Frequently Asked Questions

About Conchal Essence

What is Conchal Essence?

Conchal Essence is a vacation rental and property management company specializing in luxury vacation rentals in Reserva Conchal, next to Playa Conchal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. With more than eight years of experience in short-term rental management, the team works with both property owners and guests, handling everything from listing optimization and revenue management to on-site coordination, concierge services and tour planning.

Is Conchal Essence related to Rentals by OCC and OCC Consultores?

Yes. Conchal Essence is the new brand of Rentals by OCC and the specialized vacation rental division of OCC Consultores S.A. The name has changed, but the local team and its experience managing homes in Reserva Conchal remain the same.

Where is the Conchal Essence office located, and what are the opening hours?

The Conchal Essence office is in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 2 km north of the Brasilito/Huacas intersection, between the fire station and the Metropolitan Hospital. The team is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Sunday, and handles urgent emergencies for in-house guests outside those hours. Guests and owners can reach the team by WhatsApp or phone at +506 8449 6643, or by email at hello@conchalessence.com.

Which areas does Conchal Essence cover?

Conchal Essence focuses on vacation rentals inside Reserva Conchal, the resort community that surrounds Playa Conchal in Guanacaste.

Vacation Rentals in Reserva Conchal

What types of vacation rentals does Conchal Essence offer in Reserva Conchal?

Conchal Essence offers condos, penthouses, townhouses and villas in several Reserva Conchal communities, including Bougainvillea, Roble Sabana, Jobo, Aromo, Llama del Bosque and Carao. Options range from penthouses and townhouses with partial ocean views to a five-bedroom modern villa with a private pool, and include an adults-only four-bedroom penthouse. Current availability and rates, shown in US dollars, are available on the Conchal Essence booking site.

Do guests have access to the Reserva Conchal Beach Club?

Yes. All Conchal Essence rentals include access to the Reserva Conchal Beach Club, as every owner we work with holds the required membership. The Beach Club is located in front of Playa Conchal and features two ocean-view pools, a gym and Neenda Restaurant.

How do guests get around Reserva Conchal?

Some Conchal Essence properties include a golf cart in the rate, such as the private-pool villa in Llama del Bosque, which comes with a four-seater cart. For other stays, the concierge team can arrange golf cart or vehicle rentals. A complimentary shuttle to the Beach Club is also available within Reserva Conchal.

What amenities does Reserva Conchal offer?

Reserva Conchal is a 2,300-acre sustainable community resort on Playa Conchal, in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It has an 18-hole, par-71 championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, certified by Audubon International since 2001. There is also a private Beach Club managed by Troon, with two ocean-view pools, a gym, Neenda Restaurant, and equipment for kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling.

For time in nature, the resort offers hiking and biking trails across the property and a 98-acre wildlife refuge, home to howler monkeys and a wide variety of birds. The community also has a skate park and two hotels, The Westin Reserva Conchal and W Costa Rica, with Heavenly Spa by Westin and AWAY Spa by W Costa Rica.

What is Playa Conchal known for?

Playa Conchal is known for its shoreline of tiny crushed shells, which gives the beach its name, and for its clear blue water. It is considered one of the most striking beaches in northern Guanacaste and lies right next to Reserva Conchal.

Booking and Policies

How do I book a vacation rental with Conchal Essence?

You can book directly online through the Conchal Essence booking site, reservations.conchalessence.com, where you can check availability, rates and booking conditions for each property. For help choosing a home or planning your stay, contact the team by WhatsApp at +506 8449 6643 or by email at hello@conchalessence.com.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in at Conchal Essence properties starts at 3:00 PM, and check-out is before 10:00 AM.

What is the cancellation policy?

Under Conchal Essence’s general conditions, reservations can be cancelled free of charge up to 30 days before arrival. For stays between May 1 and October 31, free cancellation applies up to 14 days before arrival, and for stays between December 17 and January 3, up to 90 days before arrival. Stays of 28 nights or more follow a separate payment and cancellation schedule. Some properties also offer non-refundable rates, so the policy that applies to each reservation is shown at the time of booking.

Is a security deposit required?

