Costa Rica Golf Vacation

Costa Rica golfer's vacation paradise:

Start with volcanoes, rain forests, waterfalls and miles of perfect beaches. Add exotic animals, spice with adventures like surfing, fishing and white-water rafting, then top off with five fine golf courses, including Arnold Palmer's stunning, new Peninsula Papagayo. Thousands of years in the making, your feast is now ready; it's time for the first course.

Most trips to Costa Rica start in the Central American nation's capital, San Jose. Perched at 4,000 feet, the city boasts wonderfully cool weather year-round and is a surprisingly easy three-hour flight from Houston or Miami. Five minutes from the airport you'll find the Melia Cariari Conference Center & Golf Resort, whose course was designed by George Fazio and built in 1974 by his now-famous nephew, Tom Cariari is a 6,590-yard alpine track with tight fairways lined by towering pines. The downhill, downwind 149-yard 4th hole over water is testy -- a little local knowledge helps, so hire a caddie.

Valle del Sol Golf COURSE
vallesol.com
011-506-282-9222
Greens fees: $50-$70 (includes cart)

Garra de Leon Golf Course (at the Paradisus Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort)
playaconchalresort.com
011-506-654-4123
Greens fee: $140 (includes cart, range and beverages)

Hacienda Pinilla
haciendapinilla.com
011-506-680-7000
Greens fees: $105-$120

Four Seasons Golf Club Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
fourseasons.com/costarica
800-332-3442
Greens fee: $180 (includes cart) Rooms and suites from $395