The shells
Glinting sand.
Haakon S. Krohn — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kailash U — CC0 · Haakon S. Krohn — CC BY-SA 3.0
A unique Guanacaste beach whose sand is not ordinary sand but millions of tiny crushed seashells, hence its name «Conchal», place of shells, glinting pinkish white and crunching softly underfoot. Its water is among the clearest on the northern coast, turquoise and green and fairly calm most days, so people come to snorkel among fish by the rocks at either end of the bay and to kayak. Dry hills and low forest frame the beach. Visitors usually reach it by a short walk along the sand from neighbouring Brasilito, or by car on a dirt road. A large resort sits behind the beach, but the beach itself is public and open to all, as every beach in Costa Rica is. Do not take shells from the beach; removing them is banned to protect it. The sun is strong and shade scarce. Rip currents are strong on many Pacific beaches, so swim only where others do and keep away from river mouths.
Glinting sand.
Snorkelling.
A short walk.
Near Brasilito village, about 30 minutes north of Tamarindo
A few minutes' walk along the sand from Brasilito, or by car on a dirt road; the beach is public and open to all.