 General |
Courses |
Hotels |
Contact Us |
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General |
Courses |
Hotels |
Contact Us |
General Information
Let us help you enjoy the Costa Rican outdoors and sunshine without hiking through the jungle or bouncing around on a river raft. How about a leisurely round of golf over the lush, landscaped fairways of some very challenging courses, with the knowledge that a chilly beer waits at the 19th hole?
The three courses closest to San Jose are private, and a visitor to Costa Rica cannot just call for a tee-time. Visitors must be the guest of a member or, under certain circumstances, be a guest at specific hotels that enjoy an agreement with a club. In North America, members of one country club often enjoy some reciprocity with other clubs. However, in Costa Rica, a North American club membership won't even get you past the gate. But again, let us help.
Here's a brief guide to Costa Rican courses and some approximate fees. Note that there can be a staggering difference in green fees if you are with a member, as opposed to showing up at the pro shop as a walk-on.
About caddies...some are very good caddies and excellent golfers, but as a general rule, don't count on them to read the green or give you an accurate distance to the pin. They're along to carry the bag, and most importantly, to doggedly come up with your ball that just happened not to hit the fairway.
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Courses |
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Golf Courses & Driving Ranges
There are two driving ranges in the central valley. Most accessible and most fun is Golf La Ribera in La Ribera de Belen, near a famous water park called Ojo de Agua, about 15-20 minutes from downtown. The Marriot Hotel also has a range, but for now it's reserved for guests of the hotel.
Central Valley
For the time being, Cariari Country Club is Costa Rica's only 18 hole course. Designed by well-known course architect George Fazio, the par 71 course measures 6,500 yards and is a legitimate test for any golfer. The Cariari has hosted such world-famous golfers as Tom Weiskof, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Ray Floyd and many more. Unless with a member, visitors must be staying at one of the hotels in the vicinity. These currently include the Melia Cariari, Herradura, Residencias de Golf and Vistas de Golf.
| Green fee $40 | Cart $25 | Caddy $11 |
By North American standards an "executive" nine-hole course, Costa Rica Country Club is certainly the most exclusive, boasting Central America's lushest club house. Visitors must be with a member, but a chat with the pro himself might get you through the gate and on the course. Incidentally, almost all Costa Rican pros speak English, so a hint at perhaps taking lessons could help open some doors.
| Green fee $10 | Cart N/A | Caddy $7 |
Los Reyes Country Club just offers nine holes for now, but is designed for eventual expansion to a full eighteen. Los Reyes is about 45 minutes from downtown San Jose, but worth the trip. It is never crowded unless there is a tournament. Make sure you've arranged for your arrival in advance, or you won't get through the gate.
| Green fee $30 ($7 w/Member) | Cart N/A | Caddy $7 |
Overlooking the Pacific
There are currently only two courses open on Costa Rica's west coast, but that will change quickly over the next year or two. A word of advice: schedule your tee-off early in the morning or wait for a leisurely, twilight round, because the sun and humidity can be brutal during the day.
Tango Mar Resort and Country Club is located on Playa Tambor at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. This ten-hole course (go figure) is one of many amenities offered by one of Costa Rica's most luxurious resorts. You don't need to be accompanied by a member, and chances are you'll have the course to yourself.
| Green fee $25 | Cart $30 | Caddy N/A |
Near Flamingo Beach, Rancho las Colinas Golf and Country Club overlooks Playa Grande in Guanacaste Province. Costa Rica's newest course, it was designed by Ron Garl, an architect recently named Golf Course Designer of the Year by the International Network of the Golf Industry. Rancho las Colinas opened the front nine in 1996, with the back due any day now. This course is sure to become the jewel of a quickly developing residential and commercial community.
Las Colinas is about a five hour drive or a 30-40 minute flight from San Jose. If you want to get in some fishing, Flamingo is the center of the Guanacaste sportfishing fleet, with the country's largest marina. Check our sportfishing website.
Feel free to get in touch with us with any questions about recent course openings, costs and country club membership rules, and...keep your eye on the ball.
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General |
Courses |
Hotels |
Contact Us |
Hotels for Golfers
We are pleased to recommend the following hotels for golfers visiting Costa Rica:
Hotel Herradura Resort and Conference Center
Villas de Cariari
Residencias de Golf
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