Some travelers view vacation as a calm experience, a time to relax and unwind from the pressures of the daily world. Others treat vacation in a far different manner, preferring to test the limits of life by simply going all-out from arrival to departure. Costa Rica Golf Adventures provides you with either in its approach to vacation, as it provides a thrill-a-minute experience from the moment you land in San Jose to the second you unwillingly board the plane to return home.
For those who would like to lounge on a beach chair for a week, Costa Rica has quite a bit to offer. And for the more adventurous, a trip to this lush Central American country is anything but a static journey, as vacationers can expect to be hopping from resort to resort. Suffice it to say, the plane ride into Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose is only the beginning of your travels. A typical Costa Rica Golf Adventures trip will include at least three different scenic locales to rest your head each night, several tee times on the country’s finest courses, and over a dozen wonderful meals at various flavorful Costa Rican restaurants.
It may be surprising to some that golf is not the main attraction of Costa Rica. “But I want a golf vacation!” you’re saying. Don’t worry. Costa Rica has more than enough golf to keep you occupied during your stay, but it offers so much more that other golf-intensive destinations can’t hope to match. The first and most obvious of these offerings is the incredible landscape. Everywhere you look is green, with bountiful trees, wild native grasses, and other assorted flora that flourish due to the strict environmental laws that Costa Rica has long enforced. Even a breath of Costa Rican air is a fresh experience to remember; let’s just say that the air you breathe when you emerge from Penn Station can’t quite measure up.
Costa Rica’s beauty is visible in more than just its plant life and air. The country is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, both of which provide breathtaking views that will have you marveling at the handiwork of Mother Nature. Costa Rica’s native wildlife population is yet another reason to pack the camera. The country boasts the highest wildlife density in the entire world, with over 5% of the world’s biodiversity housed within its relatively small confines. Costa Rica has more species than the United State and Canada combined! An entire month could be spent admiring the wildlife in Corcovado National Park, a place that National Geographic has called “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” Commonly seen creatures in the park include red-eyed tree frogs, howler monkeys, leatherback turtles, jaguars, and cougars. There are even over 1,250 species of butterflies to be seen.
The flora and fauna of Costa Rica are not the only living things that will make your stay worthwhile. Costa Rica’s people are an attraction unto themselves. The “Tico,” as they are known, are unfailingly friendly and helpful. Their constant smiles exemplify the unofficial national motto of “Pura Vida,” which translates to “pure life.” More than just a saying, Pura Vida really is a way of life. Vacationers will see this first-hand at Tamarindo, a small waterfront town that is known for its surfing. The Tamarindo Diria is the town’s only beachfront hotel, and it seems to be in perfect tune with its natural surroundings. Guests will thrill in the exciting culinary preparations and fun-loving spirit of the resort and its hospitable workers. Additionally, many of the resort’s rooms are only a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean. The proximity of the azure waves provides the perfect rhythm to foster a great night’s sleep.
One of the many hidden pleasures of Costa Rica is the Vista del Valle Plantation Inn. This idyllic hideaway is owned and operated by an American husband and wife team that really knows how to take care of their guests. The inn is fashioned in a very open motif, with high ceilings, vast windows, and bright rooms that invigorate the senses. Vista del Valle is surrounded on three sides by coffee and orange farms that offer a glimpse into one of the main veins of the country’s economy. The other side is bordered by Rio Grande canyon and a beautifully clandestine waterfall. It’s easy to get lost in this covert jungle sanctuary—the freshly prepared homemade meals are about the only thing that will make guests remember the outside world.
Costa Rica is a taste experience you won’t easily forget. From coast to coast, the restaurants of Costa Rica will open your eyes to exciting local flavors. A meal at Tamarindo’s Cala Moresca restaurant can’t be topped, thanks to its fresh selection of inspired seafood dishes and worldwide wine varieties. The Grano de Oro Restaurant is another place where you can’t go wrong, as its combination of meat and fish entrees is unparalleled. Other great dining options include The Happy Snapper in Playa Brasilito and Escazu’s La Luz, a taste bud adventure that takes place in one of the most elegantly appointed dining rooms in Central America.
There are fabulous golf courses in Costa Rica. One of these is a Mike Young design found at Hacienda Pinilla, a beachside resort that is ready to explode in popularity. This 4,500-acre property has a wonderful 18-hole golf course that will soon be accompanied by dozens of private villas and a luxury J.W. Marriott hotel, which is sure to make this Guanacaste destination the most popular in the country for discerning travelers. The golf course’s signature features are its large, rolling greens, its many mountain and forest views, and the oceanfront 15th hole, a short par-3 that dazzles with its aquatic appeal. At this hole, golfers must aim directly at the heart of the Pacific, an exciting prospect even for the most jaded player. The club also has a fantastic driving range that should be visited before every round. After each round, golfers can visit one of Hacienda Pinilla’s six beaches, where they can take part in snorkeling, sports fishing, kayaking, and surfing. Horseback riding and tennis are also available. Accommodations at Hacienda Pinilla include the unique Casa de Golf, a luxurious eight-suite bed n’ breakfast that overlooks the 18th green. This is not your typical B&B. Each suite has its own private balcony, a spacious interior, and access to the Casa de Golf’s two enormous social rooms and private pool. Casa de Golf is best for large groups that can rent it all out. The dining area seats up to 24 people, and its proximity to the golf course makes rounding up your friends for a spontaneous round of golf a breeze.
Another great course on which to enjoy the Costa Rican sun is Cariari Country Club located in San Jose. Located adjacent to Costa Rica’s most prestigious private club, Cariari is open to those who travel by way of Costa Rica Golf Adventures. The course’s heavily wooded tree-lined fairways help lend an air of seclusion to this George Fazio design, and the golf never disappoints. The large greens are well-bunkered, and golfers will never know that they are golfing on a former coffee plantation.
The Paradisus Playa Conchal is home to another one of Costa Rica’s superb golf courses.
The Reserva Conchal is a challenging par-71 layout that was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. It features a splendid location that includes views of the Pacific Ocean and Costa Rica’s scenic mountains. While at Paradisus Playa Conchal, guests will also enjoy a host of different cuisines from around the world, be it the homemade pastas at Falsanela, the Asian Fusion at Spice, the Caribbean fare at Buccaneer, or the all-you-can-eat goodness of Mitra. Also be sure to visit the resort’s luxury spa for a massage experience unlike any other.
Visiting Paradisus Playa Conchal’s award-winning spa isn’t the only way to be treated like royalty. The resort’s Royal Service Suites are the ultimate in pampering, with elegant furnishings, private pool access, a special in-room aromatherapy menu, and attentive service from the thoroughly professional Paradisus Playa Conchal staff.
Golf is but one of the outdoor adventures travelers will find in Costa Rica. There is something for everyone in this wonderful country, from animal lovers to adrenaline junkies. Go from horseback riding to snorkeling, hiking to whitewater rafting, all in a couple days. For an unforgettable jungle experience, most of Costa Rica’s national parks offer thrilling canopy tours. For sheltered Long Islanders, a canopy tour is an aerial sightseeing jaunt through the jungle via zipline. Countless other activities can be scheduled by Costa Rica Golf Adventures, allowing you to customize your trip to exactly your specifications.
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful, exciting places on the planet. With things to do around every corner, golf will be just part of the enjoyment of this Central American treasure. With Costa Rica Golf Adventures, you can schedule a very affordable trip to this action-packed tropical hotspot that will be relived forever. Now that’s Pura Vida.
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