Playa Conchal is an absolutely beautiful beach that is situated in the northern part of the Guanacaste provinceon the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It is two kilometers from Playa Brasilito, and is also very close to Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo. Together with Playa Brasilito, this beach is separated by a rocky headland known as Punta Conchal, which gets its name from its powdery white sand found her that is composed of hundreds of millions of tiny crushed shells.

This beach is accessible by air from San Jose to Tamarindo Domestic Airport, where you can take a 10-minute taxi ride into town. However, you can also get there by taxi from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, but it is around a 45-minute drive. It is also only four hours from the capital, San Jose.

The beach itself is not that long, but is a nice-sized stretch for strolling or running as you enjoy the peaceful sound of the calm waves hitting the shore. On the north end of the beach, the shells become larger and you can really find some unique, intact, and colorful shells as souvenirs. The beach on this north end eventually gives way to warm tide pools amidst the rocks. The more adventuresome can actually climb out on the rocks or cross over them to access other more remote beaches such as Brasilito and Portrero.

A fabulous beach that has near perfect weather all year long, Playa Conchal has over 12 hours of daylight from December to April. The other outstanding feature of Playa Conchal is the calm water which is a radiant shade of blue or turquoise. The water is a comfortable temperature all year, so it is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, making it excellent for families with children. Occasionally the waves will attract surfers; however, Conchal is not necessarily known for its great surf.

With some of the clearest waters on the Pacific Coast, snorkeling is a must-do activity. With a fantastic array of marine life on display, you can swim with the many tropical fish that dwell here, and even catch a glimpse of stingrays that swim in the area. For the more adventurous, deep seas fishing, scuba diving, and other water sports are offered as well. If you are looking for more than a beach, Playa Conchal is also close to a few national parks and nature reserves. A small estuary is nearby as well. Surrounded by a number of cattle ranches, Playa Conchal also has quite a few areas where one can camp out and sleep under the stars.

For the golfer, the ‘Garra de Leon’ Golf Course is just a few steps away from the beach. This championship course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is considered to be one of the best golf courses in Central America with its breathtaking scenic beauty of the Pacific coast. Bordered by a forest on one side, you can often catch sight of howler monkeys that live there.

Playa Conchal does not have an adjoining town, but there is an impressive 5 star all inclusive resort nearby, Paradisus Playa Conchal. It is one of the best hotels on the coast. However this hotel can be pricey. For those traveling on a budget or just backpacking through, you can stay nearby in Tamarindo or Brasilito where there are more lodging options