Playa Conchal

Introducing Playa Conchal

Just 2km south of Brasilito is Playa Conchal, which is widely regarded as the most beautiful beach in all of Costa Rica. The name comes from the billions of conchas (shells) that wash up on the beach, which are gradually crushed by tourists’ flip-flops into a fine powder. The ocean water is an intense turquoise blue, which is indeed a rarity on the Pacific coast. If you have snorkeling gear, this is the place to break it out.

The beach is bounded on the north by an expansive resort that can make beach access frustratingly difficult. However, it’s easy enough to stay in nearby Brasilito and then simply walk south along the road for 2km.

Why is it that the most expensive resorts always seem to have the most ridiculous names? With 285 hectares of property, including an over-the-top free-form pool and a championship golf course, it’s not like Paradisus Playa Conchal Beach & Resort (654 4123; www.paradisusplayaconchal.com; d US$350-630; ) really needs a fancy name to compensate for any inadequacies. Guests have got it all here, and everything from the marble columns to the gold-trimmed toothbrush holder is a class act. Needless to say, the whole shebang is about as un-Costa Rican as you can get.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009