Every golfing destination has its desirable attactions – the beauty of courses in Hawaii, the history of golf in Scotland followed sips of Scoth whiskey by in a pub, for instance – but there is a place in the Caribbean where you can experience the beat of the tropics after a round.
That destination is Puerto Rico, and golfing in Puerto Rico blends that activity with entertainment in a perfect 19th hole.
From courses where professionals tee it up and an array of 18 diverse courses to concerts, cuisine, nightlife, festivals, art galleries, sporting events, and bio-diverse natural wonders, the Island abounds with things to see and do after the clubs have been put away for the day. Here is a rundown of Puerto Rico’s golf courses and post-golf activites in the area.
• Play any of the golf courses located near San Juan by day – at Rio Mar, Grand Reserve, Bahia Beach, Dorado Beach, and Rio Bayamon – then enjoy an array of musical performances at night in Coca-Cola Music Hall and Coliseum of Puerto Rico (“Coliseo”). Reggaetón, Salsa, and Bomba are popular and in some cases historic genres in the Island. There are weekly events showcasing these music styles throughout the Island which, along with many other activities, you can browse here.
• On Puerto Rico’sWest Coast, play golf at Royal Isabela, Punta Borinquen, or Deportivo del Oeste. Then spend time at beaches where the crashing waves are so good that many World Surfing Championships have been held there near Rincón, Isabela, and Aguadilla. Make sure to visit the town of Rincón for its Gallery Night every Thursday from 5-19 p.m., through December 25. There are 60 exhibitors, artisans, and live music setting the festive vibe.
• Down South, visit Ponce – “La Perla del Sur” (the Pearl of the South) – the second-largest city after San Juan. Shopping aficionados will appreciate Plaza del Caribe. The mall has six theaters, more than 100 shops, and an extensive restaurant area with a wide variety of local and international offerings. For golf and gaming action, play Costa Caribe with its island green par-3 as signature hole, then go next door to the casino resort and try your luck there. Like golf, culture, and bio-diversity, casinos are found throughout Puerto Rico including at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar’s 36-hole golf resort.
• Not far from Ponce, El Legado Golf Course in Guayama has a Chi Chi Rodriguez designed 18-hole layout. Before or after teeing it up on the World Golf Hall of Fame member’s course design, enjoy superb food and drinks at the golf club’s excellent restaurant.
• Puerto Rico’s East Coast is home to two courses at Palmas Athletic Club in Humacao (Palm and Flamboyan) – designed by Gary Player and Rees Jones, respectively – and an Arthur Hills-authored layout at El Conquistador in Farjado. All three have been recognized for being among the best courses in the Caribbean. “El Con” guests can take a ferry to private Palomino Island, where a restaurant, beach sports, lounge chairs, a merchandise shop and more await guests of the iconic resort. National parks, nature and wildlife areas, and yacht-chartered day trips beckon for visitors in Humacao.
Island courses range from luxury resort to municipal, spread throughout Puerto Rico with several clustered near historic San Juan. Oceanside views, coconut trees, and mountain and rainforest vistas frame their settings.
While there, be sure and check out PubClub.com’s complete guide to San Juan bars & nightlife, visiting the Bacardi factory and going to the bar that created the Pina Colada. Although there is some dispute about the that, for the San Juan Hilton claims its bartender created the Pina Colada.
Traveling to the Island is convenient with many choices as it is the air hub of the Caribbean. Further traveler friendliness is found in Puerto Rico’s bilingual culture, U.S. currency, and no passport required for American citizens.
For more information on the Island, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com
This article was written by a human and not AI-generated content.
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