In recent years, high-end residential communities in Costa Rica have evolved beyond the single promise of comfortable and safe living spaces. Today, a new amenity has captivated the hearts of residents and investors alike: golf courses. Once considered a niche feature, golf courses within residential communities have surged in popularity, offering not just a recreational outlet but an entire lifestyle.
Golf courses in Costa Rica are a symbol of exclusivity and are increasingly desired by both national and foreign residents. Golf course homes in Costa Rica are in high demand even for non-golfers who enjoy the landscaping, spaces, and natural setting that accompanies the sport of golf.
Tere Silva, LX Costa RicaLet’s delve into why golf in Costa Rica has become more than just a sport but a defining element of luxury living. As we explore the various golf courses in the Central Valley and Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, we can also navigate the various home and property options available within these communities.
INTERVIEW: Exploring Costa Rica’s Premier Residential Golf Communities
Golf enthusiasts understand that the game transcends its physical boundaries. It’s not just about swinging clubs and sinking putts; it’s a way of life. For many, the allure of golf lies in its ability to foster a sense of community, provide moments of tranquility, and offer an escape from the fast pace of everyday life. In Costa Rica’s premier golf course communities, residents embrace this lifestyle wholeheartedly, making golf an integral part of their daily routines.
The Golf Communities in Costa Rica
Central Valley & City Golf Course Communities
Nestled in the heart of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, an array of pristine golf course communities offers a unique blend of luxury and tranquility near the bustling capital city of San José and the SJO international airport. These exceptional enclaves, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Costa Rica’s lush mountains, provide residents with an intimate connection to the natural splendor of the region. Each golf course is accompanied by vibrant luxury residential communities that are meticulously designed to offer privacy, security, and unparalleled access to amenities. These communities serve as serene escapes where the serene greens of the golf courses meet the rugged beauty of Costa Rica’s landscapes, crafting a living experience that is both opulent and harmoniously integrated with nature.
Explore homes & properties in Monterán →
Although many of the golf courses in Costa Rican residential communities are designed to practice long shots, the Monterán Golf Course in the eastern side of the city is a haven for precision and practice. Designed by American architect Douglas Beach, this executive course features nine par-3 holes amidst green views and cooler climates.
Ideal for perfecting short-game skills, Monterán demands precision with every shot. This makes it a favorite among golfers seeking to refine their technique. Residents and members alike enjoy access to top-notch facilities, including practice areas and professional instruction tailored to individual levels.
This course was meticulously designed with top-of-the-line drainage systems that prevent flooding. Its greens were planned following USGA regulations using Bermuda Tiff Eagle grass. The tees and fairways, on the other hand, were established with Bermuda 419. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Monterán offers the only golfing experience in the east of the Central Valley.
Monterán, nestled on the eastern outskirts of San José in Guayabos, Curridabat, offers a luxurious residential experience with panoramic mountain views and upscale homes. Residents enjoy a stress-free lifestyle with triple-level security and exclusive amenities, including the area’s only golf course.
The clubhouse features an indoor pool, gym, and yoga/dance studio, complemented by outdoor facilities such as a large pool, playground, tennis courts, and a soccer field. Monterán’s meticulously maintained golf course with lush gardens and a serene lake is a standout feature, accompanied by an onsite restaurant, golf shop, and meeting room.
Scenic hiking trails provide opportunities to explore nature and city vistas, making Monterán a desirable haven for those seeking both tranquility and recreation.
Explore homes & properties in Valle del Sol →
Image from Parque Valle del Sol
Meanwhile, Valle del Sol beckons with its professional 18-hole course, driving range, and putting green. This course, as well as the one in Los Reyes, offers golf shops and instruction for those looking to learn this rich sport. Whether you’re shooting for the top spot in a tournament or simply seeking to improve your game, both ensure an unforgettable golfing experience for the entire family.
Valle del Sol, the largest residential community in the Central Valley, sprawls across 147 hectares and offers features luxury homes and construction lots with views of the golf course, canyon, or natural reserve, with controlled access and 24/7 security. The real estate portfolio includes residences with various architectural styles, ranging from $450,000 to $3 million, and construction lots.
