COSTA RICA
The Caribbean Coast, Central Valley & San Jose', La Fortuna & Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste & North Pacific, Nicoya Peninsula, Central Pacific, South Pacific & Osa Peninsula, Tamarindo, Tortuguera
Play Music While You Discover C.R.
Why Costa Rica?
With both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea along its shores, Costa Rica offers an amazing combination of beaches, mountains, volcanoes, forests, wildlife, adventure, and relaxation and world-class sportfishing and golf. Costa Rica may be one of the world's most biodiverse countries, but its greatest attraction is the incredible variety of experiences packed into a relatively small area. In just one trip, you can relax on a white-sand beach, zipline through a cloud forest, soak in natural hot springs beneath an active volcano, watch sea turtles nest, enjoy world-class sportfishing, or tee off on an oceanfront golf course.
Whether you're seeking romance, adventure, luxury, family fun, wellness, or simply a chance to unplug, Costa Rica offers something for every traveler.
It's easy to understand why Pura Vida is so much more than a saying in Costa Rica. It represents a way of life centered around enjoying the moment, appreciating nature, and embracing the good things in life..
👉 Slow down, take it all in, and enjoy the experience
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🌎 About 6% of the world's known biodiversity can be found in Costa Rica
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🌿 About 26% of the country's land is protected for conservation
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🌋 Home to volcanoes, mountains, rainforests, cloud forests, and natural hot springs
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🌊 Two coastlines --- the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
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🐒 Incredible wildlife including monkeys, sloths, toucans, sea turtles, whales, and thousands of other species
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🏞️ More than 25% of the country is dedicated to conservation, including national parks and protected areas
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🧗 Adventure is everywhere ... ziplining, whitewater rafting, hiking, surfing, kayaking, horseback riding, and more
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🎣 The Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer sportfishing, snorkeling, diving, and boating
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☕ Explore coffee plantations and experience some of the country's renowned coffee-growing regions
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♨️ Relax in natural hot springs, particularly around the Arenal and Northern Plains region
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🦋 Explore extraordinary ecosystems ranging from tropical dry forests to cloud forests and coastal wetlands
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🌿 Costa Rica is internationally recognized for its commitment to sustainable tourism and conservation
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💙 From adventure to relaxation, Costa Rica makes it possible to create a vacation around the way you want to travel
🌿 Good to Know Before Traveling to Costa Rica
🛂 Entry Requirements & Documents
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Passport: Must be valid for the duration of your stay in Costa Rica
👉 Best practice: have 6 months validity to avoid airline issues -
Visa: U.S. travelers do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days
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Return/Onward Ticket: Required upon entry
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Proof of Funds: Occasionally requested (rare, but possible)
🐾 Traveling with Pets (Dogs & Cats)
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Health Certificate required
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Issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of travel
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Rabies vaccination required
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Must be current (usually given at least 30 days prior)
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USDA endorsement required for U.S. travelers
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Advance notification to Costa Rica authorities may be required
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Pets are inspected on arrival; no quarantine if requirements are met
👉 Always check airline rules...they can be stricter than the country.
🎯 Cultural & Practical Tips
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Language: Spanish (English widely spoken in tourism areas)
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Currency rounding: prices may be quoted in USD or CRC
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Tipping:
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10% service charge often included
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Additional tipping appreciated for great service
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💵 Money & Payments
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Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
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U.S. dollars widely accepted in tourist areas
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Credit cards accepted almost everywhere
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Carry small bills for tips, taxis, and local spots
⚡ Electricity
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Same as the U.S. (110V, standard plugs)
👉 No adapter needed
🚗 Transportation
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Roads can be narrow, winding, or unpaved in rural areas
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A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for places like
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Monteverde
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La Fortuna
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Private transfers and guided tours are popular and stress-free
🌧️ Weather & Seasons
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Dry season: December–April (most popular)
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Green season: May–November
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More rain, but lush landscapes + fewer crowds
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Weather varies by region (rainforest vs coast)
🏝️ Health & Safety Tips
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Tap water is safe in most areas (ask locally if unsure)
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Use reef-safe sunscreen
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Bug spray recommended (especially rainforest areas)
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Travel insurance strongly recommended
📶 Connectivity
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WiFi widely available in hotels and cafes
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Cell service is good in most populated areas
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Consider an international plan or eSIM for convenience
Costa Rica isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience in nature, adventure,
and slowing down just enough to enjoy it all. 🌿
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Places to Visit in
COSTA RICA
🌋 La Fortuna & Arenal
Volcanoes • Hot Springs • Adventure
Home to the iconic Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica's most popular adventure destinations. Enjoy natural hot springs, waterfalls, hanging bridges, ziplining, rafting, horseback riding, and rainforest trails.
