The Town

The name Pavones is taken after the Pavon (A fairly large land bird once common in this area). The area of Pavones encompasses 10 miles of various beaches lining the southeast end of the pristine Golfo Dulce. Rio Claro is the largest and clearest river to empty into the gulf in the Pavones area and is the site of the world famous surf breaks, perhaps the longest warm water left point break on the planet. Traveling surfers put Pavones on the map, but in more recent years the area has become well known as a naturalist’s destination as a birder’s dream spot and an area that always stays green throughout the year. Over 275 species of birds, including the scarlet macaw, chestnut mandible toucan, and the fiery billed toucan inhabit the lush rainforest covering the hills that rise above the beautiful beaches. There are over 30 species of hummingbird.

Aside from birds, there is a vast array of the rare plant, animal, reptile and aquatic life inhabiting such a relatively small area that the concentration overall is often magical. Three types of monkeys are common!

While the population is still largely Costa Rican with Spanish most commonly spoken, an international community of foreign residents has formed with more than a dozen countries represented bringing their various contributions to Pavones.

Although quaint in nature in comparison to other larger beach towns in Costa Rica, Pavones has a number of restaurants offering typical Costa Rican food, Pizza and Italian food, an upscale Brazilian styled buffet as well as vegetarian food. There are two small hardware stores in the area and a small but nicely stocked supermarket. There is also a little store right in the center of town at the soccer field. The area adjacent to the soccer field nearest the beach is being turned into a park with benches and a few things for the kids to play on.

The area has developed a wide variety of outdoor adventures and activities to supplement the sport of surfing. Sport fishing is extremely popular, as the Golfo Dulce and Pacific beyond produce world record catch in many categories. Although well known among serious fisherman, our area is arguably the best and least known fishery in Costa Rica!

Sea Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, and even Kite Surfing is becoming popular among those who come to visit.

Hiking in the rain forest to observe wildlife is always exciting! Waterfalls, shallow riverbeds, up in the treetops or on the forest floor it seems there is always something new to see! Biking the coastal road is a great way to see the beaches and forest as well as to interact with the friendly local Ticos. A horseback ride can be a thrilling gallop along the sandy shore or a slow climb up through wooded trails to panoramic lookouts on the mountain ridges.

Punta Banco; a seaside hamlet near Pavones is known for its densely forested hills and the sea turtles who come to lay their eggs.

There is a wonderful open-air beachfront yoga studio (Shooting Star Studio) for those who want to take classes from a qualified instructor or simply to continue their practice of yoga while on vacation. Licensed massage therapists are also available for a relaxing rub or a vigorous therapeutic session. There is a Surf School (Venus Surf Adventures) or you can contract with a local to teach you how to ride the waves.

You will find the Pavones area has a typically higher concentration of the Guaymi Indian who´s women still move about in traditional dresses.

Just across the Gulf are the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park, the place National Geographic Magazine calls «the most biologically intense place on Earth!» The Osa, as we call it is easily accessed from Pavones by boat and makes for a wonderful day visit! You can also overnight over there and we can arrange to have a boat come pick you up when you are ready to come back!

Pavones is many things to many people; adventure, nature, sport, relaxation, tropical getaway, peace and quiet and fun! It is Costa Rica’s last frontier or its future horizon depending on how you want to see it! It is what you think of when dreaming of a tropical paradise to go visit! Come Visit! We would enjoy being your hosts!