Golf in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's beautiful scenery and spring-like weather provide a perfect setting for playing golf. It is no surprise the sport has really taken-off over the last couple of years and is on the verge of a boom.

The country promises to become a premier golf travel destination in the future with the opening of public courses. Golf La Ribera, the country's first public driving range, recently opened (Tel: 381-4433). It is located in La Ribera de Belén near a famous water park called Ojo de Agua, about 15-20 minutes from downtown. It is a good place to begin your golf experience in Costa Rica. The Marriot Hotel has its own range but it's reserved for the guests of the hotel for now. Parque Valle de Sol (Tel: 282-9222) is a nine-hole public course near San José. It is very popular with local expatriates.

Most of Costa Rica's golf courses have rental clubs and provide caddies. There is sometimes a staggering difference in green fees if you are with a member as opposed to showing up at the course as a walk-on. Below is a description of some of the country's courses.

In the Central Valley the Cariari Country Club is Costa Rica's only 18-hole course for now. The Cariari has hosted such world-famous golfers as Tom Weiskoff, Ray Floyd and many more. The Cariari is significantly more expensive than Valle de Sol or Los Reyes.

Costa Rica Country Country Club is a nine-hole course and boasts Central America's most lush clubhouse. You have to be with a member to play but a personal chat with the pro might get you through the gate and on the course. Incidentally, almost all the Costa Rican pros speak English, so a hint at perhaps taking some lessons could help open some doors.

Los Reyes Country Club is just nine-holes for now but designed to be a full eighteen eventually. It is about 45 minutes from downtown San José.

Currently there are several places to play golf on Costa Rica's west coast. Over the next few years more will open. A word of advice-schedule your tee-off for 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 a ten-hole course located at Playa Tambor on the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula. You don't have to be accompanied by a member and chances are you'll have the course all to yourself. Rancho Las Colinas Golf and Country Club, near Flamingo, overlooking Playa Grande in mid-Guanacaste, is the newest course in Costa Rica. This course will become the jewel of a quickly developing community.

Las Colinas is about a five hour drive from San José, or better a 30-40 minute flight. And, if you want to get in some fishing, Flamingo is the center of the Guanacaste sporfishing fleet with the largest marina in the country. If your golf game is off, maybe the fish are biting.

Please see the golf chart in this section for a complete update on all course openings.

Golfers may now keep on Costa Rica's growing golf scene by subscribing to Central America's Golf Magazine, Tel: 011-(506) 231-6931, Fax: 011-(506) 232-1930, E-mail: golftennis@hotmail.com, www.golfmagazine.net.

For golf tours to Costa Rica see Costa Rica Unique Tours: www.costaricabooks.com/travel or Costa Rica Golf Adventures at www.golfcr.com.