activities
Golfing in Costa Rica
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Best Costa Rica Golf Courses
#1
Arnold Palmer Ocean Course
The Arnold Palmer Ocean Course, located at the Four Seasons Resort on the Peninsula Papagayo, was ranked one of the top one-hundred golf courses in the world outside of the U.S. by Golf Digest.
This 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed by Arnold Palmer and features spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean on most of the holes. The Arnold Palmer Ocean Course features wide fairways and contoured greens, offering a challenge for even the most experienced golfers.
#2
La Iguana Golf Course
La Iguana Golf Course at Los Suenos Marriott in Playa Herradura was designed by Ted Robinson Jr. and offers breathtaking views of the lush rainforest and Pacific Ocean. You might even encounter some exotic wildlife or a jaw-dropping sunset while you’re here!
This 6,700-yard course is designed for golfers who can hit the ball long and straight. An 18-hole round of golf costs $195 per person. You can also take private lessons or rent golf clubs at this golf course.
#3
Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course
Hacienda Pinilla, located at the JW Marriott Guanacaste near Playa Langosta, is one of the most unique golf courses in Costa Rica. It offers plenty of natural beauty with two holes on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a rustic “ranch-like” ambiance over a rolling 7,500 yards. It’s also certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, so it’s not uncommon to see exotic wildlife while playing golf here.
An 18-hole game of golf costs between $125 – $175 per person at Hacienda Pinilla. However, this Costa Rican golf course also offers “twilight play,” which is any tee time that starts after 1 PM. Twilight play costs $90 per person and is an excellent choice if you’d like to watch the sunset during the last few holes.
#4
Valle del Sol Golf Club
Unlike many other oceanfront courses in Costa Rica, Valle del Sol Golf Club is located just west of Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, in Santa Ana. The 6,800-yard course is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers stunning views of the Irazu, Barva, and Poas Volcanos.
Parque Valle del Sol is a public golf course home to the largest golf academy in Costa Rica, with programs and classes for all skill levels and ages. Golfers can book tee times online, and green fees are only $49 on weekdays and $59 on weekends. This is definitely a more affordable place to play golf in Costa Rica, and it’s only a short 30-minute drive from the San Jose Airport.
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#5
Reserva Conchal Golf Club
Reserva Conchal is a luxurious resort located on Playa Conchal — arguably the most beautiful beach on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The 7,000-yard championship course on the property was designed by Robert Trent Jones II and offers picturesque views and a well-designed layout. It’s also certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, so it’s not unusual to see exotic wildlife on this Costa Rica golf course. You can even take a wildlife golf cart ride through the course in the afternoons!
An 18-hole game of golf at Reserva Conchal Golf Club costs $160 per person during the dry season and $135 per person during the green season. The course at Reserva Conchal is also the only golf course in Costa Rica to offer night golf — complete with fluorescent golf balls, a glow-in-the-dark driving range, cocktails, and appetizers.
Spend Time at a Costa Rica Golf Course During Your Costa Rican Vacation
Whether you want to enjoy a fun and casual game of golf with other golfers, challenge your tee shot or swing at a challenging (and scenic!) spot in Costa Rica — you’re sure to find a course you’ll love playing at from this list of the best golf courses in Costa Rica.
As we mentioned earlier, many of the best golf courses in Costa Rica are located in the Guanacaste Province — one of the driest and sunniest spots in the country, filled with gorgeous beaches and stunning national parks. Special Places of Costa Rica offers hundreds of vacation rentals, including spacious homes, beachfront properties, and charming villas in Guanacaste, just a short distance from many of these popular golf courses. Explore our rentals to find the perfect place to stay during your golf vacation to Costa Rica.
FAQs
About Costa Rica Golf
While Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in Central America to play golf — some spots in Costa Rica are better for golfing than others. For example, the drier regions, like the Guanacaste Province and the Nicoya Peninsula, tend to attract more golfers because of the consistently nice weather and ideal golfing conditions. Additionally, the pristine beaches along the Pacific Coast, like Playa Conchal and Playa Avellenas, are popular destinations for playing golf in Costa Rica.
