Playing Golf in Costa Rica

In 1944 Costa Rica’s first golf course (9 holes) was created as part of the Costa Rica Country Club. The place was located in Cariari (on the road to the international airport). In the 1970’s George Fazio redesigned the place and extended it to 18 holes. Since then, five further 18-hole-courses have been added (ande over 20 9-hole-courses). The prestigious Four Seasons in the Papagayo Gulf (Guanacaste) is the newest one. Many golfers adore Costa Rica for its picturesque, varied courses between volcanoes and tropical sea.

Contact us for individual information about your golf vacation in Costa Rica

Golf Courses in the Central Valley

Melia Cariari Country Club (Cariari)

Costa Rica’s oldest golf course. An undulating, shadowy course, which was designed by George Fazio. It is located in the nice residential area of Cariari, 10 minutes from the international airport and 20 minutes from San José’s centre. Several international competitions are held on this pleasant course amid coffee plantations.

Par 71

Parque Valle del Sol (Santa Ana)

This old private golf course is now owned by the Brazilian Habitasul and was redesigned by the architect Tracy Mayce. It lies in the vicinity of Santa Ana, a pleasant residential area outside San José. Its varied, undulating course among small lakes and tropical trees holds a renowned amateur tournament every July.

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Golf Courses in Guanacaste

Garra de Leon (Playa Conchal)

Garra de Leon was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is located on the property of the luxury hotel Paradisus Playa Conchal (of the Sol Melia chain). It is pleasantly situated above the Pacific Ocean, in a dry tropical Guanacaste forest. Without a doubt this is one of the nicest courses in the country, due to its exceptional environment. The vicinity to the ocean and the tropical setting and sounds make this a little paradise indeed!

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Hacienda Pinilla (Playa Avellana)

Mike Young has recently designed this course on the property of an old ranch, south of Tamarindo.
It is nicely located above the ocean, but in our opinion the course does not offer enough shade to play (the sun being very hot in this region).

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Golf Club of the Four Seasons Hotel (Papagayo Gulf)

This course is situated on the property of the prestigious Four Seasons hotel and was designed by Arnold Palmer. 14 of the 18 holes feature a splendid view over the Pacific Ocean and the Papagayo Gulf. This green is a known golf course and it’s frequented by the international jet set.

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Golf Courses in the Central Pacific Area

Golf Resort Marriott Los Sueños (Playa Herradura)

Only two hours away from the capital you find this course, designed by Ted Robinson Jr, on the premises of the Marriott Hotel Los Sueños. It is perfectly set in beautiful nature, with the Pacific coast on one side and a tropical forest on the other. Its lovely setting will be a great motivation to play another round!

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