Major city · Costa Rica
Cabo MatapaloMatapalo
Skip unless you want a remote surf-and-wildlife escape: 2–3 nights, no shops, no ATM. Go for the waterfall and empty beaches; leave your car at Puerto Jiménez.
Cabo Matapalo is the quiet southern tip of the Osa Peninsula, a scatter of beachfront lodges and dirt tracks between Puerto Jiménez and Corcovado. There is no town, no bank and one restaurant. You come for the waterfall, the surf and the monkeys. Most visitors stay 2–3 nights and treat it as a base for Playa Matapalo and the King Louis Waterfall.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy, roads worsen; some lodges close)
- Airport
- PJM
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cabo Matapalo911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cabo Matapalo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetySafe for tourists; no violent crime reported.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPJM Puerto Jiménez Airport (50-min flight from San José (SJO); then 45–60 min by colectivo or taxi to Cabo Matapalo).
- Getting aroundWalk or rent a quad/motorbike from Puerto Jiménez.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealBreakfast at the restaurantcheck₡5,000
- Budget bedDorm bed (Osa la Vida or similar), a night, per personCRC 7,500
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (budget finca), a night, per roomCRC 40,000
- High-end bedPrivate room (budget finca), a night, per roomCRC 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 35,000 · Mid CRC 100,000 · High CRC 300,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PJM Puerto Jiménez Airport (50-min flight from San José (SJO); then 45–60 min by colectivo or taxi to Cabo Matapalo)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (23 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cabo Matapalo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
23 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or rent a quad/motorbike from Puerto Jiménez. The village is small; everything is on foot.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Puerto Jiménez
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Colectivo or taxi, about 45–60 min
Stock up on cash and supplies; visit the airstrip and waterfront.
Corcovado National Park (Carate entrance)
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Colectivo or taxi to Carate, about 30 min, then walk into the park
Entry requires a guide and reservation; arrange in Puerto Jiménez.
Drake Bay
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h
Taxi to Puerto Jiménez, then boat or 4WD via Rincón
A long day; better as a separate stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Playa Matapalo beachfront
Most lodges line the beach; walk to the waterfall and surf breaks.
Inland fincas
Budget options like Osa la Vida and Finca Roca Dura; a 10–15 min walk to the beach.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡75,000–150,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡250,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (budget finca)1 × 2 nights × CRC 40,000 | CRC 80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CRC 100,000 | CRC 400,000 |
| Colectivo Puerto Jiménez–Matapalo, one way2 × CRC 2,000 · check | CRC 4,000 |
| Surfboard rental per day2 × CRC 10,000 · check | CRC 20,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 75,600 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 144,900 per person per day, bed included | CRC 579,600 |
2026 estimate in Costa Rican colones (₡). Flights excluded. Cash only on the peninsula.
Prices of common things
| Colectivo Puerto Jiménez → Matapalocheck | ₡2,000 |
| Surfboard rental per daycheck | ₡10,000 |
| Breakfast at the restaurantcheck | ₡5,000 |
| Camping on the beachLegal; waterfall for water and shower | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM, no bank, no fuel station: bring cash (colones or dollars) from Puerto Jiménez.
- The only restaurant is expensive (breakfast about US$10); self-cater if you can.
- Road from Puerto Jiménez is unpaved and can be impassable in heavy rain; check conditions.
- King Louis Waterfall requires hiking up a stream — wear shoes that will get wet.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Cabo MatapaloMatapalo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest embassy is in San José; no consulate on the Osa Peninsula.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colectivo Puerto Jiménez → Matapalo: about ₡2,000, 45–60 min (check)
- Taxi Puerto Jiménez → Matapalo: about US$30–40 (check)
- Flight San José → Puerto Jiménez: about US$100–150 one way, 50 min (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Dónde está la cascada? — Where is the waterfall? (DON-de es-TA la kas-KA-da)
- Necesito efectivo — I need cash (ne-se-SEE-to e-fek-TEE-vo)
- ¿Está transitable el camino? — Is the road passable? (es-TA tran-see-TA-ble el ka-MEE-no)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cabo Matapalo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Nov (rainy, roads worsen; some lodges close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for King Louis Waterfall, Playa Matapalo, Pan Dulce beach.
- Eat page for the single restaurant with verified hours and prices.
- Sleep pages for Lapa Rios, Osa la Vida, Finca Roca Dura.
- Transport page for the Puerto Jiménez–Matapalo colectivo schedule.
Sources
Ask about Cabo Matapalo
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