Pavones, Costa Rica

Pavones, Costa Rica, located on the shores of the Burica Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Golfo Dulce, is home to one of the longest left breaking waves in the world. 1.5 kilometer rides and not unheard of. Formed by the natural curvature of the coastline, due to tectonic plates colliding, and the consistent sedimentary deposits from the Rio Claro de Pavones, making perfectly peeling wave when surfing conditions come together. The surf break is actually one of several long left point breaks and numerous reefs and beaches that are good for surfing.

The town of Rio Claro de Pavones, is a small fishing and surfing tourism destination that is still one of the least developed beach areas of Costa Rica. If you really want to experience the pura vida Costa Rica is famous for then Pavones, Costa Rica is the place for you.  Beautiful scenery, unspoiled tropical beaches, uncrowded waves, wonderful people, and a pace that allows you to truly unwind.

Pavones, Costa Rica has an abundance of wildlife, including all types of monkey indegenous to Costa Rica, Scarlett Macaw, Toucans, Three-Toed Sloth, and many other rainforest animals. There are seveal waterfalls in Pavones, Costa Rica that you can hike to.

Pavones, Costa Rica has a storied history from the time it was first discovered by indigenous tribes that arrived to settle along the shores of the Golfo Dulce’s rich and vibrant natural habitat.

In 1522, the first European to explore the Golfo Dulce, was Gil Gonzalez Davila.  The indigenous people were reported to be friendly, adorned with gold.

In 1563, the Golfo Dulce was revisited by European explorers when, Juan Vasquez de Coronado sailed into the calm waters of the Gulfo Dulce.  And, by 1675 Catholic Spanish missionaries had reached the Golfo Dulce, bringing Christianity to the indigenous people.

The Pavones area is home to the Ngäbe-Buglé Conte Burica Indigenous Territory, an important cultural and ecological asset, which is comprised of 11,910 hectares (29,417.7 acres).

The indigenous territory was established in 1977 in response to an influx of Ngäbe people driven north from Panama into  in search of “free lands”, along the the Burica Peninsula, where they could settle.  The Ngäbe people are bilingual.  They speak in their native tongue Ngäbere, and Spanish.

The long perfect surfing waves of Pavones were first discovered by Kenny Easton in the early 1960’s, while sailing along the Golfo Dulce.  He relayed stories of this discovery to his friend and employer, San Diego surfer, Danny Fowlie, who came to Pavones in 1974 to create a private surf Shangri La, which lasted until the time of his incarceration in 1987 on drug conspiracy charges.

Danny Fowlie, purchased much of the property along the beaches of Pavones.  Having much of his properties squatted and sold during his time in prison.  He is currently involved in numerous lawsuits to try and recover his previous property holdings.  Recently, while trying to enter Costa Rica, Danny Fowlie was denied a tourist visa to Costa Rica.

The wave at Pavones is a long cobblestone rivermouth point break that is one of the longest lefts in the world.  The surfing season in Pavones, Costa Rica begins in March lasting until late October.  The rainy season starts in May and lasts through November.

If you have any questions about Pavones, Costa Rica, please feel free to contact us anytime!  Info@ UnaOla.com