Playa Conchal aerial view
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Playa Conchal: Your Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica’s Shell-Sand Paradise

Summary of travel information for Playa Conchal, Guanacaste. Location: Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. Entrance Fee: Free. Parking: ₡3,000 - ₡1,000. 4x4 Need It? Brasilito Sector - No; Puerto Viejo Sector - Yes, in rainy season. Best Time to Go: Dry season (December to February). Packing list includes water shoes or sandals, beverages and snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimsuit, and sand blanket.

Playa Conchal, located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is known for its beaches covered with shells and clean turquoise waters.  It is a popular tourist spot not only for locals but also for visitors from around the world, offering an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

Getting to Playa Conchal

By Car

Playa Conchal is located 267 km (166 miles) from San José and 63.3 km (40 miles) from Liberia Airport.

The roads from San José are in good condition and well-paved which makes it possible for all kinds of vehicles. The trip can last about 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

From Liberia, the drive is shorter, it will take about an hour and fifteen minutes. While the roads are in good condition, there are some things to keep in mind.

f you decide to go on route 911, be prepared, even if the road is paved, you will have to cross a river. During the dry season, your car needs to be tall enough but during the rainy season, you’ll need a 4×4. There’s an alternative crossing through a private farm which has a bridge but charges a fee, and it’s only available when the farm is open. Be careful on this route, when passing by narrow one-lane sections as this can be tricky when cars come across each other.

The other option is to take routes 21 & 155, which takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Brasilito. The advantage of this route is that it is completely paved, in good condition and well illuminated.

Once you reach Playa Conchal vicinity, you have two places where you can park your vehicle:

Parking lot in Brasilito with cars, trees, and a view of the beach in the background under a clear blue sky.
Parking Lot Brasilito
Shaded parking lot in Puerto Viejo with trees, parked cars, and a small building in the background.
Parking Lot Puerto Viejo

Playa Brasilito which is located at approximately an 800 mts (0.5 miles) walk to Playa Conchal or Puerto Viejo sector which is located at approximately 1.4 km (0.8 miles) away.

Parking in Brasilito costs around ¢3,000 and is managed by local attendants.

 In Puerto Viejo, parking might sometimes be managed by locals and they expect voluntary fee. The last time I was there the fee was voluntary and I gave ¢1,000. The advantage of parking in Puerto Viejo is that you can see your car from the beach.

By Public Transportation

Several public transportation companies offer routes from San José to Guanacaste; many of these companies allow purchasing tickets online as well as checking schedules according to travel dates on their websites. The bus journey from San José to Guanacaste may take over six hours depending on schedules, road conditions, and traffic.

To get to Playa Conchal take the bus to Flamingo, which stops in Brasilito. From Brasilito, follow the public access path to the beach.

Private transportation options are also available from San José such as Uber or Ride CR; however, these services are more expensive (between $340 to $450 per way for two people).

From Liberia you need to go to the Municipal Bus Terminal in the city and take the corresponding bus; several buses depart from this terminal towards different destinations so make sure you ask for the right one that goes to Brasilito. The bus ride from Liberia to Brasilito takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Private transportation is also available from Liberia with services like Uber or Ride CR. One-way trip from Liberia to Brasilito costs between $63 and $123

It is not possible to reach the Puerto Viejo sector by bus, as this service does not exist.

For your convenience, all bus terminals are marked on the tourist map at the end of this article

Beach at Playa Conchal with clear blue water, white sand, and tree branches casting shadows in the foreground.

Access to the Beach

There are three main ways to access Playa Conchal:

Access through Brasilito

From the parking lot or plaza of Brasilito, you will need to walk to the beach of Brasilito and continue south. The distance is about 800 mts (0.5 miles) through a 15–20-minutes walk. You can only get there on foot or by Horse tour. During the rainy season be careful since there’s a river mouth on the way which gets a little bigger during this season, although it’s small.

Access through Puerto Viejo

The southern tip of Playa Conchal is called Puerto Viejo. To get to this area you must drive on a gravel road; any vehicle type can make it during dry season but for rainy season a 4×4 is recommended. This sector can only be accessed by car; parking is in front of the beach itself. If you want to go to the most popular and crowded part of Playa Conchal, you must walk along the beach for 1.4 km (0.8 miles).

Access through the Hotel

Guests of hotels located in Reserva Conchal have direct access to the beach, but you don’t need to stay at one to enter.

The Hotel Westin Reserva Conchal Golf Resort & Spa offers are two options for non-guests:

  • Day Pass: From 8:00 until 17:00, priced at $130 for adults and $65 for children.
  • Full Day Pass: From 8:00 until 22:00, priced at $169 for adults and $75 for children, includes dinner which can be a la carte.

