Guaranteed matches
Three pool matches plus at least one bracket match on Sunday, four to six matches guaranteed. Nobody flies to Guanacaste to lose twice and go home.
Lotus & Lime Tournaments present · Edition I
Playa Conchal Open
A weekend for the whole family. Twelve divisions of doubles under one roof on the Gold Coast of Guanacaste, free entry for family and friends, a welcome dinner on Friday, and every player on court both days.
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Registration closes 30 November. The field is capped at 96 teams, eight per division, limited by court capacity, not by ranking.
The event
A tournament built to come back every year
The Playa Conchal Open is the first edition of the Lotus & Lime Tournaments, a series based at Finca Escondida Racquet & Social Club in Huacas, Guanacaste.
Guanacaste has beaches, golf and a growing pickleball community. What it has not had is a properly run open tournament, with a real draw, shaded courts, referees on the medal matches and food worth staying for. That is what we are building.
Everything happens in one place. Eight pickleball courts sit under one roof, so play starts on time regardless of midday heat or an afternoon downpour. The clubhouse pavilion, the Thai kitchen and the pro shop are a short walk from every court, which means players, partners and spectators stay together all weekend.
The field is open. A first-tournament player and a lifelong club player enter the same event, in different divisions, on the same courts, with the same medal ceremony at the end.
Golden-hour play under the pavilion. Courts are lit until 9 pm.
12
Divisions
Men's, women's and mixed, at A, B, C and 50+
8
Covered courts
Lit until 9 pm, plus two covered tennis courts
2
Days of play
Every player competes on both days
~57 km
From Liberia airport
Roughly one to one and a half hours by road
Format & divisions
How the weekend is played
Doubles across twelve divisions, capped at 96 teams. Pools on Saturday and Sunday morning, championship and consolation brackets on Sunday afternoon, every final on Sunday evening.
Women's doubles
SAT · pools
A
Advanced. Regular tournament players with a complete game.
B
Intermediate. Confident club players who know position and strategy.
C
Developing. Newer players and first-timers. No experience needed.
50+
Age division. Both players 50 or older by 31 December 2026.
Match format
- Pool play: one set to 15, golden point at 14-14
- Sunday quarterfinals: one set to 15, golden point at 14-14
- Semifinals and finals: best of three sets to 11, win by 2
- Bronze medal match in every division with six or more teams
Sunday Draw
- Teams that miss the knockout get a second life in the Sunday Draw
- Consolation play all morning, same courts, same referees
- Show court for the A and 50+ finals from 2 pm, crowd and commentary
The field is capped at 96 teams, eight per division in two pools of four. Popular divisions can stretch to ten teams if entries demand it, and a division with fewer than four teams is merged or refunded in full.
Honest divisions
You pick your division on the entry form, helped by a short self-rating questionnaire. The tournament desk reviews every entry and moves a team that is clearly in the wrong division, after talking to you first.
Referees on the medals
Pool matches are self-officiated with a roving official. Gold and bronze medal matches are refereed, with a written appeals procedure posted at the desk.
Rules and equipment
- Play follows the official IFP/USA Pickleball rulebook in force on the tournament date, with any local variations posted at the desk before the first serve.
- A single official ball is used for the whole event, chosen for covered-court conditions and announced with the final entry pack.
- Paddles must appear on the USA Pickleball approved list. Players bring their own, and the pro shop carries demo paddles on site.
- Non-marking court shoes are required. Courts are covered, so play is unaffected by rain but shoes still need to grip a hard surface.
Results and draws
- Brackets are seeded from your self-rating and a short questionnaire on the entry form, so first-timers and club players are placed fairly.
- Results are published on this site after the weekend, bracket by bracket, so every match is on the record.
- No rating is needed to enter and this is not a sanctioned event. The C divisions are designed for players entering their first tournament.
- Live draws, court assignments and results are posted on screens at the desk and on this site through the weekend.
Schedule
Two days, start to finish
Indicative running order. Exact call times per division are published with the draw, five days before the event.
Friday 4 December
Player night
- 5 pm Early check-in and kit pickup Tournament desk at the Lotus & Lime terrace
- 6 pm Welcome dinner at Lotus & Lime Complimentary from Lotus & Lime, drinks sold separately. Guests $35
- 7:30 pm Live music and mingling Meet the field, courts open for casual hits until 9 pm
Saturday 5 December
Pools
- 7 am Desk opens, courts open for warm-up Player check-in, welcome kit, coffee from Lotus & Lime
- 8 am Round robin begins, all divisions Pools on all eight courts, rolling schedule
- 12 pm Lunch service, play continues Claim your Thai break at the Lotus & Lime counter
- 4 pm Pool play concludes Standings posted, Sunday draw published on screen
- 5 pm Reserva Conchal owners' get-together The community's annual event at the beach club. Everyone else is welcome at Lotus & Lime for authentic Thai and live music
Sunday 6 December
Finals day
- 7:30 am Courts open, desk opens Sunday draw and court assignments on screen
- 8 am Pools finish, Sunday Draw and quarterfinals Last pool matches for half the field, consolation and knockout brackets begin
- 12 pm Lunch service, play continues Thai breaks and recovery bowls from the display fridge
- 2 pm Semifinals, show court opens Commentary, courtside seating, bar open
- 4 pm Division finals Every division plays its final today, refereed
- 7 pm A and 50+ gold matches, prime time Show court under the lights, crowd at full
- 7:45 pm Prize ceremony Trophies, medals, sponsor awards, group photo
- 8 pm Close Lotus & Lime terrace open for the last rounds
Entry
What it costs, what you get
One entry fee per player covers your first division, your welcome kit, the Friday Thai sharing menu and your Thai break. The dinner is complimentary from Lotus & Lime, valid on Friday only, and cannot be transferred to another day or person. Drinks at the dinner are sold separately. Family and friends are welcome all weekend, free of charge, and guests can join the Friday sharing dinner for $35.
