Cabo Matapalo · Costa Rica
Surfing Hog Hole
A point break in Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica, for advanced surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelAdvanced
- Size3-8 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Hog Hole is the outside point of the three right reefs at Cabo Matapalo, and the most consistent. It has steep, fast walls and works best from low to mid tide.
When it's big it gets heavy, and the inside is a mix of ledges, boulders and cobblestones. It's for experienced surfers. Getting there takes a 4x4 to the tip of the Osa Peninsula, where the lodges are few and expensive.
8.37, -83.28 · S-SW swell, low-mid tide · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Hog Hole
Hog Hole 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 Hog Hole
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backwash | Cabo Matapalo | Point Break | Intermediate / 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 →
Hog Hole: common questions
When is the best time to surf Hog Hole?
Hog Hole works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: S-SW swell, low-mid tide.
Is Hog Hole good for beginners?
No. Hog Hole is a wave for advanced surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Pan Dulce in Cabo Matapalo, about 1 km away.
How crowded is Hog Hole?
Hog Hole is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Hog Hole?
Hog Hole is in Cabo Matapalo, in the Golfo Dulce region of Costa Rica (8.37, -83.28). The nearest wave we cover is Backwash, under 1 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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