Cabo Matapalo · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Carate
A beach break in Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
- TypeBeach Break
- LevelBeginner / Intermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd1/5
The wave
Playa Carate is the last beach before the Corcovado National Park boundary, at the end of the road past Cabo Matapalo. Its sandbanks near the rivermouth pick up any south or west swell, so it's where to go when the Matapalo points are flat.
The shape depends on the river and changes a lot. Mid tide is usually best. The dirt road gets cut by swollen rivers in the wet season, and there are only a few expensive lodges, but there are scarlet macaws everywhere.
8.44, -83.48 · S/W swell, mid tide · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Playa Carate
Playa Carate is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S/W swell, 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 Playa Carate
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan Dulce | Cabo Matapalo | Point Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 23 km |
| Hog Hole | Cabo Matapalo | Point Break | Advanced | 23 km |
| Backwash | Cabo Matapalo | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 23 km |
| Rio Claro Rivermouth | Osa & the far south | Beach Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 27 km |
| Drake's Bay | Osa & the far south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 35 km |
| Punta Banco | Pavones & the south | Reef Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 39 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 →
Playa Carate: common questions
When is the best time to surf Playa Carate?
Playa Carate works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: S/W swell, mid tide.
Is Playa Carate good for beginners?
Yes. Playa Carate suits beginner and intermediate surfers.
How crowded is Playa Carate?
Playa Carate is usually empty: 1 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Playa Carate?
Playa Carate is in Cabo Matapalo, in the Golfo Dulce region of Costa Rica (8.44, -83.48). The nearest wave we cover is Pan Dulce, about 23 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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