Name and Location

The Cabo Matapalo Lighthouse is located at 9PH4+XH Provincia de Puntarenas, Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica.

Construction and History

The exact year of construction for the Cabo Matapalo Lighthouse is unknown. However, it is believed to have been built during the mid-20th century, given its architecture style and materials used. The lighthouse's design and construction are typical of minor light stations in Costa Rica during that era.

Architecture and Materials

The exact architecture and materials used in the construction of the Cabo Matapalo Lighthouse are unknown.

Light and Navigation

The Cabo Matapalo Lighthouse has a height of approximately 15 meters (49 feet) above sea level, with a focal height of around 10 meters (33 feet). It emits a Fl(3)W.15s light characteristic, which is visible for up to 5 nautical miles (9 kilometers).

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the Cabo Matapalo Lighthouse area through Puerto Jiménez town, which lies about 5 kilometers (3 miles) inland. From there, a scenic coastal road leads to the lighthouse's location. The surrounding landscape offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding coastline.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Cabo Matapalo Lighthouse is situated in a scenic area with dense tropical vegetation and rugged coastline. The surrounding landscape provides a habitat for various marine life, including sea turtles and dolphins.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No anecdotes or folklore are available about the Cabo Matapalo Lighthouse.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse has been automated and no longer requires manual operation. Its current status as an active aid to navigation is uncertain, but it was likely decommissioned in recent years due to advances in electronic aids and the increasing reliance on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology.

Further Information

• US NGA Pub. 111 (2010-09-02)
• Wikipedia: Q33126124
• GeoJSON dataset: node/1199800163