How Puerto Rico Golf is Setting New Standards
Puerto Rico is stepping up its commitment to responsible tourism – and the Island’s golf industry is leading by example.
With the recent launch of The Green Path by Discover Puerto Rico, a new focus on environmental stewardship is taking hold across the destination’s golf courses, many of which are already world-renowned for their quality and design pedigree.
The island is home to 18 golf courses, ranging from accessible municipal layouts to luxury resort experiences.
Several are rated among the Top 50 Courses in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the Atlantic Islands, according to Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play.
Esteemed designers such as Tom Kite, Greg Norman, Tom and George Fazio, Gary Player, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. are all represented on the island.
Notable resort-affiliated courses include Royal Isabela, El Conquistador, Costa Caribe/Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino, The St. Regis Bahia Beach, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar, Wyndham Palmas, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, and Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
With courses located across the island – many near the northeast and San Juan, Puerto Rico offers golfers a diverse range of experiences set against a backdrop of lush rainforests, coastal beauty, and rich cultural heritage.
The destination itself is an enchanting mix of history, music, gastronomy, and nightlife. It’s also convenient for U.S. golfers, requiring no passport, using the U.S. dollar, and boasting bilingual hospitality.
With over 4,000 restaurants and lodging to suit every style, it’s easy to see why Puerto Rico stands out as a golf destination that offers far more than just the game.
At the heart of Puerto Rico’s sustainability focus is The Green Path, a new initiative encouraging golfers to take part in responsible tourism by completing four easy digital learning modules.
Once completed, users receive certification and unlock exclusive travel perks – all while supporting the island’s efforts to protect its culture and natural resources.
Island golf courses are matching that mindset by implementing their own eco-friendly strategies.
For instance, Fort Buchanan Golf Club, St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club, and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar’s River Course have all joined Monarchs in the Rough, an Audubon International-led programme that turns underutilised course areas into butterfly habitats.
The project supports monarch butterfly migration, boosts biodiversity, and demonstrates how golf can coexist with conservation.
Notably, Bahia Beach is fully certified by Audubon International for both its course and resort operations – a reflection of their high-level environmental achievements and ongoing commitment to sustainability.
Dalissa Zeda, Digital Marketing Director at Discover Puerto Rico, said:
“We designed The Green Path as a modern approach to education and engagement.”
“That our golf courses are actively joining in this crucial cause means one of our key tourism niches understands the importance of green practices and proactivity.”
Whether you’re earning your Green Path badge or playing a round on a course that doubles as a pollinator sanctuary, Puerto Rico invites golfers to explore golf in a way that aligns with modern values – without sacrificing world-class quality.
For more about golf and travel in Puerto Rico, visit: www.DiscoverPuertoRico.com
