If you are a golf enthusiast, you might want to consider Puerto Rico as your next golfing destination. This tropical paradise is a true haven for golfers, featuring breathtaking landscapes, lush greenery, sparkling water features, and stunning ocean views. Puerto Rico’s varied terrain and warm, sunny climate all year round make it an ideal place to practice your swing, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro.
In this article, we will explore some of the top golf courses the island has to offer. So, pack your clubs and get ready to discover Puerto Rico’s golfing wonders!
Top Golf Courses in Puerto Rico
Here are some of the best golf courses in Puerto Rico that you should not miss:
Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club
This golf course, located at the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Hotel, is comprised of 27 holes for championships. Its design, which includes 14 created lakes, allows you to enjoy views of the Caribbean Sea, central mountains, and diversity of birds that embellish the panorama.
Dorado Beach Resort & Golf Club
This resort boasts four world-class golf courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. The most famous one is the East Course, which hosted the 2015 PGA Tour Latin American Tour Championship and offers spectacular ocean views from 15 holes. The other courses are equally challenging and scenic, featuring waterfalls, lagoons, and tropical vegetation.
Royal Isabela
This is one of the few links courses in Puerto Rico, located on the northwest coast of the island. The course extends along cliffs 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and drops to areas of natural dunes close to the beach. Sod-faced bunkers add a Scottish feeling to this tropical island golf course.
El Conquistador
This golf course is located in one of the Caribbean’s most iconic resorts, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and the El Yunque Rainforest. The course is an 18-hole par 72 layout that challenges players with elevation changes, water hazards, and trade winds .
TPC Dorado Beach
This is another TPC network member in Puerto Rico, offering two courses: the Sugarcane Course and the Pineapple Course. The Sugarcane Course is longer and more difficult than the Pineapple Course, but both feature lush fairways, strategic bunkers, and ocean views.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort
This resort has two 18-hole courses: the Ocean Course and the River Course. Tom and George Fazio designed the Ocean Course which features a signature oceanfront par 3 hole. The River Course was designed by Greg Norman and winds along the Mameyes River.
Palmas del Mar Golf Club
This golf club offers two courses: the Flamboyan Course and the Palm Course. The Flamboyan Course, designed by Rees Jones, is one of the longest and most challenging courses in Puerto Rico. The Palm Course is shorter and more forgiving, designed by Gary Player.
Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club
This golf course is part of the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, a luxury property on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and features 15 lakes, waterways, and two miles of beachfront.
Punta Borinquen Golf Club
This golf course is located on the northwest tip of Puerto Rico, near the Aguadilla airport. It was built in 1940 as part of the Ramey Air Force Base and has hosted presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. The course offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Desecheo Island.
Coco Beach Golf & Country Club
This golf club has two courses: the Championship Course and the International Course. The Championship Course is home to the Puerto Rico Open, a PGA Tour event that has raised more than 1 million dollars for local charities since 2008. The International Course is equally challenging and scenic, featuring six oceanfront holes.
Puerto Rico is a great destination not only for golfing but also for exploring its rich culture, history, and nature. Some of the additional facts about Puerto Rico that you should know are:
- Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, meaning U.S. citizens do not need a passport or a visa to visit.
- Puerto Rico has three official languages: Spanish, English, and Taíno (an indigenous language).
- Puerto Rico has a diverse population that reflects its colonial history and its African, European, and Native American influences.
- Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 82°F (28°C) throughout the year.
- Puerto Rico has many natural attractions, such as El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in the U.S.), Bioluminescent Bay (one of the few places in the world where you can see glowing plankton), and Cueva Ventana (a cave with a window-like opening that offers a stunning view of the valley below).
Other Activities to Do in Puerto Rico
Some of the other activities to do in Puerto Rico are:
- Visit Old San Juan, the historic and colorful district with colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant nightlife.
- Experience the thrill of ziplining, rappelling, and hiking at Toro Verde Adventure Park, home to the world’s second-longest zipline.
- Snorkel or scuba dive in the crystal-clear waters of Culebra Island, where you can see colorful coral reefs and marine life.
- Learn about Puerto Rico’s rum history and taste different varieties at Casa Bacardí, the largest premium rum distillery in the world.
- Enjoy the local cuisine, such as mofongo (mashed plantains with meat or seafood), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), and lechón asado (roasted pork), at one of the many restaurants or food trucks on the island.