Crowd & Localism
The crowd is almost nonexistent. Remoteness and difficult access keep most surfers away, and there is no localism pressure to speak of. You will likely have the water to yourself, which is the main draw.
Golfito, South Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Carate
8.396, -83.340
Edited by Tom Jackson
Verified May 2026
Cross-referencedCross-checked against Stormrider
At a glance
- Carate is a a-frame over beach, short shifty beachbreak peaks near rivermouth.
- Beginner to intermediate ability, working 2-6 ft.
- Peak April to October.
A-frame · BeachBeginner → Intermediate2–6 ftApr – Oct
A fallback beachbreak at the doorstep of Corcovado National Park, Carate picks up S and W swells onto exposed sandbanks near a rivermouth when most spots in the Matapalo area go flat. Offshore winds come from the NE, and the wave works across all tides in the 2-6ft range, though it rarely delivers anything memorable. Beginners and intermediate surfers looking for any rideable wave in a flat spell will find it functional rather than inspiring, and the lineup is almost always empty. Bottom: sand. Season: S and W swell windows, typically southern hemisphere winter pulses. Consistency: medium. Be aware that rain-swollen river runoff muddies the water and is known to attract sharks, so surf with caution after heavy rainfall and avoid dawn sessions when visibility is low near the rivermouth.
Wave fit
Skill suited
Beginner → Intermediate
BegIntAdv
Best months
Apr – Oct
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Character
Short shifty beachbreak peaks near rivermouth.
Conditions
When it worksSwell window
S
S - W
Offshore wind
NE
North easterly
Optimum tide
All tides
Size range
2-6ft
Medium
Hazards
No concerns
Trip planning
Quick facts
Wetsuit
Boardies
What to bring
- Longboard or funboard for small days
- Mid-length 7ft to 8ft for flexibility on shifting banks
Lineup
Mellow lineup
Where it sits
Location
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About this break
What it's actually like
Access & Facilities
Carate sits at the end of a long, rough 4x4 dirt track from Puerto Jimenez. Swollen rivers can cut off access entirely after heavy rain, which is common in this region. Parking is restricted and there are zero facilities on site. Bring all food, water, and first aid. The track into this area services the Corcovado park entrance, so timing arrival around river levels is essential.
Nearby Alternatives
If Carate is too messy or too small, the Cabo Matapalo area offers Pan Dulce, a Rincon-style right point that turns on in a decent S swell, plus Backwash and the cobblestone left points nearby. Punta Banco to the south adds beachbreak peaks flanked by reefbreaks for more variety when the swell has size.
10-day swell, wind and tide
Carate surf forecast
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Forecast by Windy.app
Stay nearby
Camps within boat range
Browse all Costa Rica surf camps
No vetted camps within boat range of Carate yet.
More breaks in South Costa Rica
If this isn't your wave
Punta Banco
tricky a-frame reef with lefts and rights · A-frame · Mixed
Intermediate → Advanced
Pavones
long walling left point with hollow rivermouth section · Left · Mixed
Beginner → Advanced
Pan Dulce
long walling right-hand point reef, Rincon-style shoulders with fast hollow inside sections · Right · Reef
Intermediate → Advanced
Eclipse
peaky rivermouth a-frame with rocky point lefts and rights · A-frame · Mixed
Intermediate
Zancudo
long walling beach peaks · A-frame · Beach
Beginner → Advanced
Punta Burica
large powerful offshore reef peaks · A-frame · Reef
Advanced
Hog Hole
steep fast right-hand reef point · Right · Reef
Intermediate
Matapalo
fast hollow righthand reef and point breaks · Right · Mixed
Intermediate → Advanced
Plan a trip
Build a trip around Carate
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Frequently asked
What you need to know before paddling out at Carate
What skill level is Carate suited for?
Carate is a beach bottom, short shifty beachbreak peaks near rivermouth, break suited for beginner through intermediate surfers. Beginners can give it a go on the smaller end of the size range.
What size does Carate work best at?
Working size is 2 to 6 ft. Below 2 ft the swell goes flat. Above 6 ft it tends to close out.
When is the best season to surf Carate?
Carate fires from April through October. Outside that window the swell window narrows and the lineup goes quiet.
What swell direction does Carate need?
Carate switches on with a s - w groundswell. Offshore winds blow from the north easterly.
What are the main hazards at Carate?
Main hazards at Carate: no concerns.
What type of wave is Carate?
Carate is a a-frame-breaking wave over beach. Short shifty beachbreak peaks near rivermouth.
Sources
- Stormrider
Carate
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