Pavones Surf Guide
One of the most famous waves in Central America, Pavones is a legendary left that is often cited as the second longest in the world.
Quick Facts
One of the best lefts in the whole world
Nice, glassy waves that offer long rides
Relatively remote location
Swells can range from 3-10 feet
Surf Season in Pavones
The best swells from the south arrive in Pavones in the summer, or wet months from May to October. This is when the waves will be biggest and strongest, pushing into the nearby Golfo Dulce. In the offseason (dry months), the wave will be much smaller and less crowded. However, it still is a rideable wave that offers a lot of fun rides. To get the most out of a trip to Pavones, we definitely recommend going in rainy season and seeing this wave in all its glory!
Where to Surf in Pavones
There’s really one main spot to surf in Pavones known simply as Pavon or Pavones Point, but there are other breaks nearby. The main break is the star of the show though. On good days, the wave breaks for over a kilometer. The wave is only about 100 meters from shore through generally calm waters. There’s one open face at the beginning, and then you’ll find a straight left for hundreds of meters. It sometimes barrels, but even when it doesn’t it is an awesome ride. Although the average wave size in the image above is accurate, it often pumps up to the 5-8 foot range.
Crowds - During rainy seson
Surfer Level - Intermediate+
Ideal Swell - SW/S
Ideal Wind - E, light
Break Type - Point
Consistency - 80%
Be Aware: Some rocks on bottom
Surf Camps and Classes in Pavones
Pavones Surf Camp - Pavones Surf Camp and Pavones Surf School. Known as Rancho del Mar, they offer both lessons and camps right outside their doors on this amazing wave.
Surf House Pavones - A hostel-style surf camp right there in Pavones. Maybe 50 feet from the wave, Surf House is a chill atmosphere with laid-back vibes and great company in the relaxed travelers.
Coco Drone - Surf lessons and photography, but they can help you find somewhere to stay and make it into a surf camp. He offers private lessons and group lessons, and has been teaching around Pavones for quite some time!
Getting to Pavones
Pavones is remote, there’s no doubt about it. But there are several relatively cheap ways to get there:
Local Flights - You can take a domestic flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Pavones for around $150 USD each way via SANSA. Golfito is about an hour away from Pavones in a taxi from there.
Car or Transfer Service - It will cost more, but you can rent a car or get a private transfer from San Jose to Pavones. It’s a 6.5 hour drive minimum, so prepare yourself if you’re going this route! You definitely can stop over on the way in Dominical or Uvita and break it up into a two-day drive.
Public Transportation - By far the most economical option to get to Pavones to surf! You can take the bus or an Uber from the airport to the Tracopa bus terminal in San Jose. From there, you can take a bus straight down to Pavones. We recommend the coastal route, as the Cerro de la Muerte road is wild!
Be sure to check out our Resources page for tips on traveling, spending money, support, and more.
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