Hacienda Pinilla
Mike Young laid out Hacienda Pinilla along the Pacific shore south of Tamarindo, opening in 2001 as a par 72 stretching to about 7,299 yards. An Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary set on a vast coastal ranch, it is one of the most natural feeling courses in Costa Rica.
Photo: Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Hacienda Pinilla opened in February 2001 to a Mike Young design, set on a sprawling private ranch and beach community on the Guanacaste coast. The routing conforms to the natural flow of the land, weaving through tropical forest and along the shore, and the course earned recognition as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for its care of the surrounding habitat.
At about 7,299 yards from the tips it has the length to test better players, yet the wide corridors and forgiving lines keep it enjoyable for the resort golfer. With a JW Marriott on the property and miles of coastline alongside, it is a relaxed, scenic base for a northern Pacific trip, pairing easily with Reserva Conchal and the Four Seasons at Papagayo.
Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 2001
- Designer
- Mike Young
- Type
- Coastal parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,299 yds
- Green fee
- From about 125 dollars
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from leading course databases and the resort. Hacienda Pinilla is a Mike Young design opened in February 2001, a par 72 of about 7,299 yards, an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The indicative green fee from about 125 dollars for JW Marriott guests reflects 2026 and changes by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Hacienda Pinilla unfolds across a large coastal property, the holes moving between tropical forest, open savanna and the edge of the Pacific. Mike Young set wide fairways that invite the driver, but the length from the back tees and the firm Guanacaste turf mean the better player still has to drive it well to reach the right angles.
The greens are large and gently contoured, true to the resort brief, and the wildlife is part of the experience, with monkeys, iguanas and more than 150 bird species recorded on the property. The holes nearest the coast catch the Pacific breeze, which can stiffen the test on an otherwise gentle round.
It is a course that gives back a good score to the player who keeps the ball in play and lags the long putts, and the natural setting, with the beach and forest never far away, is the lasting memory. The scale of the ranch means you rarely see another group, adding to the sense of a round in the wild.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and visitor course on the Hacienda Pinilla beach community; open to JW Marriott Guanacaste guests, residents and visiting golfers |
| Green fee | From about 125 dollars for 18 holes for JW Marriott guests, indicative 2026; nine hole, twilight and replay rates available |
| Booking | Book through the golf shop, the JW Marriott or a Costa Rica golf specialist; reserve early in the dry season |
| On the day | Carts standard in the heat; caddies and forecaddies can be arranged; start early to beat the midday sun |
| Getting there | Near Santa Cruz on the southern Tamarindo coast, about an hour from Liberia international airport |
| Best months | December to April for the dry season sunshine and firm turf |
Access and fees verified June 2026; resort pricing changes by season and demand, so always confirm the current green fee and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The on property choice is the JW Marriott Guanacaste, a beachfront resort a short drive from the first tee, with villas and condominiums across the Hacienda Pinilla community for longer or larger stays. It is a self contained base that pairs the golf with miles of quiet Pacific beach.
Tamarindo, just to the north, adds restaurants, surf and nightlife within easy reach, and the course sits naturally on a northern Pacific golf tour alongside Reserva Conchal and the Four Seasons course at Peninsula Papagayo.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club.
Build a Tamarindo golf trip
We arrange the Hacienda Pinilla tee times, pair them with the best of the Guanacaste coast and book the beach lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club questions
Who designed Hacienda Pinilla and when did it open?
Hacienda Pinilla was designed by Mike Young and opened in February 2001 on a large coastal ranch south of Tamarindo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
What is the par and length of Hacienda Pinilla?
Hacienda Pinilla is a par 72 stretching to about 7,299 yards from the back tees, with wide fairways and large greens woven through tropical forest along the Pacific.
How much does it cost to play Hacienda Pinilla?
The indicative green fee starts from about 125 dollars for 18 holes for JW Marriott guests in 2026, with nine hole, twilight and replay rates. Rates change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
Can visitors play Hacienda Pinilla?
Yes. The course is open to JW Marriott Guanacaste guests, community residents and visiting golfers by tee time. Reserve early in the December to April dry season.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.