Esterillos travel guide
Esterillos, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
Three small, laid-back beach villages between Jacó and Manuel Antonio, with long, empty beaches lined with almond trees. Perfect for relaxing.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 2 hours
Best Airport
SJO
Temperature
Hot and humid
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Our take
Who Esterillos is for
Esterillos is three small beach villages (Oeste, Centro and Este) connected by the main highway. There isn’t a whole lot to do besides enjoying the expansive beaches, but that’s definitely part of the appeal. It’s a good place to relax while still being able to take day trips north to Jacó or south to Manuel Antonio.
One thing to keep in mind: Parts of the beach can have a strong undertow. Ask at your hotel where it’s safe to swim.
How long to stay: Three or four nights is perfect for beach walks, a day trip to Manuel Antonio and a mangrove tour.
Esterillos or Jacó?
Choose Esterillos if…
You want a laid-back beach getaway away from the crowds, with quiet beaches and good restaurants for such a small area.
Choose Jacó or Manuel Antonio if…
You prefer more developed tourist areas, with more nightlife, shops and things to do within walking distance.
Our take
Esterillos sits right between them, so you can relax here and still visit both on day trips.
Getting there
Getting to Esterillos
Driving from San José
The highway is well maintained, the roads are all paved and you don’t need a 4×4. The first highway is a toll road. We pay with a $10 bill, and the change covers the rest.
About an hour in, you’ll cross the Río Tárcoles. Pull over and walk back onto the bridge to see the huge crocodiles below.
For more info:
Rental car
We suggest renting a car and driving yourself. Restaurants are spread out, and a car makes day trips much easier.
Buses, flights and shuttles
The bus from San José to Quepos is the cheapest option (about $10) and runs several times a day. You can also fly to Quepos and take a taxi, or book a shuttle with Bookaway, code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Esterillos is on the Central Pacific coast, south of Jacó and north of Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
Good to know: Rent with Adobe from their Jacó office, and they’ll deliver your car to Esterillos for a small fee.
Weather
Esterillos weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in Esterillos. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Dry season (late Dec: Apr)
Very hot and rain-free.
Rainy season (May: Dec)
Until mid-August, expect hot, humid weather with an afternoon storm around 2 pm. From mid-August to December, some days are complete washouts and others are perfect.
Daytime
Hot and humid
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Rain usually starts
Around 2 pm
Our tip
Our tip: It’s so humid that nothing ever dries, so pack lightweight, wrinkle-free clothes.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Esterillos
Oeste, Centro or Este?
Esterillos Oeste
Residential · Quiet · Secluded
Closest to the main highway, with a residential, laid-back feel and fewer hotels. Great if you want a peaceful beach.
Esterillos Centro
Quiet · Tranquil
In the middle, with a very similar feel to Oeste. It’s relatively quiet and tranquil.
Esterillos Este
More amenities · Near Bejuco
Closer to Playa Bejuco, with more hotels, vacation rentals and beachfront resorts. Best if you want more convenience.
Encantada Ocean Cottages
Luxury boutique · Beachfront
A luxury boutique hotel directly on the beach. The attention to detail here is on point.
Alma del Pacífico Hotel & Spa
Beachfront · Spa · Families & couples
Perfect for families or couples, right on the beach. We like it for the excellent spa.
Hotel Playa Bejuco
Mid-range · Pool · Breakfast
Just south of Esterillos. Nice rooms, excellent staff and service, a pool and breakfast included.
Palm Coast Luxury Rentals
Condos · Families & groups · Pool
Great for families and groups, with condos that sleep up to six and a shared pool.
Also worth considering: Hotel Delfín Playa Bejuco (ocean views, pool, breakfast), La Dolce Vita (beachfront apartments with kitchens) and The Spot (our budget pick).