Apart from its exclusive 18-hole golf course, the community boasts eight tennis courts, safe streets for outdoor activities, and proximity to top-tier schools, convenience stores, entertainment venues, and business centers. Easy access to Escazú, downtown Santa Ana, and the Pacific coast makes it an ideal location for families.
Explore homes & properties in Hacienda Los Reyes →
Los Reyes Country Club boasts a meticulously maintained 9-hole course renowned for its lack of environmental and sound pollution. This ensures maximum concentration. With instructors and a commitment to excellence, Los Reyes provides members with an exceptional golfing experience that’s second to none.
Image from Los Reyes Country Club
Hacienda Los Reyes, Costa Rica’s pioneering residential and golf community in the Central Valley, spans 40 hectares. It offers luxurious homes and construction lots of various styles, sizes, and prices. Residents enjoy exclusive access to the private Country Club and the country’s only Polo Club on-site.
The private Country Club offers sports amenities like a football field, gym, tennis court, and training pools, along with pools, massage rooms, and saunas. The community features hiking trails amidst landscaped gardens and pristine nature, with triple-level security ensuring safety.
Conveniently located near an Auto Mercado and international schools like Country Day and GSD, Hacienda Los Reyes enjoys proximity to the rapidly growing La Guácima area in Alajuela. Just 20 minutes from Escazú, Santa Ana, and Juan Santamaría Airport via Highway 27, with the Pacific coast 70 kilometers away.
Costa Rica Country Club offers the most comprehensive golfing experience in the country, boasting a course designed with the finest parameters from Scotland. Jaime Solera Bennett course features nine holes, a practice area, and can accommodate up to 52 players in 13 groups. The club provides a range of services catering to golfers of all ages and skill levels. Individual lessons are available, along with a Junior Program offering five levels of instruction. Qualified instructors provide swing analysis using both video and the Trackman system, ensuring players receive top-notch coaching and feedback. Costa Rica Country Club hosts a variety of tournaments. These include its own events, as well as national, international, commercial, semi-commercial, and charity tournaments. To enhance players’ experiences, the club offers technical assistance for equipment, summer camps, and a caddie service. Additionally, Costa Rica Country Club features a Pro Shop stocked with essential golfing gear and accessories. This way, they provide everything players need for an enjoyable and successful day on the course.
Discover the revered Cariari Country Club, nestled between Alajuela and San Jose in San Antonio de Belen. For over 30 years, this golf course has been a local favorite, renowned for its challenging layout and mountain vistas. Each hole at Cariari presents a unique challenge. For example the second hole demands precision on an elevated green and the third hole requires finesse over a creek. The par 5 fourteenth hole is a highlight, offering a thrilling sequence where an elevated tee shot leads to a thrilling second shot, followed by a precise lob wedge over a giant sand trap. As a private club with limited memberships, Cariari offers exclusive access through Tee Times Costa Rica. While predominantly frequented by locals, a vibrant foreign retired community adds to the club’s diversity, organizing weekly games for enthusiasts. With breathtaking views, lush flora, and friendly staff, Cariari Country Club embodies the essence of Costa Rican golfing.
Coastal Golf Course Communities near the beach
Costa Rica’s shores are some of the most renowned areas of the country for their tropical beauty and natural landscapes. These are usually visited by tourists looking for their characteristic warm weather, blue oceans and sprawling flora and fauna. However, visiting and living in the Pacific coast also offers the possibility of practicing golf for sport’s enthusiasts. Each of the golf courses below on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast offer internal residential options with luxury homes or surrounding communities with a variety of real estate options.
Explore homes & properties in Los Sueños Golf Resort →
Image from La Iguana Golf Course
Los Sueños Resort, a joint residential and hospitality community, marina and oceanside neighborhood, offers the captivating beauty of La Iguana Golf Course. Designed by Ted Robinson, this championship course boasts 18 holes with a challenging layout suitable for players of all levels.
