(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Esterillos is my home break, so I usually check out front first for a couple reasons, when it is good it can be very good, especially for longboarders like me. Second, there is diversity and the peaks are spread out. Reef/point, beachbreak, and some outside reefs, etc. Most days you can surf without any crowd, especially when it gets bigger and the outside starts firing. The hard part is the long paddle out. If you want to surf the outer reef it can take a long time to get there, and sometimes not worth the effort, but on some mornings it will be big and glassy with offshore breeze, and long lines with nobody out, except maybe a couple friends.
Generally works from mid tide to high tide and back to mid tide, normally with a lull right at high tide.
Also, from Esterillos it only takes a couple minutes to drive to Bejuco or Hermosa if it is too small out front. And, it is only a little over an hour to Domincal or Boca Barranca, gotta love the new roads!”
HPlongboarder from COSTA RICA - 22 Oct 2010
Esterillos Oeste Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 9 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.2(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.9(1: Esterillos Oeste is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 2.7(1: Esterillos Oeste is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Golfo de Nicoya. 5: the best break in Golfo de Nicoya). |
Difficulty Level: 2.7(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.5(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Esterillos Oeste can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.9(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Esterillos Oeste, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 3.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Esterillos Oeste are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.2(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.2(1: Often too crowded. 5: Esterillos Oeste is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 3.9(1: Getting to Esterillos Oeste requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.5(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 3.5(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Esterillos Oeste for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.5(1: Camping at Esterillos Oeste is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.6(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Esterillos Oeste is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 3.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 3.6(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Esterillos Oeste, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.5(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Esterillos Oeste where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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