Last Updated: May 4, 2026
The distinct sound of a million tiny seashells gently shuffling with each lapping wave will forever be what we imagine when thinking of Playa Conchal. Usually specific beaches don’t make our destinations’ list, but for Playa Conchal in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, we’ve made an exception. Not only is the beach itself stunning, but its location, tucked away in a private cove, makes it the perfect place to escape all the stresses of life. This post will give you everything you need to plan your own visit, whether it’s a relaxing day with the kids or a romantic week-long getaway.
The Setting at Playa Conchal
Location
Costa Rica has dozens of gorgeous beaches, but what makes Playa Conchal so special? In one word, location.
Playa Conchal is virtually cut off from the rest of the world. This is because to get there you either have to walk along the shore from the adjacent fishing village of Playa Brasilito or be a guest at one of the resorts that backs the beach.
Although it does take a bit of effort, once you arrive, you’ll be glad you did.
Situated between two rocky points, Playa Conchal has calm aquamarine water, which is usually great for swimming. To further entice, there are picturesque islets offshore and craggy cliffs on the far southern end.
Sand Made of Shells
But what makes Playa Conchal most unique is its sand. As we alluded to, this beach seems to be a magnet for seashells.
Unlike anywhere else in the country, pink, white, and tan shells make up the sand. A gentle tumbling of waves breaks these treasures into polished granules that are not only pleasing to the eye, but easy on the feet too. It is these tiny fragments that earned Playa Conchal (Shell Beach) its name.
The best place to see these gorgeous shells is the northern end of the beach (closest to Brasilito). The current seems to wash them up in piles in this area.
Help keep Playa Conchal beautiful by not taking shells from the beach. This is not only illegal, but in recent years, the number of shells on the beach has sadly gone down.
Things to Do in Playa Conchal
Beach
Available right on the sand in Playa Conchal are snorkel masks, jet skis, and kayaks. You also can rent beach chairs and tents for shade. For refreshments, there isn’t much around, but vendors make up for that. You can find them on the northern end of the beach, selling pipas frias (cold coconuts), pina coladas, BBQ kabobs, and frosty beers if you get thirsty for an Imperial.
Playa Conchal is popular with locals so can get busy on the weekends and holidays. The farther south you go, the less busy is gets.
Shade on the sand can be sparse if you don’t rent a tent since there isn’t much vegetation so keep that in mind.
Snorkeling
Playa Conchal has decent snorkeling right from the shore. In the clear water near the rocks at the northern end, you can spot some colorful fish. We’ve snorkeled here several times and have seen pufferfish, eel, needlefish, and schools of grunts. Mid or lower tides provide the best conditions.
What’s great about snorkeling at Conchal Beach is that you can just walk in from the shore so kids or anyone who’s nervous can stay shallow if they want.
Other Area Activities
If you’re looking for more to do, the area has plenty of other activities.
Horseback riding, ATV tours, and scuba diving are all available locally.
On one of our visits, we booked a two-hour horseback tour from Playa Brasilito and rode along the beach, past Playa Conchal, and out to a scenic vantage point on the nearby cliffs.
After we got back, we had a tasty lunch at one of the small, locally owned seafood restaurants in Brasilito and shopped for souvenirs in a few of the stores nearby.
The nearby Flamingo Marina offers sport fishing and catamaran tours, which are really popular. These cruises take you up the scenic coastline to secluded coves for swimming and snorkeling. We’ve gone on a few boats and it’s always a great experience to be out on the water. Sometimes you can even see dolphins (year-round) or whales that are migrating through the area.
If you’d like any help booking a catamaran/sailing tour, feel free to reach out through the links below and our travel agency will take care of all the arrangements. We offer discounts on some tours too!
Resort Amenities
For those staying at the Westin Reserva Conchal or W Costa Rica, there are some more things to do. At these high-end resorts, you’ll find a professional 18-hole golf course, swimming pools, spas, workout facilities, tennis courts, and kids’ clubs to keep the little ones busy.
Getting There
Location
Playa Conchal is located on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast. It is about 1.25 hours from Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (62 km away) and only 30 minutes north of the popular surfing and tourist town of Tamarindo.
As we mentioned above, the closest town to Playa Conchal is Brasilito, which has a good mix of local culture and tourist amenities. Playa Conchal is also only a short drive to the upscale town of Playa Flamingo.
Note: Most people visiting Playa Conchal stay at one of the high-end resorts like the Westin Conchal or W Costa Rica or in a house or condo in Reserva Conchal. All of these properties are part of the large Reserva Conchal property, which is gated. Depending on where you’re staying, it can take 10-15 minutes to get through the resort complex and onto the main road.
A rental car is the best option if you’d like to explore off the resort. Be sure to check out our discount with Adobe Rent a Car to save 10% on a vehicle. They can even deliver the car to your resort for free.
