Si Si Costa Rica

by: Mary E. Porter, Editor Tee Time Magazine ( www.teetime-mag.com )

For many years I have longed to return to Costa Rica in Central America, where I lived for three months as an exchange student when I was a teenager. It was one of the many highlights of my youth. Finally after 35 years, the opportunity arose for me to return. Landy Blank, the president of Costa Rica Golf Adventures, made the arrangements, and I was off on this exciting golf exploration.

The Republic of Costa Rica is second to the bottom in the spine of Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. The country is full of cultural, natural riches and has the friendliest people anywhere. Minus a military, Costa Rica is an elected democracy, has a very stable government, a strong police department, and a viable health care system for all of its citizens. In comparison to the United States of America, the country is about the size of West Virginia, about 150 miles wide and 260 miles long. Costa Rica is not only a wonderful and safe place to go on vacation but is quickly becoming a great place to live or retire.

Because of the topography, geographic features, vegetation, and climate, Costa Rica is rapidly becoming known as a first-class golfer’s paradise. Recently several courses have been developed that are attracting golfers from around the world. I had the pleasure of playing five of these picturesque courses during my recent tour. So I sharpened up on my Spanish, although it was not necessary, because most all the staff at the resorts speak English.

When traveling to Costa Rica you have two choices of airport destinations. The first is Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. This airport is centrally located in the heart and capital of Costa Rica. The other airport is the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia. This airport is located in the province of Guanacaste, which is in the northwest quadrant of Costa Rica. If you are traveling to the northwestern coast, this airport is more convenient.

Our first day of golf took us to the Parque Valle del Sol (Valley of Sun) located in the Santa Ana Valley just 20 minutes west of the capital. Valle Del Sol is a 6,800 yard, championship par 72 course with wide rolling fairways, and multiple tee boxes. The course is recognized in the International Audubon Program with many tropical birds throughout. The backdrop of the distant mountains and quiet volcanos add to the natural splendor of the valley. The course is perfect for the golfer who enjoys the game while enjoying nature, scenic beauty and the incomparable Santa Ana weather. Designed by American architect Tracy May, this course offers golfers a superb experience.

On day two we played the Melia Cariari Hotel and Country Club in San Jose. Huddled in the central valley, the Melia Cariari Conference Center and Golf Resort is only 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from downtown San Jose. This magnificent five-star facility has been host to not only Mary E. Porter, but many foreign dignitaries, celebrities, and vacationers.

In the early 1970's, George Fazio was hired to design the first 18-hole championship golf course in Costa Rica at the Cariari Country Club. For many years this course was considered to be the best golf course in all of Central America. The property was an active coffee plantation. Today hotel guests enjoy golfing privileges at this 18-hole, 6,590 yard, par-71 golf course just a two minute walk from the hotel. This heavily wooded course has mostly tree-lined fairways, thus making accuracy much more important than distance. Most of the Cariari's 18 holes play much longer than the yardage posted on the card. The fairways are narrow, with just a few fairway hazards and the well-tended Bermuda grass greens are large in size and well protected by meticulously placed sand traps. Putts roll fast and true to line. Other activities at the Cariari include tennis, swimming in an Olympic size pool, a health club, and a casino. Dining was a most enjoyable and delectable experience at the Cariari Hotel Restaurant.

Early the next morning the scenic four hour drive from San Jose to Jaco (pronounced Haco) was most thrilling. The two-lane paved roads were carved into the 5,000 foot mountains in the rain forest and included frequent hair-pin curves that made our palms sweat as the van sped around them. To make the ride even more exciting, we encountered a 30-minute torrential rainstorm that heightened our anxiety for a safe arrival. As our chauffeur promised, we arrived safely at the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort. Numerous flowers, birds, butterflies and lush green lawns surrounded this charming oceanfront hotel. We had arrived at yet another paradise.

After an elegant dinner in one of the many restaurants of the Marriott, we put on our swimsuits and set off to explore the pool and Pacific beach. Between the Pacific Ocean and the hotel meanders a gigantic free form swimming pool. Swim under foot bridges, past palm trees, a waterfall, colorful tropical flower gardens, or wade over to the swim-up bar to enjoy a tropical drink.

Coati
After breakfast we met at La Iguana Golf Course, next to the Marriott, to play designer Ted Robinson’s course. This 18 hole, par 72 course was designed in a unique and dramatic tropical rainforest. Golf guides (caddies) are included with each round of golf. Our caddy was definitely an asset for us while we played this jungle course. Not only did he help us find our lost balls, he told us about every aspect of the course including the wildlife and vegetation we would experience during our round. Monkeys and toucans were plentiful and on the third hole we had the opportunity to get close to a critter called a Coati (see photo). While the caddy fed the cute little creature some crackers, we snapped several photographs.

