EL SOL
Pto Jimenez, Costa Rica
More Information
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CAFENET EL SOL |
Pto Jimenez, Costa Rica |
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Matapalo
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Map courtesy of Jorge Carranza |
General Information
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The Cape Matapalo region of the Osa, located 29 kilometers south of Puerto Jiménez, is one of its most popular playgrounds. Boasting three world-class surfing breaks, spectacular beach and rock seascapes, and montane primary rain forest, Matapalo is mostly a residential area of vacation homes and wilderness lodges. The Matapalo region includes some of the most renowned ecolodges of the peninsula, including two of the original wilderness resorts, Lapa Rios and Bosque del Cabo. Primary forest, streams, and miles of spectacular rocky points and sandy coves have made Matapalo the most recognized place name on the peninsula. |
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Getting There
For visitors staying in a lodge and especially for those with vacation rentals, a 4WD rental car is a very helpful commodity. It is 20 km south of Puerto Jimenez on the Carate highway. The Matapalo turnoff is located one km past Bar y Restaurante Buena Esperanza where you will take a left then a quick right to enter Matapalo. A taxi costs $25. The Carate colectivo passes by the Matapalo entrance twice daily, departing Jimenez at 0600 and 1330. The fare is $1.50 and the colectivo passes by Matapalo on its Jimenez return about 0930 and 1630 daily. There is a fairly large amount of highway traffic and hitch-hiking is fruitful. To hitch a ride to Matapalo, go stand under the Mango tree at El Mango Real.
Tours and Activities
The spectacular coastline boasts three successive beaches, separated by rocky points. Pan Dulce, is a great swimming beach with a surf break off the southern point that sweeps to the north across the bay offering long rides. The next beach to the south is Back Wash, and the farthest south is Matapalo Beach, considered the most difficult of the three surf breaks. The coastline can be walked beyond Matapalo Beach to the 300 foot rock cliffs that comprise the actual cape itself. There are several streams that can be hiked up for self-guiding wildlife hikes. The most impressive of the regional waterfalls is King Louis, located about 750 meters from Matapalo Beach. Matapalo is ideal for exploring on one's own. However, there are a large number of professional tours and activities offered in this region as well and are described below.
MATAPALO DAY HIKE
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Explore Matapalo with a bilingual naturalist guide. Includes primary and secondary forest, river, beach, and waterfall. Transport and lunch included. Departs Puerto Jimenez daily at 0600, returning at 1530, or join tour at Matapalo turnoff at 0645. $45 |
TREE CLIMBING
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Following an hour long hike through spectacular countryside, including King Louis Falls, climb up the inside of a strangler fig tree. The parasitized tree is long rotted away, and a weave of branches makes it possible to climb 100 feet up in the inside of the tree to ring the bell at the top. Climb back down and let yourself out a window in the side of the tree to be belayed down to the ground. $60 Four hours. Departs Matapalo Beach. |
WATERFALL RAPELLING
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Rapell about 100 feet beside King Louis waterfall following a forty five minute hike up the stream bed. Four hours. Departs Matapalo Beach. $75 |
COMBO TREE-CLIMBING/WATERFALL RAPELLING SAME DAY: $100
BIRD WATCHING
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With over 315 species in the Matapalo region and an avid bilingual naturalist with a telescope, you can´t go wrong. $35 |
SURFING LESSONS
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Learn to surf on the Pan Dulce breaks. Foam long boards make it a snap to stand the first time under the expert guidance of local surfing experts. No age limits, everybody guaranteed to stand their first lesson. Two hours. Pan Dulce Beach. $40. |
HORSEBACK RIDING
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Horseback tours make the run all along Matapalo trails and beaches. Extensive wildlife. Gallop on a tropical beach. Four hours, daily. $35 |
OTHER ACTIVITIES: For sport fishing, you either have to drive into Jimenez to catch your boat or swim out to meet up with them as the regional sport fishing outfitters harbor in either Jimenez, Golfito, or Zancudo. Also, spectacular Golfo Dulce motorboat tours with Changing Tide Tours depart daily from Puerto Jiménez, and rock diving trips are also available to groups of four. Mangrove kayaking and sunset dolphin watching tours also have Jimenez departures, and all are well worth the hour and a half round trip ride to do them. For the Matapalo-bound, Martina's Bar offers an alternative to nature saturation and is conveniently within walking distance.
Accommodations: All Inclusive
All-inclusive Matapalo ecolodges include the following. For more information on the lodge of your choice or to make reservations, click on the link beside the lodge and let me know your dates. If you would like general advice simply write me with your questions. For budget hotels in the town of Drake, see the following section.
