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Matapalo 94.2
#273 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇨🇷 Costa Rica · Puntarenas · near Golfito
Works almost every day, clean mornings are the norm, no off season.
Works all yearWarm waterBeginner friendlyBeginner
Surf score94.2 /100
Surfable days98% of the year
Clean days66% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell66% period 11 s+
Typical size0.9 m 3.1 ft median
Water29°C boardshorts
Best time to surf Matapalo
The best time to surf Matapalo is May, June, September. The season runs Mar to Nov. In June the water sits around 29°C, so pack boardshorts, and the typical wave is 1.1 m. The nearest airport is DAV (93 km) and the nearest town is Golfito (33 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 94% | 29% | 0.7 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Feb | 90% | 25% | 0.7 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Mar | 96% | 46% | 0.8 m | 30°C | boardies |
| Apr | 100% | 79% | 0.9 m | 30°C | boardies |
| May | 100% | 90% | 1.0 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Jun | 100% | 93% | 1.1 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Jul | 100% | 79% | 1.1 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Aug | 100% | 80% | 1.1 m | 29°C | boardies |
| Sep | 100% | 84% | 1.1 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Oct | 100% | 81% | 1.1 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Nov | 100% | 75% | 1.0 m | 28°C | boardies |
| Dec | 92% | 31% | 0.8 m | 28°C | boardies |
Why 94.2
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
24.0
Groundswell 12%
12.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
1.8
Water comfort 10%
10.0
Access 10%
7.9
The detail
Faces 130° with 44% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 100% of days. Mean peak period 13.4 s. Days over 3 m: 0%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 87%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 8.385, -83.280 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Backwash🇨🇷 Costa Rica · score 94.1Pan Dulce🇨🇷 Costa Rica · score 94.1Pavones🇨🇷 Costa Rica · score 57.4La Barqueta🇵🇦 Panama · score 58.7
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