Costa Rica is growing as a golf destination due to its great weather, mountain views and growing list of oceanside golf courses. The golf courses in Costa Rica have been rated among the best in the world and easily rank as the best in Central America. This is the list of courses in Costa Rica:
1. Reserva Conchal The Paradisus Reserva Conchal resort is located in Brasilito area of Guanacaste. The Reserva Conchal golf course is Audubon-certified course and it’s layout includes spectacular ocean views and great holes like the 210 yard par 3 17th hole that requires a 180 yard shot over water with ocean breezes affecting your shot – make this course a must.
You need to be a Paradisus Conchal hotel guest or Conchal condo rental. Course Reservations: Call Pro Shop at (506) 2654-4123
Website: http://www.reservaconchal.com/holes.php Rates: Ranging from $150-$165
2. Hacienda Pinilla Inside the Hacienda Pinilla resort near the town of Tamarindo, Guanacaste, this course has beautiful ocean views of the Hacienda Pinilla resort. This 7,300-yard, par 72 masterpiece golf course signature hole is the par 3 149 yard 15th hole that offers a spectacular ocean view. Type: Resort Course Reservations: Call Pro Shop at(506) 2680 3000 or reserve online
Website: http://www.haciendapinilla.com/golf/ourgolfcourse.htm Rates: Ranging from $130 – $185
3. Four Seasons This 6,788 yard Arnold Palmer championship course sits in the Papagayo Peninsula just minutes from Liberia International Airport. This course was rated in the top 50 courses in the world. Type: Private Resort Course. Reservations: Call Pro Shop at (506) 2696-0000
Website: http://www.fourseasons.com/costarica/golf.html Rates: $195
4. Marriott Los Sueños Located inside the Marriott resort in Herradura/Jaco area, this course was landscaped to include exotic native plants, macaws, monkeys and orchids. Type: Resort Public Course Reservations: Call Pro Shop at (506) 2630 9012 or reserve online
Website: http://www.golflaiguana.com Rates: $150-$160 depending if you are hotel guest or tourist.
5. Los Delfines Located in Tambor at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, this 6,264 yard course consists of nine holes that have an unbelievable setting, Costa Rica’s tropical scenery. Type: Resort course Reservations: Call the Pro Shop at (506) 2683-0294 or reserve online
Website: http://delfines.com/golf/ Rates: $60-90.
6. Valle del Sol Located in the Santa Ana area of San Jose, this 7,011 yard championship course offers ample and waved fairways surrounded by majestic trees and 15 large lakes which attract diversified and lively wild life, where more than 20 different bird species can be observed. Type: Public Course. Reservations: Call Pro Shop at 2282-9222 or reserve online
Website: http://www.vallesol.com Rates: $94.
7. Cariari Located in Cuidad Cariari community between the airport and San Jose, this 6.590 yard George Fazio championship course is a local favorite due it’s challenging tight fairways, wooded rough and guarded greens, as well as beautiful mountain views. Type: Private Course. Reservations: You need to be a guest of the Ramada Herradura hotel to play this course or use Tee Times Costa Rica online reservations. Click here to reserve online
Website: http://www.clubcariari.com Rates: $100 for weekend play or $60 during the week.
8. Los Reyes Located in La Guacima near Alajuela, this 5,834 yard Robertson Ward course has well maintained and attractive fairways, as well as well tended greens. Type: Semi-Private course. Reservations: Call Pro Shop at (506) 2438-0004 or reserve online
Website: http://www.losreyescr.com/ Rates: $20-$40
9. Monteran Located in the east side of San Jose, this 2,243 yard Douglas Beach par 3 course offers city views and a course that will test your mid to short game. Type: Private course. Reservations: Call Pro Shop at (506) 2273-8779
Website: http://www.golfmonteran.com/
10. Costa Rica Country Club Located in the Escazu area of San Jose, this 6,031 yard course offers tight fairways with rolling hills and excellent mountain views. Opened in 1940, this country club course is full of tradition. Type: Private course Reservations: You need to be invited to play. No online. Website: http://www.elcountry.cr/area-del-club/golf
Some Costa Rica golf news:
View Costa Rica Golf Course Map in a larger map .
There is a new golf reservation service at Tee Times Costa Rica. (www.teetimescostarica.com) It allows you to book last minute discounted green fees or plan your golf vacation for the do-it-yourself crowd.
I wanted everyone to know that there are ‘resorts’ calling themselves golf resorts but they do not have a golf course. The Tamarindo Diria has a driving range and is 15 minutes from Hacienda Pinilla, but does not currently have a golf course. The Tango Mar hotel also does not have a golf course. It is 15-20 minutes from Los Delfines course.
The above list is THE list of courses in Costa Rica as of July 2010. There are several projects under construction like Guanacaste Country Club and Cabo Caletas, but they are looking at 2011 at least.
NEW: The San Buenas golf course in Dominical opened and offers nine holes right now. They will have the full 18 holes early 2011.
