About the Port
Golfito sits on a sheltered bay within a larger gulf, its calm waters framed by the mangroves of Corcovado and Piedras Blancas national parks, two of the region's richest reserves for wildlife. Founded in the 1930s as a regional headquarters for the banana trade, the town retains traces of that era in its wooden buildings and quiet waterfront streets, even after the industry departed in the 1980s.
Today the port serves as a launch point for exploring one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse corners, drawing anglers to its noted sport-fishing grounds and surfers toward the famed break at nearby Pavones. Boat excursions into the national parks reveal dense rainforest and abundant birdlife just beyond the shore. The town center lies within walking distance of the pier, offering an easy first look at this understated gateway to the country's wild southern Pacific.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Golfito.
Cruise the Mangrove Channels
Small boats slip through Golfito's tidal mangroves and out toward Piedras Blancas National Park, where howler monkeys, sloths, and flocks of herons and kingfishers appear along the banks. Half-day trips typically depart right from the waterfront.
Ride Out to Pavones
One of the world's longest left-hand waves breaks along this remote point about an hour's drive south; even non-surfers can watch from the beach. Arrange a driver or shuttle in advance, as roads are rough and taxis are scarce.
Wander the Old Banana Zone
The former United Fruit Company district near the pier still holds faded wooden clapboard houses and quiet tree-lined streets from Golfito's 1930s heyday. It's an easy, flat walk requiring no transportation, giving a quick sense of the town's history before heading further afield.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Golfito
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Bellot | 7 | $7,240 | |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | Le Bellot | 7 | $7,180 | |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Laperouse | 7 | $7,240 | |
| Feb 26, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Laperouse | 7 | $7,240 | |
| Mar 5, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Laperouse | 7 | $6,480 | |
| Mar 10, 2027 | Regent | Seven Seas Mariner | 16 | $12,699 | |
| Dec 29, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Bougainville | 7 | $5,700 | |
| Jan 6, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 25 | $26,035 | |
| Jan 13, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 18 | $19,390 | |
| Jan 24, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 7 | $5,460 | |
| Feb 10, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 12 | $10,551 | |
| Feb 22, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 18 | $19,240 | |
| Feb 22, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 7 | $5,310 | |
| Oct 27, 2028 | Oceania | Oceania Aurelia | 71 | $33,499 | |
| Dec 22, 2028 | Oceania | Oceania Aurelia | 15 | $7,299 | |
| Jan 13, 2029 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 18 | $21,990 | |
| Jan 24, 2029 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 7 | $7,677 | |
| Jan 31, 2029 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 12 | $10,847 | |
| Feb 10, 2029 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 12 | $10,899 | |
| Feb 22, 2029 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Azzurra | 7 | $7,627 |
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