Cinnamon and Adam | An Engagement Proposal at Playa Conchal

Cinnamon and Adam

Adam reached out to me about photographing his proposal to Cinnamon at Playa Conchal. They were staying at the Westin Reserva Conchal, and he wanted to make it special — a proposal on the beach, followed by a catered picnic at Puerto Viejo, the quiet beach just next door. He had also arranged for a horseback riding tour to get them there. The horse people never showed up.

So we walked. Puerto Viejo is just a short walk from Playa Conchal — it’s a completely different feel from the main beach. Way fewer people, mostly families and fishermen, calm waves. It’s exactly the kind of spot you’d want for a proposal if you knew about it. Most people staying at the Westin don’t.

Before we made it to Puerto Viejo, we started on Playa Conchal for portraits. The shell sand, the calm water, the light — it’s one of the best beaches in Guanacaste and the Westin has easy access to it. We worked our way down the beach and then walked over to Puerto Viejo where Caracola Experience had set up the picnic.

Adam proposed right there at the picnic setup. Cinnamon had no idea. Afterwards we did portraits together on the beach at Puerto Viejo — calm waves, almost nobody around, great light. The kind of place that feels like it was made for exactly this.

The horse people not showing up turned out to be fine. Sometimes things go sideways and it doesn’t matter. If you’re planning a proposal in Costa Rica, take a look at how I work — the logistics are easier than you’d think.

Cinnamon and Adam, congratulations. It was a really good morning.