Pavones & the south · Costa Rica
Surfing Punta Burica
A reef break in Pavones & the south, Costa Rica, for advanced surfers.
Punta Burica is the peninsula at the southern tip of Costa Rica, on the border with Panama. It's very exposed, with peaks breaking on several reefs off the coast, and it picks up swells that other spots miss.
Very few people surf it. You need a boat to reach most of the reefs, and there's no infrastructure and no help nearby, so it's only for experienced surfers with good local support.
On the right swell it can be very good and completely empty.
When to surf
Punta Burica
Punta Burica is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S-SW swell, by panga.
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 Punta Burica
Eclipse
13 kmPavones & the south · Beach Break · Intermediate
Punta Banco
43 kmPavones & the south · Left & Right Reef · Beginner / Intermediate
Pavones
49 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.
Pavones & the south surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.