Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → Conchal (Guanacaste)

Playa Conchal is named for its sand of crushed shells and is known for the clearest, most turquoise water on the Gold Coast, ideal for snorkelling right off the beach. Reserva Conchal, home to the Westin and W hotels and a golf course, sits behind it, while the village of Brasilito next door keeps the local flavour.

It is the destination for resort stays with Flamingo, Tamarindo and Las Catalinas all within 25 minutes.

Liberia Airport to Conchal takes about 1 hour on paved roads through Belén and Huacas. Resort guests are dropped at the lobby; villa guests inside Reserva Conchal will need to give the driver their gate registration name. From Tamarindo it is 20 minutes, from Playas del Coco just under an hour.

• Arrive at the beach in the morning before the day-trip crowds from Tamarindo; access is on foot from Brasilito.
• Bring your own snorkel gear; rentals on the beach are limited.
• Reserva Conchal restaurants are resort-priced; Brasilito's sodas are two minutes away.
• The resort golf course and spa are open to non-guests with reservations.