Seeking sun-soaked shores and postcard-worthy vistas, visitors to Los Sueños Resort often ask where the best beaches in the region are. Truthfully, there is no shortage of palm-lined sands to recommend. Playa Hermosa is just steps away, after all.
But Playa Esterillos Este (East) is certainly a top-three contender. Stretching from Playa Bejuco to Esterillos Centro, Esterillos Este is a picture-perfect example of Puntarenas beaches and an easy destination to turn into a day trip!
Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect day trip to Playa Esterillos Este and get the most out of your stay at Los Sueños ResorLos Sueños Vacation Rentalst.
About Playa Esterillos Este
Not to be confused with plain old Playa Esterillos or Playa Esterillos Oeste, the stretch of sand just a smidge further North up the coastline. While that particular beach is known for surfing and is closer to town, you miss out on the stunning seclusion and palm-fringed sands on the lesser-known Playa Esterillos Este.
This hidden gem of the Central Pacific makes the perfect day trip from Playa Herradura and Jaco. Located just a little further South of Playa Hermosa, you can easily reach this stunning beach with a scenic 45-minute drive from Los Sueños.
While Jaco Beach and the surrounding area can get crowded in high season, this small beachfront town has a laid-back vibe and, like many destinations on the Pacífico coastline, draws surfers of all skill levels. What sets the Esterillos beaches apart is that the miles-long stretches of soft sands and relatively calm waters also allow for swimming much of the year. A true embodiment of the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Best Things to Do in Playa Esterillos Este
These are just a few of the attractions that keep people coming to this sun-soaked palm-rimmed beach. Our concierge team will be more than happy to help you book any of these activities in Playa Esterillos Este.
1. Enjoy the Beach
Photo Credit: Jorge A. Russell
This is the main reason for planning an excursion to the playa. This stretch of sand is quieter and far longer than Esterillos Centro, so you can spend the entire afternoon strolling the sand, looking for shells and crabs, spotting iguanas darting into the treeline, watching colorful parrots, and relaxing under the tropical sun. Travelers come from as far away as San Jose on a road trip to savor this slice of West Coast Costa Rican paradise.
The picturesque setting makes for the perfect place to catch a sunrise or sunset. Be sure to give yourself time to enjoy this spectacular and expansive beach.
2. Take a Sunset Horseback Ride
Photo Credit: outdoorsman
The Riding Adventure offers daytime and sunset horseback rides on secluded, uninhabited beaches through beautiful, lush jungle trails. Their Esterillos Este tour is perfect for families or those who don’t have much riding experience, as it’s described as an ideal place for people who enjoy sunsets, surfing and appreciate a wide diversity of animal and plant species on the back of a friendly and well-trained horse.
3. Join an ATV Tour of the Region
Photo Credit: K-FK
This is one of the most popular attractions in the Punta Arenas area of Costa Rica. Several companies in the area take travelers into the jungles on ATV tours to Manuel Antonio National Park or some of the spectacular waterfalls scattered throughout the region. Adventure Tours Costa Rica has many different options catered to families and those looking for a more challenging ride.
4. Take a Trike-Flight Over the Beach
Photo Credit: ImageWard
If you’re an adrenaline junkie who loves a unique activity as well as the absolute best vista of Playa Esterillos Este, then consider a long-distance trike flight with the reputable Katto Sky Tours. A trike flight, also known as a microlight or ultralight flight, is an exhilarating way to explore the skies over the playa. It is a lightweight, open-air aircraft with a unique three-wheel design and a flexible wing similar to a hang glider. Pilots and passengers sit in an open cockpit suspended beneath the wing,
They will pick you up at Los Sueños Resort and take you soaring through the skies to panoramic views of the coastline.
5. Take Up Surfing
Photo Credit: Jorge A. Russell
While, too often, the Jaco Beach area gets all the surf cred, the Esterillos beaches are excellent for novice and expert surfers. If you don’t already have a board of your own, we recommend joining a surf class at Esterillos Surf School.
Best Time to Visit Playa Esterillos Este
Costa Rica is blessed with a palatable climate year-round. Tropical, warm, and welcoming, it truly doesn’t matter when to plan your visit to Los Suenõs Resort. You can expect stable temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s pretty much all year long. This is exactly what draws so many of our Northern neighbors to Costa Rica in the first place.
As for the time of day to plan your visit, sunsets on Costa Rica’s west coast are world-renowned. If you can schedule your visit to include a beachside sunset, you won’t be disappointed!
Winter in Playa Esterillos Este
December, January, and February are the best time of year to visit in terms of hours of sunshine if you plan on including some rainforest visits to your beach activities in Playa Esterillos Este in the wintertime.
Spring in Playa Esterillos Este
March, April, and May are popular among frequent travelers to the Esterillos Beach area as the crowds of winter begin to filter out and the weather remains perfect. This season marks the tail-end of high season.
Summer in Playa Esterillos Este
The surf-lovers come to town in June, July, and August as the waves welcome both beginner and advanced shredders to the waters.
Fall in Playa Esterillos Este
September, October, and November are for surfers, wildlife lovers, and those who hope to miss the crowds.
Best Restaurants in Playa Esterillos Este
Photo Credit: Michelle Bowles
Cuisine in the Esterillos Beach region is very seafood-heavy. While a few restaurants can be found in Playa Esterillos Este itself, the vast majority are in the more populated Esterillos Centro beach area. These are our favorite places to eat in the region.
- Don Toro Beach For sunset views, cocktails, and coconut shrimp on the beach.
- Encantada Bistro & Bar for ceviche, wood-fired grilled meat, and beachfront views.
- Restaurant Los Almendros for tacos and Caribbean food in a popular venue.
- Two Parrots for Costa Rican and Italian fusion in a luxurious setting.
- Soda Margarita for breakfast and lunch in a lush garden setting.
Travel Tips in Playa Esterillos Este
Adding a day trip to the Playa is a no-brainer, but here are a few things to remember when planning your visit.
- Having your own mode of transport will definitely make exploring the region easier, but you can easily arrange a day trip with the local taxi drivers.
- Don’t leave valuables inside your car or out in the open on the beach. While this part of Costa Rica is very safe, keeping an eye on your valuables is always a good idea.
- When the current is just right, the waters of Playa Esterillos Este can attract clouds of Jellyfish. This is typical for Costa Rica. Keep an eye out for them and learn how to best treat a sting, just in case. You most definitely should not pee on it.
Start Your Day at the Spectacular Los Sueños Resort!
Whether your Costa Rican days are spent packed full of actividades and day trips to destinations like Isla Tortuga or relaxing in a lounge chair, the Provincia de Puntarenas has numerous beaches to add to your itinerary. Los Sueños Resort is right in the center of them all!
While enjoying the cozy comforts of our spacious beachfront rooms, you can plan day trips to the most spectacular sands in Costa Rica, including Playa Esterillos Este. With Scarlet Macaws soaring overhead and iguanas sharing the sands beneath your feet, you’ll never want to leave the Puntarenas coast and all of Jaco’s wildlife behind.