Both passes include everything and have towels available with access to all facilities at the hotel.

You need to call or email the hotel, one or two days before arrival to check availability and make a reservation. For reservation, they will ask for your name and license plate number of the car as entrance through the main gate will be granted with those details.

Close-up of a hand holding seashells on Playa Conchal beach, with clear blue water and rocky cliffs in the background

Things to do at Playa Conchal

Swimming

Swimming at Playa Conchal is ideal for cooling off after hiking to the beach. The waters are clear and inviting; you can snorkel around the rocks at the north point too, where most of the people will be as this area has very calm waters.

However, always check tides and swell forecast because sometimes there can be strong swell at the beach. In the last 20 years, only four people have drowned on this beach so it’s relatively safe but still cautiousness is required.

On the north side, close to Brasilito, water gets deep quickly near the shore. At low tide do not go too far out, especially if you are not a good swimmer as sand drops away after a few steps.

On the south side, close to Puerto Viejo, waters are calmer with less depth and fewer currents making it safer for swimming but there are many stones in this area so water shoes are recommended to protect your feet.

Beachfront at Puerto Viejo sector with clear blue water, sandy shore, and trees framing the view.

Jet Skiing

Most companies that provide this service are based on Brasilito beach which makes it convenient if you don’t want to walk to Playa Conchal. When I last visited there were no jet skiing services directly on Playa Conchal itself but it might have been because was less busy tourist season then.

Commonly, it is around $80 for half an hour and $120 for a full hour for a jet ski rental.

Relaxing on the Beach

In Playa Conchal, there is nothing like staying on the beach and watching the sunset while feeling the sand. You could bring your blanket to sit on under shade, or you can rent beach chairs, umbrellas, or awnings; some locals on the north side of the beach offer awnings and chairs for between $30 to $40.

Keep in mind this beach does not have any public service so it’s essential to bring your food and drinks. However, sometimes you will find local people selling food and beverages.

If you want to relax even more, then get a massage. On the north side of the beach, locals offer massage services starting at $20.

Aerial view of Playa Conchal beach with clear blue water, white sand, and a person riding a horse along the shore.

Walking Through the Beach

It takes about 25-30 minutes to walk from one end of this 2-kilometer-long beach to another end. In the middle of Playa Conchal, there is an estuary where a variety of birds can be observed.

While walking through whole length allows experiencing unique shell covered sands as well as different sceneries such as rocky outcrops or smooth stretches of shoreline.

Horse Ride

There are several locals offering horseback riding tours, with prices starting at $35 for a one-hour ride.

These tours generally depart from Brasilito Beach. Riding a horse not only good way to get till Conchal without walking but also helps in getting experience about each part of the beach uniquely.

Playa Conchal beach with clear blue water, white sand, and hills in the background under a clear sky.

Best Time to Go to Playa Conchal

The best time to visit Playa Conchal is during dry season especially December, January, February where there is enough breeze to keep temperatures comfortable and weather generally pleasant.

The province of Guanacaste is the driest and hottest in Costa Rica. The temperatures can rise above 38°C (100°F) during March and April, which are considered the hottest months.

If you visit during the rainy season, it’s best to go in the morning as the afternoon usually rains. During this time Brasilito to Playa Conchal walk needs carefulness because there is a river mouth crossing over. In the dry season it is hardly noticeable, but in the rainy season you can see more water flowing through it.

Playa Conchal beach with clear blue water, white sand, and tree branches casting shadows, with hills in the background

Tips for Visiting Playa Conchal

  • Shoes: water shoes or sports sandals with closed toes, as walking on the beach and shells can hurt your feet. This type of footwear is also good for the rainy season.
  • Gear: Bring a small backpack to carry towels, a blanket for the sand, snacks, and drinks. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. If you want to snorkel, bring your own equipment, as there are no rentals on the beach.
  • Clothing: Dress cool summer clothing appropriate for heat.
  • Cash should be brought to pay for parking in Brasilito or if you intend to rent beach chairs/awnings or buy items from local vendors.
  • To avoid crowds, don’t visit the beach during weekends, New Year’s Eve, and holidays. You can also head to the south side near Puerto Viejo, which tends to have fewer people overall.
  • Bathrooms/showers/restaurants are not available in the northern section of the beach (only for Reserva Conchal visitors); if these services are needed must return back into Brasilito.
  • Be assertive with vendors if not interested in buying anything (they can be persistent) – check prices carefully so as not to overpay for products.
  • No matter where you park, don’t leave anything valuable in the car.

Playa Conchal Tourist Map

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