El Conquistador Golf Course
18-Hole Arthur Hills Course — Fajardo, Puerto Rico
El Conquistador Golf Course
East · Fajardocourses/el-conquistador-1.jpgOverview
Arthur Hills built this course into genuinely severe hillside terrain above Las Croabas — reportedly so steep in places that Hills himself worried it might be too much, and the underlying rock made shaping a real challenge. The result plays more like mountain golf than a Caribbean resort round: dramatic elevation changes, small target greens, and hilly rainforest views that are unlike anything else on the island. It's part of the sprawling El Conquistador Resort, which also runs its own ferry to a private beach on Palomino Island.
Green Fees & Other Costs
El Conquistador: reported rates
Reviewed September 2026| Green fee | Contact the resort | (787) 863-6784; not published online |
| Cart | Included (cart-only course) | GolfNow / GolfPass |
| Club rental | $60 + tax | 2026 event information, billed to room |
| Shoes / spikes | Soft spikes only; rental shoes | GolfNow |
| Dress code | Collared shirts, no denim, no black-soled tennis shoes | Resort |
| Lessons | PGA professionals | Private lessons available |
| Resort amenity fee | ≈ $100 per night (older listing) | Includes parking and Wi-Fi; confirm |
Course Facts & History
- Elevation changes of about 200 feet — rare among Caribbean resort courses.
- Faces the Atlantic where the trade winds blow; views span the ocean, the Caribbean Sea and El Yunque rainforest.
- Tift dwarf Bermuda greens and 419 Bermuda fairways; walking is not allowed and carts are included in the fee.
- The resort closed after Hurricane María (2017) and reopened in 2021. It now trades as El Conquistador Resort — the Waldorf Astoria flag is no longer used on its own website.
- Resort extras: private 100-acre Palomino Island, Coquí waterpark, marina and Vita Spa.
Tees & Ratings
Arthur Hills Course — par 72
| Tee | Yards | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 6,746 | 74.5 | 141 |
| Gold | 6,378 | 72.5 | 140 |
| Silver | 5,819 | 70.1 | 135 |
| Jade | 4,939 | 70.8 | 126 |
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.
Pros & Cons
Why golfers love it
- The most dramatic elevation change of any course in Puerto Rico
- Unique hillside rainforest scenery, very different from the island's beach courses
- Backed by a full-scale resort with marina and private-island beach access
- Generous fairway width off the tee despite the terrain
Worth knowing before you book
- Severe elevation changes can be tough on higher-handicap or older golfers
- Some holes are cart-path-only due to the terrain
- Less "oceanfront golf" than the north/northwest coast marquee courses
Facilities
- Golf shop & pro shop
- Practice range, pitching & putting greens
- PGA instruction
- Resort dining & Palomino Island beach club
- Tennis & pickleball on property
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Conquistador open to the public?
Resort guests first; public when tee sheet allows. Soft spikes only; collared shirts and proper attire required. Hilly and cart-only — ask about tee times when booking a room.
How much does it cost to play El Conquistador?
Contact resort for current rates (carts included). Rates change by season, day and time of day, so confirm with the club before you travel.
Who designed El Conquistador and when did it open?
El Conquistador Golf Course was designed by Arthur Hills and opened 1993.
How far is El Conquistador from San Juan airport?
About 25 miles in a straight line from San Juan airport (SJU). Allow roughly 50–75 min by car depending on traffic.
Where can I stay near El Conquistador?
Nearby options include El Conquistador Resort. See our golf hotels page for room counts, price tiers and stay-and-play details.
What are the tee yardages and ratings at El Conquistador?
Arthur Hills Course (par 72): Black 6,746 yd (rating 74.5 / slope 141), Gold 6,378 yd (rating 72.5 / slope 140), Silver 5,819 yd (rating 70.1 / slope 135).
Photo Gallery
El Conquistador
Photo 1courses/el-conquistador-2.jpg
El Conquistador
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El Conquistador
Photo 3courses/el-conquistador-4.jpgOther courses nearby
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Ocean & River Courses — Río Grande
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Championship Course + International nines — Río Grande
Bahia Beach
North Coastcourses/bahia-beach-1.jpgBahia Beach Resort & Golf Club
18-Hole Championship Course — Río Grande
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.