What wildlife will I see on La Iguana Golf Course?

Iguanas are a constant presence on the cart paths and fairway edges. Scarlet macaws fly over regularly in the morning hours. Poison dart frogs appear near water hazards. Sloths move through the forest canopy on wooded holes, and the course has recorded over 150 bird species.

What is the best time of year to play golf at Los Sueños?

December through April (the dry season) is ideal. Morning rounds are reliably clear and afternoon storms are rare. In the rainy season (May–November), book the 6:20 am tee time to finish before afternoon rain arrives. Avoid twilight rates in rainy season unless you're comfortable with weather risk.

What is the signature hole at La Iguana Golf Course?

Hole 4, known as 'El Tucán,' is widely considered the signature hole. It's a 545-yard right dogleg par-5 where a stream runs down the left side from the tee, then cuts diagonally across the fairway. Water threatens every shot from tee to green. Hole 15 on the back nine offers dramatic ocean views with waves breaking against rocks beyond the green.

Los Sueños Golf Guide 2026 — Complete Guide to La Iguana Course

If you’re staying at Los Sueños and you play golf, you already know where you’re heading on day one. La Iguana Golf Course sits right on the resort property, and it’s the only 18-hole championship course on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast. The question isn’t whether to go. It’s how to get the most out of it.

This guide covers everything: green fees, how to book, what to rent, which holes to watch out for, and what kind of round you’re actually in for.

The Course at a Glance

La Iguana is a par-72, 18-hole course designed by Ted Robinson Jr., the same architect behind several well-regarded California courses. It stretches 6,698 yards through a mix of primary and secondary rainforest, with the Pacific and the Herradura Bay visible from several holes on the back nine.

The numbers that matter: course rating 73.4, slope 145. For context, a slope of 145 puts this solidly in “difficult” territory. It’s not a walk in the park, but it’s playable for high handicappers who manage the water hazards. Water is everywhere here. Almost every hole has some form of water in play, whether it’s a stream, a pond, or a drainage canal that looks calm until your ball rolls in.

The fairways are Paspalum grass, which drains well in rain and holds up through the wet season. Greens are fast relative to what most visitors expect from a tropical course.

Green Fees in 2026

La Iguana has a tiered pricing structure depending on your guest status and tee time window. The full 2026 rack rate sheet is on golflaiguana.com/rates-specials.

Based on current pricing confirmed by recent guests:

Rack rate (with cart): approximately $140–$180 USD, before 13% IVA tax
Twilight rate (after noon): approximately $100 USD (lower because afternoon rain is common and you may not finish 18 holes)
Marriott resort guests often have access to stay-and-play package rates that are lower than walk-up rack rates
Costa Rica residents get a significantly reduced local rate, verified through the La Iguana app with a resident ID

Always confirm current rates directly at golflaiguana.com or by calling the pro shop before your trip. Prices have moved year over year and the 13% tax adds up on the full ticket.

One honest note from guests: La Iguana is on the expensive side relative to other Costa Rican courses. The course quality and setting justify it for most players, but if budget is a concern, the twilight rate is the smarter play (and morning rain is rare on the Pacific coast in dry season).

How to Book Tee Times

The easiest way is through the La Iguana Golf Course mobile app, which is also where you’ll find the best available rates. Download the app, create a profile, and book directly. The app is available for both iOS and Android.

You can also book online at golflaiguana.com/book-tee-times or call the pro shop directly.

Tee times run from 6:20 am to 3:50 pm every day, 365 days a year. Book at least a day or two in advance during peak season (December through April), when the course fills up quickly with resort guests and visiting groups.

If you’re staying at a Los Sueños villa or condo, your property manager can often arrange tee times for you as part of arrival logistics.

What’s Included and What Costs Extra

What’s included with your green fee:

18 holes
GPS-equipped golf cart (shared, one per two players)
Practice putting green access

Rental fees at the Pro Shop (+ 13% IVA):

TaylorMade club rental (includes 6 range balls): $75
Golf shoe rental: $15
Kids club rental (ages 6–12): $45
Range balls (1 bucket): $10
Club storage per day: $3

Instruction:

One hour with a PGA golf professional: $150
Private lesson with a golf instructor: $75
Video swing analysis: $30
Group instruction (5 or more): $50 per person

The Pro Shop opens at 6:00 am daily, well before the first tee time, so you have time to get fitted and head to the range before your round. The club set they rent is proper TaylorMade equipment; guests consistently note the quality is solid. No need to haul your clubs on the plane for this trip.

The Signature Holes

Most guests come back talking about two holes in particular.

Hole 4 — “El Tucán”: A 545-yard right dogleg, and easily the most discussed hole on the course. A stream runs down the left side from the tee, then cuts diagonally across the fairway before the green. That means water is in play on the tee shot, on the layup, and on the approach. It’s a genuine three-shot par-5 for most players, and it punishes overconfidence at every stage. Caddies (optional) know this hole’s particular line; listen to them.