Meandering through its par-72 and slope 145 design, you’ll find lush landscapes with exotic wildlife. Monkeys and over 150 species of birds are just a few examples. With PGA-qualified instructors, state-of-the-art facilities, and stunning vistas at every turn, Los Sueños Resort provides golf enthusiasts with an immersion into Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity.
Located in the stunning Herradura Bay, along the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Los Sueños Resort spans 1,100 acres of oceanfront paradise. Just minutes away from Jacó Beach and a short drive from the plethora of adventures that make Costa Rica so popular, this resort offers unparalleled luxury and accommodation in Costa Rica, exuding character, comfort, and style.
Within this community lie luxurious homes, high-end hotels, and sub-communities, all providing an experience close to the beach with the peace of mind of utmost security. Los Sueños boasts top-notch restaurants, a beach club for unwinding with food and beverage services, and a magnificent, sprawling pool.
One of its most renowned features is its beautiful marina with over 200 slips catering to fishing enthusiasts, luxury yachts, or scenic tours, making it a hub of coastal leisure and activity.
Explore homes & properties in Hacienda Pinilla →
The Golf Course at Hacienda Pinilla, similarly, weaves seamlessly through the tropical forest. It provides golfers with a stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Crafted by acclaimed architect Mike Young, this par-72 course stretches up to 7,200 yards. Every hole on this course is a testament to the careful integration of nature and sport. It offers players an exceptional experience amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Nestled on Costa Rica’s stunning northern Pacific coast, Hacienda Pinilla is a 4,500-acre luxury community just an hour away from Liberia International Airport. Offering access to three pristine beaches and a wealth of amenities, it’s one of Costa Rica’s premier coastal destinations.
Image from Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course
Spanning over 11 condominiums of diverse architectural styles and sizes, Hacienda Pinilla’s real estate options maintain an elegant and refreshing essence that makes it a highly sought-after destination. Its three beaches—Langosta, Mansita (home to the five-star JW Marriott Hotel), and Avellanas—each offer unique charms, from tranquil tidal pools to excellent surfing conditions.
Beyond the beaches, Hacienda Pinilla features a natural reserve for activities like horseback riding, biking, and hiking, amidst diverse wildlife. There’s also a 14-hole ecological golf course, tennis courts, yoga facilities, and spa services, ensuring a rejuvenating experience in this coastal paradise.
Renowned as one of the premier golf destinations outside of the USA, Peninsula Papagayo Golf Course stands as a testament to excellence in both design and experience. Crafted by golf legend Arnold Palmer, this exclusive 18-hole, par-72 gem winds through 125 acres of lush old-growth forest, valleys, and rugged sea cliffs, shaped by ancient volcanic activity. Offering a harmonious blend of challenge and fairness, the course’s dramatic elevation changes and varied terrain ensure an exhilarating round for players of all levels.
Complemented by a comprehensive practice facility, including a driving range and short game areas, the Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo offers professional-grade instruction against the backdrop of the stunning Nacascolo Preserve. Finally, as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the course is committed to conservation and environmental stewardship, providing a sanctuary for rare plant species and indigenous wildlife.
Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Reserva Conchal Golf Course is an 18-hole masterpiece that caters to golfers of all levels. Their experienced staff provides personalized coaching, whether you prefer individual lessons or group sessions.
As a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary,” Reserva Conchal Golf Club is committed to environmental stewardship. Through the Audubon International program, they maintain a high standard of environmental quality across various areas of the course. Joining only two other courses in Costa Rica and 905 worldwide, their commitment to sustainability sets them apart.
Experience the magic of nighttime golf with their Glow Party events, featuring fluorescent balls, putting-green laser games, and driving-range glow golf, accompanied by cocktails and appetizers. Debuted in June 2019, night golf has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Finally, exhilarating tournaments are hosted throughout the year, adding excitement and camaraderie to your golfing experience.
