Are you a golfer and thinking about taking a trip with some of your golf buddies? Costa Rica may be the perfect spot. Costa Rica is quickly becoming a world famous golfer’s paradise. Not only does Costa Rica enjoy endless summer weather, beautiful beaches, rainforests, and volcanoes, it is also home to championship ranked golf courses.

A short flight is all that separates you from some of the most extraordinary not to mention uncrowded golf courses in the world.

In Costa Rica there are five major courses, the most famous being Melia Cariari, which has for many years been considered the best course in all of Central America. This course was built on a coffee plantation, designed by George Fazio and built by his nephew Tom Fazio. Melia Cariari has hosted many tournaments including the Friendship Cup in 1979 and 1980. Don’t get too excited about playing at Central America’s premier course though because it is part of a member’s only club.

The course that is really starting to turn heads away from Melia Cariari is the Reserva Conchal course at the Paradisus Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II this dry tropical forest course in the Guanacaste region took four years to develop.

If you are looking for golf in the San Jose area, Parque Valle del Sol is the course for you. Residing in the suburb Santa Ana, Valle del Sol was initially developed in the 70’s by an American who reserved the right to play for himself and friends only. After returning to the states the course was redesigned and completed by Tracy Mae at which point the course opened to the public.

Marriot Los Suenos Brought in Ted Robinson Jr., designer of over 150 courses world wide, to create their golf oasis “La Iguana”. This course is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to one side and the rainforest to the other. La Iguana is a par 72 course located at Jaco beach.

If you have already played the Reserva Conchal course at the Paradisus and are looking for something different in the area head to the Hacienda Pinilla. This course was developed by Mike Young and built over a cattle ranch. The course is distinguished by its characteristics of many well located pot bunkers located around the greens. The course is considered by many as being very difficult and rewarding for conservative player.

This is just the start of golf in Costa Rica, more courses are in development as we speak. With the growing amount of Americans choosing Costa Rica as a place for retirement quality golf is sure to become a staple of the country.

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Filed under: Sports on August 3rd, 2007