Location

Matapalo is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, about 25 kilometers South of Quepos and 16 kilometers North of Dominical. The part of the Coastal Highway connecting Quepos and Dominical is currently in deplorable condition, and in the rainy season a 4wd vehicle is recommended. This road is scheduled to be paved by the Costa Rican government soon, and preparations have already begun, but it is not yet clear when the work will be finished. The nearest airport is Quepos, which offers daily flights to and from San Jose.

Amenities

Matapalo offers several small supermarkets, a hardware store and some decent restaurants. Most foreigners go to Quepos at least once a week for supplies and taking care of business. There is telephone service in the center of town, and cellphone reception in the vicinity of Matapalo is pretty good.

Attractions

Matapalo beach is a very pretty, very long beach, with decent swimming (be careful though, there can be strong currents) and pretty good surfing on most days. The mountains are only a few kilometers inland, and for the most part covered in lush primary forest which is home to an abundant fauna. The bad condition of the road gives Matapalo a remote feeling, and the pace of life is more relaxed here.

Real Estate in Matapalo

Though remote compared to towns like Dominical, Uvita and Ojochal, Matapalo is already being discovered as a great place for a second home. Prices have been on the rise for several years now, as the town is being discovered and in anticipation of the paving of this last part of the Coastal Highway. Prices are still considerably lower than in the more accessible towns towards the South, though, and great deals can still be found. There are some larger farms here that would be excellent for reforestation. Browse our Real Estate listings to see what is available.