👉 Best for: Adventure, wellness, families, couples, and first-time visitors
🌿 Monteverde
Cloud Forest • Wildlife • Outdoor Adventure
High in the mountains, Monteverde is famous for its misty cloud forests and incredible biodiversity. Explore hanging bridges, wildlife reserves, coffee farms, and some of Costa Rica's most exciting zipline experiences.
👉 Best for: Nature lovers, hiking, wildlife, adventure, and cooler temperatures
🏖️ Guanacaste
Beaches • Sunshine • Luxury Resorts
Costa Rica's northwestern Pacific coast is known for beautiful beaches, dry tropical forests, spectacular sunsets, and some of the country's best resort areas. Popular destinations include Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, Papagayo, and Nosara.
👉 Best for: Beach vacations, luxury resorts, families, surfing, golf, and relaxation
🌊 Nicoya Peninsula
Wellness • Beaches • Surfing • Slow Travel
The Nicoya Peninsula combines laid-back beach towns with a strong focus on wellness, nature, surfing, and healthy living. Nosara, Santa Teresa, Montezuma, and surrounding communities offer a more relaxed experience away from large resort areas.
👉 Best for: Wellness, yoga, surfing, couples, digital nomads, and travelers seeking a slower pace
🌴 Manuel Antonio & Quepos
Wildlife • Beaches • Rainforest
This area brings together rainforest, wildlife, and beautiful Pacific beaches. Manuel Antonio National Park is famous for its combination of jungle trails and coastline, while nearby Quepos is a major hub for sportfishing and outdoor excursions.
👉 Best for: Wildlife, families, beaches, hiking, and sportfishing
🐋 Dominical & Uvita
Wild Beaches • Waterfalls • Whales • Adventure
Located along Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, Dominical and Uvita offer a more relaxed and less developed beach experience. Uvita is particularly known for whale watching and the famous Whale Tail formation, while waterfalls, jungle excursions, surfing, and outdoor adventures are easy to find.
👉 Best for: Nature, surfing, whale watching, waterfalls, and travelers looking for something less crowded
🐒 Osa Peninsula & Corcovado
Wildlife • Rainforest • Remote Adventure
The Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse and remote regions. Corcovado National Park protects an extraordinary rainforest ecosystem, while destinations such as Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez provide access to wildlife, jungle adventures, snorkeling, diving, and secluded beaches.
👉 Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, eco-adventure, hiking, diving, and off-the-beaten-path travel
🦥 Caribbean Coast
Culture • Beaches • Wildlife • Laid-Back Vibes
Costa Rica's Caribbean side has a personality all its own. Puerto Viejo blends beautiful beaches with Afro-Caribbean culture, music, food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Cahuita offers reef snorkeling and access to Cahuita National Park.
👉 Best for: Culture, beaches, snorkeling, wildlife, foodies, and relaxed travelers
🐢 Tortuguero
Sea Turtles • Canals • Rainforest • Wildlife
Often called the "Amazon of Costa Rica," Tortuguero is a remote network of waterways, rainforest, and beaches accessible primarily by boat or small aircraft. It is particularly famous for sea turtle nesting and its incredible wildlife.
👉 Best for: Wildlife, nature, photography, eco-lodges, and travelers seeking a unique experience
☕ Central Valley & San José
Culture • Coffee • History • Convenient Base
The Central Valley is home to Costa Rica's capital, San José, as well as charming towns, coffee plantations, museums, markets, and mountain landscapes. It is also a convenient starting point for exploring other parts of the country.
👉 Best for: Culture, food, coffee, history, city stays, and beginning or ending a Costa Rica trip
🎣 Northern Plains
Wildlife • Rivers • Rainforest • Adventure
Beyond La Fortuna, Costa Rica's Northern Plains offer quieter rainforest experiences, rivers, wetlands, wildlife refuges, and opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and exploring rural communities.