Yes. A refundable security deposit is held on a credit card upon arrival and released 24 to 48 hours after departure.

What payment methods does Conchal Essence accept?

Conchal Essence accepts Visa, Mastercard and bank transfer. A valid credit card is required to guarantee the reservation, and the stay is charged in advance according to the cancellation policy, for example 30 days before check-in under the standard conditions.

Are there additional fees?

A one-time final cleaning fee applies to each booking and varies by property. Optional extras, such as a crib or additional cleaning during the stay, can be requested and are charged separately.

Are pets, smoking or events allowed?

Conchal Essence rentals are non-smoking, and pets, parties and events are not allowed.

Can I book a long stay or work remotely from Reserva Conchal?

Yes. Conchal Essence welcomes extended stays, and reservations of 28 nights or more follow specific payment and cancellation conditions. All homes include Wi-Fi, and the team can recommend the properties best suited to remote work.

Are Conchal Essence rentals suitable for families?

Yes. Many Conchal Essence homes have several bedrooms, full kitchens and private or shared pools, and the concierge team can arrange babysitting with reliable, qualified caregivers. Cribs are available on request for a nightly fee. Guests looking for an adults-only stay can choose the four-bedroom adults-only penthouse.

Concierge Services

What concierge services does Conchal Essence offer?

Conchal Essence’s local concierge team helps plan every part of the stay, before arrival and throughout the vacation. Services include restaurant reservations, grocery shopping and pre-stocking, private chefs, airport transfers and private transportation, vehicle and golf cart rentals, babysitting, in-home massages and tailor-made activity planning.

How far is Reserva Conchal from the airport, and can you arrange transfers?

The nearest international airport is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia (LIR), about 37 miles (60 km) from Reserva Conchal, approximately a 1.5-hour drive depending on traffic and road conditions. For domestic flights, the Tamarindo airstrip is about 10 miles away. Conchal Essence can coordinate private airport transfers, as well as transportation for excursions, events and local outings.

Can Conchal Essence arrange a private chef?

Yes. The concierge team can arrange a private chef for dinners and special occasions in your rental, with dishes prepared to your taste by professional chefs and menus adapted to dietary requirements. The team can also handle grocery shopping so the kitchen is stocked when you arrive.

Tours and Activities

What tours and activities can Conchal Essence book near Playa Conchal?

Conchal Essence helps guests plan and book tours throughout Guanacaste. Ocean activities include catamaran and snorkeling trips, scuba diving, jet ski rides, mangrove tours by boat or kayak, and sport fishing for species such as mahi-mahi, tuna and sailfish. On land, guests can choose ziplining, ATV tours, horseback riding, wildlife tours, rafting, hikes that end in volcanic hot springs, full-day volcano tours and surf lessons in Tamarindo. To book, contact a Conchal Essence specialist by WhatsApp or email.

Which activities are best for families or first-timers?

Snorkeling tours are suitable for all ages and require no prior experience, and catamaran trips work well for couples, families and groups. Zipline circuits are suitable for beginners, surf lessons are offered for beginner and intermediate levels with certified instructors, and scuba diving experiences are available for both certified divers and beginners.

For Property Owners

What property management services does Conchal Essence offer in Reserva Conchal?

Conchal Essence provides full-service short-term rental management for homeowners in Reserva Conchal. Services include listing optimization and marketing across short-term rental platforms, revenue management, reservation management and guest communication, professional housekeeping, on-site coordination and concierge services for guests, as well as property maintenance coordination.

Why do owners choose Conchal Essence to manage their property?

Owners work with Conchal Essence for its local presence, more than eight years of experience managing homes in Reserva Conchal, and a responsive team that looks after both the property and its guests. Several owners have entrusted their homes to the company for five years or more, and the team supports owners in both English and Spanish.

How can I request a management proposal for my property?

Owners can request a proposal by contacting Conchal Essence by WhatsApp or phone at +506 8449 6643, or by email at hello@conchalessence.com. A member of our team will get back to you to explain in detail how we work and to learn more about your property. We then prepare a personalized management proposal based on your home and your goals as an owner.