Costa Rica

General Information:

Location: 330 km south of San Jose and 15 km south of Zancudo on the southern edge of the Golfo Dulce 

Weather: Hot and humid year -round.  Rainy season runs from May through October

Temperature: Average daily temperature is 82° F, Humidity 83%

Altitude: Sea level

Read more about the South Pacific Tourism Region

About:

The tranquil town of Río Claro de Pavones sits on the Golfo Dulce, located on Costa Rica’s south Pacific Coast. Known around the globe as having the longest left  point break in the world, this remote village has attracted surfers for years.

With a rocky coastline flanked by pristine jungles, Pavones and its neighboring town of Punta Banco have experienced relatively little development and offer wide, palm-lined beaches with spectacular scenery and legendary surf. The town’s dirt roads, slow pace and remote location make Pavones an ideal getaway and a great alternative to the booming beach towns of Jaco and Tamarindo.

There is no doubt that this surf town waxes and wanes with the waves. Every available hammock and tiny cabina fills up when the swell comes in.  The left  point break has been recorded to last up to three minutes on a slow, south swell. The Hawaiian-style tubes are ideal for seasoned surfers and the smaller waves closer to shore are great for beginners and boogie-boarders. The biggest waves are from April through October, which is the rainy season in Pavones.   

While many travelers flock to Pavones for the waves or just to enjoy the tranquility of the South Pacific, other outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, hiking, bird and wildlife watching, as well as horseback riding are available in town. Even if you never leave the comfort of your hotel, dense rainforests and an abundance of wildlife make for an enjoyable stay.

Pavones has accommodations ranging from cabinas at $10 per night to luxury five-star rooms at the Castillo de Pavones. The village has several restaurants, a tour company and surf shops offering repairs and rentals. When the surf’s up rooms can be hard to get.  Most hotels and cabinas have no more than four rooms available.  

Although the town has an underlying party atmosphere, it also attracts a more mature crowd.  Families with children just learning how to surf are a common sight.  

Getting Around:

Since the town is so spread out, a rental car is the most convenient option.  However, several hotels rent bikes for meandering around town.  There is one local bus that runs between Río Claro and Punto Banco.

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