reef wave, with rocks and cobbles on the inside. Like the rest of Matapalo, it's at the end of a jungle road on the Osa Peninsula, with few people around.
8.37, -83.28 · S-SW swell, low-mid tide · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Backwash
Backwash is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S-SW swell, low-mid tide. This is how the year looks across Golfo Dulce:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| April to June | Good | Season building, S-SW swell arriving, lush and quiet, roads still passable |
| July to September | Prime | Peak S-SW power, Pavones at its best, but the wettest, road-washing months |
| Oct | Good | Still firing, crowds thinning, very wet |
| November to March | Quiet | Dry but smaller. Pavones needs a big south swell, so it's often flat |
Waves near Backwash
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hog Hole | Cabo Matapalo | Point Break | Advanced | under 1 km |
| Pan Dulce | Cabo Matapalo | Point Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 1 km |
| Punta Banco | Pavones & the south | Reef Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 16 km |
| Pavones | Pavones & the south | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 20 km |
| Playa Carate | Cabo Matapalo | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 23 km |
| Playa Zancudo | Pavones & the south | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 23 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Cabo Matapalo
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Cabo Matapalo surf guide →
A week here costs from about $717 with flights from Europe, or around $1,701 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Backwash: common questions
When is the best time to surf Backwash?
Backwash works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: S-SW swell, low-mid tide.
Is Backwash good for beginners?
No. Backwash is a wave for intermediate and advanced surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Pan Dulce in Cabo Matapalo, about 1 km away.
How crowded is Backwash?
Backwash is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Backwash?
Backwash is in Cabo Matapalo, in the Golfo Dulce region of Costa Rica (8.37, -83.28). The nearest wave we cover is Hog Hole, under 1 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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