What to do in Esterillos Oeste?
Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge
Just 3 km north towards Playa Hermosa de Jacó, across the mouth of the Tulín or Tusubres River, is Punta Mala, a refuge or natural conservation area, which was created to protect the nesting of the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), a species in danger of extinction. Occasionally, the site also serves as a nesting ground for black turtles (Chelonia mydas) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea).
The refuge also contains other attractions, such as open coasts, wetlands (Los Diegos Wetland), flooded forests, lakes, lagoons, and other water resources, which attract a great variety of resident and migratory species, which interact constantly, thus maintaining the trophic chains.
Hotel Costa Pacifica offers a hiking tour through the refuge while observing different species of animals and reaching several viewpoints from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the rock formation that extends for 1.5 km at low tide, being the highlight of the place.
To enter with vehicles to the beach areas and trails, the entrance to the refuge must be coordinated with the people in charge of the place. The other way to get there is by walking 40 minutes from Esterillos Oeste.
Las Caletas
Precisely at the northern end, where the sculpture of the Mermaid is located, the beach sector is also known as ¨Las Caletas¨. This name is due to the reefs that make the beach rocky.
At high tide the rock formation is covered by the sea and surfers can be found riding waves. When the tide is low, countless beautiful natural pools are formed, ideal for a dip or to walk on the rocks and explore the fossilized stones or small fish that may have been trapped in them.
Esterillos Oeste is associated with La Sirena and is also known as such, because at the north end of the beach we can find the famous sculpture La Sirena, just 900m from the Hotel Costa Pacifica. Of singular beauty, the mermaid is a monument cast in bronze, seated on rocks and looks towards the horizon of the sea.
When the tide rises, it seems to emerge from the depths of the Pacific Ocean and float in its waters. Its author is the sculptor Avilio Valverde, cc Villo, a native of Puriscal. Legend has it that a fisherman, owner of a restaurant in Playa Esterillos, spotted the mermaid on one of his fishing trips, and from that moment on, her song always accompanied him when he went fishing, so the artist recreated her according to the fisherman’s description.
Las Caletas
Precisely at the northern end, where the sculpture of the Mermaid is located, the beach sector is also known as ¨Las Caletas¨. This name is due to the reefs that make the beach rocky.
At high tide the rock formation is covered by the sea and surfers can be found riding waves. When the tide is low, countless beautiful natural pools are formed, ideal for a dip or to walk on the rocks and explore the fossilized stones or small fish that may have been trapped in them.
Surf in Esterillos beach
Esterillos on the Central Pacific Coast is characterized by offering surfers the most consistent and cleanest waves, perfect for riding. Here waves break practically always and all year round, which is very attractive for surf lovers, experts qualify Esterillos Oeste as the best spot, especially when the tide rises, when big and strong waves are formed for experienced surfers.
It is worth mentioning that the renowned Costa Rican surfer, Carlos Muñoz, Latin American surfing champion and winner of many other awards in this sport, is a native of Playa Esterillos Oeste and the house where he was born is identified on the beach.
