Ranked by the OnlyBeaches Index (OBI) — a 1-10 score blending water purity, conditions, crowd levels and vibe. Updated every 30 minutes.
Backwash Bay
Small Matapalo cove prized by surfers and travelers seeking a tucked-away feel.
Playa Backwash
Local surf beach near Cabo Matapalo with wild Osa jungle backdrop
Playa Cabo Matapalo
Rugged cape shoreline with dramatic Osa scenery and limited mainstream visibility.
Playa Carbonera
Rugged lesser-known Matapalo shoreline with tidepool and surf appeal.
Playa Matapalito
Compact Matapalo-area cove that is often overlooked in broad map datasets.
Playa Matapalo
Signature Cabo Matapalo surf beach with jungle-backed Pacific scenery.
Playa Pan Dulce
Gentler Matapalo wave and one of the area’s most loved beach stops.
Playa Pan Dulce Outer Cove
Small adjacent cove used by in-the-know Matapalo visitors without duplicating main Pan Dulce.
Cabo Matapalo sits in Puntarenas, Costa Rica and is home to 8 ranked beaches on OnlyBeaches. Every beach here is scored by the OnlyBeaches Index — a 1-10 metric blending water purity, live conditions (waves, water temperature, wind), crowd intelligence and vibe.
Whether you're after the highest-scoring beach in Cabo Matapalo or a quieter hidden cove, the list above is refreshed every 30 minutes using live Stormglass and OpenWeather data.
