Costa Rica Tourist Information / Tips for the Golf Traveler.



Travel Tips

Stick to one area
Costa Rica is a small country but driving from Guanacaste to San Jose can in some cases be an all day affair. Choose either Guanacaste or San Jose. If you choose to stay in Guanacaste, we suggest staying in Reserva Conchal - beautiful resort and by staying there you have access to play their course. Conchal is also very close to sport fishing at Flamingo marina, Tamarindo shops and nightlife, and lots of eco-activities like volcano tours. If you stay in San Jose, stay in the Escazu/ Santa Ana area - better access to nightlife, restaurants, and only a 1 hour ride to Los Suenos.


If jumping from Guanacaste to San Jose
Choose Nature Air. Since you took our advice and stayed in the Reserva Conchal resort, you can fly to San Jose using Nature Air. It is only a 30 minute flight. Check out their website for discounted seats (sometimes just $39).


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Bypass big hotels, use condos or boutique hotels
Just thinking of money, condos are generally cheaper for families or groups of friends. Los Suenos and Reserva Conchal offer lots of condo options – you can choose the all inclusive or have a personal chef at your condo for less than the cost of multiple rooms and eating at restaurants. It’s also more fun have all the group share together than hiding out in multiple hotel rooms. Boutique hotels in San Jose are world class hotels - my suggestion: Grando de Oro.


Plan ahead and save.
Our website has the Internet Special rates that can save you $70 per person per round to play any of the courses in Costa Rica. You can buy those rounds online up to 12 days in advance and you would have a guaranteed tee time. Great option for the do-it-yourself vacation planner. (Click here for a week longCosta Rica vacation)

If budget allows, play Four Seasons Costa Rica.
Named of the top 50 golf courses in the world, Four Seasons Costa Rica is easily considered Costa Rica best course. The stunning ocean views are well worth the cost. Instead of staying at the hotel, opt for a day pass that gives you access to play the course. Day passes are only offered last minute so I would call the pro shop one week in advance.


Watch out for fake golf resorts.
I don’t want to burn any bridges, but there are some hotels out there that are calling themselves golf resorts and they do not have a golf course close to them. Check out ourgolf course map – this is the definitive list of golf courses in Costa Rica. Note: there are new courses that are under construction, or in the plans – but until I can grab my driver and rip one down the fairway, I will not list them as a course. We have a map of the projects under construction as of 6/2011


Beware of operators with no golf experience.
Offering golf tours in Costa Rica is the hot thing lately. Problem is that these tour organizers don’t know if the course is good or what days to play there. We have each more than 30 years experience in golf in Costa Rica. I have personally played all the courses, rated them and know when not to play a certain course because it is too windy that month.


Rainy season is still good.
You are probably thinking: “Rain? Is he crazy?” Well, if you don’t mind playing early morning, you can fit 18 holes and beat the afternoon rain. An added benefit is that you’ll get better deals for condos, and even golf. In Costa Rica rain is not an all day thing – it rains exactly at 1pm, rains for 1-2 hours and then the sun comes out.


Play a CVGA tournament.
Playing alone sometimes is a bit boring. Why not play a CVGA tournament? The CVGA is an organization of ex-pats and retired Americans and Canadians that live in Costa Rica. They organize 2-3 weekly tournaments in local courses. Enjoy a skins game with some fellow ‘gringos’.


Don’t bring your clubs.
This is more of a universal tip. Why pay the baggage fees and haul around a golf bag during your stay? All courses offer rentals – and most offer Taylor Made or Callaway clubs. The $30 rental fee is offset by not having to pay baggage fees at the airline.


(My English teacher just had seizure reading this article).Back to Reviews