Entry fee
$75 USD
Per player
One flat fee for your first division, both days of play, your welcome kit, your Thai break and the Friday Thai sharing menu, complimentary from Lotus & Lime. Drinks sold separately.
Add-on
$65 USD
Second division
For players who want more matches. Both divisions play their pools on Saturday, so a second division means a fuller Saturday.
The first division is $75 and a second division is $65. Payment is by SINPE Móvil to +506 7198 1988 (Jarno Hottinen) or bank transfer, nothing is charged through this site.
Included in every entry
- Player welcome kit with tournament shirt, ball and water bottle
- Four to six matches guaranteed, three in pools plus bracket or consolation play on Sunday
- Your Thai break, a wrap or protein shake from Lotus & Lime, on the house with play
- The Friday Thai sharing menu, complimentary from Lotus & Lime, Friday only, not transferable
- Court access for warm-up outside your scheduled matches
- Photography from the weekend, free to download afterwards
How registration works
- Submit the entry form with your divisions and partner. One form per player.
- We confirm your bracket by email within two working days, or come back to you if the bracket needs adjusting.
- Pay by SINPE Móvil to +506 7198 1988 (Jarno Hottinen) or bank transfer to hold your place. Your entry is not confirmed until payment is received, and payment is due within five days.
- Full refund if we cancel or merge your bracket. Player withdrawals are refundable up to 21 days before the event.
The venue
Finca Escondida Racquet & Social Club
Eight covered pickleball courts and two covered tennis courts in Huacas, Guanacaste, five minutes from Reserva Conchal.
The whole club sits under roof. That removes the two things that ruin tournaments on this coast, midday sun and a rained-out afternoon, and it lets us schedule tight without weather buffers. LED lighting keeps courts playable until 9 pm, so the draw runs into the evening without anyone squinting into a low sun.
Around the courts there is an open-air clubhouse pavilion with the Lotus & Lime Thai restaurant, a pro shop, shaded courtside benches, and trails and pasture beyond the fence line. Outside tournament weekends the club runs Monday round robins, adult tennis clinics, Friday night doubles and a Saturday junior academy.
Eight pickleball courts and two tennis courts, all under one roof.
The finca at dusk, a few metres from the courts. Club hours 7 am–9 pm, seven days a week.
Food & beverage partner
Lotus & Lime
Lotus & Lime is the Thai kitchen inside the club, and the tournament's food and beverage partner. Daytime is built for players, quick portable plates from the display cooler where you pick your protein and your heat level. Evening moves to regional Thai classics and chef's Thai–Costa Rican fusions, all made to share.
During the tournament weekend the kitchen serves players and spectators alike, from the first coffee of the morning to the last match of the day. Tell the kitchen about allergies when you order, the menu cooks Thai and uses peanuts and shellfish.
Open daily from 7 am. Monday to Thursday and Sunday until 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday until 9:30 pm.
Travel & stay
Getting here, and staying a week
The club sits between Huacas and Brasilito, minutes from Playa Conchal and Reserva Conchal. Most players fly into Liberia and drive.
Fly to Liberia (LIR)
Guanacaste's international gateway, about 57 km from Brasilito, roughly one to one and a half hours by road on paved highway. San José (SJO) is a four-hour drive.
Getting to the club
Rent a car, or book a private transfer from the airport. Parking is on site and free. Huacas is the local junction town for Conchal, Flamingo and Tamarindo.
Where to stay
Reserva Conchal next door is home to The Westin Reserva Conchal and W Costa Rica. Brasilito, Flamingo and Tamarindo add hotels, condos and villas at every price level.
Early December
The start of the Guanacaste dry season, and the reason we picked the date. Book accommodation early, it is high season on this coast.
Find us
Five minutes from Reserva Conchal
The club is in Huacas, five minutes by car from Reserva Conchal and Playa Conchal, and under ten from Flamingo. Huacas is the local junction town for Conchal, Flamingo and Tamarindo.
