7 Golf Courses with Breathtaking Views in Puerto Rico

Just outside San Juan, Golf Digest’s selection for No. 1 course in Puerto Rico in 2016 boasts two award-winning, creatively designed and well-paced layouts. The traditional-style, oceanside East Course offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic, especially on the long first hole. The more modern and challenging Sugarcane makes up for potential pitfalls such as deep bunkers and a series of gorgeous lakes and rivers. One of the coolest features: Instead of carts, the course allows golfers to rent golf boards – motorized scooters with a place to hang your bags.

Majestic views greet golfers at every tee of this 6-kilometer course situated between the mountains of El Yunque National Forest and the Atlantic Ocean in Río Grande. Golf course architects Tom and George Fazio designed the Ocean Course, where the par-3 16th hole is considered among the best in the Caribbean. Views of the mountains and the Mameyes River are among the spectacular sights on the River Course, which was designed by two-time major winner Greg Norman.

This is a somewhat challenging course, but players likely won’t mind. Among the views they will encounter are 3 kilometers of beach and rainforest. It’s the Caribbean's only Audubon Signature Sanctuary Program course. Challenges include a wide fairway and a significant amount of water to shoot over at this course in Río Grande.

Nature played as much of a role in the design of this west coast course as any person. Among the highlights are the 14th hole, nicknamed the “Hidden Pearl,” which makes golfers feel like they’re right on the cliff as the hole moves right to left off of Isabela’s coast. The 17th hole starts with a downhill tee shot that looks down into a gorge.

Holes 14 and 16 present a rare hazard at The Palm Course at the Palmas Athletic Club – tremendous views of the beautiful blue water of the Caribbean Sea. Golf legend Gary Player also sprinkled a few standard traps – including tight spots and lagoon-shaped water hazards – around the fairway on this course in Humacao, on Puerto Rico’s east coast.

Golfers can build their own course by at this 27-hole links at Costa Caribe, set between the Caribbean Sea and mountains in Ponce, on the island’s southern coast. Ocean views, 14 lakes, well-groomed fairways and smooth, wide-open greens await players of all skill levels.

Don’t get distracted by the whales jumping in the Atlantic Ocean at this course overlooking cliffs on the west coast in Aguadilla. Fun fact: Punta Borinquen was built along with a World War II air base and became the first public course on the island in 1973. This is a fun par-72 course that can be challenging, thanks to 47 sand bunkers, sloped greens and crosswinds atop the cliffs.

There are two international airports in Puerto Rico: More than 20 commercial airlines fly in and out of San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). Rafael Hernández International Airport (BQN), on the west coast of the island in Aguadilla, also offers commercial flights.