Cariari at Cariari Country Club

Cariari Country Club sits in the San José metropolitan area of Costa Rica, designed by George Fazio and opened in the early 1970s. Fazio, known for his work on courses like Jupiter Hills in Florida and his collaborations that included Baltusrol's Lower Course renovation, brought his architectural approach to this Central American setting during a period when golf was expanding throughout Latin America. The course represents one of the region's earlier championship-standard layouts and has served as a fixture in Costa Rican golf for decades.

The routing works through relatively flat to gently rolling terrain characteristic of the Central Valley, with tropical vegetation framing many holes. Mature trees, water features, and strategic bunkering define the playing corridors. The climate allows for year-round golf, and the course typically plays as a parkland design with Bermuda or similar warm-season grasses suited to the tropical environment. Fazio's design emphasizes strategic shot placement rather than extreme length, with hazards positioned to challenge both tee shots and approaches.

Cariari has hosted numerous national championships and professional events in Costa Rica, serving as a competitive venue for Central American golf. The country club includes tennis facilities and social amenities alongside the golf course, functioning as a private club with a membership drawn from the San José business and expatriate communities. The setting provides a contrast to North American golf, with views toward surrounding mountains and the lush landscape typical of Costa Rica's highland regions.