The Cariari, long considered to be the best course in Central America, is a natural to play when arriving in Costa Rica. Situated on land that was once a coffee plantation, the Cariari was designed by golf course architect George Fazio and built by his now famous nephew, Tom Fazio. This par 71 course measures 6,577 yards from the Championship tees, but plays much longer. The course is heavily wooded, the fairways are narrow with few fairway bunkers, and the greens tend to be on the large side with sand traps throughout. Carts are available and caddies mandatory.

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Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage	Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage
Blue	72.7	144	6,577	Gold	68.9	135	5,955
White	71.1	140	6,260	Red	71.9	138	5,416
Location: San José, Par: 71, Yardage: 6,577, Architect: George Fazio

In 1994 golf course architect Tracy May renovated the original nine hole course and added the final nine. The results achieved by May are an outstanding 18 hole championship golf course. May, with the assistance of the on-site construction supervisor Mark Dinan, has designed the layout to be challenging and fair under most conditions, and downright tough when the winds come swirling down from the surrounding mountains. The rolling hills, mature trees, and the surrounding mountains create a great setting for golf. Parque Valle del Sol was the first course in Costa Rica to be an Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Carts are available and you can also walk the course.

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Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage	Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage
Black	73.2	145	7,011	White	66.1	103	5,461
Gold	69.6	126	6,147	Red	66.6	107	4,812
Location: Santa Ana, Par: 72, Yardage: 7,011, Designer: Tracy May

The Reserva Conchal Course is an ocean course with a desire to replace the Cariari Country Club as the number one golf course in Central America. No expense was spared to create a course on par with the spectacular resort it surrounds. Beautiful vistas, sweeping fairways, large undulating greens, mucha agua - - simply put, a beautiful golf course. Carts are mandatory and included in the green fee.

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Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage	Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage
Gold	73.8	137	6,956	White	68.4	128	5,951
Blue	71.5	135	6,497	Red	70.6	126	5,293
Location: Playa Conchal, Guanacaste, Par: 72, Yardage: 6,956, Architect: Robert Trent Jones, II

This Mike Young designed course is a coastal layout with wide, open fairways and the prevailing winds come into play on just about every hole. The bump and run is recommended for most approach shots as the greens are hard and fast. A truly distinguishing characteristic of Hacienda Pinilla is the many well-located pot bunkers that are cleverly placed around most greens. It is challenging and will reward conservative play more often than not. You will be playing in dry tropical forest leading to an unforgettable round of golf. Carts are mandatory and included in the green fee.

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Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage	Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage
Black	75.4	145	7,274	White	70.4	120	6,392
Blue	72.4	137	6,717	Red	72.8	122	5,754
Location: North Pacific Coast , Par: 72, Yardage: 7,274, Architect: Mike Young

Designed by Arnold Palmer, this 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed with the resort golfer in mind. Spanning over 50 hectares (125 acres), this beautiful piece of property sits on the tip of Peninsula Papagayo, nestled in the mountainside along the Pacific Ocean.

Twelve holes of the course feature spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The course plays 6,788 yards from the championship tees for the low-handicap golfer, but is accessible to golfers at all levels, with four other sets of tees. For example, from the forward tees the course plays only 4,880 yards. Keep in mind you have to stay at the resort in order to play the golf course.

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Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage	Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage
Back	71.9	141	6,788	Gold			5,579
Blue	70.8	136	6,522	Red	72.1	132	4,880
White	68.6	120	6,147
Location: Peninsula Papagayo, N. Pacific Coast , Par: 72, Yardage: 6,800 Designer: Arnold Palmer

La Iguana is all we can expect from a Ted Robinson Jr. designed course. Robinson Golf, Inc. has designed more than 150 courses around the world. Ted has given us a course that few in the world can match for natural beauty and challenging golf. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean on one side and rainforest on the other makes it a difficult task to concentrate on your golf game. La Iguana has a forecaddie that accompanies each group. The term "guide" is appropriate in this case as so much is to be seen besides the break of a putt. Carts are mandatory and included in the green fee. "Costa Rica's Gem In The Tropical Forest"

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Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage	Tees	Course Rating	Slope Rating	Yardage
Gold	73.4	145	6,698	White	69.2	115	5,896
Blue	71.5	132	6,299	Red	70.4	118	5,375
Location: Jacó Beach, Par: 72, Yardage: 6,698, Architect: Ted Robinson Jr.

Travel Tip for 2012
With all the signs pointing to travel costs rising in the New Year, what's the money-conscious traveler to do? You can still cut expenses if you strategize ahead of time, whether your travel dates and destinations are fixed or not. If you must travel to a certain place at a certain time, it's wise to plan ahead. "Book very early," says Cynthia Brough, a spokeswoman with AAA. "With airlines cutting capacity worldwide, less capacity typically leads to increased prices. If consumers are planning vacations in 2012, they should be looking to plan those vacations now."