Pristine greens. Lush jungle. Atlantic Ocean Views. Golfing in Puerto Rico is the stuff of dreams.
Add the best golf courses in Puerto to your sporting bucket list. Whether a quick 18 holes, a dedicated golfing vacation or your first foray on the driving range, this is the home of golf in the Caribbean. This guide has what you need to know.
Swing into Puerto Rico
There’s a reason Puerto Rico is called the Golf Capital of the Caribbean. There are more than 30 courses, with more opening every year. The Atlantic Ocean views are spectacular, and the courses are designed by the biggest names in golf course architecture. Plus, you can hit the beach, sip on cocktails and dine on traditional Puerto Rican cuisine after your 18 holes. And with a year-round tropical climate, it’s time to pack those clubs and hit the course in Puerto Rico.
The best golf courses and resorts in Puerto Rico
These are the greens and fairways where your golfing dreams will come true.
El Conquistador Resort
The best of the best
54.3km east of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Located in Fajardo, around 31 miles from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, El Conquistador is home to one of the top golf courses in Puerto Rico. The 18-hole par 75 course was designed by world-renowned golf architect Arthur Hills, and features rolling hills and views of the Atlantic Ocean and El Yunque Rain Forest. It’s a challenging course, but still caters to golfers of all ages and skill levels. It also happens to be located on a 300-foot cliff overlooking the ocean, with a pristine ribbon of private beach and scenic rainforest views. Plus, with five restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center and spa, you will have plenty to occupy you when you step off the green.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort
Two championship courses
38km east of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Test your swing on two 18-hole championship golf courses at the Rio Mar Country Club, 24 miles from the airport. The Ocean Course is designed by architects, Tom and George Fazio, and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The River Course was designed by former golfer turned entrepreneur Greg Norman and has views of the Mameyes River and El Yunque. Expect breathtaking vistas from every tee. On the resort-side, you can rest your feet after a day on the fairways at one of Wyndham’s three swimming pools, take yourself sunbathing on their mile of golden beach, or check out their spa and wellness center.
Royal Isabela
Mother Nature’s courses
119.2km west of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Get out on the greens of this world class 18-hole golf course in Isabela – around 75 miles from the airport. The course here extends dramatically 200m across the cliffs looking out to the Atlantic Ocean and drops down to natural sand dunes. The design of the course is all about working with the natural land and Mother Nature, and every hole brings its own challenges. In terms of accommodation, you can relax in your own spacious cottage, take in the sea views and enjoy Puerto Rican cuisine in the on-site restaurant.
Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club
All about the water
32.7km east of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Designed in 2008 by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bahia Beach is all about water. A total of 15 of the 18 holes border water, starting with the lakes before emerging onto the Atlantic Ocean for the final holes. It’s designed with the resort golfer in mind but can still prove challenging to players of all levels. As for the hotel attached, it has direct access to Bahia Beach and is a perfect place to unwind after a game. Head to one of the resort’s two restaurants, try the watersports available, or get a rejuvenating massage before another day of teeing off.
TPC Dorado Beach
Golfers’ paradise
42.9km southwest of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Home to three renowned championship golf courses and four in total (all designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.), TPC Dorado Beach is one for the bucket list. The East Course has been named the best course in Puerto Rico and has hosted the PGA Tour Latinoamerica Tour Championship, whilst the others all promise ocean views, lush jungle and coconut groves. It’s in Dorado, 32 miles from the airport.
Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve / Coco Beach Golf & Country Club
Home to the Puerto Rico Open
36.2km east of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
The Grand Reserve championship course is home to the Puerto Rico Open since it became a PGA Tour event in 2008 and has a total of 36 holes on which to test your swing. Golfers will tell you, it’s as good a complex as you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. Situated in Rio Grande, it’s just 18 miles from the airport.
Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club
Puerto Rico’s first island green
120.8km southwest of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
This 27-hole links-style championship golf courses has stunning views, oceanfront holes, 14 beautiful lakes and Puerto Rico’s first island green. It’s a challenging course, but nothing about it is intimidating – even if you’re just starting out on your golfing journey. Costa Caribe is in Ponce, and around 80 miles from the airport.
Palmas Athletic Club
Test your drives on The Flamboyan Course
62km southeast of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Palmas del Mar Golf Club is home to two 18-home championship golf courses, the most famous of which is The Flamboyan Course. Here you’ll find wide fairways with deep bunkers and challenging greens. And with par 72 at 7117 yards, it’s one of the longest golf courses anywhere in the Caribbean. The course is in Humacao, around 45 miles from the airport.
Top tips:
You’ll need a collared shirt and Bermuda shorts for most courses in Puerto Rico.
With courses dotted around the island and many fairways to find, you need a hire car.
You don’t need to be a member, but always check online how to book tee times.
Puerto Rico airports
There are three main airports in Puerto Rico close to the island’s major golf courses:
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
SJU in San Juan is the largest and most accessible, with major international airlines flying landing daily via the US.
Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN)
Situated in Aguadilla, and also known as Aguadilla Airport offers routes via Orlando and Tampa.
José Aponte de la Torre Airport (NRR)
Also known as Roosevelt Roads Airport, you’ll find a couple of commercial airlines fly into this hub.
Tee off with rainforest views and ocean vistas. Tackle the water and birdie in the Caribbean sun. Your golfing dreams will soon be a reality at any of these golf courses and golf resorts in Puerto Rico. Fore!
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