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An Arnold Palmer Signature Design

The Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo

Ranked among the “Top 100 Courses Outside the United States” by Golf Digest, our private 18-hole, par-72, Arnold Palmer Signature Course winds through 125 acres of old-growth forest, valleys, and sea cliffs shaped by an ancient lava flow. Dramatic elevation changes and a variegated landscape stir the senses while wide fairways and large greens provide a fair and challenging test for all skill levels.

An Audubon Signature Sanctuary

Eco Golf Reimagined

It is said that golf is 25 percent skill and 75 percent mental. Nowhere is that more true than here. Featuring panoramic vistas on 14 holes, it’s easy to get distracted by the curious chatter of white-faced monkeys in the trees overhead and more than 100 species of birds that call Papagayo home. This eco-golf triumph is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, recognized for achievements in conservation and environmental protection. Each hole is a veritable botanical garden with unique opportunities to interact with rare species and other colorful members of Papagayo’s biological community.

Virtual tour

HOLE #1

Las Huacas

PAR 5 / 527 yards

A sharp dogleg allows players to shorten the hole by hitting tee shots over the bunkers at the corners. Otherwise, a wide fairway all the way to the green sets the stage for a safe, three-shot par-5 to start the round.

HOLE #2

Tiburón

PAR 3 / 163 yards

This short, downhill par-3 features a rock-lined stream in front of the green and a beautiful cove behind it. A receptive approach is to roll the ball onto the right side of the green. However, with the pin tucked left, this will leave a long two-putt.

HOLE #3

Buena Vista

PAR 4 / 357 yards

As players tee off from a cliff with spectacular 360-degree ocean views, one must successfully negotiate “Palmer’s Tree” by hitting over or around it. A true risk/reward hole, with a sharp dogleg fairway featuring deep bunkering on the inside.

HOLE #4

Guanacaste

5 / 526 yards

This strong par-5 requires an accurate tee shot threaded between bunkers on both sides. From there, it’s all uphill along a wide fairway to a smallish green. An aggressive tee shot over the left bunkers significantly shortens the hole.

HOLE #5

La Poza

PAR 3 / 192 yards

The second par-3 on the front nine is tough love, requiring a long tee shot to a green guarded by a large pond on the right and a generous bail-out fairway area on the left. With nothing but ocean as a backdrop, it’s a beautiful but potentially touchy hole.

HOLE #6

El Bajo

PAR 4 / 438 yards

On this iconic par-4, the tee shot plays downhill to a valley-shaped fairway 200 feet below. The bunkerless green is perched out on a cliff with the ocean behind. Struck well, the ball will fly and roll quite a distance.

HOLE #7

Culebra

PAR 3 / 125 yards

Playing 50 feet downhill, this short par-3 requires a delicate tee shot to a smallish green surrounded by bunkers that have been carefully positioned to collect errant shots.

HOLE #8

Cariblanco

PAR 4 / 376 yards

A drivable par-4 with deep penal bunkers guarding the front of the green. A tee shot over the left fairway bunkers set up an easy approach angle. The green, like many on the course, has separate pin areas that reward good iron play.

HOLE #9

Pizote

PAR 5 / 514 yards

After the wide open tee shots on 1,3,6, and 8, this narrow fairway plays through the lush Nacascolo Forest. This possible two-shot par-5 features a rock-lined stream protecting the front of the most severely contoured green on the course.

HOLE #10

Herradura

PAR 4 / 421 yards

The second hardest hole on the back nine, this sharp dogleg left plays around a deep, natural ravine. A tee shot struck down the left will shorten the distance needed for the second shot into a multi-tiered green. You’ll appreciate an expanded view of the hole and a fairway bunker reshaped for maximum visibility. Further down, vegetation has been cleared from the ravine to reveal the green. Greenside bunkers have also been reworked to add variety and a bailout area on the right while new pin locations were gained with green expansion to the right rear.

