Pickleball in Costa Rica

Pickleball is quickly growing around the world including in Costa Rica
Check out the photos below

Posted: 5/25/2017  |  May 25, 2017

Just finished a week-long pickleball tour in the towns of Jaco and San Ramon, yes pickleball in Costa Rica! I was fortunate to have my dad’s help and expertise for the clinics and to also have my mom and family along for the fun. The tour organizers, Tony and Celeste Horpel live in Costa Rica and organize tours for the passionate pickleball player. Our tour included the “real” Costa Rica meaning we experienced a variety of things locals enjoy off the tourist “path”: we interacted with monkeys, iguanas and saw crocodiles, jungle cats, coatis, numerous tropical birds including toucans, macaws and parrots; hammocked on a desolate beach; and played pickleball in San Ramon’s salon communidad with tour-goers and locals alike.

We began the tour in Playa Jaco where we roamed Jaco beach in front of our resort hotel between pickleball instruction and free-play. The outside pickleball courts happened to be on the edge of the beach and right next to the pool and bar – so convenient!

Upon arrival, Tony and Celeste treated us to a little-known spot (actually a creek that runs right through town) that had too many iguanas to count. Even though we had an idea of what was to come, we couldn’t spot the iguanas until the mangos and bananas came out. Then, it was like the trees came alive. Iguanas were stepping over each other coming out of the trees—practically to our feet—for dinner.

On another side trip we visited the beautiful Alma Del Pacifico hotel and restaurant with its palm-lined, secluded beach for a wonderful lunch on the verandah. Following lunch, we lounged (and napped in hammocks) to the sounds, sights, and smells of the ocean just feet away. While shell collecting, the 80+ degree water provided a refreshing relief t the hot sun.

Back in Jaco (and probably across all regions) many of us experienced zip-lining, ATV rides to jungle, waterfalls and pickleball….of course!

On the bus ride to San Ramon we stopped at another private beach cove where one can picnic under the trees with monkeys and iguanas freely about. I did my best to lather a pickleball with banana in hopes that a monkey would want the pickleball, but after several attempts to hand feed it was only interested in the banana. Many were hand fed and one even had the nerved to scurry up to our table and take a banana out of a bag. Ha!

In San Ramon, we shopped at a local farmers’ market and lunched at a bed and breakfast retreat high upon the majestic mountains where we witnessed the clouds and fog roll in followed by a driving rain–something that happens daily this time of the year.

On another day, we toured a small family butterfly farm where we learned the four-part birth and life of a butterfly. On yet another day, we visited an animal rescue zoo that allowed up close and personal views of numerous tropical birds, monkeys, and many other jungle dwellers. Both were very unique and interesting experiences.

One of the highlights for me was a tour of an organic compesino coffee farm (on Facebook check out: Finca Edgar Fernandez). A small family-run farm that is big on self-sustaining and low-impact eco-creative ingenuity. The coffee process was demonstrated and of course we sipped coffee deep in an unreal jungle setting – PRICELESS.  We walked the green sloped terrain filled with coffee plants and a variety of other edible vegetation that outlined the area. All the vegetation had a purpose; if not for the family then for the wildlife creating an ecological corridor.

Pickleball in San Ramon was played on Tony and Celeste’s “home” courts. This is a cool community center with a covered roof, concrete floors with permanent lines and temporary nets. It was a pleasure teaching the many locals that came out and joined us. Some of the guys have only been playing less than a year and are good!

For a couple of our dinners, we were treated to dine at Hacienda Vivace, the beautiful home of fellow pickleball players Andy and Nancy. Andy happens to be a gourmet chef – more yummy food!

Another pickleball adventure in the wonderful world we share – the awesome thing is wherever you go pickleball players are so similar. They were welcoming, eager to share their little piece of heaven, smile a lot and just want to play pickleball. The tour goers who we got to spend the week with were great! We shared some awesome sights, fabulous pickleball and hearty laughs. I recommend meeting up with Tony and Celeste to get both your Costa Rica culture and pickleball fix. See their Facebook Page @pickleballcostarica

Oh yeah, and not to be outdone a couple of volcanoes Poas and Turrialba decided to spew some ash for our departure trip!

