Pavones is located in the southwestern corner of Costa Rica. You may not notice it when you enter the town, but it is one of the best surfing gems unknown to almost everyone - you may be able to surf these waves all by yourself! One of the reasons that this place isn’t visited by more people is because of the difficulty getting there (unsurprising since the trip is 20 miles on a dirt road, and jungles for dozens of miles.). You will need to bring cash - most places don’t accept credit cards, and there are no ATMs in the area.
Also unsurprising is how few people live in Pavones. If you’re there for a few days, it is very likely that you will start to recognize people. This is all the more reason to be nice to the locals and not act like a tourist with a big ego. If you want to socialize and make friends while you’re there, go to “the Wall” at sunset. There will also be some people at the end of the Rio Claro where it flows into Pavon Bay.
Now to talk more about the waves, since that’s what Pavones, Costa Rica is all about. Pavones has a 1.1 km (0.7 miles) long point break that makes it the second longest left in the world; the longest left in the world is in Chicama, Peru at 2 km (1.2 miles). The best swells will take place from April to November, which is the rainy season with the strongest southern swell. Surfers can ride the wave for over 2 minutes! One tip I have if you want to avoid the rocks on the beach is to enter at the mouth of the Rio Claro.
Pavones is far away from the other cities and towns in the country (the closest is Punta Banco) but still has many hotels and lodges to choose from. Prices can range from $40 a night for a double room at Nick’s Place to an entire luxury home at Pavones Point for $400 a night. Some amenities include free WiFi, a swimming pool, free cancellation, breakfast, a kitchen, air conditioning, a balcony, a sea view, and much more. There are plenty of room types for all of your wants and needs!
Pavones Hotels and Lodges
