Hi Swellinfo, looking for some Costa Rica info. Was wondering if anyone has made the drive from SJO to Pavones? Is it even worth attempting? I know I can fly in, but I want to be flexible in case the surf sucks. I've heard all sorts of things about getting to Pavones, but most of the info out there seems dated.
More specifically, from Dominical to Pavones. About 10 years ago my ex-boyfriend and I were all set to make the trek out there, but the surf forecast looked horrible so we opted to stay in Hermosa. Hoping to finally make it this time. I know a bus goes there, but as a female (possibly traveling alone) I think i'll pass on that option.
Tru dat tard. Micah should make it so that only Sharc*** can see treads made by SI kooknoobs until they have so many approved of posts. Wait...so you're a wahine? This changes everything.
[/QUOTE]Wait...so you're a wahine? This changes everything.[/QUOTE] True that. And she sort of did provide your requisite pic in her avatar (charging a decent wave no less)...now about the selfie...
It's a long haul to Pavones just to surf a crowded left hander full of gringos that think they own the place. It's a full days drive from Dominical (used to be). there's plenty of long empty waves from Boca Barranca (primero ola) and Playa Ballena. hows about some nekkid buttocks pics?
Pavones Best way is to fly in. 6 hrs from Hermosa. Last two hrs r on bad roads. Not much down there. The wave is long. Worth the trip if you have time. Best bet is just go and stay flexible. Plenty of waves in Hermosa!!
some of them do real estate-wise. i heard of at least one fatal argument (for the gringo) over land rights there.
Hey meg is you need a travel partner? I can do it so you won't travel alone, hell, I'll be your body guard if you pay in food like beans and rice. I need a surf trip so bad I'm losing it man.
i did it 10 yes ago, it was easy not really worth it to waste a whole day travelling if you are there less than 10 days
Thanks for the responses. I've been all over Costa Rica in the last 10 years. In fact, my avatar pic is at Boca on a glory day. That was the longest wave of my life! Anyhow, Pavones has been on my bucket list for way too long. Not too interested in surfing random, mostly closed-out beachbreak set-ups like Hermosa. Not putting down that stretch of beach, I do love that area. Butt pic? Ha, it's not Friday!!
i got it overhead a few years ago and as crowded as it is, its totally worth it when its firing. Faster than Boca and just as long if not longer with barrel sections possible. The "locals" have it wired so if you want to take off at the point it will be competitive. Otherwise find another peak and wait for someone to fall or kick out and get a smaller wave. Its the most beautiful place i've been to there so that is an incentive if it goes flat. You have to get on a strange water taxi to cross a river and go on some very windy dirt roads for many miles but its really not that bad, just long.
Pavones is always dicey, but if you go down there and it is smallish and crowded, go south a bit more to Punta Banca, it is by the old abandoned smugglers airstrip about 3K south of the rivermouth. It get lots bigger than Pavones, but is a gnarly paddle and the left takes you way north to a rocky exit. Not nearly as clean or peeling as Pavones, but a really fun alternative if you're already down there and it's not firing. Dominical is a great place to chill and surf waiting for the right swell angle to hit Pavones, and The Point just south of Dominical's main beach is much better, and doesn't close out on big swells. A bit north of Dominical is Esterillos Oueso(West), which is a very fun and forgiving set up. The road from Dominical to Pavones is long and crappy, but if it is well overhead, the drive will be soooooooo worth it. Oh.....tomorrow is FRIDAY! Let's see some love!
I guess my main concern is the flooding I've heard about. Heard tales about over-the-tires deep water and the road being washed out for weeks. I also heard that claim is a bunch of BS. I sure hope the latter is true! Guess I'll find out Your right Sisurfdogg, Dominical area is great. That was actually the first place I surfed in CR. That place can be brutal on bigger swells! Had my bikini bottom ripped off there. Never found it. Needless to say, the walk back to the house I was staying at was interesting.
It's a cool scene. Last time I was there there is a guy who owns a bar called the Manta Ray, and he shoots videos of everyone from the vantage point of the cantina about half way through the wave. So everyone goes to the bar at night to watch the show. We accidentally drove into Panama, it's so close, after surfing Punta Banca, which is a little south of Pavones. The locals are cool, but they will hustle you if you let them. If you have a good sense of humor and some respect, you'll get lots and lots of really great waves. Do the indo board for about a half hour a day, or hit your Carver, 'cause you'll need the legs.
