Golf in Costa Rica

Not long ago, golfing in Costa Rica was hard to find. Only the original pioneer clubs existed: the nine-hole Costa Rica Country Club (members only) and the vintage Cariari Country Club. Well, times have changed !

The explosion of development in Costa Rica has spawned a number of golf courses inside and outside the Central Valley, particularly on the Guanacaste beaches and in the Central Pacific.

Golfing in Guanacaste (NW Pacific Coast)

The Four Seasons resort in Papagayo has an Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole course. Hacienda Pinilla, near Tamarindo, has a very nice par-72 course, this development offers homes around the golf course. The Conchal Paradisus has an 18-hole golf course that is open to the public, featuring beautiful ocean vistas. Many more have been completed or are under construction.

Central Valley Golf Courses

There are several golf courses in the Central Valley. The Marriot near the airport has a ten-hole course and a driving range. The Hacienda Valle del Sol is a nice 18-hole, public course with reasonable green fees. Also, the nine-hole course at Hacienda Los Reyes is worth a look. There's even a nine-hole golf course on the East side of San Jose (in Curridabat) at the Monteran development.

The 18-hole Cariari Country Club course is the best course in the Central Valley, and for many years was the only course open to travelers. This course was built on a former coffee plantation and designed by architect George Fazio. Many golfers play this course when they first arrive in Costa Rica, before heading to the beach, or before returning home.

Central Pacific Golf Courses

Playa Herradura(near Jaco) features the Marriott Los Suenos golf course. This is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course designed by Ted Robinson, Jr. This is the closest course on the beach to the Central Valley. The course is open to the public.

Nicoya Peninsula

On the tip of the peninsula are two nine-hole golf courses near Playa Tambor, one at the exclusive Tango Mar resort and the other at the Barcelo Los Delfines hotel and residential development.