Hole 15: The back nine opens up views of the Pacific and Herradura Bay, and hole 15 is where it gets dramatic. Waves break against rock outcroppings beyond the green. It’s a striking visual, but it’s also an accuracy test. The wind picks up on exposed ocean-side holes and your depth perception shifts. Take one more club than you think you need.

The front nine plays through denser vegetation with tighter fairways. The back nine opens up more, with better ocean sightlines and slightly more risk-reward decisions. Most players find the back nine more memorable.

Wildlife on the Course

The name isn’t decorative. Iguanas are a regular fixture, usually sunning themselves on the cart path or along the edges of the fairway. They move out of the way eventually. Just wait them out.

Other wildlife you’ll likely encounter:

Scarlet macaws fly over in pairs, usually in the morning
Poison dart frogs, small and vivid, near water hazards (harmless to watch, don’t handle them)
Sloths in the treetops on forest-edged holes; slow down and look up at the canopy
Monkeys passing through overhead
150+ bird species have been recorded on the property; the biologist at the resort can tell you what’s in season

Wildlife sightings are most frequent in the early morning on the front nine, before cart traffic picks up. If you book the first tee time (6:20 am), the course is quiet and animals are active. It’s also the cooler part of the day, which matters when temperatures hit the high 80s by mid-morning.

The Best Time to Play

December through April is the dry season on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Morning rounds are reliably clear, temperatures are hot but manageable early, and afternoon storms are rare. This is peak season for a reason.

May through November is the wet season. Rain comes in the afternoon, typically between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, and it comes fast. If you tee off at 6:20 am during rainy season, you’ll often finish 18 holes before the weather turns. The twilight rate (after noon) carries genuine risk of a shortened round and is best left for local residents who know when to gamble on the skies.

For the course itself: the wet season keeps fairways greener and the jungle more vivid, but morning humidity is intense. Dress for it.

Attire: Collared shirts required. Soft spikes only. The dress code is enforced at the pro shop, so don’t arrive in board shorts expecting a waiver.

Comparing La Iguana to Nearby Alternatives

La Iguana is the only 18-hole option in the immediate area. The nearest comparable courses are in Guanacaste (3+ hours north), which makes La Iguana the default choice for Central Pacific visitors staying in Jacó, Herradura, or Manuel Antonio.

If you’re golf-focused and willing to build your trip around it, golf in Costa Rica extends across the country with courses in the Guanacaste highlands like Hacienda Pinilla and Peninsula Papagayo. But for a Los Sueños-based trip, La Iguana is the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to play golf at Los Sueños? Green fees in 2026 run approximately $140–$180 USD (cart included, before 13% IVA), depending on your rate category. Marriott resort guests and Los Sueños property guests often have access to lower rates through stay-and-play packages. A twilight rate (after noon) runs around $100 USD. Check current rates at golflaiguana.com/rates-specials or call the pro shop.

Do I need to bring my own clubs? No. La Iguana rents TaylorMade club sets for $75 (includes 6 range balls, + 13% tax). Golf shoes are also available to rent for $15. The quality is good enough that most casual visitors don’t bother with the extra baggage weight.

How do I book a tee time at La Iguana? Download the La Iguana Golf Course app (iOS or Android) for the best available rates and book directly in the app. You can also book through golflaiguana.com/book-tee-times/ or call the pro shop. Tee times start at 6:20 am and run through 3:50 pm, seven days a week.

How difficult is La Iguana Golf Course? It’s a legitimate challenge. Course rating 73.4 and slope 145 puts it in the difficult-to-very-difficult range. Water is in play on nearly every hole. High handicappers can enjoy it, but expect to lose a few balls and play conservatively around the water hazards. Mid-handicappers will find it engaging and fair.

Is there a driving range and practice green? Yes to both. The driving range is a full practice facility, and the pro shop opens at 6:00 am to give you time to warm up before your round. Range balls cost $10 per bucket separately, or you can get a range ball and club rental bundle for $25.

What wildlife will I see on the course? Iguanas are practically guaranteed — they’re everywhere on the cart paths and fairway edges. Scarlet macaws fly over regularly in the morning. You’ll likely spot poison dart frogs near water holes, and if you look up into the canopy on forested holes, sloths move through the treetops. The course has recorded more than 150 bird species.

Can non-resort guests play La Iguana? Yes, La Iguana is open to the public. You don’t need to be a Marriott guest or own a Los Sueños villa to play. Walk-up rates are available at the pro shop, though booking in advance is strongly recommended during high season.

What’s the best time of day to play? The 6:20 am first tee time. You avoid the heat, wildlife is most active, and you’ll finish well before any afternoon weather in rainy season. In dry season (December–April), morning is still preferable, but you have more flexibility. Twilight rounds after noon in the rainy season carry weather risk.

Planning a stay near the course? Browse Los Sueños villas and condos managed by Nest Stays. Several properties are within walking distance of the first tee.