Best Golf Courses in Costa Rica

The Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 2004, is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary known for panoramic ocean views on most holes. The 18-hole, par-72 resort course blends challenging elevation shifts with wide, undulating fairways, contoured greens, and lush tropical scenery, making it a must-play in Costa Rica for both beauty and playability.

La Iguana Golf Course, designed by Ted Robinson Sr. in 1999, is an 18-hole, par-72 resort layout nestled in Costa Rica’s exotic rainforest near Playa Herradura. The course features ocean views, abundant local wildlife, and a naturally challenging routing. The design incorporates native plants, bananas, orchids, monkeys, and over 150 bird species, offering a unique Costa Rican golf experience.

Cariari Country Club, designed by George Fazio and constructed by Tom Fazio, is Costa Rica’s first 18-hole championship course. Set on a former coffee plantation in Heredia, this private parkland layout features tree-lined, rolling fairways, challenging water crossings, and is recognized for its strategic design and lush Central Valley scenery.

Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed by Mike Young, blending tropical forest with Pacific Ocean vistas in Guanacaste. The layout incorporates Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary standards, diverse wildlife, TifEagle greens for exceptional putting, and strategic design across 7,200 yards, making it one of Costa Rica’s premier resort golf destinations.

Reserva Conchal Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is an eco-conscious 18-hole, par-71 layout set near the Pacific Ocean’s Playa Conchal. Spanning 7,021 yards, the course features dramatic elevation changes, rolling Bermuda-greens, native forest, lakes, and abundant wildlife. Reserved for guests of the Conchal Resort, it is known for its breathtaking scenery and variety.

Costa Rica Country Club is a traditional parkland-style 9-hole private golf course in the upscale Escazu area of San José. Opened in 1940 and designed by Charles Donovan, the course is renowned locally for tight tree-lined fairways, undulating terrain, and excellent mountain views. The club offers extensive practice facilities and prestigious social amenities.

Valle del Sol Golf Club, designed by Tracy D. May, is an 18-hole championship course located in Santa Ana, San José. Opened in 1997, the course stretches over 60 hectares and offers scenic mountain vistas, water features on most holes, and challenging greens. Its parkland layout provides a modern golfing experience with excellent year-round conditions, making it a standout public option in Costa Rica.

San Buenas Golf Resort, designed by Canadian architect Dan Lavis in 2010, offers a scenic and ecological 9-hole layout (planned for 18) nestled between mountains and rainforest, just minutes from the Pacific. The course uses salt-tolerant Paspalum grass, features wide fairways, big sloping greens, and a variety of water features, with abundant wildlife and distant ocean views.

Los Delfines Golf and Country Club is a scenic, tropical 18-hole parkland course originally built by the Barceló Group and remodeled by Ulrich Lang. It’s situated near Playa Tambor and is well known for its relaxed playability, moderate challenge, and unique local wildlife including a large colony of scarlet macaws.

Tres Volcanes Golf & Country Club, formerly Papagayo Golf, has been revitalized with significant investments and is set against three volcanoes—Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles, and Tenorio. The course features modern amenities and lush playing conditions in a scenic tropical landscape. Its blend of sport, leisure, and natural beauty makes it a leading public golf destination in Costa Rica.