What is Happening in Pavones?
This blog post is inspired by and summarizes the incredible investigative work done by the YouTube channel Dan Harmon in their video, "WTF is Happening in Pavones!?". All credit for the information and bringing this story to light goes to them.
A Paradise in Peril
In May 2025, the tranquil surf town of Pavones, Costa Rica, was turned upside down. Bulldozers, accompanied by riot police, began demolishing homes and businesses, leaving a trail of destruction and uncertainty. This blog post delves into the complex situation unfolding in this iconic location.
What is Happening in Pavones?
The official justification for the demolitions is a 1977 maritime zoning law that prohibits unpermitted structures within 200 meters of the high tide line. However, residents are crying foul, pointing to selective enforcement. While homes with decades of history are being destroyed without compensation, concessions owned by anonymous corporations remain untouched.
Rumors are swirling that this is all to clear the way for 60 luxury beachfront condominiums, a move that would forever change the character of this tight-knit community.
A Rich History and a Complicated Past
Pavones was put on the map in the 1970s by surfer Dan Foley, who recognized its potential and acquired a vast amount of land. His subsequent legal troubles in the 1990s led to confusion over land ownership, with many local families settling in the area. This long and complicated history is now at the center of the current legal battles.
The Community Fights Back
The people of Pavones are not standing by idly. They are resisting the demolitions by reclaiming the land and erecting temporary structures, arguing that they are preserving their ancestral lands and heritage. Legal action has been initiated against the local municipality and the Ministry of Public Security.
The fight has also gained international attention, with NGOs and the global surfing community rallying to support the residents of Pavones. The goal is to protect community land, halt the demolitions, and prevent the area from being overrun by large-scale resort development.