👉 Best for: Wildlife, birdwatching, fishing, nature, and getting away from the crowds
🌊 Gulf of Papagayo
Luxury • Calm Waters • Beaches • Golf
Located in northern Guanacaste, the Gulf of Papagayo is known for upscale resorts, beautiful coves, calm turquoise water, and spectacular coastal scenery. It's also home to several excellent golf and boating opportunities.
👉 Best for: Luxury, romance, golf, boating, snorkeling, and upscale beach vacations
🏄 Tamarindo
Surfing • Beaches • Dining • Nightlife
Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica's liveliest beach towns, offering a mix of surfing, beautiful beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and excursions. It provides more activity and entertainment than some of the country's quieter beach communities.
👉 Best for: Surfing, first-time visitors, families, dining, nightlife, and beach lovers
🌎 One Country. So Many Ways to Experience It.
🎣 FISHING IN COSTA RICA
🌊 Offshore Species & Peak Seasons
NP North Pacific ( Guanacaste, Papagayo Gulf )
CP Central Pacific ( Quepos, Herradura)
SP South Pacific (Drake Bay, Osa)
Fishing Year-Round
Fishing seasons vary by region and are influenced by location, ocean conditions, water temperature, and time of year. The good news? Costa Rica offers fabulous fishing year-round!
If you're targeting a specific species, let me know. I'll consult with local captains to get their expert recommendations on the best location and timing for your fishing adventure.
Billfish & Roosterfish are Catch & Release
We can arrange charters with English speaking, highly experienced captains with comfortable boats in various sizes.
Sailfish
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Famous for their spectacular leaps, lightning-fast runs, and impressive sail-like dorsal fins. These acrobatic fighters are a signature catch in Costa Rica, with excellent opportunities along the Pacific coast throughout the year. The North Pacific Coast is noted for large numbers of sailfish, some in excess of 150 pounds
Blue Marlin
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Powerful, majestic, and known for incredible endurance. Blue marlin are among the most sought-after big-game fish, famous for explosive strikes, long runs, and breathtaking aerial displays.
Black Marlin
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One of the ocean's largest and most powerful billfish. These formidable predators are prized for their tremendous strength and often frequent areas near underwater structures and steep drop-offs.
Striped Marlin
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Recognized by their beautiful vertical stripes and energetic fighting style. Generally smaller than blue and black marlin, they're known for speed, agility, and impressive jumps. Sightings are less predictable in Costa Rica
Yellowfin Tuna
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Built for speed and stamina, yellowfin tuna are powerful fighters that often travel in schools. Frequently associated with feeding seabirds and dolphin pods, they're found in Costa Rica's offshore waters year-round.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
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Known for their dazzling gold, green, and blue colors, dorado are aggressive feeders and exciting acrobatic fighters. Often found near floating debris and current lines, they can be particularly productive during the green/rainy season.
Wahoo
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Sleek, fast, and fiercely aggressive, wahoo are famous for blistering runs and razor-sharp teeth. These prized gamefish are often targeted by trolling around offshore banks, rocky points, and underwater structures
Grouper
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Strong, bottom-dwelling predators that favor rocky reefs, ledges, and underwater structures. Known for powerful initial strikes, grouper often dive straight for cover, making them a challenging catch.
Roosterfish
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Instantly recognizable by their dramatic, comb-like dorsal fins. These aggressive inshore fighters patrol rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and coastal points. Available year-round, they're one of Costa Rica's most iconic catch-and-release sportfish.
🏆 Major Costa Rica Fishing Tournaments
From January through April, the Pacific coast transforms into a global tournament hotspot, drawing elite crews, luxury sportfish yachts, and anglers from around the world.
*All anglers must have a CR fishing license
Some Charter Captains will provide them - Click on the chat below to message me for more information.
Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown
Hosted out of Los Sueños Resort and Marina, this is one of the most prestigious billfish tournament series in the world.
