Discover Pura Vida In Pavones, Costa Rica

This place is the Pura Vida spirit. It sings with life from every direction. On one side, the calls of Howler Monkeys, Macaws, and crickets, echo through the sweet tropical air. On the other, the mellow drone of the worlds second longest left surf breaks beckons.

You are immersed in nature and can do nothing but blissfully submit to the simple life. You rise to the rising sun and flow with the rhythm of the waves. It is a place to view wild life, surf, and get back in touch with Pura Vida.

This Runaway Hideout is Pavones, Costa Rica.

Where To Stay In Pavones

Pavones has quite a few cabinas, hostels, and hotels. The cheapest private Cabinas can be found for around 15 to 25$/night.

However, if you’re interested in staying for a month or two, you can rent a simple private room with AC and Wifi for between 200 and 300$/month depending on the season.

Pavones is a bit pricey when it comes to food, especially for the short term surf tourist, but if you live like a local you can eat cheap. 600$/month for food and accommodation is a comfortable budget. And for you Yoga lovers out there, you might want to check out the inclusive yoga retreat in Punta Banco.

What To Do In Pavones

One of the best aspects of this retreat is that almost everything worth doing in Pavones is free.

Savor The Sunsets

The moisture filled atmosphere of south western Costa Rica makes for some of the most remarkable sunsets in the world. And with miles of beaches and very few people, you can almost always find a spot to gaze upon it in solitude.

Swim In Natural Pools

Between Pavones and the even more isolated village of Punta Banco exists 5 or so streams originating from the jungle that flow out into the sea. They make for excellent and often private fresh water swimming holes.

Surf The World’s Second Longest Left Break

This break is a surfers dream. It ranges from 6 to 10 feet on average, and produces 10 to 15 second rides. Even if you’re a beginner you can still give it a go on the smaller secondary wave to the right of the main break. Rentals are a bit pricy at 15$/day but if you’re thinking of staying a while and learning to surf, you can find good deals on used boards.

View The Wild Life

Although massive iguanas will generally greet you each morning, the best way to see the diversity of the Costa Rican Rainforest is by trekking through it!

The Tiskita Lodge’s wild life reserve is one of the best places to do this. Though it costs 15$ if you’re not a guest, it gives you the chance to view some of the most diverse and unique flora and fauna in the world. Check out their website for more info, Tiskita Jungle Lodge or check out the video below for a quick glimpse.

How To Get To Pavones

One of the reasons why Pavones is so special is because it is so incredibly isolated.

To get here you must first find a flight to San Jose. Check out this guide for info on finding cheap flights.

From the capitol you then take a 7 hour bus to the border town of Canoes for 20$. From here you catch a taxi collectivo for 2$ to Laurel. Next you take a bus further south and transfer to yet another bus for Pavones.

The busses only leave twice a day in the morning and at night. They are only a few dollars and take around 2 hours. It is a full days journey but definitely worth it when you arrive.

Conclusion

Pavones is the kind of Runaway Retreat where you can immerse yourself in nature and return to a life that is simple and pure. It is for nature lovers, surfers, and backpackers who want to go local and off the beaten path. However, if you don’t easily adapt to heat and humidity or loads of wild looking insects, you might want to take a look at my Northern Norway Hideout instead. For more info on Pavones or Costa Rica in general, you can connect with me on Facebook.