Playa Esterillos Costa Rica Surfing Guide
Región del Pacifico Central de Costa Rica
Laid back and super friendly, staying at the small town of Esterillos is all about surf and great folks. The people welcomed us with open arms.
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An old grizzled fisherman pointed us to the limited collection of restaurants and bars without us asking for directions. We even went to a huge pig roast where the townspeople got their portion of fried pig and Roger’s super karaoke machine at El Barrilito.
There is nothing like a futbol game to bring all nationalities of people together. Argentina and the U.S. played on a TV in Steve Chance’s bar and pizzeria and we had to join the locals. Before long, plans for photo shots from hillside balconies and new Costa Rican fisherman documentaries were in the works. Steve, a 17 year veteran of Esterillos from Florida, shared heaps of invaluable wave knowledge.
Esterillos beach is shaped like a giant banana, bending so far that it is split into east, west, and central Esterillos. West Esterillos is the heart of the action. Surf in front of the fish taco bar at a reform reef break. It’s true that you can catch this wave going left on the outside and end up going right on the inside section. A ten minute walk north is a reef break locals call secret spot, though the cat has been let out of the bag. When swells reach epic proportions, pros tow in at a reef about a kilometer out to sea. As you go south down the bay, there is a nicely shaped left across a river mouth. Beach break peaks can be sought out the full length of east Esterillos, which depend on the swell height and direction.
Behuco is on the south side of the point, a beach break that is uncrowded and rumored to produce the goods. You can always find waves somewhere in Esterillos.
There is nothing like a futbol game to bring all nationalities of people together. Argentina and the U.S. played on a TV in Steve Chance’s bar and pizzeria and we had to join the locals. Before long, plans for photo shots from hillside balconies and new Costa Rican fisherman documentaries were in the works. Steve, a 17 year veteran of Esterillos from Florida, shared heaps of invaluable wave knowledge.
Esterillos beach is shaped like a giant banana, bending so far that it is split into east, west, and central Esterillos. West Esterillos is the heart of the action. Surf in front of the fish taco bar at a reform reef break. It’s true that you can catch this wave going left on the outside and end up going right on the inside section. A ten minute walk north is a reef break locals call secret spot, though the cat has been let out of the bag. When swells reach epic proportions, pros tow in at a reef about a kilometer out to sea. As you go south down the bay, there is a nicely shaped left across a river mouth. Beach break peaks can be sought out the full length of east Esterillos, which depend on the swell height and direction.
Behuco is on the south side of the point, a beach break that is uncrowded and rumored to produce the goods. You can always find waves somewhere in Esterillos.
