Papagayo Golf & Country Club

Papagayo Golf & Country Club

Papagayo Golf & Country Club
3.5
Golf Courses
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Papagayo Golf and Country Club, Guanacaste’s first private golf course open to the public, is USGA Certified with a Slope Rating of 122. This user-friendly 18 hole golf course and country club with it's practice tee and driving range is redefining the game and the sport. Located only 10 kilometers southeast of Playas del Coco. Papagayo Golf and Country Club offers 335 acres of peace and tranquility.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles15 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
3
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
1

Mark E Kelowna
Edmonton5 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
We played yesterday at the Vista Ridge Golf Course formerly known as Papagayo, south of Sardinal. This is an old course that is quite run down but still fun and as rural and local as can be. We went with our eyes wide open and were able to play 18 holes and enjoyed the challenge. The pro - Danny was exceptional and set us up with rental equipment and balls and cart and very good directions to get us around.
For the reasonable price it is still a good way to get out and swing your clubs. They only take a few tee times a day in the mornings and Danny will arrange transportation if needed.
Written 4 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bethbiegert
Denver, CO4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Couples
Secrets set us up on a golfing excursion at 4 Seasons!!! It was absolutely beautiful course. Would strongly recommend it if you like golf!!!!
Written 6 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David S
Oshawa, Canada39 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2015 • Solo
I saw the signs for golf during the bus ride to Coco Beach and was interested in playing at a local course. I was quoted $79 USD with cart, clubs and 2 bottles of water.I played in the afternoon and the course was wide open. A bag of used balls was included and the clubs were a mixture of Taylormade and generic brands. A towel or club brush wasn't included so you'll have to provide your own. This isn't an easy course so good shot placement is helpful. Using unfamiliar clubs is a disadvantage because the distances and ball flights I get with my own clubs are more consistant. Putting was also a challenge because many greens had two different grasses making for difficult reads.
Riding a cart along the course and cart paths was pretty rough and more like a 4WD off-road excursion. There were some colorful birds sitting about the course and that was a nice distraction. Overall, this was a chance to play golf on my first trip to Costa Rica and I was willing to pay more than back home. The staff was friendly and the members I met were very happy with a course that didn't cost over $200 to play; No argument here! I would be willing to play here again with my own clubs to improve the round and would say that keeping your expectations realistic makes for a better day on the course.
Written 19 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daisy G
Seattle, WA106 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Couples
Let me preface by saying that I am a recreational golfer. Paying over $300 for 18-hole is just too much for me, even at the Four Season. That's why we tried Papagayo Golf & Country Club and we had SO MUCH FUN.

Terry, the new owner, bought this place in Aug 2014 and worked on improving the back 9 immediately. (That's what we played.) It is in the process of being renamed to Vista Ridge Golf Resort. We had the course (and the beautiful swimming pool) all to ourselves on a Mon. The course is short and semi-challenging, but lots of fun. Bring a few extra balls. They'll forever be lost if they go into the rough.

You will need lots of sunscreen - it's hot, and not a lot of shade. I played in a bikini and shorts - I couldn't remember the last time I was "allowed" to play golf in a bikini in the States. It's that kind of relaxed atmosphere. (Yes, I did check with the staff first and they basically said play in whatever you want! We are a relaxed and friendly course here.)

Clean bathrooms/facilities. Clubhouse serves breakfast and lunch. Golf tournament every Sunday.

$45 for 9 hole included a cart and a small cooler (with a small bottle of water…) $20 to rent clubs. (We brought our own shoes and glove knowing that we wanted to play golf in CR. Not sure if they rent shoes or not.)

The best part of playing golf at Papagayo was jumping into the pool after a few hours of intense heat. While the swim-up bar was not open when we visited, I'm sure it's only a matter of time the new owner Terry will make it operating.

