Welcome to Golfito
Golfito is located in the southern part of Costa Rica, on the Golfo Dulce, close to Panama. It's a port city that saw its best days in the early 20th-century when the United Fruit Company used it as its main port to export bananas. This status as a "company town" greatly influenced the architecture of Golfito and continues to do so today.
The city lost influence in 1985 when United Fruit left and fell into a decline. To boost the economy of Golfito, the government created a duty-free zone. The idea was to attract visitors.
Golfito has also made efforts to attract tourists by showcasing the region's natural beauty, with much of the land around the city now protected. The town highlights its proximity to the Golfo Dulce, the Piedras Blancas National Park, the great surfing available to the south, and even the Corcovado National Park across the gulf on the Osa Peninsula.
The city is also home to a new marina complex, the Marina Bahia Golfito, to attract more tourists and businesses to the area.
The Best Time To Travel to Golfito
The best time to visit Golfito is during the dry season, which in Costa Rica's southern zone runs from January to April. Traveling outside these times may get a little wet, although really, anytime is good except for September and October, when it rains enough to close many of the eco-lodges around the area.
Whale watchers will be happiest in August and September, which is peak humpback season in the Golfo Dulce, while surfers should take advantage of the peak southern swells between April and November.
Weather in Golfito
Golfito is a hot, humid port town - languid is how to describe it. Expect temperatures in the high 80s to 90s F all year and high tropical humidity.
In the far south of Costa Rica, the dry season typically runs from January to April, during which time the chances of rain diminish. So instead, expect hot, sunny days during this time, although occasional showers do happen - and they're welcome when they do! The rest of the year is quite wet, with rainy afternoons and evenings broken up by sunny mornings. The wettest months in this part of Costa Rica are September and October.
Is Golfito Safe?
Like most small towns in Costa Rica, you pretty much have nothing to worry about, but we ask you to take the usual precautions in Golfito that you would anywhere - don't flash the cash and be aware of your surroundings.
Top Restaurants in Golfito
Restaurant Mar y Luna
Golfito's prime seafood spot on the shores of the Golfo Dulce.
Banana Bay Seafood Restaurant
A seafood restaurant with an international twist. Plus, they'll cook what you catch!
Restaurant Buenos Días
A nicely-priced local spot with a great breakfast.
Restaurant Samoa del Sur
Good steak and seafood close to the Duty-Free Zone.
Soda Mercadito
The best American breakfast in Golfito.
How To Get to Golfito
Juan Santamaria Airport (Airport Code SJO), outside the capital city of San José, is the closest international airport to Golfito.
Distance and Driving Time to Golfito
From SJO Airport: 205 miles (329 kilometers), about 6 hours.
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. We'll meet you and take you to your waiting driver when you arrive at the airport.
If you want to drive to Golfito, it's certainly possible, albeit a little lengthy. All you need to do from SJO Airport is get yourself onto Ruta 27 to the coast and then onto Ruta 34 south past Jaco, Quepos, Dominical, and down, following the signs to Panama. You'll get to Golfito in about six hours.
The quickest way, though, is to fly. It takes about an hour to fly from San Jose to Golfito on one of Costa Rica's domestic airlines.
