Major city · Costa Rica
Pavones
Go if you're a surfer chasing a long left point break; otherwise skip — the road is rough and there's little else to do. 3–4 nights.
Pavones is a remote surf town on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, known for one of the world's longest left point breaks. The gravel road and wet-season mud keep crowds thin. Non-surfers will find a quiet beach, basic services and not much else. Most travellers stay 3–4 nights and leave.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (wet season; road can be impassable)
- Airports
- Golfito Airport · San José
- Nights
- 3–4
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pavones911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pavones, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyPavones is safe but isolated.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGolfito Airport Golfito Airport (check).
- Getting aroundWalk or bike in the village; a 4×4 is needed for the gravel road.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (Imperial or Pilsen)₡1,500–2,500
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 10,000
- Mid-range bedBasic cabina (private), a night, per roomCRC 40,000
- High-end bedBasic cabina (private), a night, per roomCRC 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 20,000 · Mid CRC 35,000 · High CRC 60,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- Golfito Airport Golfito Airport (check) · San José Juan Santamaría International Airport (then bus or car, about 6–8 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (25 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pavones: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
22 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
23 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
24 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
25 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or bike in the village; a 4×4 is needed for the gravel road. Taxis are scarce.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Puerto Jimenez
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Car via Golfito and the ferry, about 2 h
Gateway to Corcovado; a full day trip.
Door to door: About 2 h
Car via Golfito, about 1.5 h
Quiet beach with surf; fewer people than Pavones.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pavones village
Closest to the point break; basic hostels and cabinas.
Punta Banco
Sister town south of Pavones; quieter, fewer services.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡20,000–30,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡30,000–50,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡50,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic cabina (private)1 × 3 nights × CRC 40,000 | CRC 120,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CRC 35,000 | CRC 210,000 |
| Bus from San José to Pavones, one way2 × CRC 15,000 · check | CRC 30,000 |
| 4×4 taxi from Golfito to Pavones, one way1 × CRC 30,000 · check | CRC 30,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 58,500 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 74,800 per person per day, bed included | CRC 448,500 |
2026 estimate in colones; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a soda (local diner) | ₡4,000–7,000 |
| Beer (Imperial or Pilsen) | ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Surfboard rental per day | ₡10,000–20,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | ₡1,000–1,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The gravel road from Paso Canoas or Golfito is rough and muddy in the wet season; ask locals about conditions before driving.
- No ATM in Pavones; bring enough cash from Golfito or San Isidro.
- Rip currents and heavy surf: swim only where locals do.
- Limited medical services; nearest clinic is in Golfito.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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PavonesPavones
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus San José → Pavones: about ₡15,000, 6–8 h (check)
- Taxi Golfito → Pavones: about ₡30,000, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (KWAHN-toh)
- ¿Dónde está la ola? — Where is the surf break? (DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah OH-lah)
No ATM in Pavones; bring cash from Golfito or San José.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pavones. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Nov (wet season; road can be impassable) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Pavones
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