Playa Matapalo
Playa Matapalo is beautiful, serene, clean, natural, uncommercialized and a secret surfing paradise. But let’s start with the obvious: people who live in Costa Ballena know Playa Matapalo’s reputation, and it is not the best reputation. Usually you hear about someone being separated from their valuables or strange characters wondering the beach. But things are changing and not only is Playa Matapalo turning a corner, the surrounding area is becoming a hot expat real estate market and a growing off-the-beaten track tourism destination – so the already visible development will bring more people, cafes and restaurants, accommodation, tourist businesses, and security.
The beach is pristine – one of the cleanest stretches of sand in the area where you would be hard pressed to find even a hint of garbage. Coconut groves and beach almond trees line the shoreline, stretching from Rio Portalon and Playa Savegre in the south to Rio Savegre and Playa Mallorca in the north – a distance of 3.5 km, although the sands stretch on for many tens of kilometers in both directions. The jungle-covered coastal mountains flank the beach, providing a full tropical background. And recently, coconut palms have been planted along the shore to deepen the already impressive groves which provide much needed and appreciated shade.
Often overlooked because of the playa’s proximity to Manual Antonio National Park 30 km to the north and Dominical’s surfing hotspots and beach-town vibes just 13 kms to the south, Playa Matapalo is becoming a hidden gem that will remain a destination for those ‘in the know’ – and this will ensure the beach will not become over-commercialized and over-crowded as so many other spots around our Costa Ballena.
And right now, as I said, things are changing. More and more people are vising the beach and while Sunday crowds are still relatively thin, they have grown enough to attract chair and canopy rental businesses which can now be see setting up shop along the main section of the sand. Surfers show up early in the morning to take full advantage of the clean breaks and uncrowded waters – the sandy bottomed surf breaks and waves of over 3 metres make for a perfect laid back surfing destination. Here, you can secure your own peaks and never worry about the crowds of other surfers lurking in every direction.
Situated about 13km north of Dominical, the beach is located along a small village called Savegre de Aguirre. Here you will find diverse accommodation options, adventure and tourism businesses, a supermarket and many restaurants, a sea turtle rescue centre, and several sports fields and green areas. The main street, Calle Playa Matapalo, takes you to the central area of the beach where plentiful parking under the coconut trees is available and the lounges and canopies rentals are close by. This is also the spot where lifeguards set up shop (they work limited days and hours so may not always be there).
While the ‘touristy’ beaches are buzzing with energy, crowds, vendors, activities, food and drink options, equipment rentals and craft stalls, sometimes it is nice to go back to basics and get a taste of the Costa Ballena of yesterday – a quiet, serene, and clean beach that will put you back in touch with nature. Give Playa Matapalo a Sunday trip and I guarantee it will be a trip you will not regret!
IMPORTANT: The waves and currents at Playa Matapalo can create dangerous conditions, so caution is always advised, even under the watchful eyes of the lifeguards. Before you head to the beach, please read our article about RIP CURRENTS here, and follow the safety advice contained therein. Also ensure you do not leave your valuables in the car or take them to the beach with you, especially if you are planning to leave them unattended while you swim.
Imagine a morning swim in the warm Pacific waters – each and every day! Or how about a lazy Sunday on PLAYA MATAPALO, in the shade of the coconut palms with a good book and a cold drink – this is the reality of many expats who have made our corner of Costa Rica their home. Let us make your dreams a reality – visit the RE/MAX We Sell Paradise website to meet your trusted local real estate partners, or get a preview of the hot properties in our area.
