Plan your journey
Getting to Pavones
You can reach Pavones by domestic flight and onward transportation, rental car, public transportation or private transfer. The most practical option depends on where you are coming from, your arrival plans and what you are bringing.
Una Ola can help you consider the options and coordinate transportation around your stay.
Flying to Golfito
SANSA offers domestic flights from San José (SJO) to Golfito (GLF). From Golfito, Una Ola can coordinate onward transportation to Pavones with trusted, licensed local providers.
Check flights with SANSA before making your travel arrangements.
If you are bringing a surfboard, SANSA's published sports-equipment policy lists a maximum length of 2.04 meters (6.7 feet), with carriage subject to available space and operational capacity. Confirm current surfboard baggage limits and arrangements directly with SANSA before booking.
Prefer to travel without a board? Explore surfboard rentals at Una Ola and ask about the current options for your stay.
Driving to Pavones
A rental car gives you flexibility for the journey and during your stay. Most of the route is paved, with approximately 10–15 km of unpaved road between Golfito and Pavones.
A 4x4 is recommended, but it is not essential for reaching Una Ola. Good ground clearance is helpful when heavy rains create ruts in the unpaved stretches.
Some hillside accommodations may require 4x4 access. Una Ola does not have that additional hillside access issue.
Public Transportation
There are two options to consider when traveling from San José:
- Via Golfito: Take TRACOPA from San José to Golfito, then continue by local bus or arranged transportation. Connections may not align conveniently, so check the onward options before committing to your journey.
- Via Paso Canoas: Take TRACOPA to Paso Canoas, then use local connections through Laurel and Conte toward Pavones. Una Ola can also help arrange taxi pickup at the Paso Canoas terminal.
Consult TRACOPA's routes and schedules and confirm local connections for your travel date. Local bus availability and convenient connections are not guaranteed.
Private Transfers
Una Ola can coordinate private transportation through outside providers, including direct transfers from San José to Pavones.
A direct San José–Pavones transfer costs approximately $400 each way, subject to provider rates and fuel costs. Una Ola currently adds no arrangement fee.
Transfers may be included in some guest packages or arranged separately. Let us know your arrival plans so we can discuss the arrangements and confirm the applicable provider rate.
Let's Plan Your Arrival
Tell us where you are traveling from, your dates, the number of people in your group and whether you are bringing surfboards. We can help you discuss the most practical way to reach Una Ola and coordinate any transportation you would like to arrange.