Destination

We Are Rancho Burica

A guide to discovering the destination: Pavones, Punta Banco and beyond.

Welcome to Rancho Burica
Located in the beautiful Punta Banco, just 5km south of Pavones, Rancho Burica is nestled at the end of the road, offering breathtaking views of the Osa Peninsula. This picturesque setting overlooks the renowned Corcovado National Park, known for its incredible biodiversity and natural beauty.

Explore Our Paradise
Biodiversity and Views: Enjoy stunning vistas from our beach deck or the ‘mirador’ in our lush jungle garden, surrounded by an area of extreme high biodiversity.

Our Values

Visit our natural paradise and reconnect with yourself

Waterfall Oasis: Refresh yourself in the waterfall within our garden or explore the numerous waterfalls along the jungle and beach edge as you stroll south from the Rancho.

Relaxation: Unwind in one of our hammocks under the palm trees near the beach, perfect for a rejuvenating siesta.

Strategic Location
Rancho Burica is conveniently situated near the Panama border, making it an ideal stopover for travelers moving to and from the border. The distance from Paso Canoas, the Panama border crossing, is approximately 3 hours by bus or 1.5 hours by car. Whether you’re passing through or staying awhile, Rancho Burica offers a comfortable retreat amidst nature’s splendor.

How to get here

The Rancho is located on the southwest coast of Costa Rica, close to the village of Punta Banco, about 60 kilometers (40 miles) south of Golfito. Below you’ll find directions by car, by bus and by plane.
Address Rancho Burica
300 metros sur de la escuela en Punta Banco, Pavones

By Car

Getting out of San José can be quite a task but it is doable. There are two ways to drive down South once you are out of the city.

Coastal route
Take the coastal road towards Jaco and follow up to Dominical. Once past Dominical follow the road to Palma Norte till you hit the T-junction in Rio Claro de Golfito. Take to road towards Golfito. About 10km before Golfito take a left towards Pavones. Follow the signs Pavones and you will see the Rancho Burica signs show up on the side of the road. Follow these till the road end and you are there!

Mountain route
If you like fresh air, great views and curvy bends take the coastal road towards San Isidro. Once you see the signs Dominical follow them. Past Dominical follow the road to Palma Norte till you hit the T-junction in Rio Claro de Golfito. Take the road towards Golfito. About 10km before Golfito take a left towards Pavones. Follow the signs Pavones and you will see the Rancho Burica signs show up on the side of the road. Follow these till the road end and you are there!

Suggestion
Use a navigation device and find Pavones (a.k.a. Rio Claro de Pavones) Once you are close to Pavones follow the signs Rancho Burica till the road stops and our gate is right there. Do not punch in the coordinates of this place you find on google, you’ll get stuck in the mud somewhere. We are speaking out of experience!

By Bus

From San José you can buy a ticket at the Tracopa Terminal (every taxi drivers knows where it is). If possible, we advise you to buy your ticket a day in advance, because it can get crowded, especially in the weekends.

Take the 6:30 AM bus to Golfito, which arrives there around 2:30 PM. From Golfito take the bus to Pavones at 3 PM. It departs near the supermarket across the street from the hospital.

In case of a lack of time, you can get off the bus at T-junction kilómetro 14 (between Golfito & Pavones) and get on the Pavones bus there. Whatever you do, make sure you are on that bus, because it only goes to the Rancho Burica once a day!

The last stop of the bus is directly in front of the Rancho past the town of Punta Banco, where you will be welcomed at around 6 PM.

If by any chance you miss the last bus to Pavones, you can take a taxi from Golfito to the Rancho, which will cost you $80.

From Panama take the bus to the border, Paso Canoas, via David. Arrange all the necessary stamps in your passport and get on the bus to Laurel, which leaves at 4 PM Panama time (Costa Rica is one hour behind Panama). Change busses in Laurel and take the one to Conte. In Conte you have to get on the bus to Pavones (see above), which leaves around 4:30 PM Costa Rica time. If you missed your bus in Paso Canoas, take a taxi to Conte. The taxi is much faster than the bus, so you’ll be in Conte on time for the bus to Pavones.

By Plane

There are three flights from San José to Golfito daily for about US $120 (one-way). You can book from your own country or in Costa Rica at SANSA (+506) 22219414 (www.flysansa.com). The flight takes about an hour. From Golfito you can take the 3 PM bus to Pavones or a taxi, we can have one waiting for you if you like.

When you’re walking around in this beautiful surrounding it’s not unusual to see Scarlett Macaws flying over your head and monkeys howling at you. The ‘mono titis’ (squirrel monkeys), howler monkeys, iguanas, toucans, hummingbirds, sloths and a variety of snakes and everything else you might expect on a jungle walk, flies, swims and crawls around here. When the tide goes out (a 10 foot difference) the tidal pools abound and are full of marine life.

Wildlife

Birdwatcher’s Paradise at Rancho Burica
Costa Rica is renowned as one of the richest bird countries in the world, boasting over 900 species. The good news is that many of these species can be found right here at Rancho Burica, making it a true birdwatcher’s heaven.

Vibrant Birdlife
Our beautifully maintained garden is a haven for birds, with species like Toucans, Hummingbirds, Scarlet Macaws, Aracari’s, and Trogons frequently spotted. One of the most striking birds is the Cherrie’s Tanager, with its velvety black plumage and vibrant orange rump. Several pairs can be seen patrolling the fruiting trees throughout the day. If you look closely, you might also catch a glimpse of the tiny Tody Flycatcher or the dazzling Red-legged Honeycreeper, known for its shining blue upperparts and warm red legs.

Wildlife Beyond Birds
Beyond the birds, Rancho Burica is home to a variety of other wildlife. Black Iguanas roam through the garden, while Jesus Christ Lizards climb the boulders near the stream. The adult males, with their impressive crests and skin flaps, often found hiding in the large trees. White nosed Coati’s are found snacking on the coconuts so be sure to keep your eyes open when walking through our gardens. You might also hear the early morning calls of the Mantled Howler Monkeys or catch a glimpse of the endangered Squirrel Monkeys, known for their yellow coats and distinctive skull-like head patterns. These monkeys whistle almost like birds!

In the evenings, insect-eating bats can be seen, offering a unique opportunity to observe them up close.

Exploring Further
For those eager to see even more wildlife, a short boat ride across the Golfo Dulce takes you to Corcovado National Park, one of Costa Rica’s wildest and most biodiverse national parks.

Tips for Visitors
To make the most of your visit, don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars. For the serious bird enthusiast, we recommend obtaining a copy of “The Birds of Costa Rica” by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean. This comprehensive field guide will help you identify the many species you’ll encounter during your stay or have a look for app’s about the birds and wildlife of Costa Rica.