Take A Costa Rica Golf Vacation!

These courses have been designed by some of the most well known architects in the United States. Those who have played them say, they are both challenging and fun.

Most golf courses in Costa Rica are located along what is called the "Gold Coast" This popular area is located on the Pacific Ocean side of the country in the province of Guanacaste. This part of Costa Rica is within easy driving distance of the international airport located in the city of Liberia.

The "Gold Coast" has become popular with visitors because it is warmer than the high central valley and drier than the Caribbean side. It also has some of the most beautiful Costa Rica beaches you can find anywhere in the entire country.

The "Gold Coast" also has first class accommodations, restaurants and shopping. The local stores even carry many of the same toiletries that we are accustomed to finding in stores here in the United States and Canada.

You can also find some of the best deep sea fishing in all of Central America along Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

In addition, all of the major golf courses located on the Pacific side of the country are within easy driving distance of some of Costa Rica's national parks and wildlife preserves.

Take some time away from your Costa Rica golf vacation to visit these areas of the country as well. Costa Rica has some of the most diverse tropical fauna and exotic birds in the whole world.

In the capitol city of San Jose, you will find two excellent eighteen hole golf courses located in the country's central mountain valley. Due to the fact that these courses are located closer to the largest population center in Costa Rica they tend to be more crowded than the other courses.

The oldest eighteen hole golf course in Costa Rica is El Cariari Country Club and is located west of the capitol of San Jose. It was once a coffee plantation. The course was designed by George Fazio and built in 1973 by his nephew, Tom Fazio.

The course is known for its many trees and thick vegetation. It has wide fairways with cross bunkers and the greens are well protected by sand traps. The greens are Bermuda and run fast but true. It is a par 71 course and is 6,577 yards long.

The other eighteen hole professional championship golf course in this area is located near the town of Santa Ana. It is called Valle del Sol (Valley of the Sun) and is a residential golf development.

This course was designed by well known North American architect, Tracy May. This course comes complete with its own Golf Academy, golf equipment repair shop and pro shop with snack bar.

Along the Pacific coastline you will find south of the beach at El Tamarindo the Playa Conchal Garra de Leon beach and golf resort. This facility is one of the finest golf resorts in Central America.

The architect who designed this outstanding course was Robert Trent Jones. He took care to preserve and enhance the native forest and mangroves.

The resort owns a mile and a half of white sand beach. The course has views of the ocean and the adjoining dry and wet tropical forests. Wildlife is close at hand and it is common to hear the distinctive sound of howler monkeys in the distance and to see flocks of wild parakeets resting in the trees.

This is a par 71 course and is 6,956 yards long. The course is described as being both challenging and well laid out.

Further south outside of the town of Puntarenas, is La Iguana championship golf course. It is part of the luxurious Mariott Ocean and Golf Resort. "Travel and Leisure" magazine calls this one of the world's finest golf resorts!

La Iguana was designed by architect, Ted Robinson. This gorgeous course is located between the Pacific Ocean and an 1,100 acre tropical rain forest. It has been termed Costa Rica's most exotic golf course.

There are many native plants, banana trees and orchids located here. There are 150 different species of birds living within the confines of the resort. It is common to see monkeys in nearby trees. They have been known to come onto the greens in search of golf balls! This is a 72 par course and is 6,700 yards in length.

Last but certainly not the least is Peninsula Papagayo, Four Seasons Resort. This luxurious facility is located north of El Tamarindo in Guanacaste province. For those who demand the best in accommodations, dining and golf this is the destination for you! One guest described the resort as "stunning"! That is high praise but well deserved for this world class resort.

Peninsula Papgayo is a relatively new golf course and just opened in the Spring of 2004. It was designed by Arnold Palmer. It is noteworthy to point out that fourteen of its eighteen holes have views of the Pacific Ocean. Some of the views of the ocean from the golf course are breath taking! It is beautifully laid out and will challenge your golf finesse. The course is a par 72 and is 6,788 yards long.

Are you ready yet for your Costa Rica golf vacation? As you can see a vacation to Costa Rica would not be complete without taking time to play a few rounds of golf on these first rate courses located in this Central American tropical paradise.

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