Overview
Carate is a beach break near the rivermouth, peeling both lefts and rights over exposed sandbanks just before Corcovado National Park. It's the spot to check when Matapalo has gone flat. It won't be epic, but it offers something to ride when everywhere else in the area is suffering.
When It Works
The banks draw swell from south to west, with a southwest swell the best match, and they pick up just about any south or west pulse that's running. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft and stays moderately consistent, so you'll find rideable days without it firing every time.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast offshore wind to clean it up. It can work through most of the tide, across low, mid and high, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is friendly, beginner-level surf and the lineup stays fairly quiet, so there's room to find your own peak. Take care in bigger groundswells, when it can get rippy, and treat the water with respect after rain: the swollen river runs murky and draws in the kind of toothed locals you'd rather not share the lineup with.
Access
Getting here is part of the deal. It's a long, bumpy 4x4 track in from Puerto Jimenez, and parking at the beach is restricted.
