Esterillos

Esterillos proudly is home to one of the absolute longest, incredibly expansive, and consistently pristine stretches of raw shoreline on the entire Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, distinctly and officially divided into completely separate West, Central, and East beach sections. This massively sprawling, highly easy on the eye gray sand beach is consistently and beautifully uncrowded year-round, successfully offering a deeply serene and wildly natural coastal escape just a very short, highly scenic drive directly south of the heavily bustling, commercialized tourist town of Jaco. Dedicated, highly experienced surfers heavily flock to the vast Esterillos breaks specifically for its remarkably consistent, powerful rolling waves, while dedicated beachcombers deeply appreciate the seemingly endless miles of wide open, dramatic, unbothered coastline. The entire localized area proudly and effortlessly retains a charmingly rustic, largely undiscovered historical feel. Massive towering palm trees and incredibly thick ancient almond trees beautifully line the extensive open beach, consistently providing ample cooling shade for bright wild scarlet macaws and massive sunbathing green iguanas. The local coastal culinary scene is intentionally modest but highly authentic. At extremely low ocean tides, fascinating shallow tide pools completely emerge, and the highly iconic, heavily photographed bronze mermaid statue permanently standing directly in the ocean shallows at Esterillos Oeste is an absolute must-see local landmark.

Nearby cities

Chacarita

Located on the Pacific coast, this town serves as a residential and secondary service center for the port city of Puntarenas.

Esparza

One of the oldest towns in Costa Rica, strategically located on the way to the Pacific coast.

Quepos

Quepos is a bustling harbor town famous for world-class sport fishing and acting as the dynamic gateway to nearby Manuel Antonio.

Ciudad Neily

The main commercial hub in the southern border region of Corredores, serving as a primary link for trade with Panama.

Jacó

A major beach destination on the central Pacific coast, world-famous for its surfing, nightlife, and proximity to San Jose.

🗺️

Boquete area / San Vito

A tranquil highland region near the Panama border, renowned for its Italian heritage, cool climate, and biodiversity.

Parrita

A town located between Jaco and Manuel Antonio, primarily serving as an agricultural center known for oil palm plantations.

Uvita

Known for the 'Whale Tail' rock formation and the Marino Ballena National Park, it is a key destination for whale watching and nature lov…

Bejuco

A highly pristine, entirely Blue Flag-certified beach perfectly located on the Central Pacific coast.

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa near Jacó is a world-renowned surf beach featuring powerful waves and dark volcanic sand.

Tortuga Island

Tortuga Island is a stunning day-trip destination in the Gulf of Nicoya, famous for its white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and s…

Dominical

Dominical is a laid-back South Pacific beach village known for consistent year-round waves, yoga culture, and its proximity to lush rainf…

Playa Tambor

A deeply peaceful, distinctly horseshoe-shaped bay on the Nicoya Peninsula completely known for its calm, shallow waters.

Montezuma

A bohemian coastal village at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, popular for its waterfalls, pristine beaches, and relaxed, artistic vibe.

Mal Pais / Cabuya

A deeply laid-back coastal stretch on the Nicoya Peninsula, beautifully blending excellent surf breaks with dense jungle.

History & landmarks

🗺️

Puntarenas House of Culture

A cultural center in the former barracks of Puntarenas.

Puntarenas Pier

The long pier is a landmark of the port city of Puntarenas.

Yoga and Wellness Retreat

Costa Rica's yoga and wellness retreats combine tropical scenery with rest and mindfulness.

Boruca Mask Art

Exquisite hand-carved masks created by the Boruca people, traditionally used in the annual 'Dance of the Devils' festival.

More places

Puerto Villas

A maritime terminal facility focused on handling specialized shipments and supporting regional port operations.

Puerto Quepos

Port for tourism and fishing on the Pacific.

Puerto Caldera

The largest port on the country's Pacific coast.

Puerto Puntarenas

A significant port and departure point for cruise ships.

Traditional Fishing Village

Small coastal villages maintain a traditional way of life centered around artisanal fishing and the bounty of the sea.

Puntarenas-Naranjo Ferry Terminal

Important ferry link between the mainland and the Nicoya Peninsula.

San Lucas Prison

A former island penitentiary, notorious for its brutal conditions.

Puerto Balboa (Golfito)

A small maritime terminal in the southern Pacific area.