By MattPanda , 26-11-2010

Soooo good! - Spent 3 days in Pavones around the end of august. It was 6' the first day, 8' the second and 10+ on the third. Very little if no wind the whole day. One of my very best surfing experiences in 26 years of surfing! At some times it was connecting the whole way, with 1km rides possible. I got myself several 600m+ rides, with long walls and barrelling sections. We stayed in 10$/night cabinas which were ok for the price and though it was quite crowded in the water you could get your share of waves. But it's apperently quite rarely like that, it was the best swell of the year and had not been like that in a while. I would still definitely recommend it, but take a good look at the forecast before you go.

By Anonymous , 09-10-2010

Mixed Bag - Took my son to Pavones this summer... nerat place, but disappointing to go so far and run into the very thing you go down to get away from... asshole Americans. Aggro crown every day... everyone walking around town like they've been hit with the melow stick, then eff you in the water. Lots of Ticos in the water too... no jobs there, so when the waves are on, so are all the kook-ass locals that have absolutely NO wave etiquette... position paddling all day every day. We were able to snag a few mid-noon sessions with not too many people, but don't ever expect to score this place with a few people out. Mark my words, there will be a day when the short-sighted Ticos deeply regret selling their prime areas to greedy selfish Americans. I'm chalking this place off my map, and its a shame.

By dylon , 26-08-2010

travelin to pavones - hey does anyone know how to contact, i think his name is, andre. He is Italian and runs a little house like hostel where he lives downstairs and has rooms available upstairs, its past the pizza parlor. Has two dogs, barack and obama... if anyone has his email or a way to contact him please email me. and how is pavones during september? thanks

By Anonymous , 31-05-2009

15' pavones - Three years back in june we rolled into pavones in a storm. It was raining so hard we could not see the waves from the shore. It was packed and there was no electricity in the town for the whole night. We barely found a place to stay for $40 for the night. just a room with a bed and a bathroom. We went and ate a great fish dinner by candle light in the only little place serving food in town. In the morning we awoke to 15' waves that stayed for three days. All the points connected for at least 3/4 of a mile. IT was Pretty fast in the middle section and I never made it through to the end. I ended up just surfing the last 1/4 mile section. From what I understand it was a swell that hits once every ten years. We got lucky.

By Anonymous , 10-02-2009

paradise - spent near a month here in 2008, got to know everyone in the town stayed in an awesome house of a friend, did not meet one person from florida all the whiteys were from nantuck, charleston, calif, all pretty decent people. The ticos around there are awesome really helpful, several decent restaurants around, even got a flat on my quad and a tico helps me change it with a tire of his. can be kinda pricey though it costs money to get things down that far south in the country. I was there so long due to the river flooding and being unable to get out, the ferry couldnt run, if you go you will understand. The break was epic at least 10 days out of the 30 I was there, usually only busy midday to 6ish, the bus leaves and everyone goes with it. I had many overhead mornings of glassy wrapping around the rocks to myself until 10 or 11. no stress at all everyone is really chill from around the world here, locals dont even surf so they dont care, they just drink beers at the cantina and watch if not pumping there walk down the road to punta banco and there is a nice break that is much more consistent not such a small swell direction window or take a fishin boat across to montepalo directly across the bay 50 bucks a fisherman will drop you off. Bring plenty of supplies fins, repair, everything the surf shop there is a monopoly and very expensive. I actually ended up buying two boards from the neighbor there who shaped boards 250 each, sweet boards too. Overall best place for me in Costa, rainforests, hiked the river up the the volcanic shelf and saw some crazy indign. peoples in canoes, spear fished every morn and spiney lobsters were everywhere, highly recommend you go soon it looks like some developers could be moving in soon and the govt does not seem to be stopping it

By Brooks St Local , 07-09-2008

Pavones Perfection - Recently returned from Pavones and scored overhead perfect waves for a week. People bill it as the second longest point break in the world with rides up to 3/4 of a mile long. We got long rides 200-300 yards, but it looks like it would have to be the swell of the century to connect all the way from the top of the point through the Cantina for that to happen.

The vibe is a mixed bag however. What you have is primarily disgruntled Ex-Pats mostly Floridians who cannot surf ,save a few, and the Ticos who still throw shakas after you get a good one.

The irony about the Floridians is that they do not what outsiders surfing their break ( the break they took from the Ticos) yet they all make money of tourist that visit the break.

Just sit deeper then them and you can get all the waves you want, since most of them are shoulder hoppers anyway.

By Alex , 16-08-2008

Pavones hostel - I am traveling to Costa Rica next week and I planned on staying in Pavones for a while. Can anyone recommend a clean, comfortable hostel in the Pavones area? I do not need something luxurious, I just want to stay somewhere that has a good vibe and laid back atmosphere. If anyone has any recommendations I'd appreciate it.

By CPTSURF , 08-08-2008

WOW ! - scored pavones in early may of this year @ a few feet over head for one day then it dropped to chest high the next day lol very fickle spot but worth the drive just to see the country

By Gringos Rifa y Controla , 29-06-2008

Boricua Vale Pinga - Definitely one of the best waves in the world. It's a shame what has happened in the last 10 years...CR used to be a mellow place to go, with reasonable rates and peaceful locals. Now, we have to put up with a bunch of aggro Monkey Riquenos and Brazil. Americans are not the problem, mis amigos. "Mire en el pinche espejo".

By Felipe , 26-05-2008

Google marker is right - At high-power view you can see the "Esquina del Mar".