BY AIR:

You can fly to Golfito with Sansa airlines from San José international airport (separate terminal). The flight to Golfito takes just under 1 hour and the current price is around US$125 each way. Always check with the airlines prior to departure for any schedule changes and amendments. From golfito you can either take a taxi to Pavones for approx. US$80 a 90 mins drive, or you can catch a bus at 10am or 3pm for approx. US$4 a 120mins drive.

SANSA AIRLINES

BY BUS:

You will have to take a total of 2 buses in order to get to Pavones (Rio Claro de Pavones).

The first one in San José from the bus terminal called Tracopa ltda. The bus leaves every morning at 6.30 a.m. make sure you buy a ticket ahead of time; we recommend the day before, so you have a reserved spot. If you take a chance and buy the ticket the same morning, the bus could be fully booked. Make sure you arrive 20-15 min before the bus departs because they start loading the luggages and checking the tickets around 6.15 a.m.

It is possible to have your luggage stored during the whole trip underneath the bus, so you can even take your surfboard!

The bus stops a few times for around 15 minutes for everyone to get some food and water or go to the bathroom. The total duration of the drive is approximately 6 hours. However, during the ride, you get to see beautiful views of the nature of Costa Rica. You will see jungle, beautiful beaches and maybe you can even spot some crocodiles while crossing the bridges over the rivers.

When you arrive in Golfito around 1 p.m., you have a layover of around 2 hours before the bus leaves to pavones at 3 p.m.

Golfito town looks like one big street. There are many bus stops along the street, and you can enter the bus to pavones at any bus stop. there are shops, sodas, and restaurants to have some food while waiting. When in Golfito, make sure you withdraw enough money since you won't find any ATM in Pavones. there are multiple banks in Golfito, and if you don't know where to find them, just ask anyone on the street.

Around 3 p.m., the bus passes the bus stops in Golfito. Make sure you arrive at the bus stop ahead of time, because the bus does not leave at 3 p.m. strictly, it could be later or earlier. You can buy a ticket directly from the bus driver. The bus takes around 2/2.5 hours, but it has a stop where you can go out and stretch your legs about halfway. When you enter Pavones, you can press the stop button on the bus wherever you want to go out. The main stop, Super Rio Claro, it is only a few minutes walk to Caza Olas, so you can either get off there or ask to the driver for Pavones church, there you´ll see a little road going down to the beach, take it and after about 30 mts you´ll find our entrance on the right side of the street. Don't worry about food when you arrive at 5.30 p.m. because the stores are open till 20:00 and several good local restaurants are open to welcome you as well.

if you want to follow the journey and make it easier to find your way, a tip is to download the map of costa rica on maps.me.
 

TRACOPA

BY CAR:

Drive south of San Jose to Jaco and take the Costanera (the coastal road) direction Quepos then Dominical until Palmar Norte where you join the Pan-american highway. Drive to Rio Claro where you have 2 options. 1st turn right direction Golfito and drive for approx. 12 km to el rodeo bar where you have to take a left direction Conte, once in Conte turn right at the main supermarket and drive for another 3km to a V junction, take the left and drive to Pavones. The road between conte and pavones is not paved yet but is in decent conditions during the dry season. Approx. journey time from Rio Claro is 1,15 h.

2nd option in Rio Claro is to stay on the Pan-american highway (Interamericana) and drive all the way to Paso Canoas. Once you reach the border crossing (a big building that looks like an airport hangar) turn right and follow the road to La Cuesta-Laurel then Conte. In Conte turn left at the main supermarket then drive to the V junction, stay on the left then drive all the way to Pavones (Rio Claro de Pavones), approx. journey time from Paso Canoas to Pavones is 1 hour.

BY TAXI

Usually the easiest way.

Let us know if you want us to book one for you!

We can also send a Taxi to the airport in San Jose that will bring you down here at a starting price of 350 USD.

Just make sure to let us know in advance.