- Free on-site parking
- 1 h 15 min from Liberia airport (LIR)
- Open daily 7 am–9 pm
Finca Escondida
Host club
Lotus & Lime
Food & beverage
Reserva Conchal
Host area
Your brand here
Presenting partner
Spectators
Free to watch, all weekend
Entry is free for spectators on both days. Courtside benches are shaded, the pavilion has seating and fans, and the kitchen and bar are open from 7 am. The show court runs commentary from 2 pm on Sunday, with the A and 50+ finals in prime time. Bring the family, Sunday afternoon is built for watching.
Good to know
- Free entry, no ticket needed
- Free on-site parking
- Shaded seating courtside and in the pavilion
- Card and cash both accepted at the bar
Family weekend
A weekend built around the family
Most players do not travel alone, so the weekend is planned for the people who come with them. Partners, kids and friends are welcome both days, free of charge. Shaded courtside benches, the pavilion and the Lotus & Lime terrace are open to everyone, and the finals on Sunday afternoon are worth staying for.
Good to know
- Free entry for family and friends, no ticket needed
- Kids' activities both days, full program coming soon
- Kitchen and bar open from 7 am both days
- Friday sharing dinner, guests $35, kids welcome
Kids' activities both days
While the matches run, there are activities for children of different ages around the club. The full program is published closer to the weekend, and everything is within the club grounds.
Cheer from real comfort
Shaded benches courtside, seating and fans in the pavilion, food and drinks from the Lotus & Lime counter all day. Come for a final or stay the whole afternoon.
Make it a weekend
Arrive Friday for the welcome dinner, watch the finals Sunday afternoon, and stay in the area a few days more. Brasilito, Huacas and the beaches are minutes away.
The series
The first of many
The Playa Conchal Open is Edition I of the Lotus & Lime Tournaments, a series based at Finca Escondida Racquet & Social Club in Huacas, Guanacaste.
Edition I · Entries open
Playa Conchal Open
5–6 December 2026. Twelve divisions of doubles, every final on Sunday evening.
Enter now →Edition II · To be announced
Winter 2027
Same club, same standard, new dates. Join the mailing list on the entry form to hear first.
Every week
Play at the club
Monday round robins, adult clinics, Friday night doubles and a Saturday junior academy, all year round.
fincaescondidacr.com →Partners
Be part of the first edition
A two-day event at a brand new club, in front of an international, high-spend audience on the Guanacaste Gold Coast. Four partner levels, each with court presence, on-site activation and content rights.
Presenting partner
One partner
- Name alongside the tournament in all communication
- Centre court branding and on-site activation space
- Named award at the prize ceremony
Court, division and hospitality partners
Multiple
- Named court or named division across the draw
- Welcome kit placement and player-facing sampling
- Logo on site, on signage and in the highlight reel
Questions
Everything else
Do I need a partner to enter?
Yes, you enter as a pair. If you do not have one, tick the partner-matching box on the entry form and we will pair you with a player at your level from the waiting list.
What level should I enter?
Enter the division you actually play at, not the one you are working toward. A is for advanced tournament players, B for solid intermediates, C for newer players and first-timers. The entry form has a short questionnaire and the tournament desk will move you if the division looks wrong. Sandbagging is the fastest way to have a bad weekend, and we do move teams.
Is the event sanctioned or rated?
No. This is an open tournament, not a sanctioned or rated event. There is no DUPR requirement and no rating needed to enter. You get competitive matches, results published after the weekend, and medals for the top teams.
What if it rains?
Nothing changes. All eight pickleball courts are covered, which is the whole point of playing here. Early December is also the start of the Guanacaste dry season.
How hot does it get on court?
Courts are in shade all day and the site catches the breeze off the finca, so it plays considerably cooler than an open court in the same conditions. Water is free at the desk and courtside, and the schedule is built with rest between pool matches.
Can I bring my family, and can they eat with us?
Yes. Spectator entry is free, and Lotus & Lime serves guests from 7 am both days. The Friday Thai sharing menu is complimentary from Lotus & Lime for players, valid on Friday only and not transferable to another day or person. Drinks are sold separately, and guest seats at $35 can be added when you register.
Are paddles and balls provided?
Bring your own paddle, from the USA Pickleball approved list. Match balls are provided by the tournament, and the pro shop on site carries demo paddles, grips and shoes.
What is the refund policy?
Full refund if we cancel the event or merge your bracket into another one and you do not want to play it. Player withdrawals are refunded in full up to 21 days before the event, then at 50% up to seven days before, and not after that. Partner substitutions are free at any time.
Can I enter more than one division?
Yes. Your first division is full price and a second is $65. All divisions play their pools on Saturday, so a second division means more Saturday matches. The desk confirms feasibility with the draw, and pairs are never scheduled on two courts at once.
Where do I ask something that is not here?
Write to the tournament desk and a person will answer, usually the same day.
Tournament manager Fernanda answers on WhatsApp, +506 6102 0603.
5–6 December 2026
Twelve divisions. Eight covered courts. Every final on Sunday.
Registration is limited by court capacity. Enter early, pick your divisions, and we will see you in Guanacaste.