Each of the 18 holes tests one’s talent or lack of it. The first nine holes take golfers deep into the rainforest along a narrow river. Within minutes, the sounds of jungle birds and cries from countless howler monkeys echo off the thick vegetation and mountain terrain.

Most of the holes are protected by sand traps, and several holes have streams that follow the fairway from tee to green. Hole two requires a long second shot either over or under two trees guarding the green. The big guayabo trees can be found in the middle of a few fairways making extra thought go into ball placement. I embraced La Iguana Golf Course and its natural magnificence.

The next morning we were off again traveling north through the seacoast town of Punteranous. A little further north our chauffeur stopped along a bridge where we could look down and see dozens of crocodiles sunbathing in the mud. It was quite the tourist stop, with dozens of vendors hawking their wares. It was a great place to buy trinkets to bring home, less costly than the gift shops at the hotel.

Our next stop was the Hacienda Pinilla (pronounced Pin-E-yah). The Hacienda Pinilla is located on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste just south of Playa Tamarindo. This area is one of the fastest growing regions of the country and is only a 50-minute drive from the Daniel Oduber Liberia International Airport. The entire Hacienda Pinilla project consists of over 4,500 acres of beautiful rolling terrain and sandy beaches along the 3.5 miles of Pacific coastline. Also on the property are several fresh water lakes, and two picturesque rivers. The property offers a large selection of residential homes and hotels and has many recreational activities. Hacienda Pinilla offers horseback riding, hiking, canopy tours, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, mountain biking, bird watching, and of course golfing just to name a few.

In 2001 architect Mike Young transformed this beautiful rolling coastal landscape into an 18-hole championship golf course. For over 45 years the coastal landscape served as a working cattle ranch. Ecologically-friendly, the Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course has been certified by the Audubon Society due to the vast amount of native trees and animals. The Mata Palo, Pochote and Guanacaste trees provide homes for an assortment of tropical birds, iguanas, and monkeys. Viewing the Howler Monkeys jumping playfully in the huge trees added in the enjoyment of the day on the golf course. The Tif Eagle Turf with extremely fine and erect leaf blades on the greens, deliver excellent putting trueness, making this course a truly pleasurable experience. The course weaves through native tropical dry forests and next to pristine white and black volcano sand beaches of the region. It doesn’t take long after arriving at this resort community to realize that this is a very special place where incomparable solitude and serenity can be enjoyed.

Our final day golfing brought us to the Playa Conchal Resort Beach and Golf Community, an upscale resort and private gated golf course community. Located on the beautiful white sand beach between the towns of Tamarindo and Flamingo, The resort offers guests 300 suites, five restaurants, four bars, the coolest swimming pool in Costa Rica, a gambling casino, an Internet Café and gift shops. The resort is home to the famed Garra de Leon Golf Course. Robert Trent Jones II designed this world class 18-hole championship golf course, which is set alongside the northern Pacific coast and lush Costa Rican landscape. The nearest airport is the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, a 45-minute drive by car. Garra de Leon (Lion’s Paw) is the highlight of this luxurious resort. This golf course design blends harmoniously into the terrain of this region. Five sets of tees are offered to suit all skill levels, with yardage that ranges from 5,464 to 7,080 yards. Most of the holes have spacious fairways. Panoramic views of the warm waters of the Pacific can be viewed from a few holes. Several lagoons and ponds enhance the layout where hawks and gorgeous colorful parrots fly overhead. Garra de Leon is a ‘must play’ when visiting this region of the country.

The next morning before our departure, we went snorkeling in the beautiful clear blue Pacific waters. The tropical fish were abundant, brilliant in color and friendly as they approached us in curiosity.

On our last stop before returning to San Jose for our return trip home, we had the opportunity to tour the new Four Seasons Resort, which is under construction in Peninsula Papagayo. The Four Seasons will open in 2004 with a 6,710 yard, 18-hole, par 72 Arnold Palmer course. The course has wide, undulating fairways and large contoured greens, presenting a fair but ultimate test of golf finesse. Even though the hotel and golf course was still under construction, the breathtaking views of two Pacific Ocean bays on 15 of the 18 holes made us want to return when it opens.

As you bundle up this winter and daydream of those five-foot putts you sank last summer, think about a trip to Costa Rica to play golf. A wonderful vacation is just two hours south of Miami. A vacation there will bring you to a wonderful Pura Vida (Pure Life) golf destination. I know you will savor the experience.