Nestled amidst the lush tropical scenery of Los Delfines Golf & Country Club lies Los Delfines Golf Course. Recognized by the ANAGOLF (National Golf Association of Costa Rica) as one of the top golf courses in the country, it offers a truly unforgettable golfing experience.
Located in Tambor, Costa Rica, this region boasts an abundance of natural beauty that remains vibrant even into the dry season. The golf course benefits from this lush landscape, providing players with breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in the sightings of Scarlet Macaws nesting throughout the course.
Tambor itself is a quaint coastal town on the Nicoya Peninsula, renowned for its pristine beaches, rich biodiversity, and laid-back atmosphere. Visitors can explore nearby attractions such as the Curu Wildlife Refuge, where they can encounter diverse wildlife species in their natural habitat, or simply relax on the tranquil shores of Tambor Beach.
With its stunning natural surroundings and world-class golfing facilities, Los Delfines Golf Course offers a truly immersive experience for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Along the captivating Pacific Coast of Costa Rica’s Gulf of Papagayo, Tres Volcanes Golf & Athletic Center offers a truly breathtaking setting amidst white sand beaches and tropical landscapes. Surrounded by the awe-inspiring views of two majestic volcanoes, the challenging fairways provide an unforgettable experience for golfers of all levels.
Located within a charming fishing village turned luxury destination less than 30 mins away from Liberia Airport, Papagayo Golf Course is surrounded by grandiose villas, creating a picturesque countryside ambiance perfect for families. Whether you’re an experienced player or simply enjoying a leisurely game with friends, the meticulously groomed course offers 5,700 meters of greenery for an unforgettable round.
From teeing off on hole 5 with views of Volcano “Rincón de la Vieja” and “Tenorio” to relaxing at the clubhouse after hole 9, every moment at Tres Volcanes Golf Course is filled with extraordinary scenery and tranquility. With accessible prices varying from high to low seasons, Papagayo Golf Course invites you to experience its eco-friendly luxury amidst Costa Rica’s nature.
San Buenas Golf Course, affectionately known as “The Friendliest Course in Costa Rica”, was designed by Canadian architect Dan Lavis. This course seamlessly blends links-style golfing with the beauty of the tropical forest and stunning mountain vistas.
Featuring nine holes, San Buenas Golf Course offers a Par 37 experience that spans over 3700 yards from the back tees, ensuring a challenging yet accessible round for players of all levels. The course’s affordability, combined with options from the blue, white, or red tees, makes it an ideal destination for golfers seeking both value and variety.
With spacious greens that are both expansive and fast, players are treated to a true test of skill, complete with challenging slopes and strategically placed bunkers. The fairways, while wide, feature deep rough and water hazards that add an element of excitement to every swing.
San Buenas Golf Course caters to every golfer’s needs, offering amenities such as carts, pull carts, and rental clubs, including options for left-handed players.
Benefits of Living in a Golf Course Community in Costa Rica
Transformative Living Experience
Residents of Monterán attest to the transformative power of having a golf course at their doorstep. For many, the decision to settle here is a no-brainer.
“Having the opportunity to step out of my home and onto the greens every day has truly enhanced my quality of life,” one resident shares. “It’s not just about playing golf; it’s about embracing a lifestyle centered around wellness, leisure, and camaraderie.”
Access to a world-class golf course within the community ensures that residents, from youth to seasoned pros, have unparalleled opportunities for training and honing their skills.
Landscaped Views and Nature’s Embrace
Beyond the thrill of playing a round of golf, residents of communities with golf courses surround themselves in the tranquil beauty of landscaped views.
From the manicured fairways to the sprawling greens, every corner is a green masterpiece. Whether enjoying a leisurely stroll or simply gazing out from their windows, residents are treated to an atmosphere of serenity and peace, offering a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Property Value Enhancement
In addition to the recreational and aesthetic advantages, the presence of a golf course can significantly enhance property values. The allure of green views and premium amenities attracts discerning homebuyers and investors. This makes these communities highly desirable and sought after in the real estate market.
Contact the LX team to find the right golf community for you:
