Driving Directions from San Jose (SJO) Airport to Pavones, Costa Rica:
Getting to Pavones from San Jose will take approximately 7-8 hours by vehicle. You will definitely need to rent a 4×4 vehicle as the final stretch of road to Pavones is not paved. Make sure that you request a road map by the car rental agency you select, these are free!
Below are buletted directions that will lead you to Pavones.
- Head West out of San Jose on Highway 3.
- Highway 3 will then merge onto Highway 27, take Highway 27 West for a little while then take Highway 34 South.
- Highway 34 also known as the Coastal Highway will pass over the famous Tarcoles river (Great stop to see the huge crocodiles under the bridge) and many popular beach towns such as Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Manuel Antonio and Dominical.
- After about 5 hours you will reach a town called Palmar Norte. THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL WANT TO FILL UP ON GAS!
- You will then want to take a right (South) at this intersection which then will become the Interamerican Highway (Highway 2). Proceed along this road towards Rio Claro.
- Once you arrive in Rio Claro you want to take a right at the main intersection in town, heading towards Golfito (Highway 14).
- After about 10 kilometers you want to make a left turn at the Salon El Rodeo (Rodeo Bar). If you reach Golfito you have gone too far.
- Please note that there are no gas stations, ATM’s or banks in Pavones and the nearest gas station is in Golfito so make sure you fill your gas tank full before taking this left turn at El Rodeo Bar.
- The road from here to Pavones is paved with lots of potholes until you reach the bridges @ Rio Coto, once across, the road is unpaved all the way to Pavones.
- About 2km after crossing the bridge you will come to a small town. Going left and then right around the soccer field. This is Pueblo Nuevo.
- Continue for another 2km then make a quick right (look for the Pavones sign).
- You will drive for about another hour when you approach a town called Conte, take a right after you pass the school, following the signs to Pavones.
- There is a “Y” intersection in the road just past Conte, take a left. Follow the road and signs to Pavones.
- Once you arrive in Pavones Turn left at the intersection where the ferreteria (hardware store) and local grocery market are. Go to the past the cell phone tower (which is on your left) and go over the wooden bridge at the Rio Claro (Pavones surf break).
- Veer to your left at the intersection just after the bridge, and continue on to the end of this road (approximately 1.5 kilometers).
- Pass the walled compound on your left and the road will drop down and back up as you cross La Pina creek.
- Continue for 300m until just past Casa Siempre Domingo to the end of the road.
- Look for the Una Ola signs… Because, you are already here! We are on the left side of the road.