Our Favorite Costa Rica Golf Courses

We take a look at some of our favorite Costa Rica golf courses to check out (with honorable mention to some other top courses in Central America).

Costa Rica has emerged as a great alternative golfing destination in recent years. As tourism in Central America has matured, the region has become home to some of the Western Hemisphere’s most beautiful golf courses. In this article, we’ll explore the top Costa Rica golf courses to enjoy, along with some noteworthy mentions from neighboring countries.

Why Costa Rica Golf Courses Stand Out

Costa Rica golf courses are excellent in their ability to blend world-class design with breathtaking natural beauty. With their oceanside fairways and rainforest-backed greens, these courses offer an unparalleled golfing experience. To fully enjoy golf in Costa Rica, you need the right equipment. Big Horn Golfer offers a range of electric golf push carts that make getting around the greens effortless, especially in the heat! Let’s look at some of the best Costa Rica golf courses that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.Let’s look at some of the best Costa Rica golf courses that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.

Top Costa Rica Golf Courses

The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo, Papagayo

This Arnold Palmer signature course sits on the Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. It offers golfers some of the best views from any course anywhere in the world. Recognized as one of the top 100 golf courses outside the United States, the Ocean Course is a masterpiece that brings professional-level golf to Central America. Don’t forget to take a photo when you’re on the 5th!

La Iguana Golf Course at Los Sueños, Playa Herradura

This 18-hole, Ted Robinson-designed course at Los Sueños on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast enhances the lush surrounding rainforest. La Iguana Golf Course offers a stunning golf experience that tests the skill-set of even the most polished golfer. Running close to 6,700 yards, La Iguana favors golfers who can hit the ball long and straight but should impress players of all skill levels.

Reserva Conchal Golf Course, Playa Conchal

This Robert Trent Jones-designed course at Playa Conchal in Guanacaste comes with picturesque vistas and an appealing layout. Some golf writers, in fact, have called Reserva Conchal a masterpiece. The best hole at Reserva Conchal is the 17th, a long par-3 that requires a tee shot over water from an elevated tee box with a spectacular view of the beach below.

Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club, Guanacaste

Located some 30 minutes south of Tamarindo, near Playa Avellana, the Hacienda Pinilla course feels secluded as you play. As you walk the fairways, you’ll notice how peaceful the course is. The winds can wreak havoc from time to time, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from playing this incredible golf course. Most golfers love the backdrop of the ocean and can play a round in less than three hours when the course isn’t busy.

Club Cariari, Belén (San Jose)

Spectacular golf awaits you at Club Cariari in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city. Although the course plays a little tougher than many, Club Cariari will blow you away with its gorgeous surroundings. With most fairways lined with native trees, you can also drink in spectacular views of the mountains that surround San Jose’s Central Valley. Do your pushups before your round because Cariari is on the long side.

Valle del Sol, Santa Ana (San Jose)

West of Costa Rica’s capital of San Jose, Valle del Sol is another top Central Valley golf course, open to the public every day. The 18 holes at Valle del Sol, designed by Tracy May, offer stunning mountain and volcano views, with lakes and water features all over. Valle del Sol is home to Costa Rica’s largest golf academy, with instruction programs for all ages and levels.

Other Central American Golf Courses

While Costa Rica has the lion’s share of golf courses in Central America, it’s possible to enjoy great golf elsewhere in the region. Here are some notable courses:

The Roaring River Golf Course, Belmopan, Belize

The Roaring River Golf Course is an affordable 9-hole layout near Belmopan, the tiny capital of Belize. Roaring River isn’t particularly long – the entire experience runs a little under 4,000 yards. But don’t let that deter you from seeking this little gem the next time you’re in Belize. Cut from the native forests around Belmopan, Roaring River delivers an enjoyable day on the links.

Mayan Golf Club, Villa Nueva, Guatemala

Dating back to 1918, the Mayan Golf Club in Guatemala is home to Central America’s oldest golf course. In Villa Nueva, this 18-hole piece of history is close to both Guatemala City and Antigua. The Mayan is a gorgeous course offering plenty of breathtaking views of the nearby Lake Amatitlan and two volcanos. Guiding the course is a design that challenges the golfer to keep the ball in the fairway due to the neighboring vegetation. The Mayan also has one of our favorite finishing holes in Central America, a double dog-leg par-5 that is an undeniable blast to play.

The Black Pearl Golf Course, Roatán, Honduras

One of the most beautiful courses in the region is on the island of Roatán, Honduras at the Pristine Bay Resort. Designed by world-renowned golf architect, Pete Dye, every single one of the Black Pearl Golf Course’s 18 holes is a true pleasure. With marvelous amenities, the Black Pearl is a dream for anyone looking for five-star golf in Central America.

Club de Golf de Panama, Panama City, Panama

Built in 1922, the Club de Golf de Panama is the best golf course in Panama. An annual stop for professional golf tours, Club de Golf is another layout that takes advantage of the natural environment. As you play the Club de Golf, you’ll marvel at how the course carves through towering trees, creating a natural barrier for each fairway. The best hole on the course is the 17th, a short downhill par-3 that demands an accurate tee shot for a chance at a birdie.

Buenaventura Golf Club, Santa Clara, Panama

Designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, the Buenaventura Golf Club is a one-of-a-kind golfing paradise. This course by the ocean, less than two hours out of Panama City, uses water features to create challenges that will have golfers raving about how much fun they’re having. The final hole is strikingly beautiful as the par-4 18th gives you a close-up of the water as you try to shape your drive and your second shot to a narrow green.

Wrapping Up

Each course on our list is an ideal locale for enjoying the best of what this region can offer in golfing experiences. In short, these courses go above and beyond to provide exceptional moments you won’t soon forget. Always an oasis for great golf, Central America has many courses worth making the centerpiece of your next golfing vacation.

Jordan Fuller is a golf enthusiast and blogger from Omaha, Nebraska who plays golf all over the world while simultaneously running his Golf Influence blog.