Playa Sombrero (Cabo Matapalo)
Beach · Osa Peninsula · hidden gem
A wild gray-sand beach on the Golfo Dulce side of Cabo Matapalo, where a river mouth shapes gentle right- and left-hand waves that beginner and intermediate surfers ride for a long time. Monkeys, macaws, driftwood and usually just a handful of people.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- mid-tide, morning
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 6 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 8.41554, -83.27741 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Road
- Gravel — a regular car is fine
- Swimming
- Only when the water is calm
- Bring
- food, water, sunscreen
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Watch the surf from the river mouth at mid-tide, and bring all your food and water — there are no shops along this road.
Be careful
Most Matapalo beaches have rip currents — swim with caution and stay out of the river mouth current.
Getting there
On the dirt road (Route 245) from Puerto Jiménez toward Cabo Matapalo, about 30–40 minutes; a high-clearance car is best in the rainy season.
Places nearby
- Buena Esperanza (Martina's)Food & CoffeeLong-running local bar and restaurant on the Matapalo road known as Martina's; on Friday nights an artisan market sets up outside with music and dancing that draws surfers, locals and visitors.
- Pollo Surf SchoolSurf, Boats & Diving · from $65Locally owned surf school at Playa Pan Dulce, Matapalo, teaching beginners and intermediates on a gentle right point break since 2002.
- El Remanso LodgeStaysRainforest eco-lodge near the tip of the Osa Peninsula, with villas, a pool and adventure activities such as waterfall rappelling.
- The Pearl of the Osa (Iguana Lodge beach restaurant)Food & CoffeeCasual beachfront restaurant and bar at Iguana Lodge on Playa Platanares: fish tacos, ceviche, tropical mahi-mahi and homemade coffee ice cream, with vegan and gluten-free options and macaws overhead.
- Aventuras CaféFood & CoffeeFamily café near the Puerto Jiménez airstrip, opened in 2021 by the owners of a long-running kayak outfit: healthy breakfasts, tuna burgers, chicken fajitas on corn tortillas, fresh coffee and a coconut-yuca cake.
- Osa Wild TravelFood & CoffeeLocally run Osa tour company founded by a tropical biologist; biologist guides lead Corcovado day trips and multi-day treks, mangrove kayaking and farm visits from Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/162719989 · Wikidata Q23735044 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/162719989 · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23735044 · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/cabo-matapalo/