Pavones & the south · Costa Rica
Surfing Eclipse
A beach break in Pavones & the south, Costa Rica, for intermediate surfers.
Eclipse is a rivermouth peak near Punta Burica, at the southern tip of Costa Rica by the Panama border. It's one of the few spots in the area that also picks up north-west swell, so it can work when the south-swell spots are flat.
Getting there means a boat or a long, rough drive, and there's nothing there, so bring everything you need.
It's a remote spot near the Panama border, usually reached by boat or four-wheel drive from Pavones. Go with someone who knows the area.
When to surf
Eclipse
Eclipse is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: Swell S-SW o NW.
April to June: Good
Season building, S-SW swell arriving, lush and quiet, roads still passable
July to September: Prime
Peak S-SW power, Pavones at its best, but the wettest, road-washing months
Oct: Good
Still firing, crowds thinning, very wet
November to March: Quiet
Dry but smaller. Pavones needs a big south swell, so it's often flat
The year across Golfo Dulce
Waves near Eclipse
Punta Burica
13 kmPavones & the south · Reef Break · Advanced
Punta Banco
32 kmPavones & the south · Left & Right Reef · Beginner / Intermediate
Pavones
36 kmPavones & the south · Left Point · Intermediate / Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Pavones is a remote 2h 4x4 bounce from Golfito (fly to Golfito to save the long drive from San José). Roads wash out in the swell season, so time your mission carefully. Basic cabinas by the point ($10-20); Punta Banco has Tiskita. Bring cash, there's little here but the wave.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Pavones & the south guide.
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