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Golf Costa Rica – Pura Vida
Published January 16, 2025
in Costa Rica
, Mexico/Carribean
Golf the Pura Vida in Costa Rica
By Dave Finn as published on pages 36 and 37 of the January Issue of Golf Central Magazine
Costa Rica is one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the world. In fact, 25% of the land mass is dedicated to parks, marine reserves and wildlife refuges. It’s no wonder they have adopted the motto “Pura Vida” which translates to “Good Life”.
Costa Rica offers temperatures that hover between 70 and 80 degrees all year round. Perfect weather for golf. There are two main seasons – the ‘dry season’ and the ‘green season’ which starts in mid May and lasts until mid November. Either way you can always get you round in during the mornings as it only rains like clockwork in the afternoon. There are 11 golf courses to be tested and below are my favourite 4 courses in descending order.
Born To Be Wild – Costa Rica
BORN TO BE WILD
Jane Finn immerses herself in nature and discover why Costa Rica may be “The Happiest Place on Earth!”
By Jane Finn, Photography by David Finn
As published in the April 2021 edition of Planet Golf Review
¡Pura Vida! ¡Pura Vida! In Costa Rica, whether you’re traversing a mountain trail, hiking in the jungle, relaxing by the water or ordering shi-frijo for lunch, you’re bound to be the recipient of this distinctive Tico greeting. Two simple words that translate as “Good Life,” but how do you define it?
Is it catching the perfect wave, thundering across a deserted beach on horseback or playing a round of golf beneath a jungle canopy? Is it meeting new people, savouring the local cuisine, volunteering or a combination of all or some of these pursuits?
For me, ¡Pura Vida! means doing more of what you love to do. Walking your happy path, wherever it may lead, and on this trip, it led us to the magical, majestic Pacific Coast.
I have to admit as I touch down in Costa Rica, I am not too impressed with San Jose. It’s boisterous, crowded and sprawling. Where is the peace and serenity, the nourishment I crave to feed my soul? However, within minutes of leaving the city, I get the answer to my question. Zipping along the highway en route to Jaco, the buildings that lined the narrow city streets soon give way to green, verdant rainforests, and the rallying cries of scarlet macaws replace honking horns, welcoming me to a piece of paradise on earth.
Challenge Golf in Costa Rica
Challenge Golf: Empowering People of All Abilities
by Jane Finn
As published in the April 2021 Issue of Planet Golf Review
I have listened to hundreds of TED Talks and paid big bucks to hear motivational speakers, but it has been a long time since I have been as inspired as I was after having lunch at the 18th & Greene with José Quesada.
José is a natural redhead, a spitfire, a bundle of energy, and a force to be reckoned with, who happens to be the PGA Director of Golf for Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort whose commitment and contribution to the game far exceeds his position. When José is not dreaming up innovative events or making improvements to an already exceptional course, he finds ways to make golf accessible to anyone who wants to play.
Escape to Nature – where to golf, explore and unwind in Costa Rica
Published August 31, 2018
in Costa Rica
, Mexico/Carribean
Escape to Nature
Where to golf, explore and unwind in Costa Rica
By Jane Finn as published in the Summer 2018 Issue of Travel Life Magazine
¡Pura Vida! ¡Pura Vida! In Costa Rica, whether you’re traversing a mountain range, hiking in the jungle, relaxing by the water or ordering shi-frijo for lunch, you’re bound to be the recipient of this distinctive Tico greeting. Two simple words that translate as “Good Life” but how do you define it?
Is it dangling on the precipice of a volcano, zipping above the treetops, hearing the roar of a waterfall or playing a round and spotting an animal in their native habitat? Is it meeting new people, savouring the flavours of a region, volunteering or a combination of all or some of these pursuits?
Whether you’re traveling solo, as a twosome, ‘fore-some’ or family, in Costa Rica you can immerse yourself in nature, get grounded and rediscover the essence of who you are.
For me, ¡Pura Vida! means doing more of what you love to do. Walking your happy path, wherever it may lead. For now; we’ll focus on the magical, mystical Pacific Coast.
Costa Rica Challenge Golf
Published May 7, 2018
in Costa Rica
, Mexico/Carribean
Costa Rica Challenge Golf
Algo Mas Por Que Vivir – Something Else to Live For!
by Jane Finn
I’ve listened to hundreds of TED talks and paid big bucks to listen to motivational speakers, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been as inspired as I was today after having lunch at the 18th with José Quesada.
José Quesada
José is a natural redhead, a spitfire, a bundle of energy, and a force to be reckoned with, who just happens to be the PGA Director of Golf for Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort. When José is not dreaming up innovative destination events or making improvements to an already exceptional course, he’s giving back to the community and that is the focus of this post.
Golf is an amazing game and a challenging sport for those of us who are able bodied. Just imagine how much more challenging it would be if you were blind, had autism or Down’s syndrome, were missing a limb, or were completely paralyzed.
Challenge Golf Amputee
Twelve years ago, after a close friend became disabled after an accident, José set out, with the support of his employer, on a mission to help people with physical or mental disabilities find hope to overcome their difficulties to not only survive but thrive.
Disabled golfer at Costa Rica Challenge Golf
Reserva Conchal Pura Vida Costa Rica Golf
Published March 22, 2018
in Costa Rica
, Mexico/Carribean
Reserva Conchal Pura Vida in Costa Rica
By Tim Cotroneo
The Central American country of Costa Rica has an unusual way of helping golfers get over first hole jitters. At the Guanacaste region’s plush Westin Golf Resort and Spa, golfers at the Reserva Conchal Golf Course are often greeted by the startling treetop growl of howler monkeys either before, during, or after your backswing.
You call that a swing?
Monkeys aren’t the only back-to-nature ambassadors greeting golfers at the Westin’s serene Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course. Iguanas, crocodiles, Coati-Mundi, and white throated Magpie all make spontaneous appearances during the course of 18 spectacular Reserva Conchal golf holes.
If you’re not star-struck by the wild kingdom aspect of Reserva Conchal’s 7,000-yards of jungle splendor, the sheer environmental radiance of your golf round can take your breath away.