Conchal Beach

The North Pacific is an excellent location for travel year-round. Costa Rica does have two distinct seasons – the dry season and a rainy season. May is the beginning of the rainy season here in Costa Rica, with June biniging more rain and than a bit of a dry spell through July and August. The rainiest time of the year in Costa Rica is from the end of September to the end of November. Costa Rica begins transitioning into the dry season in December. 

Generally, during the transition months, the weather patterns follow gorgeous sunny mornings and early afternoons followed by an afternoon rain shower and a clear, beautiful evening. Many travelers tend to prefer the transitional months because of the lush, green landscape of the country. Also, we advise you to book in the middle of the week as the weekends can be jam-packed.  

June through October is considered the rainy season, with January through April being the dry period in Conchal. The hottest, driest, and sunniest month is March, with an average temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). It’s always hot in Conchal, but September is considered the coldest time of the year, with temperatures hovering around 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius). Conchal will have the most rain in October, so if you are not a fan of the rain, we suggest choosing another time to visit.

On the whole, Conchal is a safe place to visit. However, vendors on the beach can be pretty aggressive, trying to sell you things constantly. If you are mindful of your belongings before you head into the water and negotiate drink and food prices before you order anything, then you should be all set. 

Monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, reptiles, and marine life can be seen in the general Conchal Beach area. However, for more intensive wildlife viewing opportunities, Palo Verde and the Rincon De La Vieja region provide more options. A ride on the Tempisque River in the Palo Verde National Park, for example, provides nature lovers a closer look at some of Costa Rica’s most notable residents—toucans, macaws, and parrots flying overhead to crocodiles swimming.

Because the Conchal area is away from town centers, properties provide dining options on-site. At the Westin, for example, the property is all-inclusive, providing all meals, snacks, and beverages. Reserva Conchal also has an on-site restaurant that offers a menu for all meals and snacks. Visitors can undoubtedly venture into the local town of Brasilito to one of the local restaurants there, especially if they’re in the mood for fresh seafood!

The villages of Flamingo and Tamarindo also provide a wide variety of dining options from local Costa Rican fare to other diverse options like Italian, American, Caribbean, and more. Beach vendors are also available on Conchal serving grilled kebabs, fresh 'ceviche,' cold coconut water served from the coconut itself—the local version of the snow cone—or even beers, mixed drinks, and other varieties of local fruits and snacks! For the best nightlife options, head to the town of Tamarindo. There are a wide variety of clubs, beach bars, and live music venues open each night.

Upstairs at the RipJack Inn: This open-air treetop restaurant offers an array of tasty food, including fresh local seafood, fish tacos, seared tuna, poke bowls, burgers, grilled Mahi, acai bowls, and so much more. Happy hour is from 4:00 - 6:00, serving cheap drinks and a delicious small bites menu every day.

Papaya Restaurant: Their motto is “Life Long Love,” which refers to what they want you to feel about their food when visiting Papaya Restaurant. Located in the Conchal Hotel in Brasilito, Papaya Restaurant is your best bet to listen to live music as you enjoy seafood, steak, and vegetarian meals.  The chef also prepares signature dishes with all fish and seafood sourced daily that you won’t want to miss! Some say they also make the best margaritas and guacamole in all of Costa Rica! We highly recommend reservations. 

It is easily accessible by daily flights from San Jose Airport (SJO) to Tamarindo Airport (TMO), and then it is a short 10-minute taxi ride.  Alternatively, you can choose to fly into Liberia Airport (LIR) and jump in a car for a longer 45-minute ride.