See hotels on the Central Pacific →
Our pick
Rent a house
We love renting a home here. A few we like: Vista de Sirena (sleeps 25, great for several families), Paradise Found (rustic, private pool, in front of the beach) and this beachfront home (sleeps 6, small pool).
Prefer jungle vibes? This modern home with a private pool isn’t on the beach, but we kind of like the secluded feel.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Esterillos rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Esterillos
Our favorite
Walk the beaches
The sand is usually packed down, and the almond trees make a great backdrop. It’s our favorite thing to do here.
Good to know
You often can’t cross from one beach to the next because of wide river mouths and rocky outcrops. And be careful swimming and ask your hotel where it’s safe.
Day trip
Manuel Antonio National Park
About 40 minutes south, it’s the most popular national park in the country and a great place to see tons of wildlife.
Good to know
You need to pre-book tickets online, and the park is closed on Tuesdays.
Take a mangrove kayak tour
Esterillos is just north of Isla Damas, a popular spot for mangrove tours. We love the kayak tours, but there are boat tours too.
Go surfing at Playa Hermosa
Head north to Playa Hermosa for top-notch surfing, with plenty of places to take lessons or rent boards.
Spend a day in Jacó
For more action, restaurants and shopping, Jacó is a short drive north.
Take a beach horseback ride
Esterillos Este is a nice spot for a ride, and your guide may point out toucans and sloths along the way.
See the Tárcoles crocodiles
On the drive from San José, stop at the Río Tárcoles bridge to see huge crocodiles below.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Esterillos
Alma Restaurant
Beach view · Seafood
The perfect dinner spot with a beach view. Get something from the “Sea” section of the menu, because everything is fresh and delicious.
Restaurante La Rioja
Seafood · Nice atmosphere
Great food and a nice atmosphere. The seafood plate for two is a bit pricey, but amazing!
Los Almendros
Asian · Costa Rican · Casual
A variety of mostly Asian and Costa Rican food in a casual setting. I like their pad thai.
El Chiringuito
Shellfish · Seafood
If you love shellfish, this is the place. We’ve never had anything we didn’t like.
Other good options are Jardines Café Emma for a fresh breakfast or lunch and Pizzería El Maná, where you should skip the pizza and get the ceviche served in a coconut.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Esterillos
Beach clothes
Most of your packing can be beach clothes. Go for lightweight, wrinkle-free things, because nothing dries here.
Bug spray
When the sun goes down, the mosquitoes can be really bad. Load up.
Water shoes
Handy for rocky sections and river mouths along the beach.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Esterillos is quiet and laid-back. The biggest safety concern here is the ocean.
Getting around
Getting around Esterillos
You’ll likely want a car here, since restaurants are spread out and there isn’t much within walking distance.
Rental car
Take a bus or shuttle down, then rent a car for a few days. Choose Jacó as the pickup with Adobe, and they’ll deliver to Esterillos for a small fee.
Taxis
Taxis are available, but a car gives you much more freedom.
FAQ
Esterillos FAQ: your questions
Which part of Esterillos is best to stay in?
All three are nice. If you want more infrastructure, Esterillos Este is likely the best option.
Is it safe to swim at Esterillos beach?
This area is known for rip currents. We don’t suggest swimming here. Walk in the waves instead, and ask your hotel for the safest spots before going in.
Is Esterillos worth visiting?
If you want a laid-back beach getaway away from the crowds, yes. If you prefer more developed tourist areas, consider Manuel Antonio or Jacó.
How far is Esterillos from Manuel Antonio?
About 40 minutes by car to the south.
How do I get to Esterillos from San José?
Drive (about 2 hours on paved toll highways), take the San José to Quepos bus, fly to Quepos, or book a shuttle.
What is there to do in Esterillos?
Long beach walks, horseback rides, mangrove kayaking near Isla Damas, surfing at Playa Hermosa, and day trips to Manuel Antonio and Jacó.
Keep exploring
More towns in Central Pacific
Planning more of the region? See our full Central Pacific guide.
