Guanacaste is a golf lover’s paradise. There are splendid professional golf courses placed in the middle of the most stunning natural scenery. These courses are designed with the top-quality standards to meet international organizations regulations. The courses include the Papagayo Golf & Country Club (located near Sardinal), Paradisus Playa Conchal (located near Brasilito), Hacienda Pinilla (located Playa Bonito), Four Seasons (located in the Peninsula Papagayo), and the Tamarindo driving range all within an one hour drive. The 18-hole golf course near Matapalo is expected to re-open in 2007.
Papagayo Golf & Country Club (15 minutes). This challenging eighteen-hole, 72-par municipal course has lovely valley and volcano views from the fairways. Golfers can hone their skills on the driving range and practice green. Mulligan’s restaurant and bar is open for after-play refreshments. There are also friendly tournaments that take place every Sunday morning (golf cart and breakfast included).
- Garra de León Golf Course at Reserva Conchal (50 minutes).
It is a field close to the ocean that was built in 1997 with the idea of changing the fact that Cariari Country Club was the crown golf court in Central America. They spare not effort in saving resources, the project was focused on building a field in synchronization with the spectacular resort which it surrounds and has become today one of the most exclusive of the zone. Garra de Leon Golf Court was carefully designed by the architect Robert Trent Jones II. It has a pair of 72 and a longitude of 7,030 yards and continuous elevation changes. This is truly a fantastic world-class field, built in accordance with the most classic tradition of this game for the enjoyment of players from all levels. Moreover, Garra de Leon offers a learning center for any beginners, or players who are interested in improving their level and skills which is operated by PGA certified instructors.
- The “Corral” at La Hacienda Pinilla (60 minutes). This course was designed by U.S. Architect Mike Young, well-known for designing some of the finest golf courses in the South of the United States, all built with top-quality standards to meet the requirements of international organizations. This course blends in harmoniously with its surroundings
causing a minimum environmental impact, without losing the pleasure and challenges always found in professional golf. It is like being in your own garden, which complements the unique atmosphere offered to golf lovers. This field is truly a masterpiece of 6,800 yards. It is also a great example of how combining the sport tradition with the environment, each hole has been designed to be a real part of the natural surroundings. Each of the frequent cliffs and bluffs offer different challenges each time you play, same as trees that offer refreshing intervals and are also natural obstacles. Golfers enjoy of a field full of stunning sceneries, immaculate conditions, wild life exotic views, and many other amenities, all in one single place.
The Four Seasons (15 minutes). Set on the Papagayo Peninsula with cool, prevailing breezes, Four Seasons Golf Club Costa Rica boasts sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean on 14 of its 18 holes. This Arnold Palmer signature golf course has wide, undulating fairways with large and contoured greens, providing a fair and challenging test of your golf finesse.
