Puerto Rico offers an amazing variety of experiences. There are attractions to suit many
tastes, from beautiful beaches to natural rain forests. But there is also a richness of
history and culture to be found nowhere else. Puerto Rico is packed with enough unique
attractions and fascinating sights to keep even the most disconcerting traveler occupied
for weeks. Puerto Rico is an American territory and the US. Dollar is the primary currency.
Flights to Luis Munoz International Airport in San Juan are widely available from major cities
across the United States and many airlines offer direct flights.
Puerto Rico’s entertainment offerings are world famous! From its countless restaurants
and bars, nightclubs, and art galleries there is never a lack of entertainment available
for people of all inclinations. Old San Juan is filled with funky bars and restaurants
it's begging to be explored. There are also many romantic spots and enjoyable meeting
places all through the city. A short cab ride away from Old San Juan you will find the
Condado section of San Juan. This area is renowned for its action packed high rise hotels,
condominiums, great shops, restaurants, jazzy nightclubs, and world class casinos. Many of
the resorts offered by Sophisticated Golfer also offer casinos such as the Westin Rio Mar and El Conquistador. In Old San Juan
there are also a number of casinos, some of which feature live
Texas hold’em poker and gaming excitment. Contact Sophisticated Golfer to learn more about nightlife in Puerto Rico.
Legendary golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez has been an ambassador for golf in his native Puerto Rico
for nearly 40 years. But along with Chi Chi’s help there exists a plethora of natural
characteristics that make Puerto Rico a pefect warm weather golf destination. In recent years the golf has been getting
even better. Puerto Rico offers beautiful resorts such as Dorado Beach, with four great
courses, the Westin Rio Mar Beach with two, and the Wyndham El Conquistador. Golfers can enjoy choosing from over 18 golf
resorts and clubs in Puerto Rico some of which offer multiple courses to select from.
Sophisticated Golfer can recommend the best courses for you or your group with preferred tee off times, golf outing organization and set-up,
and professional golf travel services.
Dorado Beach Resort and Country Club, East Course
This classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. Design opened in 1958 and is still
the top rated course in Puerto Rico. The course has also recently undergone
renovations from the Ray Floyd group. It measures 7,000 and offers several holes
playing along the Caribbean Sea. Originally, J.D. Rockefeller commissioned Robert
Trent Jones to design both the East and West courses at Dorado for his private use
in the 1950's. Today the course remains one of the best in the Caribbean. Dorado Beach Resort and Country Club, West Course
This Robert Trent Jones Sr. design opened in 1960 and is widely considered
to be a close rival to its more famous sister course to the east. The West
Course also recently underwent renovations from the Ray Floyd Group,
it measures 6,858 yards. Dorado Beach Sugar Cane Course
Formerly the Cerromar, Sugar Cane is the new name for the18-hole championship
design by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and originally opened for play in 1970.
The course underwent extensive renovations in 2005. Dorado Beach Pineapple Course
Formerly the Cerromar, Pineapple is the new 18-hole championship design by Robert
Trent Jones, Jr. and originally opened for play in 1970. The course underwent
extensive renovations in 2005.
Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Golf Club River Course,
The Westin Rio Mar is home to this championship courses designed by Greg Norman in 1997. This was Norman's first design in the Caribbean and plays to 6,931 yards. It is a marriage of the dense swath of tropical land that runs along the
Mameyes River combined with Normans own vision for a great Puerto Rico golf course. It is an exciting course that maximizes the aesthetic gifts of the land.
Westin Rio Mar Ocean Course is the second of the two golf courses at the resort and was designed by George and Tom Fazio in 1975 when premium resort golf was only beginning to spring up around the Caribbean.
This creation was in the later years of the uncle-nephew architecture team,
before Tom would branch out on his own to become on of the preeminent architects
of today. The 6,782-yard course, like many great resort courses, follows a dramatic trajectory in design before
building to a climactic close. The River and Ocean courses at Rio Mar are pictured above.
The Wyndham El Conquistador Country Club opened in 1993 and is a Arthur Hills designed course located in the heart of Fajardo.
This par 72 gem boasts some of the greatest views in Puerto Rico with over
200 feet in elevation change from start to finish. The course plays 6,662 yards
and is affliated with the Luxury El Conquistador resort. Others include
Dorado Del Mar , which opened in 1998 was the former site
of the Honda Classic and is five minutes from Hyatt Dorado
Beach.
Flamboyan Course at Palmas del Mar Golf Club, Rees Jones developed this resort course and it opened in 1999. This long and demanding
course rates as the second best course in Puerto Rico and measures 7,117 yards. There are natural wetlands, meadows, trees, streams and, of course, the magnificent Caribbean Sea. The oceanfront breezes provide constantly changing conditions and there are serval holes along side the sea.
Palmas Del Mar is located about 60 minutes from San Juan. Palms Course at Palmas del Mar Golf Club,
Gary Player left his mark in Puerto Rico in 1974 with this resort course in Humacao.
It is slightly shorter then its sister course but demands accuracy off the tee. The Palms Course
is an absolute gem that hosted the 1995 Shell's Wonderful World of Golf. Palmas Del Mar is located about 60 minutes from San Juan. Palmas del Mar is pictured below.
For a complete list of all Puerto Rico and Caribbean golf courses please visit our Caribbean Golf Courses page.
An agreeable climate is one of Puerto Rico's most attractive characteristics. Puerto Rico
has a tropical marine climate, with an average annual temperature of 82 °F (28 °C). Puerto
Rico enjoys year round summer temperatures. The dry season is December to March. Note that
temperatures in the mountains are significantly cooler than the coast, so if you intend to
travel inland bring a sweater for the evenings regardless of when you visit.
CUSTOMS & DOCUMENTATION
The passport and visa requirements for entering Puerto Rico are the same as for
entering the USA. USA citizens do not need a passport. Non US and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport, but
always it’s better to consult Sophisticated Golfer for specifics depending on country
of departure and citizenship.
Because of its tropical climate, dress is generally quite informal in Puerto Rico.
Due to the warm climate, light-weight clothing is recommended. Natives do have a
great sence of style and great shopping certainly can be found in Old San Juan and at the resorts such as Hyatt Droado Beach and Westin Rio Mar themselves.
Most of the Puerto Rico golf resorts in do require that proper golf attire is worn during play.
Spanish and English are the official languages, but Spanish is without a doubt the dominant
language. Some knowledge of Spanish will be very useful, although English is widely spoken.
At some time you may find yourself surrounded by Spanish speakers only, but be sure that in
most every situation there will be one person who knows enough English to help you.
The people of Puerto Rico represent a cultural and racial mix. Today's population consists of a
mixture of the descendants of the original indigent Taino Indians, Spanish explorers, African
slaves, and imported Chinese immigrants, and more recently American expatriates, Cuban
refugees, and Europeans in general. This historic intermingling has resulted in a contemporary
Puerto Rico without racial problems.
Few Caribbean cites are as steeped in Spanish tradition as Puerto Rico’s Old San Juan.
Originally built as a fortress, the old city’s myriad attractions include restored 16th-century
building and 200-year old houses with balconies decorated with beautiful wrought iron which
overlook the narrow cobblestone streets. Beginning with Old San Juan, a beautiful historic
walking area consisting of 400 restored buildings from the 16th- and 17th-century Spanish
colonial period, this area in San Juan is steeped in history with an old-world and romantic
European charm. Old San Juan also offers great shopping, restaurants, and nightlife and is
the perfect city for an afternoon walk.
