Going south from Quepos and Manuel Antonio you will find several small villages with limited beach access. One of the few happening spots in the area is Playa Matapalo. This is one of the few "undiscovered gems" of Costa Rica. The 30 mile beach is clean, the water is clear and the sunsets are "world class."

Unlike many other vacation destinations, Matapalo draws mostly international tourists.  You will cherish the slow stroll-about pace and a beautiful, long sandy beach, perfect for watching sunsets.

Because the beach community is not directly on the main Pacific Coast road and is over a mile away from the town of the same name, Matapalo is usually bypassed in favor of more established destinations.  This has caused the people of the town to remain more tranquil and the area to retain a more natural charm.  Many of the residents don't want to be 'found' by the outside world; they like the place just the way it is: peaceful and relaxing.

Walking through town along the beach road, which dead ends at the Portalón River, one sees a number of small houses, a few cabañas, a couple of bar/restaurants and a lot of open space. Because of the small size of the human population, there are many types of wildlife right in the middle of town. 

For those wishing to sojourn into the surrounding country side or take part in some of the different activities in the area, a number of different options are available.  Fisherman interested in trying a different kind of Costa Rican fishing experience may want to try their luck on the beach or at the nearby Portalón river mouth.  Snook and red and black snapper are plentiful, with catches by locals weighing as much as 30 lbs.  

Horseback tours are available along the beach or into the surrounding forest covered hillsides.  Lots of wildlife, beautiful views and refreshing waterfalls make these trips well worth the price of admission.  In a country where 'Pura Vida' is the way of life and 'mañana' doesn't mean tomorrow, Playa Matapalo is a place where a person can truly get away from it all and still have a great burger.