There’s no golf course in Tamarindo itself. The closest is the 18-hole course at Hacienda Pinilla, about 15 km south of town, a drive of about 25 to 30 minutes. Visitors can book tee times there, and 18 holes cost $160 with a cart (as of October 2026). The other courses nearby are 30 minutes to 2 hours away, and two are only for resort guests.
We’re Tamarindo Guide, a free local business directory for Tamarindo, Costa Rica. We’ve lived here for over 10 years. Golfers ask us where to play, what it costs and how to get there, so here are the answers, with prices from the courses’ own websites. For the rest of your trip, see our Tamarindo, Costa Rica travel guide.
Is there a golf course in Tamarindo?
No, Tamarindo town has no golf course. The nearest one is at Hacienda Pinilla, a gated resort and home community south of town, near Playa Avellanas (playa means beach). Reserva Conchal, to the north, is second closest, but it isn’t open to the public.
If you’ve seen “El Tamarindo golf course” online, that’s a different place. El Tamarindo is a resort course in Jalisco, on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Golf courses near Tamarindo, nearest first (as of October 2026)
- Hacienda Pinilla: about 15 km south, 25 to 30 minutes by car. Open to visitors with a tee time.
- Reserva Conchal: about 20 km north, about 30 minutes by car. Resort guests only.
- Tres Volcanes Golf & Country Club: near Playas del Coco, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours by car. Open to visitors.
- The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo: about 1.5 to 2 hours north. Members and resort guests only.
Hacienda Pinilla golf course
Hacienda Pinilla has the closest golf course to Tamarindo, and visitors can play with a tee time. Architect Mike Young designed the par-72 course, which plays up to 7,200 yards through dry tropical forest near the Pacific.
Hacienda Pinilla covers more than 4,500 gated acres, with homes, a beach club, horseback riding and the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa. The course is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, so you’ll often see birds and other wildlife during a round.
Course facts (as of October 2026, from the Hacienda Pinilla golf page)
- Green fees: $160 for 18 holes and $85 for 9 holes, with a cart and practice balls included
- Later rounds: lower twilight rates after 2pm and super-twilight rates after 3pm (ask for the current price)
- Rental clubs: $55 for 18 holes, $35 for 9 holes and $15 for juniors
- Lessons: $100 per hour or $55 per half hour
- Booking: by phone or email with the pro shop, or online
Hacienda Pinilla is a gated community, so have your booking details ready at the gate. Ask about the dress code when you book. At Reserva Conchal, for example, golfers need a collared shirt, and jeans aren’t allowed.
Other golf courses in Guanacaste
Guanacaste has a few more courses within a day’s drive of Tamarindo, but access is the catch. Two of them are only for guests of the resorts around them.
Reserva Conchal
Reserva Conchal is an 18-hole, par-71 course by Robert Trent Jones II, about 30 minutes north of Tamarindo near Playa Conchal. Its website says it isn’t open to the public. Green fees are for resort guests, such as guests of the W and Westin hotels there.
In 2026, 18 holes cost $185 from December to July and $165 from August to November, plus 13% tax.
Tres Volcanes Golf & Country Club
Tres Volcanes, formerly Papagayo Golf & Country Club, is a public course near Playas del Coco, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours from Tamarindo. You can play 9 or 18 holes. As of October 2026, twilight rounds cost $62.15 with tax and a cart, Wednesday to Sunday. It makes the most sense if you’re also visiting Playas del Coco or Playa Hermosa.
The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo
The Ocean Course is an Arnold Palmer Signature design on Peninsula Papagayo, about 1.5 to 2 hours north of Tamarindo. Golf Digest ranks it among its Top 100 Courses Outside the United States, and 14 holes have ocean views.
It’s a private course. Play is only for members and registered guests staying at Peninsula Papagayo, such as at the Four Seasons, so it’s not a day trip option.
How much does a round of golf cost near Tamarindo?
A round of golf near Tamarindo costs about $60 to $185 per player, before club rental (as of October 2026). Hacienda Pinilla charges $160 for 18 holes with a cart. Resort-only courses cost more, and the public course near Playas del Coco costs less.
- Hacienda Pinilla: $160 for 18 holes or $85 for 9, cart included. Clubs are $55 more.
- Reserva Conchal (resort guests): $165 to $185 for 18 holes, plus 13% tax. Clubs are $80 more.
- Tres Volcanes: twilight rounds from $62.15, tax and cart included.
To spend less, play 9 holes or book a later tee time. Prices change, so confirm when you book. For other costs, see what things cost in Tamarindo.
When is the best time to play golf near Tamarindo?
The dry season, December to April, has the most reliable golf weather, with sunny days and almost no rain. Expect strong winds from about January to March. In the green season (rainy season), roughly May to November, mornings are often dry and the courses are greener. For more detail, see Tamarindo weather by month.
- Dry season (December to April): rain rarely stops a round. The trade winds are strong from about January to March, which makes the ball harder to control. By March and April the fairways get dry and brown, and April is usually the hottest month.
- Green season (May to November): rain usually falls in the afternoon or evening, so book a morning tee time. The hills and fairways are green. September and October are the wettest months.
- Any month: daytime highs are usually 31 to 34°C (88 to 93°F). Tee off early and bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
Hacienda Pinilla aerates its greens twice a year (April and September in 2026), so ask about aeration dates when you book.
Getting to the golf course from Tamarindo
You’ll need a car, a taxi or a driver to reach any golf course from Tamarindo. Hacienda Pinilla is about 25 to 30 minutes south by road. A golf cart isn’t a good way to get there. Our guide to getting around Tamarindo compares the options.
- Rental car: the easiest choice if you’ll play more than once or want to see other courses. Every rental car in Costa Rica must include third-party liability insurance by law, so compare the full price.
- Taxi or private shuttle: good for a single round. Book a private shuttle in Tamarindo for the round trip, and agree on the price and pickup time first.
- Golf day package: Saltee Surf and Golf, a Tamarindo surf school, offers a Hacienda Pinilla golf day with transportation for $225 plus tax (as of October 2026). Ask what’s included.
- Tour agencies: you can also ask a tour agency in Tamarindo to arrange a driver for the day.
- Golf carts: golf cart rentals are handy in town, but not for this trip. Most companies keep carts in Tamarindo and Playa Langosta, and carts don’t go on highways or fast roads.
Not everyone in your group plays golf? Our list of things to do in Tamarindo, picked by locals, has ideas. Back in town, you’ll find surf lessons, boat tours and other experiences in Tamarindo.
Compare car rental companies in Tamarindo.
Tamarindo golf FAQ
Is there a golf course in Tamarindo, Costa Rica?
No, there’s no golf course in Tamarindo town. The closest is Hacienda Pinilla, about 15 km south, a 25- to 30-minute drive. Visitors can book tee times there.
Can non-guests play golf at Hacienda Pinilla?
Yes, you don’t need to stay at Hacienda Pinilla to play golf there. Book a tee time with the pro shop first, and have your booking details ready at the gate.
How much does it cost to play golf in Costa Rica?
Near Tamarindo, a round costs about $60 to $185 per player as of October 2026. Hacienda Pinilla charges $160 for 18 holes with a cart. Twilight and 9-hole rounds cost less, and club rental is extra.
Which golf course in Costa Rica ranks highest?
The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo is ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses Outside the United States. It’s private, so only members and guests staying on the peninsula can play.
Can I drive a golf cart from Tamarindo to Hacienda Pinilla?
No, a rental golf cart isn’t a good way to get to Hacienda Pinilla. Most companies only allow carts in and around Tamarindo. Drive a rental car or take a taxi or shuttle instead.
