Play one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular golf courses without ever leaving Peninsula Papagayo.
The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo is an 18-hole, par-72 Arnold Palmer Signature course set among the tropical forest, ridgelines and dramatic coastline of Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula. With ocean views from 14 holes, significant elevation changes and wildlife frequently appearing along the course, golf here is as much about the setting as the score.
Guests staying in our private villas at Peninsula Papagayo can enjoy access to this extraordinary course as part of their stay. Papagayo Luxury can also assist with tee-time requests and golf arrangements, making it easy to add a round—or several—to your vacation.
The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo
Designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 2004, the Ocean Course stretches 6,788 yards through some of Peninsula Papagayo’s most beautiful terrain. Rather than separating the course from its surroundings, the design follows the natural contours of the peninsula, with fairways climbing ridgelines and descending toward the coast. Fourteen of the 18 holes offer ocean views, with the scenery changing dramatically as you move around the course.
The Ocean Course underwent an extensive renovation in 2022 and 2023 led by Arnold Palmer Design. The project updated bunkers and green complexes, improved playing angles and practice areas, introduced a precision irrigation system, and replaced areas of maintained turf with drought-tolerant native vegetation. The result is a course that feels distinctly connected to the tropical landscape around it while offering an updated playing experience.
Golf With a View
You may find yourself paying nearly as much attention to the scenery as to your next shot. The Ocean Course is known for its dramatic elevation changes and panoramic water views, with several holes providing especially memorable vantage points across Bahía de Culebra and the Pacific Ocean.
Among the highlights is the 3rd hole, with its expansive Pacific panorama, while the 6th features a dramatic elevation change of approximately 200 feet. Later in the round, the 17th offers views toward the Pacific and distinctive Monkey Head rock formation. These aren’t simply occasional glimpses of the water—the ocean and surrounding landscape are an integral part of the experience.
The tropical dry forest surrounding the fairways also means golf frequently comes with unexpected spectators. Howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, butterflies and tropical birds are all part of the Peninsula Papagayo landscape, and wildlife sightings on the course are not unusual. It is one of those rare courses where serious golfers can appreciate the design and challenge while occasional golfers can simply enjoy an unforgettable few hours in Costa Rica.
Golf for Experienced Players — and Beginners
You do not need to plan an entire golf vacation to enjoy the Ocean Course. Experienced golfers can play a full 18-hole round, while nine-hole options make it easier to incorporate golf into a day that might also include the beach, pool or another Peninsula Papagayo activity.
Professional instruction is available for different ability levels, including lessons at the driving range and playing lessons on the course. This makes Peninsula Papagayo an appealing place for a newer golfer to work on their game or for a less-experienced golfer to play alongside family members or friends who take the sport more seriously.
For families and groups traveling together, there is also no need for everyone to be a golfer. One of the advantages of staying at Peninsula Papagayo is how easily a round of golf can be combined with beach clubs, boating, spa treatments, racquet sports, dining and other activities, allowing everyone to spend part of the day doing what they enjoy.
Practice Facilities, Club Rentals & Pro Shop
Traveling to Costa Rica without your clubs does not mean you have to skip a round. Golf club and shoe rentals are available through the Pro Shop, along with golf apparel, equipment and accessories, making an impromptu golf day relatively easy to arrange.
Before your round, practice facilities include a driving range, putting and chipping greens, and a sand-bunker practice area. Private instruction can also be arranged for golfers who would like to work on their game before heading onto the course. Together, these facilities make it easy to play even if golf wasn’t originally part of your Costa Rica vacation plans.
More Than One Round?
For some guests, one round is plenty. For others, having an exceptional golf course minutes from their villa is one of the reasons they choose Peninsula Papagayo in the first place.
Multiple-round and extended-play experiences may be available for guests who want golf to be a more significant part of their vacation. Current offerings can include options ranging from nine- and 18-hole rounds to instruction-and-play experiences and multi-round packages. Programs and pricing can change seasonally, so we recommend checking current options when planning your stay rather than relying on rates published far in advance.
If golf is important to your vacation, let us know when you reserve your villa. We can help incorporate your preferred golf days into the rest of your Peninsula Papagayo itinerary rather than trying to fit them in after everything else has been planned.
Staying in a Villa at Peninsula Papagayo
One of the benefits of renting a private villa within Peninsula Papagayo is that you do not have to choose between a golf vacation and a villa vacation. Your group can enjoy the space, privacy, private pool and indoor-outdoor living of a luxury home while still having convenient access to many of the resort experiences that make Peninsula Papagayo special.
That combination works particularly well for multigenerational families and groups of friends. Golfers might head out for an early round while everyone else spends the morning at a beach club, goes fishing, takes a yoga class or simply enjoys the villa. Everyone can meet again for lunch, an afternoon by the pool or dinner together without requiring the entire group to follow the same schedule.
It also means golfers aren’t limited to traveling with other golfers. Some of our guests come specifically because they want to play, while their spouses, children or friends have little interest in golf at all. Peninsula Papagayo gives both groups plenty of reasons to look forward to the trip.
View Our Peninsula Papagayo Villas
Let Us Help Arrange Your Golf
When you stay with Papagayo Luxury, we can help incorporate golf into the rest of your vacation planning. We can assist with tee-time requests and information about current golf options, club rentals and lessons, while also coordinating other details of your stay, from airport transfers and golf carts to private chefs, boating, beach clubs, restaurant reservations and activities.
If you have golfers in your group, tell us when you inquire. We can help you choose a villa and plan a stay that gives everyone plenty to do, whether they intend to spend several mornings on the golf course or never pick up a club.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf at Peninsula Papagayo
Does Peninsula Papagayo have a golf course?
Yes. The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo is an 18-hole, par-72 Arnold Palmer Signature course located within the resort community. Fourteen of its 18 holes offer ocean views.
How long is the Ocean Course?
The course measures 6,788 yards and incorporates substantial elevation changes as it travels through Peninsula Papagayo’s tropical landscape.
Does the golf course have ocean views?
Yes. Fourteen of the 18 holes have ocean views, including dramatic vistas across Bahía de Culebra and the Pacific Ocean. The combination of elevated terrain and coastline is one of the course’s defining features.
Do I need to bring my own golf clubs to Costa Rica?
No. Golf club and shoe rentals are available, so guests can play without traveling with their own equipment. This is particularly convenient for guests who only plan to play once during their stay.
Can beginners play or take golf lessons?
Yes. Professional instruction is available for different skill levels, including driving-range instruction and on-course playing lessons. Beginners can therefore enjoy the golf facilities without needing to commit to a traditional 18-hole round.
Can I play nine holes instead of 18?
Nine-hole golf experiences are offered, making it possible to enjoy the course without dedicating most of the day to golf. Offerings and schedules can change, so we recommend confirming current options for your travel dates.
Can I walk the golf course?
The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo is designed to be played with a golf cart, and walking the course is not permitted. The terrain is quite hilly, with significant distances and elevation changes between some holes. Golf carts are included as part of the playing experience and make it much easier to navigate the course while still enjoying its spectacular ocean and tropical views.
Can Papagayo Luxury arrange my tee time?
We can assist our villa guests with golf planning and tee-time requests as part of our concierge service. We recommend letting us know in advance, particularly during busy holiday and travel periods.
What can non-golfers do while I play?
Plenty. Peninsula Papagayo offers beach clubs, swimming, boating and water sports, spa and wellness experiences, hiking and nature activities, restaurants, and extensive tennis, pickleball and padel facilities. It is an especially good destination for families and groups in which only some guests want to golf.
