Esterillos Beach is one of those surf locations that doesn’t attract the same crowds that you might find with other beaches nearby, and Esterillos, Costa Rica actually comprises three small towns with outlets to the beach.

The province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, seemingly, is the safe haven for a number of great surf spots on the Pacific Ocean. Esterillos is one such surf locale that attracts riders from all over. Esterillos, Costa Rica is made up of the smaller divisions known as Esterillos Oeste (west), Estrillos Centro (center) and Estrillos Este (east). From the east, west and central locations you can make your way to the beach.

Before you head out to catch a few, you may want to check the Esterillos surf report. Many surfers pop a tent or put up hammocks under the trees at the northern end of the beach, but if you’d rather find accommodations, some of the nearby listings include Encantada Ocean Cottages, Hotel La Dolce Vita and Hotel Walt Paraiso. The hotels are mostly to be found in Esterillos Este, although, there are many more hotels in the nearby surf town of Jaco, Costa Rica.

You’ll definitely want to bring a surfboard, a camera, sun block, a water bottle and a swimsuit or wetsuit, and if you are new to the sport of surfing, you should check out the Esterillos Surf School. There will probably be plenty of room on the waves, because Playa Esterillos doesn’t have too much traffic. That could be changing in the near future as more and more condos are slated to go up in the area.

Esterillos Beach is around two hours from San Jose city, and can be reached via Camino Quepos-Tarrazu and Route 34. Making the trip to Esterillos can be done with a rental car, a bus, taxi or private shuttle. If you come into Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica, the trip to Esterillos will take an hour and forty minutes. From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica you’ll reach the beach in about three hours and forty minutes.

Location: Esterillos Beach
Items to bring: a surfboard, a camera, sun block, water bottle, swimsuit, wetsuit
Distance from San Jose: 2 hrs
Distance from Liberia: 3 hrs 40 mins
Hotels nearby: Encantada Ocean Cottages, Hotel La Dolce Vita, Hotel Walt Paraiso
Ways to get here: rental car, bus, taxi, private shuttle