Esterillos Beach
The Central Pacific's hidden secret!
Beachfront
Surfing
Beach
Why Visit Esterillos?
Most travelers to Costa Rica drive straight past Esterillos on the coastal highway, when heading to other beaches, and unintentionally miss out on some of the best surf, beautiful beaches, and laid-back little communities in Costa Rica.
Esterillos comprises four different beaches about halfway between Jaco and Quepos. Each beach is separated by an estuary. So think of Esterillos as a four-for-one opportunity to enjoy an authentic slice of Pura Vida.
Below are a few reasons why we recommend Esterillos:
- The Beaches: It's one long beach separated by river mouths to make up four in total - Esterillos Oeste (West), Esterillos Centro (Central), Esterillos Este (East), and Playa Bejuco thrown in for good measure. They all have gray sands, stunning surf, and sunsets to die for in common.
- The Communities: The largest one is Oeste. Centro, Este, and Bejuco offer ultra laid-back surf community vibes, quiet and friendly, with fish restaurants and relaxing bars.
- La Sirena: Do you want to see a mermaid in Costa Rica? In Esterillos Oeste a mermaid's bronze statue sits out in the tide pools. At high tide, it's surrounded by the ocean, but you can walk out to it at low tide for a perfect Instagram moment.
Where to Stay
Esterillos has mid-range to higher-end hotels and more budget options along its beaches. Also, rentals like large mansions in the Esterillos Hills to condos in Bejuco.
Things to Do
As a surf destination, the beaches of Esterillos have much to offer. Nature and wildlife also play a great role in Esterillos.
Explore Esterillos: A Collection of Beach Communities
Esterillos is located on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, about halfway between Jaco and Manuel Antonio. Its gray-colored sands stretch for over seven miles, and it's known for the beach village of Esterillos Oeste.
Although technically one beach, Esterillos is divided into four due to the river mouths that empty into the ocean, splitting the beach into four separate entities called Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos Centro, Esterillos Este, and Playa Bejuco. Each beach has its community and its access from the coastal highway.
Esterillos Oeste - the westernmost beach closest to Jaco - is the largest. Yet, it's still quiet and laid-back compared to other beach areas of Costa Rica. Instead, you'll discover a relaxed vibe where life revolves around surfing, sunsets, and Pura Vida.
Esterillos is often bypassed by people visiting the more significant, better-known centers of Jaco or Manuel Antonio, but those who do drop by to check things out usually stay longer than planned.
Best Time to Travel to Esterillos
Esterillos is perfect year-round - after all, every day is lovely when you're on a Costa Rican beach! But if you're looking for the best weather, you'll want to come during the December to April dry season to reduce your rain chances.
Many people come to Esterillos for the surf - it's the main attraction here - and then you're looking at May to October for the most significant and most consistent swells. There's still good surf in the dry December to April dry season. Just smaller waves, better for beginners and those who are taking lessons.
Weather in Esterillos
Temperatures in Esterillos stay consistent all year. Expect temperatures around the early-to-mid 80s F (late 20s/early 30s C) year-round.
From December to April, you can expect little rain. Maybe some showers in December, but they dry up as January gets underway. From April until May, it's hot and sunny all the way through. September and October can get very wet, with things easing off in November.
Is Esterillos Safe?
Esterillos is a small community where most people know each other. Crime isn't a significant issue here, although travelers should protect themselves from opportunistic theft. Never leave anything of value in your car. Likewise, don't bring anything of value to the beach.
The beaches of Esterillos can get heavy waves and undertows - they are surfing beaches more than swimming beaches, and utmost care should be taken in the ocean here if you're not a strong swimmer or are an inexperienced surfer.
Top Restaurants in Esterillos
Los Almendras Restaurant
In the heart of Esterillos Oeste, this restaurant offers a fantastic fusion of local and Asian recipes emphasizing seafood.
La Escapadita Restaurant
A beachfront option in Esterillos Centro offering an international menu in front of a spectacular sunset.
El Chiringuito Restaurant
Mediterranean and Italian cuisine in Esterillos Este.
La Rioja
Another option in Esterillos Oeste, La Rioja is a Spanish/South American option famous for its fantastic steaks.
El Patio Bar & Grill
This restaurant in Esterillos Oeste is where we recommend you satisfy your pizza cravings while in this part of Costa Rica.
How to Get to Esterillos
Juan Santamaria Airport (Airport Code SJO), outside the capital city of San José, is the closest international airport to Quepos.
Distance & Driving Time to Esterillos Oeste
From SJO Airport: 68 miles (109 kilometers), about 2 hours
If you're driving to Esterillos Oeste from the airport, give yourself about two hours of driving time, plus an hour to arrange your car rental. Also, make sure you arrive in Costa Rica early enough in the day to not drive at night - something we don't recommend.
Once you have your car, get onto the InterAmerican Highway and head to El Coyol. Turn off there to get onto Ruta 27, the toll road to the coast. Keep on until the big junction takes you to Jaco and head south over the Rio Tarcoles bridge (you can stop here to check out the crocodiles).
You're now on Ruta 34, the Pacific Coast road. Keep heading south, past Punta Leona, Jacó, and Playa Hermosa. After Playa Hermosa, you'll see signs for Esterillos Oeste, which you'll shortly find is a turn-off to the right. Take that right, and you're in the village. If you're heading to Esterillos Centro, that's the next right after the Oeste one. Then there's Este, and finally Bejuco.