HOLE #11

Zaino

PAR 3 / 173 yards

This uphill par-3 plays into a predominant wind, with a large green that makes for a good target. The putting surface has excellent tournament pin placements: the left side protected by a pot bunker, the right featuring a false front feeding weak shots down to the bottom of the slope. The middle of the green is the smart play. Native grasses have been added to lend more texture and color while reducing irrigation demand. The front left bunker was lifted approximately 3’ for more manageable entry and exit while the rear bunker was
reduced in size and brought closer to the green to guard back pin locations.

HOLE #12

Pochote

PAR 5 / 581 yards

On the longest par-5 on the course, the tee shot plays downhill and downwind, contrasted by an uphill second shot that must be hit far enough to have a clear view of the green. Right off the bat you’ll notice the classic S-shape built into this long uphill par 5. By combining the trio of fairway bunkers on the right into a larger bunker and adding a new grouping of bunkers short of the second landing area, vitality and interest has been added. Several new edge pin locations were recaptured on the green and the front right bunker was eliminated to prevent a blind penalty area. The remaining greenside bunkers were rebuilt in the new style and nudged closer to the green.

HOLE #13

Buena Suerte

PAR 4 / 452 yards

On this long par-4 and number one handicap hole, tee shots play over a large pond to a blind, sloping fairway, allowing the roll of the ball to shorten the distance. Bunkering was shifted 50 yards further down the fairway, putting the hazard in the correct location
relative to modern driving distances with the byproduct of more fairway area for the less aggressive golfer. Views of Santa Rosa National Park were gained to the North through some significant vegetation management. The greenside bunkers were rebuilt to provide visibility from the fairway and better engagement with the green. Green size was expanded by over 2,000 sf…expect many exciting new pin locations.

HOLE #14

Coyote

PAR 4 / 376 yards

Leaving the windswept plateau of 10, 11, 12, the next two holes play just above sea level among lush, natural vegetation. Tee shots on this medium-length par-4 play over a rock-lined stream to a tree-lined fairway. The elevated, yet relatively flat, green is guarded on the front by the deepest bunker on the course.

HOLE #15

Matapalo

PAR 4 / 333 yards

An enjoyable, short par-4. Teeing off with a long iron will keep players short of the fairway bunkers, while a well struck 3-wood should carry them, setting up a short wedge over the creek to the two-tiered green.

HOLE #16

El Mono

PAR 4 / 295 yards

A long iron or 3-wood off the tee will leave players on the ideal spot, but a driver here can land one safely on the green. A severe ridge divides the narrow green in half, making 3-putting a distinct possibility if you happen to be the wrong side.

HOLE #17

Pacifico

PAR 3 / 154 yards

This short par-3 plays over a deep ravine to a large green, which is surrounded by bunkers designed to catch wayward shots. A very picturesque golf hole, players will be treated to spectacular views of the ocean from both the tee and green.

HOLE #18

Pura Vida

PAR 5 / 519 yards

A great finishing hole—this short, downhill par-5 from the top of a plateau looks down on a wide open fairway to a green and pond with bunkers behind. The safe play is a long iron just short of the fairway bunkers, setting up a short chip to the green while taking the pond out of play.

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PRACTICE AREA

Featuring a driving range and multiple short game practice areas, the Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo provides professional level golf instruction in a spectacular setting set alongside the Nacascolo Preserve. Whether you’re an expert, beginner or somewhere in between, our PGA professionals offer a full range of lessons and clinics to help transform or dial in any area of your game.

PRO SHOP

Stop by before or after your round and check out premier merchandise from the best names in golf. The pro shop carries a variety of golf clothing, shoes, accessories and gift items to meet your every need. Open daily from 6:30am to 6:00pm.

GOLF CLUBHOUSE

Game day begins and ends at Peninsula Papagayo’s iconic golf clubhouse overlooking Culebra Bay—architect Ronald Zürcher’s soaring ode to a conch shell. Managed by Four Seasons, the recently transformed 28,000-square-foot facility includes the private member lounge, Nemare latin steakhouse, pro shop, men and women’s locker areas and administrative offices.

We were honored to have been chosen to design the first golf course at Peninsula Papagayo. We were given an excellent piece of property, a lush tropical landscape, exciting elevation changes and 360-degree ocean views on many holes. The course is not only beautiful but a fair test of golf.

ARNOLD PALMER
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