Retiring in Costa Rica: Golf Communities
Costa Rica has always attracted many retirees due to its perfect weather and tax benefits that they enjoy
. If you are an avid golfer or even an occasional duffer, Costa Rica offers several options for golf course communities or areas that are close to golf courses where you could live.
Each offer different options in terms of cost, type of community and even atmosphere. There are quiet beach communities to energetic city neighborhoods. We will try to help you choose the type of golf community that is best for you in your retirement years.
There are three main geographic area to choose from:
- San Jose, capital city with energetic neighborhoods;
- Jaco, mid Pacific town that has the Marriott resort, with American style living.
- Guanacaste, several golf resorts most are sleepy but close to a huge amount of natural attractions and excellent dining.
I do recommend that if you are into more cultural activities you live in the San Jose area. You have culture there, and you still will be close to beaches and volcanoes. Guanacaste is more of a beach, surf and nature option. You will not find a museum or theater close.
In the San Jose area these are my suggestions:
Cariari Country Club
This club offers a great value for a golfer. The golf course is the best in the San Jose area and membership runs less than $20,000. Member green fees run about $6 on weekends. Just run the numbers and you'll it is a great option if you are really into golf.
Cariari's location is also ideal. Just 10 minutes from San Jose, you are close enough to modern day necessities and all the shopping that you might need, but your house is in a quiet subdivision surrounded by Spanish style houses. Home prices here are much lower than in Escazu or Santa Ana. A typical house runs anywhere from $200K to high end Valle del Sol.
Valle del Sol is a high end subdivision with controlled access and full of the typical McMansions. The golf course is public and offers a nice round of golf. Once you are a homeowner, rounds costs about $20 or it costs about $34 for resident retirees.
The nice thing about Valle del Sol is that you don't have to live there to play there. There are many housing options in the area from $120K condos to multi-million mega mansions. You don't have to drive more than 20 minutes to play Valle del Sol.
We can suggest experienced real estate agents specialized in the Valle del Sol and Cariari areas. These local agents know what areas are newbie traps and what builders are worthwhile. I would suggest staying in a long term hotel and shop for a new house with patience and getting to know the area before making a decision.
Los Reyes
Los Reyes is a bit out of the way but a great find for people on a budget. The golf course is a 9-hole full length very capable course.
The Los Reyes subdivision is also access controlled and very private. There is a very different feel to this subdivision than Valle del Sol it feels that life is slower here and more relaxed. The people that live here are a different breed you'll see it in the type of houses. There are no McMansions, no showing off. Los Reyes residents I feel are more down to earth.
Jaco Area
Los Suenos Golf Course
Are you a lottery winner? Founder of Microsoft? Then the houses and condos at Marriott Los Suenos will be a good match for you. This is as upscale luxurious of a resort as you can get in Costa Rica. Houses sit on mountains overlooking the marina bay, golf course and the expansive Marriott Los Suenos resort. The resort has one of Costa Rica's largest marinas and is home to many fishing tournaments.
Houses run on the millions and condos run from $300K to the million dollar mark depending on oceanviews.
The golf course itself is amazing due to its surroundings and views. The rainforest is everywhere and is an integral part of the course and resort houses.
Guanacaste Area
Reserva Conchal
Reserva Conchal is my favorite resort in Costa Rica. It is luxurious without really trying to be luxurious it just is. The Reserva Conchal golf course is excellent and a definite bonus to anyone choosing to live here.
The houses and condos are in the same price range as the Los Suenos resort but their architecture is very different due to Guanacaste's weather dry rainforest.
Condos seem to be more open and are much scarcer than at Los Suenos. Reserva Conchal is still growing there are plans to add a second golf course at the resort.
A nice thing about this resort is that you can play the resort course and also play nearby Hacienda Pinilla golf course. Play at Reserva Conchal golf course is never crowded and is so relaxed that it is truly enjoyable. As opposed to Los Suenos, Reserva Conchal is closed to the public and you have to be a homeowner to play.
Hacienda Pinilla
Hacienda Pinilla golf community is a perfect fit for someone waiting peace and quiet. Believe me, you will have all the peace and quiet you can possibly have. The golf course is very nice. It is long and with wide fairways.
The prices at this community have changed a lot in the past year or so (surprise!). You can get a nice condo for mid 300s but houses go up to the multimillion dollar range. Hacienda Pinilla resort has a lot of room to grow and you can choose to live near Avellanas beach for breathtaking ocean views at this beautiful beach or choose to live closer to the JW Marriott or more developed areas of the resort if you want to have some company.
Hacienda Pinilla is about 15 minutes away from fun and surf hub, Tamarindo. You are close to first world shopping, restaurants and adventure tours. You are also close to other beautiful beaches as well as Reserva Conchal golf course buy a golf membership and you will have access to both world class courses.
There are several more golf communities in planning or about to open. One of these is San Buenas in the Dominical area of Puntarenas. Please be careful before investing in Costa Rica (as you would be careful anywhere else). Always ask this question before investing:
Do you have the MINAE permits?
Without these permits, all the sketches, cool graphics and ideas are just a dream that is years away. In Costa Rica housing permits and environmental permits are very difficult to get and sometimes take years or decades to be approved.
There have been instances that well intentioned developers have gone broke waiting for the permits.
In conclusion, there are quite a few golf communities in Costa Rica. Each offers Costa Rica's strengths: weather, people and natural attractions. A nice thing about Costa Rica's golf communities is that they are what you make of them you can choose a sleepy community and still be minutes from many natural attractions, you will be close to active people and great dining.
Retiring in Costa Rica: Golf Communities
By: Tico Golfer
Golfing In Dubai The Carolina Coast Is Stunning All Year Round Find Out How To Score Wild Deals On Grand Strand Golf Golf Swing Drills That Actually Work How to Swing a Golf Club Correctly Improve Golf Swing - What to Do to Improve Golf Swing Personalized Golf Accessories - Placing Your Identify on Your Golf Accessories The Origins Of Golf Golf Club Care Can Make All The Difference What Is The Magic Triangle In The Golf Swing 2010's Most Popular Golf Club Ping G10 Iron Set Review Enhancing Golf Performance Golfing Through the Algarve Golf Ball Prices - The Great Debate!