Pavones sits where the rainforest meets the Pacific, at the edge of the Golfo Dulce, one of only four tropical fjords on Earth. The surrounding jungle, rivers, and open water offer experiences that go far beyond surfing. Whether you are chasing a roosterfish offshore, riding horseback through the canopy, or hiking through the jungle, every day here holds something unforgettable.
Surfing
All Levels
Ride the Longest Left
Surfing
Pavones is home to the second-longest left-hand wave on Earth, but the coastline offers far more than one famous break. From beginner-friendly rollers to powerful reef breaks, there is a wave for every level. Our team can arrange board rentals, private lessons with experienced local instructors, and guided surf trips to remote breaks accessible only by boat. Water temperatures hover around 29°C / 84°F year-round so boardshorts are all you need.
Best SeasonApril — October
LevelsAll Levels
LocationBeach
Snorkeling & Ocean Tours
All Ages
Discover What Lies Beneath
Snorkeling & Ocean Tours
The Golfo Dulce is a rare tropical fjord teeming with marine life: sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, tropical reef fish, and even visiting whale sharks and humpback whales during migration season. Guided snorkel tours take you to pristine reef systems along the Osa Peninsula coast, where visibility often exceeds 15 meters. For a deeper experience, combine snorkeling with a coastal boat tour that includes stops at secluded beaches and mangrove estuaries.
HighlightsSea Turtles, Reef Fish, Rays
Duration3 — 5 hours
LevelAll Ages & Abilities
Sport Fishing
Half & Full Day
World-Class Inshore & Offshore
Sport Fishing
The waters off Pavones and the southern Golfo Dulce are among the richest fishing grounds in Central America. Inshore trips target roosterfish, snapper, and jack crevalle along rocky points and river mouths: some of the best roosterfish action on the planet. Head offshore and you are into sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi. Local captains know these waters intimately and run both half-day and full-day charters on well-equipped pangas and sport fishers.
InshoreRoosterfish, Snapper, Jacks
OffshoreSailfish, Marlin, Tuna
DurationHalf or Full Day
Kayaking
All Levels
Paddle Through Paradise
Kayaking
Glide through calm mangrove channels, along jungle-lined rivers, or across the glassy morning waters of the Golfo Dulce. Kayaking here is as much about the scenery as the paddling. Expect to spot howler monkeys swinging through the canopy above, herons and kingfishers diving for fish, and the occasional crocodile basking on a riverbank. Both single and tandem kayaks are available, and guided tours range from mellow flatwater paddles to longer coastal explorations.
RoutesMangroves, Rivers, Coast
Duration2 — 4 hours
LevelAll Levels
Golfo Dulce Boat Tours
All Ages
Explore the Tropical Fjord
Golfo Dulce Boat Tours
The Golfo Dulce is one of only four tropical fjords in the world, and exploring it by boat is one of the most memorable experiences the region has to offer. Tours cross the gulf to the wild Osa Peninsula, stopping at hidden beaches, snorkeling sites, and jungle trails. Keep your eyes on the water for pods of dolphins, breaching humpback whales (July through October), and sea turtles surfacing for air. Some tours include lunch on a remote beach, making for an unforgettable full day on the water.
WildlifeDolphins, Whales, Turtles
DurationFull Day
Best SeasonYear-round
Horseback Riding
All Levels
Ride Through the Rainforest
Horseback Riding
Saddle up and ride through the lush tropical landscape surrounding Pavones. Guided horseback tours wind along jungle trails, through creek crossings, and up to mountain viewpoints overlooking the Golfo Dulce and the Osa Peninsula. Rides cater to all experience levels, from gentle beach walks to more adventurous mountain treks. The well-trained local horses are calm and sure-footed, and the guides share their knowledge of the flora and fauna along the way.
TerrainJungle, Beach, Mountains
Duration2 — 3 hours
LevelAll Levels
ATV Tours
Adventure
Mud, Mountains & Views
ATV Tours
For those who prefer a motor to a mane, guided ATV tours are one of the most thrilling ways to explore the back roads and mountain trails of the Pavones region. Routes climb through dense rainforest, ford shallow rivers, and open up to panoramic ridgeline views of the coastline and the gulf below. Tours are led by experienced local guides who know every trail, waterfall, and hidden swimming hole along the way.
TerrainJungle Trails, Mountains
Duration2 — 4 hours
LevelAll Levels
Osa Wildlife Sanctuary
All Ages
Where the Wild Things Heal
Osa Wildlife Sanctuary
Nestled on the shores of the Golfo Dulce, the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned animals from the surrounding rainforest. Visits offer an up-close look at howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, margays, and other species being nursed back to health before release. The sanctuary is accessible by boat from Pavones, and the trip across the gulf is part of the experience. Dolphins often escort you along the way.
WildlifeMonkeys, Sloths, Toucans
AccessBoat ride across gulf
DurationHalf Day
Corcovado National Park
Day Trip
The Most Biodiverse Place on Earth
Corcovado National Park
Called "the most biologically intense place on Earth" by National Geographic, Corcovado National Park covers over 160 square miles of primary rainforest on the Osa Peninsula. Guided day trips from Pavones cross the Golfo Dulce by boat and enter the park on foot, where you may encounter all four species of Costa Rican monkeys, tapirs, scarlet macaws, anteaters, and if you are lucky, a jaguar track on the trail. A certified naturalist guide is required for entry.
WildlifeMonkeys, Tapirs, Macaws, Jaguars
DurationFull Day
IncludesGuide, Boat, Lunch
Yoga & Pilates Classes
All Levels
Move, Breathe, Reset
Yoga & Pilates Classes
Start your morning with a yoga or Pilates session surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. Local instructors offer private and small-group classes in open-air settings, from gentle restorative flows to dynamic vinyasa and core-focused Pilates. Sessions can be held at the villa or at nearby jungle studios, and are a perfect complement to days spent surfing, hiking, or exploring. All experience levels are welcome, and mats and props are provided.
StylesVinyasa, Restorative, Pilates
Duration60 — 90 min
SettingVilla or Jungle Studio
Punta Banco Turtle Conservation
Seasonal
Witness New Life
Punta Banco Turtle Conservation
Each year from July through December, olive ridley and hawksbill sea turtles come ashore at Punta Banco to nest. The local conservation project patrols the beach nightly, protecting nests from poachers and predators and carefully relocating eggs to a hatchery when needed. Visitors can join evening patrols to witness nesting mothers or, during hatching season, help release tiny hatchlings into the Pacific. It is a humbling, once-in-a-lifetime experience just 10 minutes south of the villa.
SeasonJuly — December
SpeciesOlive Ridley, Hawksbill
Distance10 min drive south
Your Concierge
We handle the details so you can live the moment
Every activity can be arranged directly through Villa Estrella Pavones. Our local team works with the best guides, captains, and outfitters in the region: people who know these waters, trails, and waves like the back of their hand. Just tell us what sounds good, and we will take care of the rest.
