playa conchal, the beach made of seashells

After leaving the hotel and restaurant, we wanted to go check out the seashell beach. We were in Brasilito, which was right next to Playa Conchal but to get there, we needed to do a bit of off-roading. Driving on the beach. Heading towards the shore, we needed to cross a bridge. And all the bridges that I've experienced in Costa Rica, they're narrow. Only one vehicle can cross at a time so it was a two way stop and we just took turns, whoever was first. After the bridge, we took a left and drove on the beach, up onto a hill with trees. When we saw other cars we knew we arrived. You would park your car and tip the attendant. He's basically there to help, tell you where you can park and watch the cars so they don't get broken into.

We walked down to the beach away from the trees and we were just in awe how the sand was made up of seashells. On the west coast, the Pacific is a deep blue. But this beach was beautiful and shallow enough that the edges of the shore was turquoise. We loved this beach so much, went there three times, and the third time was where the wedding was actually held.

The first time we were just wading around in the water and the second time we went back, we decided to do some snorkeling from the shore. And for our first time it was amazing. We held hands as we swam, pointing at fish and following a little blue fish around.

We eventually went to stay in a surf town called Tamarindo, we got a villa for few days, but getting there wasn't the easiest to find either. Because it was in the evening and directions were for example, "next to the red house," lol. The villas were called Pueblo Colonial and Ticos just memorize by the name instead of using addresses. When we were walking around town, a taxi driver asked where we wanted to go, we just gave him the name of the place but he knew where it was. It was a $4 ride home.

But going back to the Playa Conchal for the third time for the wedding was beautiful and intimate.

And then the cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and reception was held at the Reserva Conchal.

Everything about the venue and cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, 5 course dinner was so delicious, gourmet and exquisite. It's also something I'll never forget about this wedding and Costa Rica! The food!

There were so many courses, I lost count and couldn't remember everything that I was eating, I was so full. It was a dim candlelit dinner so I couldn't really see what I was eating. At that time our phones couldn't really capture photos that well in the evening unfortunately.

I came across a photo of something that we ate and I know it looks weird but it was so good. I was sitting in the dark, trying to figure out what was in front of me because it looked like a big fat candle. Not knowing what I was really eating, the sides melted in my mouth. Then I knew, it was smoked salmon, wrapped around risotto with a stalk of asparagus in the middle. This was one of the courses that stood out to me the most and it had little flowers as a garnish. I was confused but I just ate them anyways lol. 😂

*If/when I find better photos, I'll update, but it's just been awhile. 😅