Beach Access
Guests of the Westin and W Resort can pass through a wide gate and stroll right onto the beach.
For everyone else, the best way is to follow the beach south from Brasilito. You used to be able to drive on this stretch, but the municipality has blocked access for environmental reasons.
Now the only way is to walk the 10-15 minutes down the sand. This is a really nice walk anyway, especially if you splash your way along the water’s edge.
Parking
Parking is available right in the center of Brasilito. After you cross the bridge on Route 180 and enter the main area of town, look for the large parking lot on the left near the soccer field.
You can park here and attendants will watch your car for around 3,000 colones ($6). Be sure to not leave anything inside the car anyway, as always in Costa Rica.
Once parked, you can make your way towards the beach and walk left, across Playa Brasilito to get to Playa Conchal.
Hotels in Playa Conchal
Westin Golf Resort and Spa
The obvious choice for lodging in Playa Conchal is the Westin Reserva Conchal since it borders the beach. The Westin has rooms for almost every type of traveler, from the Family Suites if you’re coming with kids, to the luxurious, adults-only Westin Club for a more romantic setting. The resort is highly regarded for service, and though it is all-inclusive, the food at the 10+ restaurants is above average. $600-1,200/night all-inclusive, double occupancy. Check Rates and Availability Here.
W Costa Rica
The newer, sister property of the Westin is the W Costa Rica. Our family recently stayed here and loved it. Our room looked out to the ocean with jungle in the foreground to create the perfect view. We also enjoyed the pool and how we could walk straight from the pool to the beach. The service was wonderful as well. Read our full review, W Costa Rica Review: Luxury on Playa Conchal, for more on how the resort is set up, amenities, and room options. $500-900/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Hotel Conchal
For those looking for a more economical option but would still like to experience the beauty of the area, consider staying in neighboring Playa Brasilito. Hotel Conchal is a smaller, family-run hotel in Brasilito, only a short walk to Playa Conchal. Although this hotel is located on the main road to town, the brightly colored building and nicely landscaped grounds make for a tropical escape. It also has a great restaurant onsite called Papaya that we’ve enjoyed several times. $80-200/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
For more accommodation options in nearby Playa Brasilito, read our post Playa Brasilito: An Authentic Beach Town in Guanacaste.
Restaurants in Playa Conchal
Resort Restaurants
As we mentioned, Playa Conchal is somewhat isolated, but don’t worry, there are some great options nearby. Westin guests have 10+ restaurants included. For everyone else, the W Costa Rica’s restaurants are open to the public, and Brasilito has some excellent local spots worth the short drive. See our W Costa Rica review for information about the three options, which include casual beachside dining and fine dining.
Nearby Restaurants
If you’d like to venture off the resort, which we highly recommend, the towns of Brasilito and Flamingo are within a 10-15-minute drive and offer many more dining options. Here are a few of our favorites.
Papaya Restaurant
This open-air restaurant inside Hotel Conchal is a staple in Brasilito. We first dined here over 10 years ago, and every time we go back, the food is just as good. They have a wide-ranging menu with everything from pizza and salads to vegan green curry with tofu (recommended). The ambiance is laid back from the second floor dining area.
Patagonia del Mar
This larger restaurant is probably the most popular spot in Brasilito. The Argentinian fusion menu is large, with lots of choices for grilled meats, burgers, fresh fish and seafood, and sushi and poke bowls. Also has a kids’ menu. The ambiance at Patagonia del Mar is elegant and inviting, with lights at night. Prices are on the higher end.
New Shogun Restaurant
The super casual New Shogun Restaurant has delicious, fresh sushi and other Asian specialties. The dining area is really simple so it’s a great option for a casual lunch or dinner.
Conclusion
With such a serene setting, comfortable accommodations, and activities for all, it’s easy to see why Playa Conchal makes our list of Costa Rica’s most spectacular beaches. Whenever we are back up in Guanacaste for a visit, we always make sure to go to Playa Conchal. Until next time, we’ll just have to dream of those tiny seashells swooshing between our toes.
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Have you been to Playa Conchal? What was the highlight of your time there?
Looking for more information to plan your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:
Beaches: Not sure Playa Conchal is right for you? Check our Beaches category to learn about 40+ options all around the country.
Itinerary Option: Wondering how to fit Playa Conchal into your itinerary? Our Family Itinerary goes to the Arenal Volcano area and ends at the beach in Guanacaste. It’s a good option for all visitors, whether you’re traveling as a family or not.
Llanos de Cortez Waterfall: If seeing a waterfall is on your list, you’ll want to take a day trip to the stunning Llanos de Cortez near Liberia.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park: This park has interesting volcanic features like steaming fumeroles and mud pots. Learn all about visiting with this post.
Beach Safety Tips: Playa Conchal usually has calm water but it’s always good to be aware of rip currents. Learn how to recognize them and stay safe.