Pavones is a little outpost of a town located on the far Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. A place not on the way to somewhere else, but a final destination where you will find what others are searching for. It is about as far away from San Jose and the tourist destinations of the Northern Pacific beach towns as you can go. Not only is it far away in distance, but also in the pace, the abundant nature, the friendly people and the sense of freedom that comes from being far removed from the stresses and strains of the modern world. Famous for it’s world class left hand surf break, which is one of the longest waves on the planet, Pavones attracts an eclectic group of young people from around the globe dreaming of riding that perfect wave and hopefully of getting a photo of it to share with their friends before going back to their jobs, families or college.
In addition to the amazing surf, Pavones offers an abundance of outdoor activities for those inclined to venture out and explore. With miles upon miles of pristine coastline with volcanic sand beaches and ancient lava outcrops dotting the shores, one will feel as if they have been transported to another world where only they and the occasional sea bird exist. A true sense of tranquility and peace prevails and usually after being here only a couple of days most people realize that they have achieved a state of relaxation that they have not felt in years.
Pavones is growing, albeit slowly. With the arrival of regular telephone service about 4 years ago, and now with high speed internet, we are connected to the world like never before. With the technology, Pavones has become more visible and is attracting more visitors and folks looking for a peaceful place to have a vacation or retirement home. Locally you will find many different kinds of dining cuisines to choose from. We have several Italian restaurants, Vegetarian restaurants, Seafood Restaurants, Typical Costa Rican Cuisine, American Style Restaurants, Mediterranean and more. With several grocery stores, hardware stores, a bakery, fresh fish market, regular visits by fruit and vegetable vendors and being only an hour drive from the international shopping district at the Panama border, you can find what you are looking for with ease.
On a daily basis, the hardest thing to decide is whether you want to go for a stroll along the beach, swim in the crystal clear waters of the Rio Claro, hike into the mountains to see the wildlife, ride a horse along a deserted shore, swim in the ocean, take a kayak adventure, hang out in the pueblo and socialize with the locals and tourists, or just stay home and swing in a hammock as you watch the grass growing under the tropical sun.
It is always said that the road less traveled by is the one where the most adventure lies and that is true about Pavones. The path to Pavones is a little longer and a little bumpier, and when folks arrive they are always happy to be here, but once the time comes to pack up your bags and say goodbye to the new friends you have made and the Pure Lifestyle that you have re-discovered, for some reason the road going out seems a little bit longer than it did coming in.
Bobby Nielsen