By the way, Terry bought us a round of beer, sat down and swapped stories with us for about half an hour. It's just that kind of a friendly of a place, at least that's what we experienced.
Written 1 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DHBunky
LaSalle, Canada51 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Friends
Those reviews criticizing this golf course are spot-on, in my opinion. BUT - that was previous management or perhaps better stated - "mis-management". Maintenance and grounds keeping staff were not hired for their skills, they were on the job because they were family!!!!

There's a new "sheriff" in town and with limited resources available - the place is changing for the better. Starting with the name - Papagayo Golf and Country Club is now operating as Vista Ridge Golf and Country Club.

Upon your arrival, Tomas or Luis will cheerfully greet you at your car with a golf cart and load your clubs. Dany will greet you in the ProShop, collect your green fees and have you on your way ASAP.

Overall course design is challenging to say the least - no one has shot a par round!!!!! That might be because of poor conditions that were allowed in years past.

The new General Manager has taken the first steps in course improvement by improving the bunkers, using more water on the fairways, enlarging some greens and removal of hazards that impinged upon most golfers level of play. And, for the first time in many years - there is a beverage cart to help complete your experience.

Some reviewers have mistaken this course for the Four Seasons course. THIS IS NO WAY THE FOUR SEASONS!!!!!!

Compared to courses back home, Vista Ridge Golf and CC is overpriced for it's caliber of conditioning. But that is slowly changing.

Plus, it's location is awesome!!! Minutes from the Liberia airport or Pacific Coast resorts in Guanacaste,Province.

If your time in Costa Rica is limited and you would like to spend just half of one day golfing give Vista Ridge a try. But, remember - tis is an "improving" facility. It simply needs more time.

Other courses are not so easily located. Meaning - a lengthy drive to and return from the the Course. Playing other area courses will more than likely consume a full day.
Written 10 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tgrdecker
Victoria, Canada231 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2014 • Couples
Overpriced, poor service, dirt cart paths, tiny greens, hard tee boxes, no views, don't waste your time or money to go here. Spend the extra and do the Four Seasons, Westin or JW Marriott golf courses.
Written 19 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kiplynn S
Rico, CO185 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2014 • Friends
We played this course a couple years ago after my friend met the developer on her plane ride into Liberia. It was newly developed, very pretty and had narrow fairways and hilly. Additional obsticles were large lizards and beautiful birds. Being from Colorado and coming from ski season, my friend and I took refuge at the pool to beat the heat while the boys played through. The developer and his wife met up with us a couple of times and could not have been more friendly or generous. I highly recommend this golf club and unique experience.
Written 30 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bgandrg
Kingsville, Canada8 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Friends
The cost of the course was $110.00. It included transportation, golf, cart and club rental. When we arrived at the club, the posted price for golf was $25.00. The course was like a cow pasture and the carts were terrible. I would never recommend this course and would advise the hotels and travel agents to tell people not to go there.
Written 21 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fish65
Long Grove, Ia175 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Couples
Just a simple game of golf. Course nothing special, but we got to hit the links. We had the course to our self.
Written 16 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CrazyPanamanian
Olathe, KS33 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2014 • Couples
My father-in-law and I golfed here in late February. Unfortunately it did not really meet our expectations of paying $120 USD. In Kansas City where I live, it would be equivalent to a course I can play for about $20/round. There are no cart paths, fairways have weeds and no fine grass. Others have mentioned the tiny greens. It's true they are ridiculously small. And when you're trying to hit out of a weed filled choppy grass of a fairway onto a green that's this small it's almost impossible. Maybe it's the time of year being dry and all, but the greens were really hard too, the balls would just bounce right off.

After we finished the round, we were sitting at a table outside the clubhouse waiting for our cab. An American man walked up and introduced himself as the new golf course GM. He was very nice and open about his plans. He said that his intentions were to put a lot of money into the course and also build a hotel and spa. If they put as much money into it as he says, this could be a very nice course.

We didn't regret playing. We had a good time, and there's' really no other option unless you want to drive at least 1.5 hours. I just hope the conditions improve by the time we visit again in a couple years.
Written 4 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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PAPAGAYO GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)