Esterillos Towncenter

Central Pacific Coast


This strip mall had been abandoned after the housing slump of 2008, but was rescued in 2017 from disrepair and revamped by a local visionary. With a fresh coast of white paint, the arching colonial structures are already home to a handful of new restaurants including a Middle Eastern place, a craft-beer bar and even a fondue restaurant. Locals are abuzz over what might come next.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Central Pacific Coast attractions

1. Royal Butterflies

8.42 MILES

This local butterfly farm run by American expat Dan is set on 1.2 hectares with 70 kinds of fruit tree and 15 species of butterfly, including the enormous…

2. Jacó Walk

14.09 MILES

This pleasant outdoor shopping square is where many of the town's good restaurants are located. It's adorned with multicolored bricks, potted plants and…

3. Pura Vida Gardens & Waterfalls

18.29 MILES

Just before the village of Bijagual, this private botanical garden offers great vistas of Manantial de Agua Viva cascading down the side of a cliff, and…

4. Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva

18.85 MILES

This 200m-high waterfall is claimed to be the highest in the country. From the entrance, it’s a steep 3km (45-minute) hike down into the valley (an hour…

5. La Playita

20.66 MILES

At the far western end of Playa Espadilla, beyond a rocky headland (wear sandals), this former nude beach remains one of Costa Rica's most famous gay…

6. Parque Nacional Carara

20.92 MILES

Carara is the famed home of one of Costa Rica’s most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a…

7. Greentique Wildlife Refuge

21.02 MILES

Biologist Jimmy Mata leads magical one- and two-hour sojourns through the Butterfly Atrium, Reptile & Amphibian Water Gardens and Crocodile Lagoon, as…

8. Playa Espadilla

21.35 MILES

This wide stretch of white sand is found just outside the park entrance, in front of Manuel Antonio village. It's a popular place for families and beach…