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Closest Championship Course to San JuanNorth CoastResort / stay-and-play

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club

18-Hole Championship Course — Río Grande, Puerto Rico

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club golf course in Río Grande, Puerto Rico

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club

North Coast · Río Grandecourses/bahia-beach-1.jpg
Photo: Discover Puerto Rico
Holes18
Par72
Longest tees6,890 yd
Rating / Slope76.1 / 146
DesignerRobert Trent Jones Jr. (2008 redesign; lead designer Ty Butler)
Opened1991 original (J.B. Gold) · redesigned 2008
Typical fee$$$$
AccessResort / stay-and-play

Overview

Robert Trent Jones Jr. rebuilt the original 1991 J.B. Gold course in 2008, keeping its routing but transforming it into a coastal parkland layout: Bermuda fairways through coconut palms and flowering flamboyán trees, around roughly 80 acres of saltwater lagoons, with El Yunque rainforest on the horizon and a closing stretch along the Atlantic. It is the closest championship 18 to San Juan and its airport — the easiest “drop the bags, tee off” option for a short trip — and Golf Digest ranked it second in Puerto Rico in 2022. The resort around it is now the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico.

Recognition: #2 in Puerto Rico (Golf Digest, 2022)

Green Fees & Other Costs

Bahia Beach: reported rates

Reviewed September 2026
Green fee (non-guest)≈ $200–$250Reviewers (2022) and Leading Courses “from $225”; not published by the resort
Rider / cart add-on$45Four Seasons 18-hole tee time page
Club rental$95Four Seasons
Shoe rental$25Four Seasons
Juniors 15 & under after 3:00 pmFree with a paying adultFour Seasons
Booking windowUp to 60 days aheadCancel at least 24 hours before to avoid full charge
Stay-and-playUp to 4 roundsResort “Oceanfront Fairway Escape”; valid selected dates Jun 27–Dec 21, 2026 and Jan 3–Dec 21, 2027
Rates come from the sources shown and change by season, day and time of day. Confirm with the club before you book. Compare every course on our green fee comparison.
Length6,890 yd
Difficulty (slope)146
Price tier$$$$
Scale18 holes

Course Facts & History

  • RTJ Jr. kept the routing of the 1991 J.B. Gold course but rebuilt it in 2008 — Bermuda tees and fairways through coconut palms and flowering flamboyán trees.
  • Roughly 80 acres of saltwater lagoons and views of El Yunque; the closing holes run along the Atlantic.
  • Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary; managed by Troon Golf. Fifteen of the 18 holes border water and the last three run along the Atlantic.
  • Forward “Family” tees (≈ 2,900–3,000 yards) make it genuinely playable for juniors and beginners.
  • The resort is now the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico (rebranded from St. Regis in Nov 2025); the course is billed as Bahía Beach Golf Club.

Tees & Ratings

Championship Course — par 72

TeeYardsRatingSlope
Black
6,890
76.1146
Black/Gold
6,588
74.1143
Gold
6,395
72.9143
Silver
5,841
70.1138
Copper
5,221
72.5135

Ratings shown are for men’s tees unless the tee is the front/forward set. Source data from GolfPass, Golf Advisor, Where2Golf and club materials.

Before you book: Roughly 30–35 minutes from San Juan airport — the easiest top-tier round for a short trip. Confirm phone/booking links: they changed with the 2025 rebrand.

Pros & Cons

Why golfers love it

  • Shortest drive from San Juan / SJU airport of any top-tier course
  • Genuine finishing stretch along the open Atlantic
  • Protected nature reserve setting — quiet, uncrowded surroundings
  • St. Regis-level service and clubhouse

Worth knowing before you book

  • Premium pricing similar to Dorado Beach
  • Wind off the ocean can make the closing holes demanding
  • Interior lagoon holes are attractive but less dramatic than the coastal finish
  • Best tee times lean toward resort guests

Facilities

  • Four Seasons resort clubhouse & El Cocoteros golf bar/grill
  • Driving range, putting green & golf simulator
  • Caddie service
  • Golf shop
  • Wildlife & nature-reserve trails
  • Spa access via resort

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bahia Beach open to the public?

Resort guests & public (advance booking). Roughly 30–35 minutes from San Juan airport — the easiest top-tier round for a short trip. Confirm phone/booking links: they changed with the 2025 rebrand.

How much does it cost to play Bahia Beach?

≈ $220–225 incl. cart · caddies ≈ $70–90. Rates change by season, day and time of day, so confirm with the club before you travel.

Who designed Bahia Beach and when did it open?

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. (2008 redesign; lead designer Ty Butler) and opened 1991 original (J.B. Gold) · redesigned 2008.

How far is Bahia Beach from San Juan airport?

About 12 miles in a straight line from San Juan airport (SJU). Allow roughly 30–45 min by car depending on traffic.

Where can I stay near Bahia Beach?

Nearby options include Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico; Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort; Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. See our golf hotels page for room counts, price tiers and stay-and-play details.

What are the tee yardages and ratings at Bahia Beach?

Championship Course (par 72): Black 6,890 yd (rating 76.1 / slope 146), Black/Gold 6,588 yd (rating 74.1 / slope 143), Gold 6,395 yd (rating 72.9 / slope 143).

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Sources for facts on this page include GolfPass / Golf Advisor, Where2Golf, GolfNow, Discover Puerto Rico, PGA Tour, USGA and the clubs themselves. Reported fees and access rules were last reviewed September 2026 and change often — confirm with the club before you travel. See our research methodology.