Nearly every popular surfing beach you go to in Costa Rica is full of people. At Playa Tamarindo, you need to watch out if you’re a swimmer for oncoming boards, at Jaco and Hermosa the waves are sometimes even too big to swim in and during peak season, Playa Grande is full of surfers, swimmers and sometimes even turtles!
When we visited Playa Esterillos Oeste for a couple days, it didn’t take me long to fall in love with this beach. It may not have the Caribbean feel or look like the typical tropical paradise, but it was the atmosphere of the beach that I loved.
Playa Esterillos Oeste
You could see the local kids surfing until the sun goes down, visitors laying on chairs on the beach, having a beer, people huddling around bonfires and music playing.
If you walk around the corner, you’ll even notice that Ariel resides at this beach!
There is a Playa Esterillos Este that is actually just the other side of the same long beach but are separated by names.
Many hotels are located right on the beach and next to a couple campsites so there were scatterings of people here and there.
If you keep walking either direction on the beach, you might find yourself walking alone without seeing another person for awhile. You can enjoy the dark sand and inviting warm waters all to yourself or have a private moment with your significant other as you watch the sunset or just enjoy the beautiful view.
Playa Esterillos Oeste Location
You can get to Playa Esterillos Oeste by taking the Costanera Sur, south from Playa Jaco.
Accommodations and Food
You won’t see any all inclusive resorts here or even chain hotels. Esterillos town is very small, as in the typical small Costa Rican town with one or two small pulperias, a couple sodas and restaurants. There are a few campsites if you’re looking to rough it out in the wilderness (although we saw one family hook up 3 TVs next to their tent) and you can find random places to stay here and there.
Prices are moderate as none of these places are offering luxury accommodations but rather comfortable and modest places since majority of visitors are there to enjoy the beach. You can find places to stay at both Oeste and Este.
- Encantada Ocean Cottages
- Hotel La Dolce Vita (review)
- Pelican Hotel Esterillos Este
- Monterey del Mar Hotel
- Alma del Pacifico Hotel
- Hotel Walt Paraiso
Surprisingly, there are a couple nicer restaurants in Estilleros town, with a new pizza place opening up and a seafood/Caribbean restaurant.
Playa Esterillos Oeste Town
Tired of crowds at Jaco and just want a bit of peace and quiet in a small Costa Rican beach town? Playa Esterillos Oeste offers all of the same great waves for surfers with some of the cleanest breaks. With friendly locals, a peaceful and laid back atmosphere, it’s a little piece of paradise that you can keep all to yourself.
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Hi
We are planning a trip to Esterillo but can’t decide to stay in Oueste or Este??
We have found a house to rent in Este (the furthest end away, towards Bejuco).
Will we be too far away from restaurants, etc?
We like quiet but also prefer to walk to food stores, restaurants, etc.
Thanks for your help.
Either one is fine, you will have to walk/drive a little bit to get to restaurants (there’s only a few in Esterillos) anyways.
Hi Guys, just returned from Costa Rica and it was AMAZING ! We were in Esterillos Oeste and stayed at the Dolce Vita hotel by the beach. Fell in love with the place.We will be back for sure. Loved the ppl there. Food is amazing,the beaches are incredible. Rented a car from Adobe was great no issues at all.Great service.
Hi Jean-Yves! I’m so glad to hear that! That beach is so nice for quiet getaways and that hotel is perfect for a beach vacay. So glad you had an amazing trip!
Thanks for your review about Esterillos!
What type of activities can you do? and where do you go to schedule those?
Hi Rose, the most popular thing to do at ESterillos is surfing since it has good waves for beginners. You can rent a surfboard, there are some surf places and your hotel may have some for rent.
Hi Jean-Yves, I recommend reading this post: Costa Rica weather
🙂
Hi, I will be there at the Hotel La dolce vita from the 28th of september to the 6th of october.
My question is what type of weather will i have ?
Thanks.
P.S. your website is a great idea !!!
Hi!
I am have in been in Monteverde for almost a month and am loving it but I could really use some beach time! I was hoping you could give me some suggestions on easy-ish places to get to from Monteverde that are good swimming beaches for kids. While sticking to a budget 😉
Best,
Erika
HI Ericka
From Monteverde Puntarenas is the closest their beaches are not as nicer as teh Guanacaste ones but it is an option.
If you want to go to Guancaste I think one of the best options could be playas del coco there are nice beaches around and the waves are not that big.
How are the waves for an avid surfer? My husband surfs a lot and I am looking for a low key place for the family where dad can catch good surf. Rights, lefts??? Thanks for the info.
Esterillos is a popular spot for locals and for other foreigners who aren’t looking to surf the big ones at Jaco and Hermosa. They’re not huge waves but not so small that experienced surfers won’t enjoy it. Definitely will keep an avid surfer happy and if he feels the itch to ride bigger waves, Jaco is just 20 minutes away!
I just realized I never thanked you for this awesome (and quick!) response!! I really appreciate your help and this info was so helpful as we were trying to decide where to book. Looks like we’ll be staying in EO for just over 2 weeks – we can’t wait!! 🙂
Oh you are very welcome! That is super exciting, I really loved that area. I’m sure you and your family will have a wonderful time 🙂
gorgeous pictures and I just loved your descriptions!! I am thinking of renting a house near there when our family visits CR for the first time later this fall. I’ve gotten concerned, though, that maybe the beach there is unsafe for swimming? We have a 6, 4 and 2 year-old. None of us will go very far out in the water, but what is your opinion? Did you see many families taking kids in the water?
Thanks 🙂 (and thanks for the great write-up!)
Hi Laura! I did see a few families around the water. This beach is great for surfers, especially beginners and the waves aren’t as big as Jaco or Hermosa. I think as long as you don’t go out to where the waves break and your children are with you at all times, they can enjoy the water. It’s a really nice beach with a good mix of locals and tourists. Hope you have a great trip to CR! 🙂
Love the sunset pictures!! And beautiful lonely beaches is my idea of paradise! I could sit and enjoy the view forever!
Agreed! Love empty beaches!
Playa Esterillos Oeste looks like a wonderful place to visit. I am always in search of places with less crowd, and more of a local feel. To have a beach almost only for yourself I consider a true luxury.
Same, I much prefer local beaches with less crowds! A rare gem for sure 🙂
This looks like an amazing place to visit ~ I am always looking for local beautiful beaches! Really Great post and adding this place to my wish list!
Thanks Stacey! We loved it, it’s a great beach that isn’t packed with tourists which is nice!
Ohhh that sunset, how divine. I mean a beach with no crowds is awesome… but ohhh laaa laaa I want that sunset with a cocktail in my hand. Thanks for linking up with us again for #SundayTraveler
it’s pretty spectacular! 🙂
Ohhh this places looks gorgeous–especialyl since Tennessee just went through a minor snowstorm–to us it was a huge snowstorm haha
Oh man! You need to hop on a plane to get some sun 🙂 This snow season is lasting forever!
Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler 🙂
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. Sometimes the typical paradise destinations are a little too overpopulated for me. It is great that Ariel also watches over the beach. It was one of my favorite Disney movies growing up!
yes it is a great place to visit, on low tide you can go and take a picture next to Ariel 🙂