Pickleball in Costa Rica – Pura Vida!

Awesome Tour group.

Tony with an iguana, coffee farm and garden, and Dad and me posing with the pickleball.

Playing with the locals!

Pura Vida

 

 

 

 

45 comments on “Pickleball in Costa Rica”

  1. Beautiful.
    Addicted to pb! Will be in Jaco, CR for 1.5 months, mid december through the end of 2021. In your post, you mention a hotel that has pball courts. Will you please share the name of the hotel that has pball courts in Jaco? Additionally if you are having a pball tour in CR during that time, I’m interested in joining! Thank you in advance!!! Play on!!!

      1. Hi Steven. Tony here with Pickleball Costa Rica. Jennifer Lucore referred you to me.
        We offer pickleball vacations here in Costa Rica. You can find out more by visiting our site at pickleballcostarica.com.

  2. My husband and I would like to rent a condo in Costa Rica, preferably in the Guanacaste region, with access to local pickleball courts. We plan to be there from January to March 2022 so we’re looking for a long term furnished rental.
    Any suggestions would be welcome. I’ve emailed Tony H. earlier today and am just looking for more info.
    Thanks, Lisa

  3. We are just completing our house in Esterillos (between Jacó and Parrita) and have cleared a spot for a pickleball court. I would greatly appreciate any information on local contractors with experience in building pickleball or tennis courts. I am particularly interested in advice on reinforced concrete versus tension post concrete. I have the equipment and a local crew but no one has actually built a court before.
    Lou
    LW********@ao*.com

    1. ous see Greg’s communication below: Hi Richard
      Yes I have the best guy to deal with. He converted 2 tennis courts into 6 Pb courts for me in Punta islita Guanacaste CR
      Text or call me on WhatsApp
      +7814434444
      Greg.Guanacaste @gmail.com

  4. Really interested to hear that pickleball is gaining popularity in CR. We’re buying a property in Ojochal with room to build a p-ball court. Any construction recommendations or other players in the Ojochal area appreciated.

    1. Hi Richard
      Yes I have the best guy to deal with. He converted 2 tennis courts into 6 Pb courts for me in Punta islita Guanacaste CR
      Text or call me on WhatsApp
      +7814434444
      Greg.Guanacaste @gmail.com

    2. Richard:

      We will be staying in Uvita for the month of January, 2022 and would love to connect to play pickleball.

      Regards
      David and Sheila Cassell

  5. Francisco Gutierrez

    I am a Costa Rican that lives in Canada, where I am right now, half of the year. I have been playing pickleball in the last four years. Maybe I will join you in a court someday down there.

  6. Hi Jennifer,
    I was wondering where the pickleball court was in Jaco, Costa Rica. I just started playing and will be in Jaco this winter and would love to play some ball while I was there. Thank you.

    1. Briana,
      Did you ever find Pickleball Courts in Jaco? If so, will you please reply with where they are, or where you found good play? I will be there this winter. Thank you!

      1. Unfortunately, there is no pickleball in Jaco beach. The closest pickleball is in San Ramon. San Ramon is located about 90 minutes away from Jaco beach. You can reach me at 5:09-435-6435. Tony Horpel, ambassador to Costa Rica for the IFA and the USA PICKLEBALL.

  7. Hi Ellen. There is a tennis court that’s relatively new in Samara. It rents for about $18 an hour. You could set it up with a portable net and using tape or chalk. Keep in mind that it rains in the afternoons and will wash away the chalk. 45 minutes away in the town of Hojancha there is a small pickleball club and you could play there too. The owner’s name is Ralph Tr*******************@gm***.com. phone is 506-8397-9514. Tony

  8. Traveling to Samara beach in July. With 20 year old daughter, who is attending Spanish immersion. I was turned on to PICKLBALL over 30 years ago in marina del Rey, Los Angeles. The men who introduced predicted its popularity. Shall I bring my portable picklball gear, with me. ? I am hoping to use an already established TENNIS court that can be transformed into a PICKLEBALL COURT.