PLEASE NOTE: All prices are 2005 high season prices per person based on double occupancy; expect to pay more around the Christmas holidays and less during the months September-November. Many of these destinations offer only multiple day packages that include San Jose lodging, ground transfers, and round trip airfare to Drake. I have done my best to abstract such charges so that each price presented is as close to the actual price per day for lodging and meals as possible for you to compare prices. Abbreviations used: M: three meals included; T: Costa Rican taxes (16.39%) included. EP: Extra Person BF: Breakfast
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BOSQUE DEL CABO: An original Osa Peninsula Eco-Lodge, Bosque del Cabo is situated on over 500 acres of primary rain forest and has 10 sumptuously anointed bungalows nestled in sweeping tropical gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the 500 foot escarpment of Cape Matapalo itself. Swimming pool, kilometers of private forest trails, staff tour guides, gourmet cuisine, bar, gift shop. World-class empty beaches, abundant wildlife. All-inclusive. |
$130 M T |
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LAPA RIOS: A spectacular rain forest eco-lodge destination for the well-heeled and discriminating. Fourteen cozy palm-thatched bungalows with spectacular views; gourmet cuisine in a full service restaurant; elegant accommodations; swimming pool; full bar; tour guides on staff. Private wildlife reserve. Kilometers of dedicated private rain forest trails. In the mountains but within walking distance of the spectacular beaches of Matapalo. |
$242 M T |
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Situated on 140 acres of primary forest mountain top overlooking the Pacific Ocean, El Remanso offers all-inclusive lodging amid serenity, seclusion, and a wealth of wildlife and nature. Extensive network of trails. Hydroelectric-powered, luxurious cottages and guest house, gourmet cuisine. El Remanso specializes in tree-climbing and canopy tours, though other tours are also available. |
$95 M T |
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ENCANTA LA VIDA: Located in Matapalo, Encanta La Vida is an all-inclusive wilderness lodge and resort. Minutes away from a beautiful tropical beach, the lodge is located in manicured gardens at the base of the mountain slopes. With rooms in two large lodges and one private bungalow, Encanta La Vida can accommodate individuals, couples, and even large groups wishing to reserve the entire complex. Facilities include restaurant and bar, with access to horseback riding and kayaking. On site tour guide provides kayak and wilderness tours upon request. |
$76 M T |
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RANCHO ALMENDROS : Also known locally as Kapú, this enchanting destination features two large houses with four bedrooms apiece for occupancy of up to eight people. Facilities include solar-powered electricity, lighting, fans, refrigeration, kitchens, private bathrooms, all located within five minutes of Playa Matapalo. Gourmet meals are included in the daily rate.MORE INFO RESERVE NOW |
$70-90 M T |
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OSA VIDA LODGE Matapalo´s best budget destination. Four bedrooms with two bunk beds each, sleeps total of 16. Solar Power. Full kitchen privileges. Right off Back Wash Bay. |
$25 T |
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OJO DEL MAR: Cozy Bed and Breakfast with beach front cabinas nestled among the trees in Carbonera, about 1 km from Matapalo. |
$35-60 BF T |
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Accommodations: Vacation Rentals
The most economical lodging alternative for groups are the large number of vacation rentals available in the Matapalo, Sombrero, Carbonera strip. All are fully furnished and outfitted with kitchenware and linens and have potable water, alternative energy, and refrigeration. For these destinations, it's best to have a rental car. An onsite private cook can be arranged for $25-35 per day depending on group size. Matapalo vacation rentals are described below.
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CASA PLANTA NIÑA: Located in Carbonera, a half mile from Matapalo, this two-story one-bedroom is steps away from the beach, brand new, and fully equipped, furnishings, linens, kitchenware. Well landscaped and private. The lowest priced vacation rental on the market today. |
$85; $25 EP |
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: Located in picturesque Matapalo, this whole house is available for nightly and weekly rentals. Solar-powered, this beach-front house located on the beach is ideal for small groups or families. | $125; $30 EP |
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CASA SUENO VERDE: Delightfully cozy open air cottage about 100 meters from Matapalo Beach. Refrigeration, alternative energy, open air, security, ideal for a couple. This is definidely all your dreams. | $100 |  |
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CASA SOMBRERO PLAYA: Luxurius one-bedroom two-story rancho style beach front home, large pool, separate kitchen, acres of manicured gardens and lawn, steps away from Playa Preciosa, fully outfitted |
$174 $25 EP |
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CASA SOMBRERO RIO: Gorgeous! This two bedroom, open-air, two story rancho style luxury beachfront home has everything! Full kitchen, stereo, washing machine, swimming pool, acres of manicured gardens and lawn, steps away from beautiful Playa Sombrero, walking distance to Martina´s bar. |
$145 $25 EP |
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CASA LA LUZ: Sumptuously anointed, Casa La Luz is right next to Pan Dulce beach and sleeps eight. Immaculately manicured landscaping, security, cooking housekeeping available, hot water, solar electricity, fully outfitted. $25 extra person |
$155 $25 EP |
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CASA CORONADO: Small cozy cottage overlooking Golfo Dulce from the forested slopes of the Matapalo escarpment. A five minute walk from Matapalo Beach, thirty minutes south of Puerto Jimenez, private, secluded, security, cook/housekeeping available, fully anointed, alternative solar, potable spring water, hot water. Bathing pool. Very romantic; ideal for honeymooners! | $130, $30 EP |  |
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VILLA FAMILIA. Sleeps up to eight. Steps from the beach at Playa Backwash Bay, thirty minutes south of town, private, secluded, security, cook/housekeeping available, alternative solar, potable spring water, hot water.$35 extra person. | $150 $45 EP |  |
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PUNTA SOÑADA: Punta Soñada is a dreamy destination midway between Pto. Jimenez and Matapalo on the tranquil shores of Carbonera beach. This whole house has all the amenities and is available for parties up to four people, though ideal for couples. Solar powered. |
$115 $20 EP |
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CASA ROCA DURA: leeps up to four. Steps from the beach at Playa Carbonera, twenty minutes south of Puerto Jimenez, private, secluded, security, cook/housekeeping available, alternative solar, potable well water, hot water. Seven acres of private landscaped gardens. Abandoned beachline, spectacular views. |
$115 $15 EP |
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CASA BAMBU: Located in picturesque Matapalo, this 3 bedroom house sleeps six and is available for nightly and weekly rentals. Solar-powered, this house located on the beach is ideal for small groups or families. | $155 $25 EP |
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CASA TORTUGA
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For help in securing Matapalo area reservations, please write me or fill out my online questionnaire to give me an idea of what you are interested in doing.
Corcovado National Park Drake Carate Matapalo Puerto Jimenez Points North Golfo Dulce
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