Pavones travel guide
Pavones, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A remote, raw beach village near the Panama border, home to one of the longest left-breaking waves in the world.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 7 hours
Best Airport
SJO
Temperature
Hot, strong sun
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Our take
Who Pavones is for
Pavones is about as remote as you can get in Costa Rica. The vibe is relaxed, experienced surfers and raw natural beauty. Honestly, it’s a nice little beach town, but unless you’re coming here to surf, you’ll probably enjoy other parts of Costa Rica more.
One thing to keep in mind: There are no ATMs, and most places only take cash (colones). Get money out before you come, and check whether your hotel needs cash too.
How long to stay: As long as the swell is good! Getting here is an adventure, so plan at least three or four nights.
Pavones or Punta Banco?
Surf Pavones if…
You’re an advanced surfer chasing the famous long left. When the swell hits, rides can be 1,300 to 3,000 feet (400 to 900 meters), but expect 100+ people in the water.
Surf Punta Banco if…
You want fewer crowds. About 2.5 miles (4 km) south, the waves aren’t as intense, but you can still get decent lefts and rights.
Our take
Pavones is best for experienced surfers. Beginners will have a better time in Dominical or Uvita.
Getting there
Getting to Pavones
Driving from San José
Getting to Pavones is a bit of an adventure, at about seven hours by car. We suggest a 4×4, since some roads in the second half aren’t paved.
Stop in Dominical for lunch, about halfway. We like to make it a two-day trip and spend a few nights in Uvita or Ojochal on the way.
For more info:
Rental car
Adobe gives our readers 10% off. Get a 4×4 for the unpaved stretches.
Bus and flights
This is one of the few places we suggest a domestic flight. Sansa flies to Golfito several times a day (boards over 6’10” aren’t allowed). The Tracopa bus to Golfito leaves San José at 7 am and 3:30 pm (about 8 hours). Then catch the Golfito bus to Pavones at 10:30 am or 3:30 pm, so take the 7 am bus or you’ll have to spend the night in Golfito.
Where it is
Pavones is on the South Pacific coast, about as far south as you can go in Costa Rica before the Panama border.
Good to know: Book bus tickets a day or two ahead, because buses fill up, and you’ll need a ticket for your surfboard too.
Weather
Pavones weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in Pavones. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Dry season (mid-Dec: Apr)
Sunny and dry, with the strongest sun in the country.
Rainy season (May: Dec)
From May to August, expect afternoon storms for an hour or two. From mid-August to December, many things close because it’s really rainy and there are no tourists.
Daytime
Hot, strong sun
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Rain usually starts
Afternoon
Our tip
Our tip: This is the southernmost point of Costa Rica, and the sun is strong strong! Surf in a UV shirt and reapply sunscreen.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Pavones
La Ponderosa
Pool · Ocean views
A really nice property with a pool and ocean views. A great place to relax, and the staff will take good care of you.
Pavones Point
Houses · Shared pool · Groups
A collection of really nice houses with a shared pool. Great for a family or a few couples.
Studio Pilón de Pavones
Simple · Clean · Pool
Simple, clean rooms with everything you need, plus a pool.
Caza Olas
Budget · Beachfront · Surfers
Right on the beach and budget-friendly. Our pick for surfers who don’t want to spend a lot.
Also worth considering: Café de la Suerte, a clean, nice option right on the beach.
See hotels on the South Pacific →
Our pick
Rent a house
We love the deck at The Bird Perch (one bedroom, sleeps 3) for morning coffee and sunsets.
For groups, this modern luxury villa sleeps 10, with a large pool and nice decks.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Pavones rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Pavones
Our favorite
Surf the famous left
The beach in front of town is one of the best surf spots in the world, with what’s often called the longest left (Chicama in Peru likes to claim that title too). With a good swell, rides can be up to two minutes long.
Good to know
It’s best for advanced surfers, and when the swell is right, expect 100+ people in the water. There’s a surf shop in town with board rentals.
Less crowded
Surf Punta Banco
About 2.5 miles (4 km) south, with way fewer people. The waves aren’t as intense, but you can still get decent lefts and rights.
Good to know
Ask locally about tides. Both breaks work best at certain tides and swells.
Take a yoga class
Need a break from surfing? Head to Shooting Star Studio for a class.
Get a massage
Also at Shooting Star Studio. So nice after several days of catching waves.
Go bird watching
Bring your binoculars. It’s so remote that you can often see tons of unique birds.
Visit Playa Zancudo
A long, calm beach north of Pavones on the Golfo Dulce, good for a change of scenery from the surf.
Walk the beaches
Miles of empty beach to walk and relax on, especially at sunset.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Pavones
Tico Mex
Burritos · Tacos
Delicious burritos and tacos, and the employees are the sweetest. Such a welcoming atmosphere.
Café de la Suerte
Salads · Fresh juices
Our go-to place for salads and fresh juices.
La Bruschetta
Pizza · Casual
A simple but delicious place for casual pizza vibes.
Grocery store
Cook your own
There’s a small grocery store in town, handy if your rental has a kitchen.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Pavones
Big backpack
You may take several kinds of transport to get here, so a big backpack beats a suitcase.
Surf gear
Pack all your surf gear, though you can rent boards in town.
Sun protection
The sun here is strong strong!
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Pavones is generally safe, but always use caution. The ocean is the bigger risk if you’re not an experienced surfer.
Good to know
Practical basics
Groceries
There’s a small grocery store and a surf shop in town for the basics, and you can rent boards.
ATMs and banks
There are no ATMs in Pavones, and most places only take cash (colones). Take money out before you come, and check whether your hotel needs cash too.
Getting around
Getting around Pavones
The town is so small, and there isn’t much to do outside it, so you don’t need a car once you’re here. Just walk around to explore.
Rental car
If you drive down, a 4×4 is best for the unpaved roads in the second half of the trip.
Buses
Local buses connect Pavones with Golfito twice a day.
FAQ
Pavones FAQ: your questions
Is Pavones good for beginner surfers?
Not really. Pavones is best for advanced surfers, with one of the longest left-breaking waves in the world. Beginners will enjoy Dominical or Uvita more.
How do I get to Pavones?
Drive about seven hours from San José (a 4×4 helps), take the Tracopa bus to Golfito and then a local bus, or fly to Golfito on Sansa and transfer.
Are there ATMs in Pavones?
No. Most places only accept cash in colones, so get money out before you arrive.
Is Pavones crowded?
Usually not. It’s so remote that it’s mostly visited by serious surfers, though the lineup gets busy when a big swell hits.
Is Pavones safe?
Yes, generally the village is safe. Just use normal caution.
How are the mosquitoes in Pavones?
They usually won’t bother you during the day, but after sunset they can be bad.
Keep exploring
More towns in South Pacific
Planning more of the region? See our full South Pacific guide.