    1. I’m happy to report that I just finished 4 brand new pickleball courts in Punta Islita. In a joint venture with the Hotel Punta Islita, I just completed 4 new courts with lights for night play. It was such as success, we are building 4 more. Come join us and I’ll give you a free pass and instruction, if needed.
      Contact me Greg Kaknes on what’s app at +7814434444. Come play on Costa Rica’s newest court. Also ask about our all inclusive Pickleball package at the Hotel Punta Islita

      1. HI Greg,
        I have a group of friends who are all advanced Pickleball players (like 5-6 couples). We are in San Clemente CA. We have been talking about finding a destination pickleball getaway for spring 2021, like late April or early May. I would be interested in your information about a pickleball package at the Hotel Punta Islita. Could you email me information at ma*******@gm***.com? Thanks!

        1. Marianne mchugh

          Could you send me info on pickleball package. Interested in coming to.costa Rica and playing maybe in pickleball tournament.

      2. Greg- We are buying a property in Ojochal and I am interested in building a court/sports court. Any construction recommendations? Also, love the Punta Islita Resort. Had a lovely stay there our first trip to CR.

        /Richard Camp rc***@ca**********.net

        1. Hi Pat
          Yes we are! We are very excited. We will be hosting our first group the weekend of December 6
          We are currently putting together the schedule with pricing and professional instructor/hosts.
          You can contact me direct via cell at 781.443.4444
          Whatsapp
          +17814434444
          Or email at
          Gr*********@gm***.com

        2. Hi Pat. This is Tony with Pickleball Costa Rica. Engage Pickleball is putting on a clinic this November here in Costa Rica. You can check it out at pickleballcostarica.com/tours. Let me know. Tony
          Hide quoted text

        1. Jay… try me again on WhatsApp at
          +17814434444
          I will connect you to the Tamarindo group
          Greg Kaknes

  9. Hi Jennifer,
    My husband and I are looking to spend two months in Acosta rica in 2019. Jan and Feb are the dates we are looking at at the moment. We are beginner pickle ball players and are looking for a condo. Community of ex pats where we are near water and can play pickle ball etc. Can you recommend a place where that would be an achievable goal? Look forward to hearing from you.
    Bev

  10. Hi there. My husband and I are travelling to jaco CR in February of 2018. We are staying in a condo on north jaco beach. How far away would the closest pickleball courts be from where we are staying?

    Thx
    Pam Clarke

  11. Hi Jennifer, remember us from Borrego Springs? I’m the hawk nut. We have been following you since you shared your expertise on our courts. Loved your info on Costa Rica. I used to take college students to the island to study biology.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences on the island,

    Best,
    Hal and Joanne Cohen

  12. Thanks so much, Jennifer, for the wonderful comment about our tour, and for making it a great experience for all of us. You and your dad were stellar instructors, working with all of us with gracious encouragement. Multiple people from our club have commented on how their skills are much better because of your lessons, and Tony can really see it in them and himself. He feels he’s improved 10-fold! You and your entire family were a joy to be around. Nice people, all of you! It was good to get to know you. Thanks for coming down and being an important part of our tour. Celeste Horpel

  13. Was so great being with you on the 1st pickleball tour in Barcelona Spain and now in the 1st pickleball tour in Costa Rica. Your parents were great and so much fun and your daughters are beautiful and of course your handsome hubby. After reading this article on your blog, I’m hoping others will be enticed into going on one of your pickleball tours. Just count on Jacque and I being there. I’m sure you couldn’t get along without us. Great job on the article.

  14. What an enjoyable trip. Pickleball is branching out to so many countries and it’s so good to see you n your dad and friends all sharing the experience.
    Love ya much
    Rosie

  15. Jim and Marylou Furaus

    We enjoyed your pictures and your comments of your trip. Wish we could have gone too!

    Jim and Marylou Furaus

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