planning a trip to cr. ive been checking out lot of vids on youtube of the different breaks there. looks like pavones is the break id like to surf. so.... does anyone know of hotels , is it rough down there, any problems at all, please advise thanks
Have not been there in a long time but it used to be and very well still may be remote as far as roads/accommodations. I am sure if you Google it, you can find places to stay, there used to be only 1 and no hotels.
Not as out of the way as it used to be. Lodging from cheap to really nice(wife friendly). A few places to eat , cheapest and best at the bar right near the break but she doesn't cook late. Don't fool yourself because it is so far out there that no one is there, it can get quite crowded but really fun chest high to DOH.
I have gone down to pavones as a day trip from Dominical area a few times. It's about 2.5 hours each way. Always worth it. The roads are pretty decent until you really get down near panama and you start seeing log bridges and cluster F*ck road signs. At chest high its about 4 or 5 peaks, above head and a half it connects from the point to the rivermouth. Do it.
Went to Pavones in June for a few weeks...even without the wave, this place is magical. 5 1/2 hour drive from Jaco and its a awesome drive. Easy to get to because the road is paved MOST of the way till you get to Rio Claro. The last 1 - 1 1/2 is dirt/gravel. We stayed at the Villa Harmonia....Look for it on this web site: http://www.castleofcostarica.com/home.php We were going to stay at the Castle de pavones but it caught on fire before we got there so Brad Foster (owner) put us up in the Villa Harmonia next door. Headin back this July. BEST DAM PLACE ON EARTH!!!! PM me if you want any additional info! http://www.castleofcostarica.com/suites.php
La Perla is a nice place to stay. Imperial has the right idea by going in July. It should be pumping in July and August.
http://www.rightthisminute.com/video/machete-attack-surfers-sea?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150546599499088_21066006_10150585712464088#f3c71f1a55e650c
Yea big deal...everyone down there carries a machete...try pissing off a local in Jersey, San Clemente, or any other beach town in the US. Flat tires, broken windows, razors embedded in a board, ass kickins, oh yeah SHOT!!! Yea, yea, yea, Pavones is still safer than 99% of the places in the US. Might have to get myself a machete on my next visit to Costa Rica this summer.
Yes, I am inspired. One day you will hear tales of the crazy who paddled out at first street in a kayak with a machete and started offing paddle boarders.
Yeah this place has changed a LOT in the past few years. For every 1 machete attack you see on the news 20 go undocumented. There is a real drug problem developing in Pilon just down the road from Pavones. The area is a key drop spot for drug dealers to fly their stuff into Costa and distribute. Its not uncommon to see needles and other drug paraphernalia laying on the beach near the corner. This past summer the the local landmark the Cantina was burnt down due to some sketchy feud going on in town. The place just isn't the same anymore and its easy to understand why. Once your down there your on your own. Few local people actually make money off the traveling surfers and that has forced them to look for other means to make a living like stealing, selling drugs, ripping people off. There are 2 police officers for the entire area and they are likely paid off to look the other way. All that aside, its become such a popular destination that every swell over 5 ft is ridiculously crowded and INFESTED with brazilians. This place is quickly losing its magic and will be lost forever very soon.
im actually sitting in the airport of costa rica right now but i was at a different beach on the west coast. I think it was the best, most consistant surf ive ever seen. Had solid 4-5 foot clean waves every morning and evening the whole week. best trip ever.
Say what you want negative about Pavones or any place in Costa Rica...The drugs are headed to one place...The great consumers of the US. Costa Rica was and always will be one of the best places on earth...especially PAVONES. Drugs and crime are everywhere in the US with assh**** at every break. Costa Rica has no army and for the most part the people are awesome. I've been going there for the last 8 years. My friend and I were in Pavones in June for my 40th b-day and we met some GREAT locals and expats. Hung out at a little local bar with Costa Ricans just before you get into Pavones. It is a tight community and just like anywhere else on the planet there are always some bad seeds. If you don't go with an attitude and a big mouth, you got nothing to worry about. Helps if you learn a little about the culture and learn the language. I speak good spanish and have many friends that live there...don't knock the place. Oh yea did I mention they have a better wave than your home break on any givin day!!!! PURA VIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!
