Esterillos
Esterillos Oeste, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: April–November
Esterillos is a long run of beach on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the canton of Parrita in Puntarenas province, about 20 km south-east of Jacó. It is split into Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos Centro and Esterillos Este, small beach communities along the coastal road.
The beaches face south-west and pick up the same south and south-west swells as Jacó and Playa Hermosa, best from about April to November. Esterillos Oeste has peaks around rocks and a rocky shelf at the northern end, while Esterillos Centro and Este are open sandy beach breaks with shifting sandbars. Mornings often bring light offshore winds from the north and north-east before the afternoon sea breeze. The waves are usually less crowded than at Jacó and Hermosa, and suit intermediate and advanced surfers; on small days some peaks are gentler. Rip currents are common, the rocks are a hazard at low tide, and crocodiles live in the rivers of this coast, so stay away from river mouths. The water is warm all year (about 27–30°C); boardshorts or a lycra are enough.
Spots near Esterillos
- Playa Hermosa – Jacó (12 km)
- Jacó (16 km)
- Boca Barranca (55 km)
- Santa Teresa (74 km)
- Dominical (77 km)
- Lake Arenal – Tilarán (123 km)
- Nosara – Playa Guiones (135 km)
- Playa Negra – Guanacaste (164 km)