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Three-leg championship series
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Runs January–March annually
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Known for elite crews and world-class fishing
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Sailfish and marlin are the primary targets
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The Los Sueños Triple Crown 2027 features three main legs:
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Leg 1: January 18–23, 2027 (Ladies fish Tuesday; main tournament Thursday–Saturday)
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Leg 2: February 22–27, 2027 (Ladies fish Tuesday; main tournament Thursday–Saturday)
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Leg 3: March 29–April 3, 2027 (Ladies fish Tuesday; main tournament Thursday–Saturday)
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If you plan to attend or fish the event, let me know if you need help with dockage or slip requirements at Safe Harbor, or Los Sueños Charter boat availability around the tournament dates
Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament
One of the largest and most exciting offshore tournaments in Costa Rica, in Marina Pez Vela
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January 14-17, 2027
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100+ participating boats in some years
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Massive billfish release numbers
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International competition and large prize payouts
Pescadora Billfish Championship
An internationally recognized women’s billfishing tournament held in Quepos- Marina Pez Vela.
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Female angler-focused competition
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February 18-20, 2027
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Catch-and-release format
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Combines sportfishing with conservation and philanthropy
Hosted in Quepos at Marina Pez Vela, the IGFA Open attracts serious offshore anglers and teams.
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International Game Fish Association affiliated
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March 11-13, 2027
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Competitive offshore format
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Popular among experienced sportfishing crews
Marina Pez Vela, Quepos.
For the first time in its legendary 44+ year history, Bisbee's Offshore is expanding beyond Cabo San Lucas and bringing its world-famous tournament series to Marina Pez Vela in Quepos in April
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First-ever all-release billfish format in Bisbee’s history
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Multi-million-dollar prize potential
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International teams and elite offshore crews expected
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Categories include:
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Blue marlin
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Sailfish
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Yellowfin tuna
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Dorado (mahi-mahi)
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International Masters Angling Tournament
Held at Los Sueños Resort and Marina, the International Masters Angling Tournament is one of Costa Rica’s respected offshore competitions.
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February 2-5, 2027
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Elite-level angling event
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Strong international participation
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Known for luxury marina atmosphere
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Combines competitive fishing with upscale resort experiences
Los Sueños remains one of the Caribbean-Pacific region’s most iconic destinations for offshore anglers.
Offshore World Championship (OWC)
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April 11-15, 2027
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Invitation-only championship
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Teams qualify through tournaments worldwide
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International competition representing dozens of countries
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Targets sailfish and marlin in a catch-and-release format
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Held in the legendary fishing waters off Quepos
The event combines elite competition with conservation-focused sportfishing.
Photo compliments of Squidnation
GOLF IN COSTA RICA
Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo
Location: Peninsula Papagayo / near Liberia
Designed by Arnold Palmer, this is widely considered Costa Rica’s signature golf experience. Expect dramatic Pacific Ocean cliffside holes, elevation changes, and resort-level luxury. Several holes have ocean views that are genuinely spectacular. Many golfers consider it one of the best courses in Latin America. (this is a private course)
Reserva Conchal Beach Resort, Golf & Spa
Location: Playa Conchal / Brasilito
Reserva Conchal Beach Resort, Golf & Spa is a luxury beachfront destination. A beautiful Robert Trent Jones Jr. design surrounded by tropical forest and Pacific coastline. Known for immaculate conditioning and eco-friendly design, it’s a favorite for golfers who want a resort atmosphere plus challenging golf. Wildlife sightings during rounds are common.
Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club
Location: Near Tamarindo
18-hole, par-72 championship golf course within the luxury Hacienda Pinilla resort. Designed by Mike Young, this course offers a more rugged, authentic Costa Rica feel with oceanfront holes, tropical dry forest, and frequent monkey sightings.
Tres Volcanes Golf Course
Location: Guanacaste Province
A Pete Dye 18 hole course with a par of 72. A newer-style boutique golf experience with panoramic volcano and mountain views instead of ocean scenery. Less crowded than the major resort courses and often praised for excellent conditions and peaceful play.
La Iguana Golf Course
Location: Playa Herradura / Los Sueños Resort near Jacó
18-hole, Par 72 championship golf course designed by noted architect Ted Robinson. It s located within Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort. One of the best-known golf resorts in Costa Rica and a favorite for travelers who want a mix of golf, rainforest scenery, marina life, and easy access from San José. It winds through jungle terrain filled with macaws, monkeys, and iguanas. Great mix of resort golf and challenging holes. Easily combined with a beach vacation in Jacó.
