G-4ZPB3V7P9N

By James McAfee

Eco–tourism, where visitors get to experience nature in its most pristine state, remains the number one reason to visit the small Central America country of Costa Rica, but golfers haven’t been overlooked either. Several outstanding resorts provide quality golf courses that rival those back home.

The small country Central America country of Costa Rica has made a name for itself as a natural paradise where visitors can enjoy adventure activities in a natural environment or just relax on one of the many beaches. Now it has achieved another important milestone, receiving the 2014 Golf Destination of the Year Award for Latin America and the Caribbean from the prestigious Association of Golf Tour Operators.

With six 18–hole championship courses and some nice 9–hole layouts, Landy Blank formerly of Costa Rica Golf Adventures, who started bringing tour there in 1996, believes that this is just the right amount of good golf to create a memorable golfing experience. Plus there is the year–round climate, the beauty of the country, and some superior places for golfers and their families to hang their hats at night.

The country offers two international airports: one near the capital city of San Jose in the Central Valley, and the other on the Northwest Pacific Coast in the Guanacaste region. “Ideally, you arrange your itinerary to land in one and depart from the other in order to experience the amazing variety of activities that Costa Rica has to offer,” adds Landy.

Arriving at the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia gives golfers opportunities to play three of the best golf courses in the country within an hour’s drive.

Without a doubt, the Arnold Palmer design at the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is the crown jewel and the No. 1 course in Costa Rica. It sits atop one of the highest plateaus at Peninsula Papagayo, overlooking Bahia Culebra, and provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean on 14 of the 18 holes. More