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History Of Pavones Costa Rica

Learn About Pavones Costa Rica

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Playa Pavones situated on the southernmost corner of Costa Rica, near the border of Panama, lies a wonder of the surfing world.
Pavones was named after a peacock-like bird called the Pavones, (a Pava Royal), which has nearly become extinct because, purportedly, it’s also tasty.

At the beginning of the history of Pavones Costa Rica the first Costa Rican families ventured to homestead the remote unoccupied area of Pavones in the 1960’s, The Boruca Indians had already departed the region for the Talamanca Mountains or elsewhere to establish their reserves, leaving behind only their gold-strewn graves, which early homesteaders eventually looted.

In the Mid 1970’s legendary Californian Surfer Danny “Mack” Fowlie and his buddies, most of which were world renowned surfers from California stumbled upon a left point break at Pavones by accident.  Once they realized how magical the waves were and how rich and beautiful the surrounding area was, Fowlie ended up buying a good deal of this magical coastline and also manage to keep the area a secret for many years, having this “secret point break” to themselves.

Eventually,  the word got out over time and Pavones has developed over the years into a world-renowned surf destination which caters to adventure travelers from all over the world.

Only twenty to thirty Costa Rican families occupied the vast region surrounding Pavones. Electricity arrived in Pavones in 1995, and with it came modern appliances, DirectTV, email, and faxes. The main mode of transportation in Pavones has gone from the horse to the bicycle. The Pavones Bus is an infamous institution in its own right in the town. Fortunately, Pavones’ remote location has slowed development and the natural unspoiled atmosphere has been preserved.

Conservation awareness and reforestation and wildlife preservation projects are thriving in Pavones, as well as community beach clean-ups.
With an interesting mix of nationalities, Pavones is a thriving and peaceful community. There’s a little bit of something for everyone in the tiny town of Rio Claro.

Although Pavones is famed for the perfect left that breaks right in front of the Cantina, the main landmark for miles around, on the evening of 11/23/2011 a fire engulfed the legendary beachfront cantina and it burned to the ground. A loss felt by locals and travelers alike, many memories along with the Cantina also burned down that night of the fire.

The Cantina also is known as “La Esquina del mar” which by the way, was also built by Dan Fowlie the “founder of Pavones”,  was truly a landmark and an end of an era. Arson is suspected but never proven.

A few kilometers south lays the beautiful enclave of Punto Banco, which has great waves in its own right. Great pounding beach breaks off the beaten path that will make your day.